50 Photos of Britney Spears’ Hair Evolution Through the Years – Cosmopolitan

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When Britney Spears got her first big break in the late '90s, she was a fashion and beauty ~icon~ to tweens and teens (and adults, let's be real) everywhere. And I, for one, was always impressed by how much she mixed it up. Bangs! Pigtails! Extensions! Fedoras! If there's a style or accessory that exists on this sweet earth, Brit has tried it. Don't worry, of course I've done the photo research to prove it. Please enjoy Britney's hair evolution throughout her career, from the early days of ...Baby One More Time to her Vegas residency. Some styles you'll def remember and love, while others are, um, better left in the past (looking at you, cheesy prom curls).

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January 1999

When Britney appeared on the scene (well, excluding her Mickey Mouse Club days, duh), she had long layers and baby-esque bangs. Also, pretty sure this is her natural color!

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January 1999

Britney's American Music Awards hair was the definition of on-trend. Crimping? Check. Beaded headband? Check. All that's missing is a butterfly clip...or two. (Or three. I loved those things, don't judge me, pls.)

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February 1999

The singer modified her look ever-so-slightly towards the end of the decade with a shorter cut that is serving serious "The Rachel" vibes.

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June 1999

At the MTV European Music Awards, Britney went short with a textured bob and red lowlights (another classic late '90s/early 2000s trend, what a queen).

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July 1999

Only one month later, thanks to what I can only assume are a few pounds of extensions, Britney was seen in concert with honey brown hair and high pigtails, naturally.

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August 1999

Finally! The golden blonde layered look I know and love her for. Her Teen Choice Awards style soon become her signature.

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September 1999

Who else grew obsessed with super long, sleek hair after seeing Brit rock this look at the MTV Music Video Awards? Same same same.

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December 1999

And then as soon as I committed to growing my hair out, she goes and shows up at the Billboard Music Awards with this blunt bob. Always keeping us on our toes, that Brit.

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February 2000

There is no more iconic Grammys look than this. Straight, sleek, icy side-part = everything.

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June 2000

We're all guilty of trying to replicate this gem of a look from the singer's Oops I Did It Again era. No? Just me???

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September 2000

Warning: Crimping your hair at home never rarely turns out looking like Britney at the MTV Music Video Awards. Doesn't mean you shouldn't try, tho! I believe in you!

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November 2000

There was no bigger fan of pigtails (or hats) than Godney. Here, she wears both at the same time on her European tour in 2000.

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December 2000

See?? Britney LOVES a hat. Even...this Victorian-esque (??) one that she wore to the Billboard Music Awards. (Yes, good eye, it also matches her...lingerie set.)

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January 2001

Britney went more dirty than golden blonde in 2001 for her tousled Super Bowl halftime show look.

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March 2001

I humbly refer to this as her "Crossroads Cut" era. She wore the flipped-out, shoulder-length style while filming said iconic movie.

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June 2001

Britney, is that you? She was almost unrecognizable with long platinum blonde extensions and sunglasses at a radio event.

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July 2001

For her boyfriend-at-the-time Justin Timberlake's (!) album release party in 2001, Brit kept it simple with wavy blonde hair.

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September 2001

When dancing with a snake at the MTV Music Video Awards, always opt for long beach waves.

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February 2002

Was Britney going to the Grammys or prom? Your guess is as good as mine. So. Many. Curls.

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August 2002

Alas, another hat! Britney topped blunt layers and bright blonde hair with a leather Breton hat for the 2002 MTV Music Video Awards.

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November 2002

In case you forgot what decade we were in, I give you an oversized flower hair accessory. The early 2000s loved a hair clipand so did Brit.

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January 2003

Britney was an early adopter of the red lowlight trend. She even mixed in purple-red pieces at the American Music Awards.

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February 2003

What hairstyle pairs best with a sexy shipwrecked look? A texturized and rooted blonde bob, of course.

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May 2003

A chin-grazing bob was totes appropriate for a charity auction. Thankfully, she returned to her golden layers soon after.

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June 2003

Britney's solution to a bad hair day is the same as mine: hide it under a hat. Sure, I usually grab a baseball cap, not a fedora, but we all have our preferences.

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September 2003

I'm pretty sure this is a wig, but it was memorable regardless. She wore it to a Super Bowl partymaybe the colors hinted at which team she was rooting for? #Sports

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January 2004

Just like that, Britney returned to her roots with golden blonde beach waves at the NRJ Music Awards in Cannes, France. S-T-U-N-N-I-N-G, I tell you.

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December 2004

A new peachy-blonde hue calls for an elegant high pony fitted with face framing bangs.

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March 2005

A few months later, Britney made a big change with a chestnut brown color. The darker hue was a dramatic difference, but she kept her go-to long layers and baby bangs.

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July 2005

Flash forward a few months: Britney is newly-married, expecting, and back to golden blonde, with a new addition of a lil bump-it.

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50 Photos of Britney Spears' Hair Evolution Through the Years - Cosmopolitan