When Miley Cyrus hacked off her hair in Aug. 2012, it was the chop heard round the world. After years of long, lush locks, worn in a variety of shades, textures and lengths, the singer/actress decided she had enough and went punk pixie short. Cyrus bleached it blonde and went as close cropped as you could get. So far, she hasn’t stopped cutting.
As the weeks went by, Miss Miley went blonder and shorter, and has gone on record to say that she will never, like, ever get back together with long hair.
In honor of Miley embracing the shorter side of life, we were inspired to look back at some of her best hairstyles over the year. She’s always been well-coiffed, and whether her strands are long or short, curly or straight, blonde or brown, textured or two-toned, she always keeps us guessing.
1. Old Hollywood Glam Waves
Miley Cyrus showed up to the 2012 Oscars in Old Hollywood glam fashion, with shoulder-length, golden waves. It was an old fashioned style, from her hair to her bold brows to her deep, crimson lips — but she kept the whole thing young and modern with the color, courtesy of the dark roots. The side swept curl in her bangs also made this look pretty and a total winner for ‘The Climb’ singer.
2. Sleek + High Ponytail
Long hair is youthful and ponytails are certainly girlish, but they don’t always have to be that way. Miley Cyrus showed that a mega long pony can be adult and sexy with this sleek, slicked-back, up ‘do. The ombre color, with buttery blonde ends, and the fact that she wrapped a hair knot around the base of her pony were added touches that made this one of her sexiest styles ever. Yet another long look that makes us miss Miley’s mane…
3. Big + Voluminous
Ever think that shoulder-length hair isn’t versatile or fun? Well, just look at Miley Cyrus, who’s big ‘do to the left proves that shorter hair can be styled any which way you please. The singer/actress rocked full and voluminous waves at the 2012 Billboard Awards. The blown back height at the crown is very ’70s and undeniably sexy. Her hair may have been at a shoulder-skimming length at the time, but she showed that you can do so many different things with it. She looked utterly bangin’.
4. Dark Honey Waves
While Miley Cyrus just went on record to say that she never sees herself going long again with her locks, these glossy, honey-amber waves might make her want to rethink that position. At the 2010 AMAs, her extra-long, shiny waves were beautifully suited to an awards show. She was the quintessential beach girl, with pretty yet imperfect tresses. If she never grows her strands past her collarbone again, we can always remember this style and smile.
5. Ombre Bedhead
While accompanying her fiance Liam Hemsworth to a premiere of ‘The Hunger Games,’ Cyrus sported ombre bedhead waves. The look appears low maintenance and effortless, as if she walked off the oceanside and right onto the red carpet. The wavy texture and dark-to-light shade, paired with subtle sheen, makes us long for the days when Miley’s hair was longer. This shake-your-hands-through-it-and-go look is easily one of her best.
6. Extra Long Extensions
Starlets can enjoy a variety of different hair looks thanks to the miracle of extensions, which is what Miley Cyrus wore to the Kids’ Choice Awards back in 2011. The light brown hue and cascade of curls were supremely young and most definitely kept Cyrus in ‘Hannah Montana’ mode. Although some women would drown underneath all that hair, Miley’s confidence allowed her to pull off such a Rapunzel-y look flawlessly.
7. Golden Bob
This was Miley Cyrus P.C. — Pre Chop! The glossy shine and golden, honey hue of this shoulder-length, face-framing bob accentuated Miley’s good looks gorgeously. Looking back, it might seem “ordinary” when compared to her new, punk pixie cut. However, this cut and color suited Cyrus’ face shape. It wasn’t too long or too short, so this polished ‘do was pretty much perfect.
8. Blonde Punk Pouf
At the iHeart Radio Festival in Sept. 2012, Miley Cyrus had just chopped off her hair. While fans and style critics were concerned that she would lack versatility and femininity with such a close-cropped look, she showed that it was anything but one-note. The platinum, white hot color was bold and grabbed your attention, but that blown-back pouf on the top? It was edgy and punk rock, elevating the super short style to fashionable in one fell swoop. The coif called attention to all of her facial features, as she could no longer hide behind hair… not that she ever needed to!
9. Two-Toned Faux Hawk
At New York Fashion Week in 2013, Miley Cyrus showed off a two-toned faux hawk with a messy, tousled and spiky top. The visibly dark roots pop against the platinum blonde tips. Overall, the look is alternately tough and feminine, thanks to her spidery, Twiggy-like lashes and scarlet lips. also, he shortness of her hair really brings out her supple lips and blue-gray eyes. Maybe she really was onto something when she hacked off her hair. And off topic — doesn’t she look a bit like One Direction‘s Niall Horan?
10. Boho Chic Waves
Miley Cyrus put forth a distinctly ’70s vibe with these golden, boho chic waves that spill past her boobs. Thick, textured and two-toned, Cyrus was sporting rocker chick chic strands at this phase of her life. The singer/actress was typical California girl with her coif, thanks to beachy waves that look better when you wait two days to wash them. Even her unfancy follicles are fashionable!
What other Miley hairstyles are your favourites? Leave a comment!
