Kerry Washington is a multifaceted star—an actress, director, producer, and bestselling author—known for her cool, bold personality and her commitment to social causes. At every public appearance, she consistently delivers stunning looks, each distinct in style yet equally captivating. Her hairstyles, which masterfully blend elegance with modern flair, are widely admired.
From vintage Hollywood style curls to sleek, contemporary bobs, every look she wears is truly remarkable. Let's take a look at 10 of Kerry Washington's most stunning hairstyles from recent years—perhaps one of them will serve as the perfect inspiration for your next hair transformation.
10 Best Kerry Washington Hairstyles to Try
Sleek Straight Bob
Kerry Washington's bob hair is sharp, balanced, and thoroughly modern. Cut to chin or jaw length, it perfectly flatters a wide range of face shapes—including oval, oblong, round, heart, square, and diamond. It is an incredibly versatile style, equally well-suited for casual everyday wear or formal occasions, and it maintains a crisp, polished look without requiring an elaborate daily styling routine.
Wavy Lob
Kerry Washington's soft, dynamic wavy bob exudes a vintage charm. Its essence lies in its shoulder length and curtain bangs, creating a silhouette that both flatters the face and radiates femininity—a truly timeless classic suitable for almost any occasion.
Voluminous Curly Bob Hairstyle
Kerry Washington's curly bob is definitely worth a try! Cutting the bob to the jawline not only frames the lower half of the face beautifully but is also very easy to maintain on a daily basis. Adding curls from the mid-lengths to the ends creates volume, preventing the hair around the jawline from looking flat or lifeless.
Curls also soften the lines around the cheekbones and eyes. For those with round faces, this style can create a visual elongation effect, while for those with a more defined or angular jawline, it helps to soften the overall contours.
Natural Curly Hair
Kerry Washington once showcased her stunning natural curls, opting for a deep side part that lent a touch of preppy charm, while pinning back a portion of her hair—a truly classic look. The style appears youthful, confident, and full of personality. For Black women who wish to embrace their natural curls rather than conceal their authentic hair texture, this serves as an excellent hairstyle reference.
Long Wavy with Side Swept Bangs
This elegant, side-parted wavy hairstyle features soft, loose waves that create a look of natural volume and fullness. The long layered cut—visible from the sides and back—adds dynamic movement and a lively, bouncy quality. While it is an excellent choice for important occasions, achieving this look does require some time.
Before styling, apply a heat-protectant product to your hair. Use a medium-sized curling iron to create loose waves, making sure to keep the ends relatively straight. Finish by applying a hairspray with a flexible hold.
Tight Curls With Curly Bangs
This hairstyle, featuring curly bangs, maintains her signature elegant aesthetic while infusing a touch of lively, playful charm into a classic curly look. The tight, defined curls create the visual illusion of shorter hair, yet the overall length is preserved, resulting in a style that is both fashionable and full of volume. Soft curls frame the forehead, artfully drawing attention to her eyes.
Suitable for almost any face shape, this look is perfect for everything from casual daily wear to formal, high-profile occasions. It is an excellent choice for anyone looking to move beyond the traditional straight bangs style.
Low Curly Ponytail
This low ponytail perfectly complements Kerry Washington's personal style. The hair is swept back from a sharp, center-parted crown, transitioning into an oversized, voluminous, and curly ponytail that cascades down her back.
The contrast between the sleek, smooth roots and the voluminous curls creates a striking visual impact. This hairstyle frames her face, accentuating her cheekbones and giving her deep, rich complexion a captivating glow.
Short Bob with Blunt Bangs
Kerry Washington's bob haircut features a blunt-cut style that works exceptionally well to frame the face. The precise, sharp lines—complemented by blunt bangs—create an edgy, bold, and fashionable look.
Because this style requires a sleek, straight finish, it is best suited for those with naturally straight hair; however, if you have curly hair, you can achieve the same effect by using a bob wig with bangs.
This well-defined cut accentuates the eyes and cheekbones, and it is also very easy to maintain. To keep the shape sharp and your hair healthy, you should get a trim every four weeks. Furthermore, it is best to avoid adding complex hair color; keeping your natural shade allows the precision of the cut itself to take center stage.
Half-Up Half-Down Waves
This is the hairstyle Kerry wore to the 2014 Academy Awards. The half-up, half-down hairstyle keeps hair away from the face while allowing long, wavy locks to fall naturally over the shoulders. The hair is styled into textured waves, with the top section softly secured—a perfect choice for major events like an awards ceremony or a walk down the red carpet.
Long Box Braids
Kerry Washington's long box braids are a type of protective hairstyle. These individual braids are both beautiful and versatile—they can be worn loose, pulled back into a ponytail, or styled into a high bun. Offering a variety of looks with minimal maintenance, this hairstyle is a highly attractive option for women.
Does Kerry Washington Wear Wigs?
Yes, she does indeed use wigs to quickly change her hairstyle without damaging her natural hair. Throughout her acting career, Kerry Washington has sported a wide variety of looks, including short bobs, long braids, natural curls, long wavy hair, and elegant updos.
To achieve these transformations, celebrity stylists often employ techniques such as hair weaves, wigs, temporary styling, or simply working with the star's own natural hair.
While Kerry Washington has not explicitly stated that she wears wigs, the frequent changes in her hairstyle, color, and length make it clear that she does. In fact, this is a common method used by many female celebrities to switch up their looks.
FAQs About Kerry Washington HairstylesWhat Is Kerry Washington's Most Iconic Hairstyle?
The shoulder-length wavy hairstyle she wore while playing Olivia Pope in the series Scandal stands as her most iconic look. This style at once polished and voluminous is closely associated with the sharp, mature persona of the character she portrayed.
What's Kerry Washington Natural Hair?
Kerry Washington has frequently showcased her natural curly hair texture, as well as a variety of other textured hairstyles. She has presented looks featuring her natural hair on several occasions.
What Are the Best Kerry Washington Hairstyles for Black Women?
Some truly striking hairstyles, such as the curly Afro, long box braids, goddess locs, a sleek bob, a curly ponytail, and various protective braided styles that are all excellent choices for Black women.
What Bob Hairstyle Has Kerry Washington Worn?
She has experimented with various bob hairstyles, including blunt-cut bobs, short bobs with bangs, ombre bobs, and long bobs (lobs) with soft waves. These styles offer a diverse range of looks—from the sharp and elegant to the playful and modern.
How Can I Get Kerry Washington's Long Voluminous Hairstyles?
You can recreate her captivating long voluminous hairstyle with the help of a curling iron, volumizing hair products, and human hair wigs. Opting for a high-quality human hair wig is the simplest approach, allowing you to effortlessly experiment with different lengths, colors, and styles.
What Wig Types Should I Wear to Achieve Kerry Washington's Hairstyle?
Glueless wigs, lace front wigs, bob wigs, curly wigs, body wave wigs, colored wigs, and braided wigs can all help you recreate Kerry Washington's signature looks. However, it is best to opt for high-quality human hair wigs, as they ensure a superior texture and a highly natural realistic appearance.