Kerry Washington Curly Hair: From Weave To Natural Crown – A Style Evolution

Ever wondered how Kerry Washington transformed from weave to natural curls, sparking a movement and redefining red carpet elegance? For years, the acclaimed actress was known for her flawless, straightened styles on screen and at events. But a pivotal shift occurred, one that resonated deeply with women everywhere embracing their natural texture. Kerry Washington’s journey with her naturally curly hair is more than a beauty trend; it’s a powerful statement of self-acceptance, versatility, and timeless glamour. This comprehensive guide dives deep into her iconic styles, the health secrets behind her gorgeous curls, and how you can channel her signature looks. Prepare to see Kerry Washington curly hair in a whole new light.

Biography & Personal Details: The Woman Behind the Waves

Before we explore the styles, it’s essential to understand the artist. Kerry Washington is not just a style icon; she’s a powerhouse actress, producer, and director whose influence extends far beyond the red carpet. Her decision to embrace her natural hair was a personal milestone that coincided with a broader cultural moment for natural hair advocacy.

Detail	Information
Full Name	Kerry Marisa Washington
Date of Birth	January 31, 1977
Profession	Actress, Producer, Director
Breakthrough Role	Olivia Pope in Scandal (2012-2018)
Key Film Work	Ray, The Last King of Scotland, Django Unchained, Confirmation, The Six Triple Eight
Memoir	Thicker Than Water (Published September 2023)
Hair Journey Milestone	Publicly debuted her natural curls around 2017, becoming a vocal advocate for natural hair care.
Signature Style Element	Masterful versatility—from Old Hollywood waves to sleek bobs and voluminous afros.

Her memoir, Thicker Than Water, revealed deeper family complexities, but her public embrace of her natural curls was a turning point in her own narrative of identity. As she stated, “that was a turning point,” referring not just to her hair, but to her overall journey of self-discovery and authenticity.

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The Natural Hair Revelation: Ditching the Weave and Embracing the Curl

The moment Kerry Washington ditched the weave and let her naturally curly hair take center stage sent shockwaves through the beauty world. Posted on Aug 15, 2017 by Essence Gant BuzzFeed Staff, the article highlighted her stunning transformation, confirming what many had suspected: her real hair was beautiful, full, and naturally curly come thru, curls. This wasn’t a one-off experiment; it was a declaration.

Her most public debut of this new chapter arguably came at the Emmy Awards. That’s why when Kerry Washington donned her natural hair at the Emmy Awards the internet went crazy. She arrived with a sophisticated, defined curly style that was both glamorous and authentic. It challenged the long-held industry standard that for Black actresses, "red carpet ready" often meant straightened hair. She proved that curls could be the epitome of elegance.

This move was profoundly significant. For decades, Black women in Hollywood faced immense pressure to conform to Eurocentric beauty standards. By consistently choosing to showcase her natural texture, Washington joined a vanguard of celebrities normalizing and glorifying natural hair in high-fashion spaces. Kerry Washington is letting her curls out to play, and in doing so, she gave permission to countless fans to do the same.

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A Timeline of Iconic: 15+ Kerry Washington Hairstyles That Defined an Era

Kerry Washington’s hair portfolio is a masterclass in versatility. One day, she rocks Old Hollywood curls, and the next, she elegantly sports a sleek modern bob. Her ability to reinvent her look while maintaining an aura of sophistication is unparalleled. Let’s chronicle some of her most memorable moments.

1. The Emmy Awards Natural Curls (2017)

This was the watershed moment. She wore her dark, springy curls in a voluminous, shoulder-length style with a deep side part. It was polished, romantic, and undeniably natural. The look was accessorized with statement earrings, proving that curls are the perfect canvas for jewelry.

2. The Soft, Wavy Bob for The Six Triple Eight Premiere (2024)

Kerry Washington attended the Los Angeles premiere of 'The Six Triple Eight' wearing her hair in a soft, wavy bob that channeled retro beauty icons. This look was a masterclass in "effortless chic." The waves were loose and S-shaped, reminiscent of 1940s starlets but with a modern, lived-in feel. It demonstrated that bobs are not just for straight hair; curly and wavy bobs offer incredible volume and movement.

3. The Chic Low Pony for Michael Kors

Kerry Washington just wore a chic low pony to a Michael Kors event. This style is the epitome of understated elegance. By gathering her curls at the nape of her neck and allowing a few face-framing pieces to escape, she created a look that was both pulled-together and soft. It’s a perfect everyday glamour style that works for the office or a dinner date.

4. The Big Afro: A Bold Statement

Kerry Washington has shown her natural hair in updos and a big afro to her Instagram fans many times before. Her afro is not just a style; it’s a symbol. She’s worn it perfectly rounded and voluminous, a direct homage to the Black is Beautiful movement. This look requires confidence and excellent hair health, and she wears it with absolute authority.

5. The Glossy Braids

Whether she's showing off her natural curls, glossy braids, or a vintage updo, Kerry Washington's best hairstyles are all so elegant and chic. Her braided styles—often long, sleek, and shiny—showcase another dimension of Black hair artistry. They are protective, stylish, and often incorporate intricate patterns or beads.

6. The Vintage Updo

For galas and premieres, Washington frequently opts for classic updos that incorporate her curls. Think soft twists, chignons with curled tendrils, or styles that mimic the Gibson Girl look. These updos are romantic, timeless, and incredibly flattering.

7. The Short, Textured Pixie (Inspired by Stylist Linda V.)

In her Instagram post, she featured a new short hairdo in a series of selfies giving kudos to the hairstylist Linda V. This proved her willingness to take major risks. A short, curly pixie is bold and modern, highlighting the texture and shape of her curls in a completely new way.

Ahead, all the details on her summer hairstyle. For warmer months, she often opts for styles that keep hair off the neck: half-up styles with puffballs, curly top knots, or loose, beachy waves. The key is always movement and breathability.

True to form, the star’s natural curls from over the weekend are the latest to rank at the top of our ongoing best Kerry Washington hairstyles list of all time. This consistency is what makes her a true icon. She doesn’t chase trends; she sets them by authentically styling the hair she has.

How to Achieve Kerry Washington’s Signature Looks: A Practical Guide

Simply admiring her styles isn’t enough—you want to know how to recreate them! View styling steps and see which Kerry Washington hairstyles suit you best. The first step is understanding your own hair’s unique pattern, density, and face shape.

General Prep is Non-Negotiable

Kerry’s styles always look healthy and hydrated. This starts with a solid foundation:

• Cleanse with a sulfate-free shampoo or co-wash to avoid stripping natural oils.
• Condition generously, focusing on the ends.
• Use a leave-in conditioner and a curl cream or defining gel on soaking wet hair (the "Curly Girl Method" principle). This locks in moisture and defines the curl pattern.
• Diffuse or air-dry. Avoid rough towel-drying; use a microfiber cloth or cotton T-shirt to gently squeeze out excess water.

Style Breakdowns:

• For the Effortless Waves (like the Six Triple Eight bob):

  1. Apply a mousse to damp hair.
  2. Use a wide-tooth comb to detangle.
  3. Twist small sections of hair around your finger and release.
  4. Let hair dry completely, then gently separate waves with fingers. Finish with a light-hold hairspray.

• For the Voluminous Natural Curls (Emmy Look):

  1. Apply a rich curl cream and a gel with strong hold to wet hair.
  2. Use the "rake and shake" method: rake fingers through sections, then shake to let curls form.
  3. PixieCurl or use a diffuser on low heat, cupping curls to your scalp.
  4. Once dry, "scrunch out the crunch" from the gel. Fluff roots with a pick for maximum volume.

• For the Chic Low Pony:

  1. Create a deep side part for elegance.
  2. Gather hair at the nape of the neck, but don’t pull too tight.
  3. Secure with a soft elastic or a ribbon.
  4. Gently pull at the crown for volume and let a few curls frame the face.

View yourself with the best Kerry Washington hairstyles and haircuts. The best way to know what works is to try virtual try-ons using apps or to take selfies and use photo editing to see different lengths and colors on your face shape. Generally:

• Round Faces: Long layers, side-swept bangs, and height at the crown (like her voluminous curls) elongate the face.
• Oval Faces: Almost any style works! Her bobs and pixies are stunning on this face shape.
• Square Faces: Soft waves and layers (like her retro bob) help soften the jawline.
• Heart-Shaped Faces: Chin-length bobs and styles with volume around the jaw area (like a curly afro) balance a narrower chin.

The Secrets to Healthy, Gorgeous Curls: Lessons from the Pros

Getting healthy and gorgeous curls like Kerry Washington isn’t rocket science, but it does require consistent, informed care. But if you’re having a tough time maintaining the health of your hair, we have some tips to remind you how to keep your curls, coils and kinks healthy.

The Johnny & Linda V. Factor

Plus, you'll find out how Johnny maintains the hair health of his most notable clients like Queen Latifah, Tamron Hall, Kerry Washington, and Michelle Obama. Johnny, the legendary stylist, and others like her frequent collaborator Linda V., understand that health is the ultimate luxury. Their approach for Washington focuses on:

• Regular Trims: To prevent split ends and maintain shape.
• Deep Conditioning Treatments: Weekly masks with ingredients like shea butter, honey, and oils.
• Protective Styling: Incorporating braids, twists, and buns to minimize manipulation and retain length.
• Scalp Care: A healthy scalp grows healthy hair. They often use scalp serums and gentle massage techniques.

The Guidance in Print

This book offers simple and useful scalp and hair guidance for black and latin hair care maintenance including styling tips to properly take care of your natural hair. While not a specific title, this points to the wealth of knowledge in books by experts like The Curly Girl Handbook by Lorraine Massey or Better Than Good Hair by Nikki Walton. The principles are the same: moisture, gentle handling, and understanding your porosity.

Actionable Hair Health Tips:

1. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate: Curly hair is notoriously dry. Use leave-in conditioners daily and deep condition weekly.
2. Seal the Moisture: The LOC or Liquid-Oil-Cream method is gold. Apply a liquid (water or leave-in), then an oil (jasmine, jojoba), then a cream (to seal).
3. Detangle with Care: Always detangle in the shower with conditioner in your hair, using a wide-tooth comb or fingers, starting from the ends.
4. Sleep on Silk/Satin: Use a bonnet or pillowcase to reduce friction and prevent frizz and breakage.
5. Less Heat is More: If you must use heat, always use a heat protectant and keep temperatures below 300°F.
6. Listen to Your Hair: If it’s feeling dry, add more moisture. If it’s limp, clarify with a sulfate shampoo occasionally. Your hair’s needs change with seasons, diet, and stress.

Beyond the Hair: Kerry’s Journey and Lasting Influence

Kerry Washington has shown her natural hair in updos and a big afro to her Instagram fans many times before. The former Scandal star, who celebrated her 45th birthday this week, rocked her natural hair in a series of Instagram selfies. Kerry Washington is walking into year 45 in style. This celebration of her natural self at 45 is powerful. It counters the industry’s ageism and sends a message that beauty evolves and deepens.

In today’s natural hair inspiration post, I’m featuring Scandal and Little Fires Everywhere star Kerry Washington who recently debuted her awesome curls on her Instagram account. Her social media has become a curated gallery of her hair journey, inspiring a generation. She doesn’t just post perfect, finished looks; she sometimes shares the process, the humidity challenges, and the realness, which makes her even more relatable.

On Feb 3, the actor posted an interview with one of the subjects of the documentary Daughters, which is now airing on Netflix. This highlights her commitment to storytelling that matters. Her influence isn't skin-deep; it’s tied to her broader mission of empowerment and representation. Her hair is an extension of that authentic self.

Conclusion: Your Curls, Your Crown

Kerry Washington’s hair story is a testament to the beauty of evolution and the power of choice. From the calculated weaves of early Hollywood to the bold, celebrated natural curls of today, her journey mirrors a larger cultural shift toward authenticity and inclusivity. With thick, full hair comes infinite styling opportunities, and she has allowed these celebrity thick hairstyles to lead the way, not by prescribing one look, but by demonstrating fearless versatility.

Allow these celebrity thick hairstyles to lead the way. Take the inspiration from her retro waves, her sleek bobs, her voluminous afros, and her chic ponytails. But more importantly, take the lesson from her hair health regimen and her memoir’s themes of self-acceptance. Thicker than water—your hair, your story, your identity—is a source of strength.

Whether she's showing off her natural curls, glossy braids, or a vintage updo, Kerry Washington's best hairstyles are all so elegant and chic because they are chosen, not imposed. They are an expression of the woman wearing them. So, the next time you look in the mirror, ask yourself: what does my hair want to say today? Channel a bit of Kerry’s confidence. Experiment with a new cut or style. Invest in its health. And remember, the most iconic hairstyle you’ll ever have is the one that makes you feel most like you.

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