Justin Bieber’s hair has been iconic over the years, showcasing a variety of famous styles. From his classic bowl cut to newer looks, he has always kept fans guessing. T.S. Eliot once said, “life is very long,” and while time may seem to move quickly, Bieber’s hair evolution reflects a journey filled with mistakes and growth. Since debuting online as a young boy, he has become a pioneer in the music world and a hair icon. His career has seen ups and downs, but his hairstyles have always been a topic of interest, from the innocent beginnings to more daring choices.
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The Evolution of Justin Bieber’s Iconic Hairstyles
Justin Bieber’s hairstyles have been a captivating part of his journey as a mature artist. From his catchy pop tunes and impressive dance moves to his ever-changing hairstyles, he has become a subject of fascination for both fans and critics. His career began with an ultra-shiny helmet hairstyle, which eventually evolved into various looks, including buns, ponytails, and even dreadlocks. His dirty blond mane has often appeared scruffy, prompting his doting wife, Hailey, to stage haircut interventions. Amid lockdown, he sported a beanie, but in May, he surprised everyone with a return to his buzzcut, showcasing his most notable coifs. Bieber’s journey reflects the ups and downs of finding your groove, much like the legendary David Beckham, who has also had numerous hairstyles in a short span.
The Side Sweep – 2010
When Bieber burst onto the music scene in 2009, he sported a signature side-swept hairstyle that quickly became iconic. With his bangs combed to the side and layers falling effortlessly, this look captured the attention of millions of teenagers who wanted to copy his carefree and youthful image. It was a defining moment in his early career that set the stage for his evolving style.
The Bowl Cut – 2011
In 2011, Bieber made headlines by sporting a bowl cut, shocking fans as he broke away from his previously squeaky-clean image. This hairstyle featured closely cropped sides and back while leaving the top longer, marking a bold choice that reflected his desire for change. It showcased his willingness to take risks with his appearance as he transitioned into a more edgy persona.
The Long, Shaggy Hair – 2012
Following his experimentation with the bowl cut, Bieber embraced a longer, shaggy hairstyle in 2012. His locks flowing freely gave him a laid-back vibe that allowed him to explore a more adult image while still maintaining his youthful charm. This look solidified his influence in the fashion and grooming industry, proving that he could adapt and evolve while staying true to himself.
The Undercut – 2015
As Bieber’s music evolved, so did his image. In 2015, he introduced the undercut, where the sides and back were shaved very short while leaving the top longer. This trendy haircut became incredibly popular among young men worldwide and marked Bieber’s transition into adulthood as he shed his teen idol image. It was a significant step in establishing himself as a mature artist.
The Buzz Cut – 2018
In another drastic change, Bieber surprised fans with a buzz cut in 2018. This ultra-short hairstyle stripped away any remnants of his previous looks, symbolizing a fresh start in both his personal life and music career. The clean-cut appearance marked a significant departure from earlier styles and exemplified Bieber’s remarkable ability to constantly reinvent himself.
A Complete Visual History of Justin Bieber’s Hair
May 2009
In May 2009, Justin Bieber was a fresh-faced fifteen years old, showcasing his long, swept-to-the-side vintage hairstyle that fans will always remember. His iconic swoop hairstyle remained consistent with only minor changes until December 2009.
December 2009
During this time, he maintained a notably consistent look between 2008 and 2010.
August 2011
August 2011, Bieber transitioned to a more grown-up style, moving away from the lady golfer look to embrace a shorter, textured crop that suited him well as a teenage pop star. This evolution in his hairstyles marked significant moments in his journey as an artist.
January 2012
In January 2012, fans got a sneak peek at Bieber’s future scruffiness, hinting at changes to come.
June 2012
June 2012, he learned to maintain his original locks by slicking back his hair into a bouffant style, showing off his growth as an artist.
May 2013
The Believe tour in May 2013 took his bouffant to an international level, showcasing his evolving image.
January 2014
In January 2014, Bieber faced challenges, as his cheery mug shot revealed a magnificent bouffant right after he was charged with DUI, resisting arrest, and driving without a valid license, perhaps due to a night of racing.
March 2015
In March 2015, Justin Bieber fully embraced his roast on Comedy Central, matching his hair to his pet monkey’s, OG Mally, who was famously confiscated by German authorities and now lives in a German zoo, having trouble communicating with other monkeys.
April 2015
By April 2015, he posed with Nash Grier and simply captioned the image “#Ponytails.”
September 2015
Fast forward to September 2015, and behold, a bleached-blond Bieber emerged.
October 2015
October 2015, he returned to his dirty-blond bouffant.
November 2015
In November 2015, he wore a beanie, leaving fans to wonder what possibilities were hiding underneath.
January 2016
In January 2016, Justin Bieber kicked off the year with a man bun, showing off a new style.
February 2016
By February 2016, he had moved on to bleached blond hair, which he showcased at the Saint Laurent show.
March 2016
March 2016, during his Purpose World Tour, he slicked it back into a bun for the opening night in Seattle, marking his third transformation in just as many months.
April 2016
In April 2016, he surprised everyone by wearing dreadlocks at the iHeartRadio Music Awards, making a bold public appearance.
May 2016
However, by May 2016, the dreads were fully gone, but that didn’t stop him from making a statement during his trip to Monaco, where he also got a teeny face tattoo.
August 2017
In August 2017, Justin Bieber shifted his focus to his facial hair, showing a new side of his style.
February 2018
By February 2018, his regrown hair didn’t quite help him at the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game.
May 2018
In May 2018, fans were left waiting with bated breath to see if he would deliver on his hairstyle promise.
August 2018
Fast forward to August 2018, and we saw those luscious locks on display, but just two days later, at the request of Hailey Baldwin, he got a trendy haircut.
September 2018
The evidence of this change was gone by September 2018, and while in Michigan that month, he returned to the forehead-less days of his youth.
October 2018
In October 2018, the bump under his hood was likely a bun or ponytail, styled high like Hailey’s. Less than a week later, he shared his buzz cut on Instagram, earning the nickname “Buzztin,” which also highlighted his tiny face tattoo of a cross—a symbol of faith that matched his commitment to waiting until marriage with Hailey.
May 2019
In May 2019, Justin Bieber showcased a sleek mop hairstyle that reminded fans of his earlier days, with the only changes being the presence of Hailey Baldwin and a few more tattoos.
October 2019
By October 2019, he experienced periods of scruff but cleaned up for his second wedding to Hailey in the following months.
January 2020
As the new year began in January 2020, he surprised everyone with a peroxide pixie while wearing Drew House pajamas.
February 2020
In February 2020, his mustache made a comeback, much to Hailey’s reported dismay, as she “can’t stand” it, although it became a part of his “Intentions” art. Despite the mustache, it was a big month for Bieber’s hair, with some fans jokingly comparing his look to Guy Fieri vibes.
September 2020
By September 2020, Bieber’s hair looked healthier than it had in years—perhaps he discovered biotin?
November 2020
In November 2020, he channeled the style of Benji and Joel Madden while dressed head-to-toe in Drew House.
February 2021
In February 2021, it felt like ages since fans saw Bieber’s hair beyond the wisps curling out from under his hat, likely a beanie with a Drew House logo.
April 2021
By April 2021, Bieber started to channel his “best fwend,” showing off a hairstyle that was hard to imagine anyone else trying.
May 2021
In May 2021, he transformed his long locks into what barely resembled dreads. A word of caution: things were about to get worse, as he sported triple space buns, followed by pigtails and an up-close view of his scalp.
June 2021
Then came that glorious day in June 2021, much to Hailey’s relief, when Bieber shaved his head.
September 2021
By September 2021, in the sixth month of the pandemic, he was rocking a grown-out layered ‘do that returned to its natural blonde hue. For the Met Gala, fashion’s big night out, he opted for his best hairstyle to date: the tight crop, which allowed his chiselled jawline some air time.
February 2022
In February 2022, for the Super Bowl, Bieber embraced a new year with a fresh start, donning a grade one all-over buzz cut.
2022-2023
During 2022-2023, Justin Bieber was often photographed wearing hats, whether on his social channels or in the news. A rare photo from June 2022 showed more significant thinning at the temples. He has stayed out of the spotlight, skipping events like the 2023 Met Gala and the Grammys, which led some to speculate that he might be recovering from a hair transplant or covering up his worsening hair loss.
Summary
Justin Bieber has always been known for his signature swoopy fringe, bold-colored buzz cuts, and grown-out mullets. He isn’t afraid to experiment with his hairstyles, which often spark reactions, whether people love or hate them. His looks serve as a source of inspiration and sometimes cautionary tales for young men everywhere. With his unique style, including streetwear-inspired outfits like tie-dye, sliders, and logo tees, he has created a look known as “scumbro.” Bieber’s ever-changing hairstyles have led to a rotation of looks that his legion of fans eagerly follow, making him a true hair icon with some of the best hairstyles in pop culture.