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Dakota Johnson’s Best-Ever Hairstyles Are More Extreme Than You’d Think

She loves to experiment.

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Dakota Johnson bangs

There’s no denying that Dakota Johnson loves to stick with her signature hairstyle. Her long, dark waves and bottleneck bangs go with everything, so really, why wouldn’t she? The actor-producer has largely stuck that exact formula for years with a few minor color tweaks here and there, but thinking she’s a one-note kind of woman would be a total disservice to how aesthetically daring she really is. The truth is that Johnson’s best hairstyles happen to be extremely varied. Some are variations on the bangs-and-blowout look, sure, dressed up with a cute accessory or scooped into a glamorous updo. But others are as extreme as it gets, experimenting with different color techniques, lengths, and even a few edgy trends.

Interestingly, Johnson seems to reserve the more exploratory styles exclusively for the red carpet. Even if she shows up to a premiere one day with a fauxhawk — no exaggeration, she really did — she’ll likely be paparazzi’d the next day on a coffee run with a far simpler look. It’s a testament to how seriously Johnson takes her job, which is also reflected in the outfits she chooses for carpets — case in point, the bedazzled spiderweb gown she worn to her Marvel movie screening.

Regardless of if you’re mostly inspired by her tried-and-true trademark look or are into her more elaborate styles, this curation of Johnson’s best-ever hair moments is worth exploring.

Intricate Braid

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If there’s one thing Johnson seems to love incorporating into her red carpet looks, it’s whimsy. With this thick, several-strand braid, she leans into a fairytale-inspired style that’s infused with her trademark casual nature — the looser pieces keep it feeling so natural.

California Blonde

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Rich, woody brown wasn’t always Johnson’s calling card. She’s been a bright, coastal blonde plenty of times over the years, a near exact-match to mother Melanie Griffith’s shade. However, going full brunette happened to coincide with her big break in the industry.

Long, Trailing Ribbon

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This long satin ribbon Johnson paired with her fluttery ivory gown is a prime example of how she takes ongoing trends and turns them into something personal. Bows have been a big craze for a white, but she opted for a more effortless take by tying it by hand and selecting one with trailing tails.

Rich, Moody Brown

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No need to do a full 180 with your hair color to shake up your everyday look. Rather than shift into something more extreme, Johnson tweaked her shade by deepening it and adding a cooler tone. The result feels so wintry and luxe.

Elegant Updo

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You’ll never catch Johnson looking too prim, even when she’s at a major event with a serious updo. That’s one way her bangs really come in handy, too. The longer pieces at the ends make them blend into the loose strands near her ears, both of which complement the undone structure of the bun pinned on the very top of her head.

Two-Tone Ombré

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Ombré is actually back in a big way, but of course Johnson’s already tried it out. Her version isn’t so extreme, a more golden-toned brunette that fades into a relaxed shade of blonde around her ears. By keeping the colors complementary and subtle, it looks especially soft.

Punk Rock Fauxhawk

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Told you the fauxhawk was real. By gathering up all the central pieces of her hair and blowing them back into a symmetrical pouf, there’s the illusion of a classic, shaved-side mohawk without actually having to break out the clippers.

Shoulder-Cleaning Bob

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It might feel strange to see Johnson without her usual rib-dusting waves, but this bob is proof she can truly make any length look incredible. It’s a classic bob, falling about an inch past her chin and volumized with plenty of bone structure-accentuating layers.

Bun & Bangs Combo

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On the more buttoned-up side, Johnson loves a casual, everyday bun. Keeping it polished by securing the updo just below the crown and tucking the ends in, it’s ideal for a day of work (in her case, a day on the set) and a night out just the same.

Classic Glamour

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Finally, there’s what most would consider Johnson’s signature look. It features a medium-brown hair color with a touch of warmth, her long bangs trimmed just above her brows, and a shiny blowout that includes a hint of wave.