Lauren Graham's Natural Hair Is So Different From Her Normal Style

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Fans of "Gilmore Girls" have seen actor Lauren Graham cycle through several hair makeovers. From sleek pigtails and lanky waves to loose, vintage-inspired curls, Graham carried off many different looks throughout the series, while portraying the independent and quick-witted Lorelai Gilmore. What many viewers didn't realize, though, is that Lorelai's various on-screen stylings never reflected Graham's actual hair type, which is intensely curly. We can't help but wonder: Why didn't they show off her beautifully twisty locks? After all, Graham is definitely one of those celebrities who look just as gorgeous with their natural hair.

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As we can see in a photo of young Graham, seemingly taken from her high school yearbook, the actress was gifted with curls so thick and voluminous that most people would need a perm to achieve the same effect. Sadly, we don't get to see these curls in action too often, either on film or in snaps of Graham's everyday life. Only by peering back into the past, when "Gilmore Girls" was still in its heyday, can we find more evidence of Graham flaunting her natural hair in public.

Nowadays, we're accustomed to spotting "Parenthood" star Lauren Graham with her hair brushed out into loose waves, if not completely straightened. But in the early noughties, it was much easier to spot her out and about with her natural hair. Way back in 2003, we got a rare public glimpse of Graham's tight curl texture at the WB Television Network Upfront All-Star Party. Her voluminous hair bounced in delightful disarray, giving Graham an easygoing and approachable vibe.

In 2004, Graham once again showed off her corkscrew curls at the world premiere of "Friday Night Lights." This look was a little less wild and a little more coiffed — she'd clearly put some work into smoothing the top around her part and taming the curls themselves into organized ringlets. But the essence of Graham's natural look was still present, embracing rather than hiding her curly locks.

2020s-era Graham doesn't seem as inclined to play with these super curly styles, or their messy-yet-romantic vibes. Before and after pics of the "Gilmore Girls" leading ladies prove that Graham is still a stunner, but these days, her genuine curls rarely make an appearance — even though fans have responded very positively to the look.

Lauren Graham may tend to downplay her curly hair, but it isn't not due to a lack of interest from her fanbase. "Curls look incredible on her," commented one fan on Reddit in 2025. Another added, "She won the genetic lottery." And another one wrote, "I loved when her hair was curly and dark. ... I wish she kept it natural all the time." Authentically curly hairdos are back in vogue, we can't help but agree. But anyone who's dealt with thick curls knows that maintaining and styling them can be a full-time job — and Graham is no exception.

"My hair is naturally curly and extremely sensitive to the weather," Graham wrote in her memoir, "Talking As Fast As I Can" (per Entertainment Weekly in 2016). "This means that in order for me to wear it curly, it has to first be straightened, then curled, which sort of defeats the whole supposed 'luck' of having naturally curly hair in the first place." With so much effort required to do her curls justice, we can't blame Graham for defaulting to lower-maintenance hairstyles. And her explanation certainly reveals why so many other celebrities rarely show off their natural curls.

If you're a curly girl stuck in the same boat, there are some tips and tricks to make styling easier, from applying hair products to your curly hair in the right order to finding hairstyles that will complement your tight curls. But do whatever feels right to you — just like Graham looks fabulous with both straight and coiled hair, the to-curl-or-not-to-curl debate is ultimately a matter of personal preference.