Taylor Swift's Best And Worst Red Carpet Hairstyles

There's no denying that pop star Taylor Swift has undergone a stunning hair transformation over the years, but that doesn't mean the "Fortnight" singer always has perfect hair. In fact, with so many red-carpet events under her belt, it's completely expected that Swift, just like all of us, has experienced a couple of bad hair days.

As Swift was growing in front of our very eyes, her hair was changing, too. "I learned that your hair can completely change texture," the star told Elle in 2019. "From birth, I had the curliest hair and now it is straight. It's the straight hair I wished for every day in junior high. But just as I was coming to terms with loving my curls, they've left me." Curly or straight, there's no denying that the musician's hair is always beautiful. Nevertheless, here are some hairstyles that we adored on Swift and some that we hope to not see again anytime soon.

While the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards will always be in our memory thanks to Kanye West's infamous takeover of Taylor Swift's acceptance speech (the country star got her first-ever "Moonman" for the best female video category for her hit "You Belong with Me"), Swift's hair for the event was the picture-perfect example of a loose updo with curly, face-framing tendrils. The look was the perfect balance between sophisticated and chic on one side and fun and youthful on the other, creating a hairstyle that we've loved seeing on the star ever since.

Face-framing tendrils are an iconic '90s hair trend that's returned to prominence in recent years, and hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons revealed to InStyle that there's a good reason why the look is so popular. "It works for any hair type and face shape, which makes it super versatile and trendy," the expert explained in 2023. While we love a sleek updo, leaving a couple of face-framing pieces out of it allows for a more ethereal and soft look — and nobody does those better than Swift (or her glam squad).

It's safe to say that 2024 was a big year for Swifties, as Taylor Swift announced her 11th studio album, "The Tortured Poets Department," while accepting an award at the Grammys. For the annual prestigious music event, the pop star dressed up in a look that, in hindsight, was absolutely "TTPD"-coded. And while we love it when Taylor Swift drops big hints with her outfits, we have to admit that her 2024 Grammys hair wasn't her strongest.

The side-swept style is a tried-and-true look for Swift; however, it wasn't executed as flawlessly as usual. Swift's hair was sleek and almost retro-looking at the top of her head, while her ends looked messy and frizzy, resulting in a clash of styles. To make matters worse, the star had a singular tiny braid in her hair that seemed out of place.

When Taylor Swift showed up on the TIME 100 Gala red carpet in 2019, her entire look was a masterclass in how to achieve the bohemian fairy-core aesthetic. Her flowy dress and subtle makeup were ethereal, but the true star of the show was undoubtedly Swift's hairstyle. For the occasion, the "Cruel Summer" singer went with her signature loose updo, this time in the form of a braid with face-framing pieces and slightly messy bangs. 

What set this particular updo apart was its delicate flower headband with rhinestones. The hair accessory caught the light perfectly, drawing attention to the musician's beautiful hair. If this look instantly makes you want to rock more bohemian hairstyles, you're not the only one, and there are thankfully numerous chic braided hairstyles you can wear every day. And if you want to add a headband to it, keep in mind that its color and texture should complement the rest of your outfit if you want it to mesh well.

When it comes to Taylor Swift's most memorable hair moments, no list would be complete without the platinum-blond bob she rocked at the 2016 Met Gala, the fashion event of the year. That year, Swift was one of the event's co-chairs in addition to being the magazine's cover girl for May. Moreover, Vogue's very own Anna Wintour revealed that changing the pop star's hair was crucial. "We very much wanted to give Taylor a new look, make her into a sort of a rock n' roll chick," Wintour said on the "Today" show at the time (via People).

Famously coined Bleachella by fans because Swift debuted the new look at that year's Coachella festival, the color and cut received mixed reactions from the public. And while the cut undoubtedly suits the "All Too Well" singer, the ultra-light shade of blond sadly doesn't work well with her features. But hey, even Swift acknowledged that hair mistakes are part of growing up. "Fashion is all about playful experimentation," Swift told Elle. "If you don't look back at pictures of some of your old looks and cringe, you're doing it wrong. See: Bleachella."

In 2015, Taylor Swift decided to go for an edgy look at the MTV Video Music Awards, and her hairstyle complemented it perfectly. Instead of a classic ponytail or updo, the pop star wore a style we don't see much of at red carpet events: a sleek, low ponytail with a deep side part and side-swept bangs.

In order for this look to survive the evening and remain as sleek and shiny as it did when she first walked the carpet, there's no doubt that lots of hairspray was involved. In fact, just keeping those bangs from moving around undoubtedly took some strong hold. "When using hairspray, hold the canister a safe distance away from your scalp and spray only on your hair," double board-certified dermatologist May Hall shared with Byrdie in 2024. "Spray in a well-ventilated room and do not apply excessively." If you follow this, your hairstyle should last as long as Swift's.

We love seeing women support women, especially in a cut-throat industry like entertainment. So, when Taylor Swift showed up to the premiere of "Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé" in 2023, we were excited to see these legendary musicians together.

However, as breathtaking as it was to see Swift at the premiere, we weren't too fond of her hairstyle. Now, don't get us wrong: The color of her hair was perfect, as were the loose waves, but the super-deep side part not only gave the appearance of a receding hairline but also looked unnatural. To prevent something like this from happening, hairstylist Jonathon Eangland explained to Elle in 2024 that taking an individual approach is key. "Choose the location of your parting based on where your hair naturally falls best or where it looks the most flattering on your face," he told the outlet. "Aim for specific facial features and parts of bone structure. A good rule of thumb is to pick out the inner corner of the brow bone on whichever side you're going for and drag diagonally back from there." And if you want even more tips, check out our guide on the side part and how to rock the Y2K-inspired hair trend.

When Taylor Swift rose to fame, her curls played a major part in her look. "My hair is naturally curly, so some days I just let it be," the "Blank Space" singer told Allure in 2011. "But when I wake up and my hair looks like a mess, I curl my hair by wrapping the hair around the curling iron to create a spiral look."

One of our favorite curly-haired Swift moments happened at the 2006 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards, where the singer showed up with messy locks and a deep side part. While the ringlet curls were defined, the hairstyle was still a tad messy, creating that perfect balance between natural curls and a couple of curling-iron-enhanced pieces. And yes, as Swift proved at the CMA Awards, a small hint of frizziness at the roots can add some texture to the look, resulting in a nonchalant yet still stunning hairstyle.

While we love Taylor Swift with bangs, we must admit that her hairstyle at the 2010 American Music Awards wasn't her best interpretation of the look. The "Back to December" singer rocked long, pin-straight hair to the event, and while we don't hate the length of her hair, we do have a bone to pick with her bangs. We all know that bangs require a lot of upkeep, and Swift's hair at the AMAs could've used some tender loving care.

The length of the star's bangs was simply too long, causing the ends to poke her eyes and barely let us see her eye makeup. Had they been a tad shorter, this look may not have been that bad. Yes, we can even get past the chunky blond highlights, even though the Y2K trend wasn't as chic in 2010 as it is now. In fact, chunky highlights are decidedly popular again, and celebs have been rocking the trend in spades.

At first glance, Taylor Swift's hair at the 2025 Grammys wasn't anything spectacular — the star had her hair styled in soft, bouncy bangs and loose waves. However, the more we looked at her hair, the more it intrigued us. The "Anti-Hero" singer's hair was pulled back without any noticeable hair clips, which resulted in a look that was simultaneously casual and structured.

The best part of it all is that the hairstyle allowed for Swift's red, statement earrings to have their moment. When it comes to styling hair for red-carpet events, taking into account the entire outfit and accessories one will wear is crucial. And most of the time, Swift's hair team does a perfect job with that. The pop star has rocked bangs for years now, and if you ask us, she is one of the few celebrities who pulls them off perfectly. "I wanted to change my look a little bit and I've loved the way that bangs look on other people," she told HuffPost in 2011. "It's just fun to play around with your hair and change it up."

Don't get us wrong — we adore Taylor Swift's curls. After all, the "Teardrops on My Guitar" singer rose to fame with them. However, when the then-country star attended her first-ever Grammy Awards in 2008, her hair wasn't giving us that naturally curly look she was known for.

Now, we have to give her curls some context: It was 2008, and most of us were still clinging to the Y2K curling-iron curls. You know, the ones we would just let be without ever considering brushing them out (or at least gently separating them with our fingers). Frankly, had Swift shaken them out a bit, this hairstyle could have easily ended on the best side of our list. This just proves that there is a fine line between an iconic hairstyle and a faux pas.

By the 2020s, Taylor Swift had become an expert at soft updos, and the one she had her hair in at the 2021 premiere of her "All Too Well" short film is definitely one of our favorites. We've already established that bangs, when cut the right length, suit the star's face, and an updo with face-framing tendrils is always a safe choice for her.

Now, what sets this particular updo apart from some of the other ones she's rocked is her hair color. As the coronavirus pandemic put the world into a standstill, Swift went back to her natural dark-blond hair color, a shade that soon afterward became known as old money blond. "To achieve the old money blonde shade, ask your colourist for a look that's melted, natural and seamless," colorist Damien Gray explained to Elle in 2024. That she most certainly did because Swift's hair color and style were a physical embodiment of the phrase "chef's kiss."

We love a grandma-chic look, but when Taylor Swift showed up to the 2012 Grammy Awards with her bun, we couldn't help but notice just how much her hairstyle aged her. The "Karma" singer's hair was styled in a semi-loose updo, but without any face-framing pieces, the style ended up looking messy and last-minute. Not to be too harsh, but this is the kind of bun most of us pull our hair up in when we're getting things done around the house. The Grammys certainly deserve more.

Had her hair been pulled back a bit more tightly into a sleek bun, this look would have been a lot better. Alternatively, had she decided to go for one of her signature loose updos, the style wouldn't be in the "worst" category of our list. Instead, it's unfortunately remembered as one of Swift's messiest hair moments.

One style move that works particularly well for Taylor Swift is going for the Old Hollywood aesthetic. From her signature red lips to her flirty winged eyeliner, Swift has perfected the look over the years, and retro curls often accompany her vintage-looking makeup.

In 2014, the "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" singer attended the Met Gala, and her hair easily stole the spotlight. The star rocked a bob haircut at the time, and she had it styled in a deep side part with sophisticated curls. "Hollywood waves typically describe big, voluminous, S-curl waves that are even and consistent throughout the hair. The Hollywood drama comes from all the volume," hairstylist Jerome Lordet told Byrdie in 2024. Swift's side-swept bangs perfectly blended into the S-curl of her hairstyle, giving us one of the best modern interpretations of Old-Hollywood hair.

Curtain bangs have taken the world by storm so far in the 2020s, and it seems as if Taylor Swift also fell victim to the trend. In 2022, she attended the MTV Video Music Awards, and her curtain bangs left us all in disbelief. The "Look What You Made Me Do" singer had her bangs parted in the middle and swept to the sides, but the bangs seemed a bit too short and not layered enough to actually be styled like curtain bangs.

"Curtain bangs are a longer fringe that has a looser centre parting to add to the softness that the fringe gives," hairstylist Cos Sakkas explained to Hello! Magazine in 2025. "The hair is shorter in the centre and gradually gets longer towards the temple, creating a soft, face-framing finish." Unfortunately, Swift's version of curtain bangs simply looked like regular, straight-across bangs styled with a middle part. A couple of longer pieces on the sides of the updo could have potentially helped save this hairstyle, but luckily for Swift, most people were too focused on her bejeweled makeup and dress to pay attention to her hair.

While we love Taylor Swift with long hair, we have to admit that her bob era might just be her most iconic look. At the time, the star's approach to hair was fearless, and she experimented with texture, color, and the style of her bangs, giving us plenty of variety. 

A look that may seem similar to her 2014 Met Gala hair at first is the hairstyle she wore to the 2014 Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards. However, hair enthusiasts will instantly notice that the vibe of the look is entirely different. While the Met Gala hairstyle was all about a retro look, her ACMs hairstyle was a fun and quirky interpretation of a wavy bob. The hairstyle was slightly messy and unfinished, but all of that added to the lived-in aesthetic of it. Now, if you want more celebrity hair critiques, check out Miley Cyrus' best and worst red carpet hairstyles.