Curly vs straight hair: Which style suits these A-listers best?

You be the judge...

curly vs straight hair
Lucy Abbersteen
By
published
in Features

You be the judge...

It's kind of a given that if you've got curly hair, you wish you had straight hair, and if you have straight hair you wish it was curly. But, when you're an A-lister with a long list of hair stylists on speed dial, it really doesn't matter because you can work whichever style you like on the red carpet and pull it off brilliantly. And these celebrities are positive proof that you can work either hair type no matter what.

Blake Lively is well known for her long, straight, blonde tresses, so when she stepped out in July 2016 with big and bouncy ringlets it was a big surprise (but naturally she really pulled it off). Her new look got a big thumbs up from us. Margot Robbie is another blonde A-lister who we usually associate with sleek styles, but she's been known to sport a curly style or two. And Rita Ora's bleach blonde locks look great whichever way they're worn.

Meanwhile over in the brunettes' corner, Kendall Jenner's sleek and dark hair looks great whether it's long and straight or worn in glossy curls, while Leighton Meester loves a 1940s style curly 'do. And Alicia Vikander's shiny, shiny hair always looks amazing when she's on the red carpet, regardless of whether it's curly or straight.

And the likes of Jennifer Lawrence, Taylor Swift, Gemma Arterton and Cara Delevingne have all proven that it's really easy to pull off curls even when you have shorter hair, as well as rocking a poker straight 'do from time to time. Be warned: This lot may leave you wanting to chop off all of your locks in favour of a shorter style.

So, what are you waiting for? Scroll through our round up and decide which style you prefer on these celebrities – Curly or straight hair?

Whether your hair is sleek and straight or wild and wavy, our sister site Powder will help you find the perfect serum - pretty neat, right?

Alicia Vikander

Alicia Vikander

We love this super sleek 'do on Alicia Vikander.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

We love this super sleek 'do on Alicia Vikander.

Alicia Vikander

Alicia Vikander

These big and bouncy curls pinned to one side also get a big thumbs up from us.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

These big and bouncy curls pinned to one side also get a big thumbs up from us.

Beyoncé

Beyoncé

Beyoncé's straight style, worn to the Met Gala, looked amazing with this dark smokey eye.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Beyoncé's straight style, worn to the Met Gala, looked amazing with this dark smokey eye.

Beyoncé

Beyoncé

These bouncy curls suit Beyoncé's face shape perfectly.
(Image credit: Copyright (c) 2014 BEimages. No use without permission.)

These bouncy curls suit Beyoncé's face shape perfectly.

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence

J-Law's been rocking the bleach blonde lob for a while now (we were particularly loving it all straightened out in recent weeks now).
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

J-Law's been rocking the bleach blonde lob for a while now (we were particularly loving it all straightened out in recent weeks now).

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence

...But we also love the texture when it's given some curls, too.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

...But we also love the texture when it's given some curls, too.

Blake Lively

Blake Lively

Blake Lively's long blonde hair is well known for being worn in straighter styles.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Blake Lively's long blonde hair is well known for being worn in straighter styles.

Blake Lively

Blake Lively

We love these golden ringlets – Blake changed up her look in July 2016 while she was pregnant with her second child.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

We love these golden ringlets – Blake changed up her look in July 2016 while she was pregnant with her second child.

Rita Ora

Rita Ora

Rita Ora's signature bleach blonde hair looks great poker straight.
(Image credit: Copyright (c) 2015 BEimages. No use without permission.)

Rita Ora's signature bleach blonde hair looks great poker straight.

Rita Ora

Rita Ora

These vintage curls suit Rita's face shape really well.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

These vintage curls suit Rita's face shape really well.

Sophie Turner

Sophie Turner

Although these days she's a blonde, Sophie Turner used to be known for her sleek, red hair.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Although these days she's a blonde, Sophie Turner used to be known for her sleek, red hair.

Sophie Turner

Sophie Turner

We love these curls swept to one side, accentuating Sophie's face shape.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

We love these curls swept to one side, accentuating Sophie's face shape.

Cara Delevingne

Cara Delevingne

Here's Cara Delevingne before chopping her hair off...
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Here's Cara Delevingne before chopping her hair off...

Cara Delevingne

Cara Delevingne

... We love her new, shorter style, especially worn in these '20s style curls.
(Image credit: Copyright (c) 2016 BEimages. No use without permission.)

... We love her new, shorter style, especially worn in these '20s style curls.

Margot Robbie

Margot Robbie

Margot Robbie's gorgeous, layered blonde hair sits really well in a straight style here.
(Image credit: Copyright (c) 2016 BEimages. No use without permission.)

Margot Robbie's gorgeous, layered blonde hair sits really well in a straight style here.

Margot Robbie

Margot Robbie

This pinned up, curled 'do gets a big thumbs up from us.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

This pinned up, curled 'do gets a big thumbs up from us.

Gigi Hadid

Gigi Hadid

Gigi Hadid wore poker straight hair on the runway at Fashion Month...
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Gigi Hadid wore poker straight hair on the runway at Fashion Month...

Gigi Hadid

Gigi Hadid

...But was spotted off duty with this big, curly style paired with a red lip.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

...But was spotted off duty with this big, curly style paired with a red lip.

Leighton Meester

Leighton Meester

Blair Waldorf's alter ego is well known for having gorgeous hair, regardless of how she wears it.
(Image credit: Copyright (c) 2014 BEimages. No use without permission.)

Blair Waldorf's alter ego is well known for having gorgeous hair, regardless of how she wears it.

Leighton Meester

Leighton Meester

This 1940s up do suits Leighton down to a tee.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

This 1940s up do suits Leighton down to a tee.

Isla Fisher

Isla Fisher

While Isla Fisher's layered, straight style suits her well...
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

While Isla Fisher's layered, straight style suits her well...

Isla Fisher

Isla Fisher

...She's more often seen with her hair curled
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

...She's more often seen with her hair curled

Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker

It's no secret that SJP has *amazing* hair, looking great swept over her shoulder here.
(Image credit: Copyright (c) 2016 BEimages. No use without permission.)

It's no secret that SJP has *amazing* hair, looking great swept over her shoulder here.

Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker

Here's that same over-the-shoulder sweep but this time in big and bouncy curls. Very Carrie Bradshaw.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Here's that same over-the-shoulder sweep but this time in big and bouncy curls. Very Carrie Bradshaw.

Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez has some of the glossiest hair we've ever seen.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Selena Gomez has some of the glossiest hair we've ever seen.

Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez

We really love this big, voluminous style on Selena.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

We really love this big, voluminous style on Selena.

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman's shoulder length hair looks really elegant when straightened.
(Image credit: Copyright (c) 2013 BEimages. No use without permission.)

Natalie Portman's shoulder length hair looks really elegant when straightened.

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman

But she also proves that you can have shorter hair that works really well curled.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

But she also proves that you can have shorter hair that works really well curled.

Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore's thick, golden hair is super shiny, and works really well in this smooth style.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Drew Barrymore's thick, golden hair is super shiny, and works really well in this smooth style.

Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore

Here she is with a bit of added bounce to her locks.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Here she is with a bit of added bounce to her locks.

Eva Longoria

Eva Longoria

Eva Longoria perfectly works the sleek hair trend here.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Eva Longoria perfectly works the sleek hair trend here.

Eva Longoria

Eva Longoria

We love these textured waves.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

We love these textured waves.

Gemma Arterton

Gemma Arterton

Gemma Arterton is positive proof that shorter hair looks great whether straight...
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Gemma Arterton is positive proof that shorter hair looks great whether straight...

Gemma Arterton

Gemma Arterton

...Or curly.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

...Or curly.

Oliiva Wilde

Oliiva Wilde

Olivia Wilde on the red carpet with straight hair...
(Image credit: Copyright (c) 2016 BEimages. No use without permission.)

Olivia Wilde on the red carpet with straight hair...

Olivia Wilde

Olivia Wilde

...And again on the red carpet, this time with loose curls.
(Image credit: Copyright (c) 2016 BEimages. No use without permission.)

...And again on the red carpet, this time with loose curls.

Rihanna

Rihanna

Rihanna's decision to chop all her hair off was a great one – we love how sleek and shiny her bob looks here.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Rihanna's decision to chop all her hair off was a great one – we love how sleek and shiny her bob looks here.

Rihanna

Rihanna

Rihanna proves that no matter how short your hair is you can still work little curls.
(Image credit: Copyright (c) 2016 BEimages. No use without permission.)

Rihanna proves that no matter how short your hair is you can still work little curls.

Jessica Alba

Jessica Alba

We love the added texture from the layers in Jessica Alba's straight style.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

We love the added texture from the layers in Jessica Alba's straight style.

Jessica Alba

Jessica Alba

These curls go perfectly with a red lip.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

These curls go perfectly with a red lip.

Karlie Kloss

Karlie Kloss

There's no doubt about it, Karlie Kloss has amazing hair.
(Image credit: Copyright (c) 2016 BEimages. No use without permission.)

There's no doubt about it, Karlie Kloss has amazing hair.

Karlie Kloss

Karlie Kloss

These side swept curls have a touch of vintage glamour to them.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

These side swept curls have a touch of vintage glamour to them.

Kendall Jenner

Kendall Jenner

Before she chopped off her locks, Kendall Jenner's signature style was long and straight.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Before she chopped off her locks, Kendall Jenner's signature style was long and straight.

Kendall Jenner

Kendall Jenner

We think these bouncy curls really suit Kendall, especially with her short hair.
(Image credit: Copyright (c) 2016 BEimages. No use without permission.)

We think these bouncy curls really suit Kendall, especially with her short hair.

Amy Adams

Amy Adams

Amy Adams perfectly works the side sweep with her poker straight hair.
(Image credit: Copyright (c) 2016 BEimages. No use without permission.)

Amy Adams perfectly works the side sweep with her poker straight hair.

Amy Adams

Amy Adams

Here she proves that it's a style that also works great with big curls.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Here she proves that it's a style that also works great with big curls.

Emily Blunt

Emily Blunt

Emily Blunt used to be a regular when it came to straight hair.
(Image credit: Copyright (c) 2015 BEimages. No use without permission.)

Emily Blunt used to be a regular when it came to straight hair.

Emily Blunt

Emily Blunt

Now, she much prefers textured waves with her blonde lob. We think she looks great either way!
(Image credit: Copyright (c) 2016 BEimages. No use without permission.)

Now, she much prefers textured waves with her blonde lob. We think she looks great either way!

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift

We're much more used to seeing T Swift with a poker straight fringed bob these days.
(Image credit: Copyright (c) 2016 BEimages. No use without permission.)

We're much more used to seeing T Swift with a poker straight fringed bob these days.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift

But she used to be a big fan of curling her bob for added oomph.
(Image credit: Copyright (c) 2015 BEimages. No use without permission.)

But she used to be a big fan of curling her bob for added oomph.

Hailee Steinfeld

Hailee Steinfeld

Hailee Steinfeld really suits the slicked back straight hair look.
(Image credit: Copyright (c) 2016 BEimages. No use without permission.)

Hailee Steinfeld really suits the slicked back straight hair look.

Hailee Steinfeld

Hailee Steinfeld

Here's Hailee Steinfeld again, this time with ringlet-y curls.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Here's Hailee Steinfeld again, this time with ringlet-y curls.

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian

Here's Kim Kardashian at Fashion Week with poker straight hair.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Here's Kim Kardashian at Fashion Week with poker straight hair.

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian

Earlier in the year, Kim opted for wet look curls for the VMAs.
(Image credit: Copyright (c) 2016 BEimages. No use without permission.)

Earlier in the year, Kim opted for wet look curls for the VMAs.

Idina Menzel

Idina Menzel

Idina Menzel's dark and shiny hair looks great straightened.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Idina Menzel's dark and shiny hair looks great straightened.

Idina Menzel

Idina Menzel

These tight ringlets look amazing on Idina, too.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

These tight ringlets look amazing on Idina, too.

Sarah Hyland

Sarah Hyland

Sarah Hyland's blonde lob looks amazing poker straight.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

Sarah Hyland's blonde lob looks amazing poker straight.

Sarah Hyland

Sarah Hyland

We love these vintage style waves, too.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

We love these vintage style waves, too.

Jessica Biel

Jessica Biel

Jessica Biel was recently on the red carpet with sleek and straight hair.
(Image credit: Copyright (c) 2016 BEimages. No use without permission.)

Jessica Biel was recently on the red carpet with sleek and straight hair.

Jessica Biel

Jessica Biel

These beachy waves get a big thumbs up from us, too.
(Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

These beachy waves get a big thumbs up from us, too.

Lucy Abbersteen
Lucy Abbersteen
Beauty Contributor

Lucy is a freelance beauty editor and contributor at Marie Claire, and has written for titles including Glamour, Refinery29, Popsugar, woman&home and more. She was previously Marie Claire’s junior beauty editor. During her career, she’s covered everything from backstage beauty at fashion week to interviews with famous faces like Drag Race royalty and Little Mix. As for her beauty ethos, she’s a big advocate for not having to spend a fortune on beauty products to get good results, and when she’s not got beauty on the brain you’ll find her reading or hanging out with dogs.

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