By all accounts, Regina King is the consummate movie star. He has supernatural acting skills, yes, but a true A-list star is much more than just amazing performances. Both on and off screen, she has an impressive charisma that makes it impossible to take your eyes off her. It’s about her personality, of course, but you can’t ignore her incredible sense of aesthetics. Just go back to King’s best hairstyles and everything is clear. Whether she’s showing off her luxurious natural texture, looking chic in a shiny set of braids, or going Aged Hollywood with a striking updo, she’ll look stunning – and that’s an equally scarce trait.
With a large break in the mid-1990s and breakout roles in decade-defining films like Jerry Maguire AND Enemy of the stateKing quickly became a fixture on the red carpet, also known for her brilliant fashion choices and ever-changing hairstyles. Its beginnings were devoted to fresh takes on classics, now it is drawn to frosty, experimental moments.
Just ahead, check out King’s best hairstyles of all time, starting from her career in the ’90s and continuing today. It keeps coming out with modern looks at an impossible pace.
The curliest Bob
Full, shiny and paired with perfectly shaped spirals, King’s 1998 look is a low hair dream come true. The curls stay in length just above the shoulders, which is perfect for showing off the exquisite straps of her decade-old slip dress.
Straight side part
Stepping into the modern millennium with plenty of star power and a consistent red carpet look, there’s so much to love about this 2001 look. Glittering body glitter and silvery eye shadow aside, popular styling tools and products – as well as a sleek, deep side part – highlight King’s impressive hair length.
Angle braids
One thing about King – if she has a protective style like that full head of curved tresses in 2003, you know it’s going to be an amazing red carpet moment. The varied length and diagonal nature of this set are a fresh approach to the classic straight back.
Pliable, exquisite bangs
All it took was a bit of curly bangs to make the King Shaggy Lob circa 2007 one of her best looks ever. The volume and tousled styling are already perfect, but sections of wispy bangs add a fun, sensual element.
Perfect pixie
King entered 2010 with a dramatic, ultra-chic look that put all the emphasis on her eyes and legendary bone structure. She wore a pixie for a while, but it was never better than slicked to the side in a luxurious, even Parisian style.
Cascading curl mix
Long and cascading with spiral ends in 2013—though there’s enough loose tendril to call her style French curls—the combination of texture, movement, and shape will win anyone over to box braids. The way they are tied into a low side ponytail, which nicely complements her Polish shorts, is the perfect finishing detail.
Exhaust with brushed back
It doesn’t get any sleeker — or cooler, honestly — than this brushed back with tons of height, volume, and movement. Her sultry, plunging dress draws attention and seems very appropriate for the 2017 Emmy red carpet.
Tousled, wavy bob
This was the look every Oscar winner wanted in their large moment of victory. In 2019, when she won an award for her role in If Beale Street could talkKing achieved an enviable balance between classic, fashionable and personal with her center-parted bob, decorated with a ruffled texture and neat, even ends.
Inventive braided bun
In 2024, King aims to change that with original takes on the time-honored look. In fact, she combined the two of them when she gathered her long, raven-black box tresses into a twisted bun, with a few inches spaced on the sides to add shape and elegance.
