10 Pics Of Hayden Panettiere's Hair To Bring To Your Next Salon Appointment

When we think of Hayden Panettiere, the first thing that comes to mind is her talent and longevity. The "Nashville" alum first entered showbiz at just 5 years old, going on to star in films like "Racing Stripes" and "Raising Helen" before cultivating a career as an adult actor. But as she's grown in the spotlight, we've paid attention to her beauty transformation, and that includes her best hair looks over the years. 

Though she's kept her signature blond color for most of her life (other than a few dances with red and pink), the "Ice Princess" actor has experimented with different styles during her time in the spotlight. In addition to proving that she suits both long and short hair, Hayden Panettiere's stunning hair transformation has also shown that it is possible to come back from damage. In March 2025, she admitted to experiencing significant breakage. "My hair was so damaged from all the bleaching and color changes — not to mention all the heat from styling," she wrote in the caption of an Instagram reel. "Hours in the hair and makeup chair on set had also taken its toll." The reel showed her hair stylist Becker Chicaiza ditching the platinum and toning her hair to a darker blond. 

While navigating the damage that comes with a lifetime of hairstyling, Panettiere has turned to updos, as well as exploring edgier, more maximalist ways of styling her hair when it's down. If she's taught us nothing else, it's that a little hair gel can make all the difference to a relatively simple hairstyle. Whether you're drawn to her bold and creative wet looks, her forays into the world of bright hair color, or her more simple styles, these photos should provide all the inspo your hairstylist needs to give you a Hayden-approved makeover.

If there's one thing Hayden Panettiere knows how to do, it's nailing an updo. At the New York City premiere of "Scream VI" in March 2023, the "Nashville" star turned up to the moody red carpet in a fierce look. Her siren eyes were so alluring that only an updo would do them justice, so she went with a messy bun and straight curtain bangs. This sleek style showed off her makeup and her ear bling, while also providing a nice balance to the high-neck detail of her all-black outfit. 

Hayden Panettiere is living proof that hairstyles can fall into more than two categories: elaborate updo, or down and naturally styled. There are a range of in-between options, including the asymmetrical slicked style she wore to the amfAR Gala in November 2022. Her hair seemed to be longer at the front than the back, and this effect was amplified by flipping over and gelling the entire front section. The back hair, which was simply down and straight, also appeared to be slicked in place. Between the cut, styling, and intentional brunette regrowth, this look was effortlessly bold and cool.

By now, we have a feeling that Hayden Panettiere loves showing off her earring stacks, and we don't blame her. Slicked hairstyles are perfect for that, whether they're updos or simply down and gelled, as is her specialty. For a Hollywood Reporter Emmy event in September 2022, the "Remember the Titans" star went for an edgy wet look that saw all her hair gelled back. The lob length and brunette regrowth again worked in her favor here, creating a hairstyle that felt experimental and statement-making.

Hayden Panettiere's more boundary-pushing hairstyles didn't come about until later in her career. Earlier on, around January 2017 when she was doing promo for "Nashville," she was still sporting the low-key blond cut we'd always associated with her. And for those who prefer a less eye-catching hairstyle, this is a good one to take to your salon. She appears to have a few long face-framing layers, while her hair sits loosely parted to the side. Color-wise, there are shadow roots, but they're much less obvious than the regrowth she was sporting in the 2020s.

Sometimes, the best celebrity photos to show your hairstylist are photos of that celebrity with their hairstylist. In February 2026, Hayden Panettiere posted a photo of herself in the styling chair with hair guru Erick Orellana. "Fun, laughs, and good hair days with the fabulous @erickohair," she captioned the post, next to a paint palette emoji. In addition to the buttercream blond (a warmer alternative to platinum) color, which featured both high and lowlights, Panettiere was rocking face-framing layers and loose waves at the front of her head.

We're used to seeing Hayden Panettiere with a long mane, but she can still pull off a shorter cut like nobody's business. Back in January 2016, she went with a simple textured lob at the Critics' Choice Awards, relying on waving rather than layering for volume and body. It appeared to be a two-toned style with her brunette shade coming through underneath, as well as a fuss-free flipped over part which created a relaxed feel. This is an ideal lob haircut for the perfect in-between length.

Blond might be her comfort zone, but Hayden Panettiere loves a splash of color, too. Her two-toned watermelon hair is the trend we didn't know we needed back in 2023. That September, Panettiere named this look "watermelon vibes" in an Instagram caption, where she again tagged colorist Erick Orellana. Even if you're not up for a bubblegum pink and mint makeover, the styling here is gorgeous. The "Bring It On: All or Nothing" star reached for a fresh look with shoulder-length waves and long bottleneck wispy bangs. 

In the 2010s, Hayden Panettiere's hair philosophy was a lot safer, and it resulted in some objectively pretty styles. She went with a romantic flipped over 'do at the Billboard Music Awards in May 2013, highlighting her tumbling blond curls with a section gelled back at the side of her head and studded with hair jewels. A more tame version of the slicked styles she'd explore years later, this whimsical look would be easy for any stylist to recreate. Even with thinner hair, the volume of the curls could be amped up with teasing or extensions.

Hayden Panettiere has joined the ranks of celebrities who look just as gorgeous with their natural hair, and her nostalgic curls might be our favorite look yet. She debuted this laidback style on Instagram in April 2025, with fans gushing over her ringlets in the comment section. Obviously, having naturally curly hair makes this look easier to replicate, but your hairstylist can still work their magic without it. Whether they're using a thin curling wand and gel, or highlighting natural curls with mousse, the final look is fun and relaxed. 

Since her days as a child star, Hayden Panettiere has been known for her sunny blond hair, so it's difficult to imagine her with something more coppery. But there's no imagination needed; in November 2025, she blessed fans with a photo of her new red hair, which looked gorgeous on her cool-toned skin. For orange color inspo, this is the only photo you need to show your hairstylist. It's not just the vibrant shade we love, but the uniform vacation-ready mermaid waves Panettiere paired with it. Ariel, is that you?