Needless to say, it’s been a big year for celebrity hair already. From Kim Kardashian's internet-breaking blonde; Lily Collins' full fringe and Dua Lipa's hot pink hair, we’ve been blessed with an endless stream of hair trends and transformations of late.

Why have we seen so many celebrity hair transformations recently?

1. Our hair gives us a sense of control

‘During the pandemic, many of us have felt out of control when it comes to our lifestyle (including what we can do and who we can see),’ says Sharnade George, Psychotherapist and Founder of Cultureminds Therapy. ‘Changing your hair can give you a sense of control over your body: people use their hair to send messages about who they are and what they stand for; what is meaningful to them and [how they] show their sense of creativity,' she continues.

2. It has a mood-boosting effect

Pandemic aside, there’s also the simple mood-boosting power of a fresh cut or colour update too. ‘Our hair plays a significant role in how we feel about ourselves; there are strong emotional connections to our mood and hair,’ says Sharnade, who stresses that a ‘good hair day’ goes beyond surface level to help us feel confident inside and out.

3. It's a sign of change to come

Beyond shaking off those lockdown lengths, a fresh hairstyle can also signal a new chapter. 'There are so many reasons why people look to a big hair change and what’s important to remember is that a big hair change isn’t always due to a negative change in life.' says Adam Reed, UK Editorial Ambassador for L’Oréal Professionnel.

'I have clients wanting a hair transformation after breakups just as often as after having a baby, for example – hair is such a massive part of our identity and having a change in life can make us feel empowered and inspired to switch up our look.'

4. A hair transformation can make a statement

Finally, our hair can make a powerful statement. Take Willow Smith shaving her afro during a performance of 'Whip My Hair' this summer or Fearne Cotton dying her hair bright pink as an ode to her late friend.

What are the biggest hair trends?

Bangs, bobs, lobs, big afros, you name it – this year has been a revival of all the most iconic hair trends from decades past. But, with home hair dye on the rise, experimenting with colour has reigned supreme. 'Reds and coppers always have a revival as we move into the winter months to bring some warmth to the crisper weather,' agrees Adam Reed, who says the trend comes inspired by Gigi Hadid and her fiery red colour transformation.

How to emulate the style? Always consult a professional, says Reed, in order to find the right shade for your hair type and natural tone. 'For instance, some may opt for a rich brown that reflects red in the light; other options include experimenting with strawberry blonde and auburn tones.'

Among other hair trends this summer, liquid hair has been cropping up too. A look defined by high-shine, uber straight hair that reflects the light and one seen of the likes of Dakota Johnson and Jennifer Lopez.

The best celebrity hair transformations of the year

If you’ve been wondering whether a new hairstyle could be the fresh upgrade you need, we’ve narrowed down the best celebrity hair transformations for your perusal, below. Whether it’s embracing your natural curls, or braving a shorter style after years of deliberation, let these major hair transformations inspire your next 'do.

'Short-ER and bouncy for stunning #MEGANFOX,' wrote celebrity hairstylist, Dimitris Giannetos.

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The brand founder and new skincare entrepreneur is single handedly inspiring razor sharp blonde bobs all over the world this summer.

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Dua Lipa is unrecognisable in this pic posted by celeb stylist, Chris Appleton. 'Pink make the boys wink - lil bts of the magic,' he wrote.

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Emulating the ultimate French girl bangs, the Emily in Paris star debuted a full fringe with choppy layers earlier this year. Her hairstylist wrote: 🤍Fresh bangs for my sweetheart @lilyjcollins 🤍

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After receiving the world's highest number of likes ever on Instagram for her vanilla-blonde hair transformation, Billie Eilish made headlines again this year, courtesy of this choppy fringe and lob.

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Riverdale star, aka Veronica Lodge, was one of the many celebs to dye their hair lighter for the summer months.

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A few months after her Palm Beach wedding with Brooklyn Beckham, Nicola Peltz has traded in her soft blonde locks for a shade of dark chocolate brown. She captioned it: 'back to my roots 😉'

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Debuting her natural tousled locks at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival in July, the Maid star took lockdown as a time to embrace her authentic colour – a move her daughters reassured her was ‘badass’, according to an In Style interview.

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During a performance of her viral and seriously catchy tune 'Whip My Hair', Willow Smith brought out a barber on stage who shaved her afro into a buzz cut, while she played a guitar solo. Smith’s timing feels symbolic, perhaps of moving on from the past or breaking free from stereotypes. It's a cool statement, either way.

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Another one for the 'quarantint' inspo books: Jameela Jamil’s recent pumpkin spice colour transformation. Known for her signature dark brown hair, Jamil traded in her classic style for a micro fringe and bright orange locks.

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Another day, another hair dye... Gomez is not one to shy away from a new hairstyle. And, after shocking her fans in a Tik Tok video where she appeared with a short, razor-sharp bob, the star has now revealed yet another new look: retro golden blonde.

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Taking a hiatus from her classic blonde layers, Christina Aguilera is another celeb making a case for copper orange hair. No stranger to an epic hair transformation over the years, the latest one was created for her new music video, 'Pa Mis Muchachas'.

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Brunette to blonde to brunette again... Katy Perry knows how to keep us on our toes. The singer has been experimenting with her colour and cuts since the very beginning of her music career, and her latest dark lob might be our favourite yet.

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Switching up her long blonde hair for a short pixie crop, Florence Pugh took to Instagram to announce her fresh 'do to the world: ‘I did a thing... #chopchopchop,’ she told her followers.

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A week after her birthday in August, The Strictly star revealed her new look on the grid. Ditching her long lengths for a short red crop, she captioned the post: ‘Hello 31… 2021 let’s have fun.’

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Famous for her long, voluminous hair, Kourtney Kardashian was among the many celebs who decided to chopped off all their post-lockdown layers for the season’s biggest trend – 'the lob'. The look was created by her stylist Peter Savic.

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With shaggy bangs, bright red tones and an all-round beachy vibe, Bella Hadid's new wig is far from the model’s usual style. Should she go for it for real? It’s a big yes from us.

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