Audrey Hepburn’s best hair & beauty moments, revisited
Decades on we’re still obsessed with Audrey Hepburn’s timelessly classic hair styles.
Decades on we’re still obsessed with Audrey Hepburn’s timelessly classic hair styles.
Okay, we admit it. We're more than a little obsessed with Audrey Hepburn and our love shows no signs of waning. Her classic style and eternal beauty - not to mention those wondrous eyebrows - still captivate us decades after she graced the big screen. What's more, her hair evolution over the decades continues to give us inspiration.
Talk about a chameleon: Hepburn's style received a dramatic overhaul with every new movie she signed up to. Wild and unkempt in The Unforgiven, a glossy beehive and neat fringe in The Children's Hour and cute kiss curls in War and Peace. And of course, there's the high glamour Breakfast at Tiffany's up-do. The diamonds. The pearls.
There is something timeless about Audrey Hepburn. While her hairstyles changed as often as her movie roles, there was one constant: gorgeously glossy, chocolate brunette locks.
The man responsible for Hepburn's healthy, glossy finish was British Trichologist Philip Kingsley. Kingsley met Hepburn in London in 1974 when she took time out of filming and booked into his clinic under her married name Dotti. It wasn't until she was sat in his chair that Kingsley even realised he had a world-renowned movie star for a client.
Hepburn wanted something to mend her hair from the constant heat styling and processing it received on set. Kingsley met the challenge with Elasticizer, a pre-shampoo treatment that's still popular today (we can't get enough of the stuff). Hepburn obviously felt the same because she used Elasticizer religiously for the rest of her life and had huge amounts of the treatment shipped out to Switzerland where she lived.
Audrey Hepburn
Now you've nailed the signature Hepburn colour and condition, here's our favourite Audrey Hepburn hairstyles of all time...
Audrey Hepburn
Now you've nailed the signature Hepburn colour and condition, here's our favourite Audrey Hepburn hairstyles of all time...
Audrey Hepburn, Roman Holiday (1953)
Roman Holiday (1953)
Who could forget the glorious scene when princess Anya walks into a barbershop and chops her hair off to celebrate her freedom? We call this cropped fringe "the one" because it just belongs to Audrey in the 50s.
Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina (1954)
Sabrina (1954)
This rags-to-riches tale is now considered legendary - not least because of Audrey's style transfomation. Sabrina called for a classic 50s up-do. 60 years later its a hairstyle we still associate with Hepburn's iconic look.
Audrey Hepburn in War and Peace (1956)
War and Peace (1956)
The 50s were all about waves and Audrey embraced them with abundance with this loosely curled fringe in 1956. It's just lovely, isn't it?
Audrey Hepburn in Love in the Afternoon (1957)
Love In The Afternoon (1957)
This waved, pinned style gave Audrey Hepburn an elegant and mature look in 1957. It's certainly a timelessly chic look for the character she played - a young cello student in love with Gary Cooper.
Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face (1957)
Funny Face (1957)
Watching Funny Face is like taking a vibrant trip through fashion history. Bearing this in mind, with countless Givenchy costume changes and hair restyles, it was difficult to pick just one. But we couldn't resist this stunning look - a slicked-back bun adorned with a beguling bejeweled headband. It's utterly divine.
Audrey Hepburn in The Unforgiven (1960)
The Unforgiven (1960)
This is an usually long and bohemian 'do' for Hepburn in The Unforgiven. It was also an unusual casting for Hepburn who steered clear of westerns after this was made.
Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
Breakfast At Tiffany's (1961)
Introducing the chignon to triumph over all chignons. Sporting a lighter shade than usual - Audrey's divine beehive was streaked subtley with lighter highlights to give an iconic new look for the star. Often mimicked, it will never be bettered.
Audrey Hepburn, Charade (1963)
Charade (1963)
The beehive is starting to evolve in 1963 and we start to see a more modern twist as she gets into capers with Cary Grant - and styles them to the max with an array of fabulous pillbox hats.
Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady (1964)
My Fair Lady (1964)
Now this is how you rock an up-do. Kids, don't try this one at home. Definitely one for the professionals...
Audrey Hepburn in The Children's Hour (1961)
The Children's Hour (1961)
As the 60s arrived, Hepburn still held onto her whispy beehive - although she wouldn't keep it for long. We love Hepburn's neat fringe and beehive for The Children's Hour.
Audrey Hepburn in How to Steal a Million (1966)
How To Steal A Million (1966)
In 1966, Audrey was on a quest to modernise her classic look. She achieved it when she chopped off her hair to star in this critically-acclaimed heist movie. Who did the honours? Alexandre de Paris, a famous French hairdresser to the stars. He named this style "Coupe Infante '66″.
Audrey Hepburn in Two for the Road (1967)
Two For The Road (1967)
Audrey Hepburn indulged in her mischievous side signing up to this 1967 film starring Albert Finney. In it, Hepburn embraces her inner mod with this Vidal Sassoon inspired crop. Hepburn was fully on board with the swinging 60s.
Audrey Hepburn in Bloodline (1979)
Bloodline (1979)
Beauty doesn't age and Audrey Hepburn proves it in this film still from 1979 thriller, Bloodline. A simple scraped-up bun is decorated with a striking polka dot veil. What more do you need? Perfection.
Marie Claire Newsletter
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
The leading destination for fashion, beauty, shopping and finger-on-the-pulse views on the latest issues. Marie Claire's travel content helps you delight in discovering new destinations around the globe, offering a unique – and sometimes unchartered – travel experience. From new hotel openings to the destinations tipped to take over our travel calendars, this iconic name has it covered.
-
Why Chappell Roan will 'say something controversial' if she wins a Grammy
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
All the winners from the British Fashion Awards and why they matter
From the history-making model Alex Consani, to the reigning champion designer Jonathan Anderson, we run through all the winners
By Rebecca Jane Hill
-
Andrea's It List: 6 timeless party dresses for every event this season
Party season is in full swing
By Lauren Hughes