Looking Back at 25 Years of the Most Questionable Hair at the Oscars
In anticipation of the tortuous, overworked updos we’re likely to see this Sunday, we dug deep into the archives for photos of past Oscars attendees so that we could study the “don’ts.” After a thorough analysis of the most questionable Oscars hair through the years, it’s clear that several things may land you on a list like this: (a) too much volume, (b) confusing updos, and (c) putting giant things on your head (sorry, Cher). Click through for the strangest hair we’ve seen on the Oscars red carpet from the 1980s to now.
Jennifer Lopez, 2002 There's retro, and then there's wacko.
Photo: Jeff Kravitz
Angelina Jolie, 2000 Before Jolie became a philanthropist and mother to the masses, she was a Goth role model.
Photo: Dan Callister
Cher, 2000 This curly wig (presumably) fanned out like a peacock in the back. And this is one of Cher's more toned-down looks.
Photo: Dan...
Cher, 2000 This curly wig (presumably) fanned out like a peacock in the back. And this is one of Cher's more toned-down looks.
Photo: Dan Callister
Jennifer Love Hewitt, 2006 The other J. Lo takes inspiration from female LEGO people hair. Snap on and go!
Photo: Peter Kramer/2006 Getty Image...
Jennifer Love Hewitt, 2006 The other J. Lo takes inspiration from female LEGO people hair. Snap on and go!
Photo: Peter Kramer/2006 Getty Images
Marcia Gay Harden, 2004 Harden was pregnant at the time, but bun in the oven doesn't have to mean bun on the brain.
Photo: Carlo Allegri/2004 ...
Marcia Gay Harden, 2004 Harden was pregnant at the time, but bun in the oven doesn't have to mean bun on the brain.
Photo: Carlo Allegri/2004 Getty Images
Scarlett Johansson, 2005 This Disney/Jane Austen hybrid was a look but ...
Photo: Kevin Mazur
Scarlett Johansson, 2005 ... the back really earns her a spot on this list.
Photo: Carlo Allegri/2005 Getty Images
Johnny Depp, 2004 Really, any photo of Johnny Depp from the last 20 years could land on this list.
Photo: Carlo Allegri/2004 Getty Images
Jenny McCarthy, 1997 This is not the Westminster Dog Show, this is the RED CARPET.
Photo: KMazur
Lisa Rinna, 2009 Trying to pinpoint which vegetable this hair evokes ... we're gonna go with artichoke.
Photo: Kevin Mazur/2009 Kevin Mazur
Mena Suvari, 2000 If you have a lovely, high forehead *maybe* tone down the height of your upswept updo?
Photo: David McNew
Madonna and Fiona Apple, 1998 This was Madonna's earth-mother phase, and her hair here still stands the test of time. But aqua hair bows, Fiona? ...
Madonna and Fiona Apple, 1998 This was Madonna's earth-mother phase, and her hair here still stands the test of time. But aqua hair bows, Fiona? No.
Photo: KMazur
Juliette Lewis, 1992 Also no.
Photo: Ron Galella/?2003 All Rights Reserved
Kate Hudson, 2001 Jane Austen and the red carpet do not mix.
Photo: SGranitz
Zooey Deschanel, 2002 Obviously it took some experimentation before Deschanel settled in on her signature blunt bangs.
Photo: SGranitz
Winona Ryder, 2001 Later this year, Ryder would be arrested for shoplifting. In hindsight, this hair may have been a cry for help.
Photo:...
Winona Ryder, 2001 Later this year, Ryder would be arrested for shoplifting. In hindsight, this hair may have been a cry for help.
Photo: Jim Smeal
Helen Mirren, 1995 Mirren, wearing a proper fascinator, thought she was going to the Royal Wedding rather than the Oscars that year.
Photo: Ron...
Helen Mirren, 1995 Mirren, wearing a proper fascinator, thought she was going to the Royal Wedding rather than the Oscars that year.
Photo: Ron Galella
Halle Berry, 1998 This voluminous updo was a rare misstep for Berry. In her defense, though, everyone had that piece of hair hanging over their f...
Halle Berry, 1998 This voluminous updo was a rare misstep for Berry. In her defense, though, everyone had that piece of hair hanging over their face in the '90s.
Photo: Jim Smeal
Apollonia Kotero, 1985 Ah, the '80s. The Prince muse topped off her Purple Rain ensemble with a Las Vegas headpiece.
Photo: Ron Galella/1...
Apollonia Kotero, 1985 Ah, the '80s. The Prince muse topped off her Purple Rain ensemble with a Las Vegas headpiece.
Photo: Ron Galella/1985 Ron Galella, Ltd.
Jodie Foster, 1993 This is what happens when you blow-dry your hair upside down.
Photo: KMazur
Colin Farrell, 2008 He still looks hot (God help us for thinking so), even with the '50s-housewife flipped ends.
Photo: Frazer Harrison/2...
Colin Farrell, 2008 He still looks hot (God help us for thinking so), even with the '50s-housewife flipped ends.
Photo: Frazer Harrison/2008 Getty Images
Sarah Jessica Parker and Robert Downey Jr., 1989 So young! Such big hair! So much gel!
Photo: Barry King
Laura Linney, 2005 An example of how runway hair doesn't always work in real life.
Photo: Vince Bucci/2005 Getty Images
Olivia Newton-John, 1989 Okay, her hair was big, but we really wanted to sneak this picture in because of that dress.
Photo: Barry King
Gwyneth Paltrow, 2002 Gwynnie probably decided to not to go too punk for last year's Met Gala because she remembered about the time she did this....
Gwyneth Paltrow, 2002 Gwynnie probably decided to not to go too punk for last year's Met Gala because she remembered about the time she did this.
Photo: SGranitz/2002 Wireimage.com
Bai Ling, 2009 This is what happens when you sneeze mid-D.I.Y. bang trim.
Photo: Michael Tullberg/2009 Michael Tullberg
Mickey Rourke, 2009 Men should stay away from greasy, stringy hair on red carpets.
Photo: Steve Granitz/2009 Steve Granitz
Miley Cyrus, 2009 A perfectly proper Hannah Montana bun.
Photo: Dan MacMedan/2009 Dan MacMedan
Salma Hayek, 2005 Hayek likes big everything, but the beehive and bang cleavage may have been too much.
Photo: Francis Specker
Jessica Alba, 2006 Imagine if Marilyn Monroe had stepped off that grate in The Seven Year Itch, but her hair had stayed blown up. Voilà.
...
Jessica Alba, 2006 Imagine if Marilyn Monroe had stepped off that grate in The Seven Year Itch, but her hair had stayed blown up. Voilà.
Photo: FRANCIS SPECKER
Mike Myers, 1992 We're not worthy of this mullet.
Photo: Ron Galella
Sharon Stone, 2011 We need to establish a universal forehead-to-hair-height ratio and distribute it to stylists everywhere.
Photo: Ethan Miller...
Sharon Stone, 2011 We need to establish a universal forehead-to-hair-height ratio and distribute it to stylists everywhere.
Photo: Ethan Miller/2011 Getty Images
Helena Bonham Carter, 2011 We're pretty sure this is how HBC wakes up every morning, which is awesome.
Photo: Steve Granitz/2011 Steve Granitz
Drew Barrymore, 2005 No one should trust their stylists when they hear "Old Hollywood Glamour." Just run.
Photo: Francis Specker
Cher, 1986 We leave you with a classic.
Photo: Hulton Archive/2003 Getty Images
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