Zendaya's Most Iconic Hairstyles - And How to Recreate Every Era

Few women have owned as many hair eras as Zendaya. From her early years rocking voluminous natural-inspired curls to red carpet moments that set the beauty conversation for entire awards seasons, her hair has never been an afterthought - it has always been the statement.

What makes her looks so endlessly inspiring is the range. Tight coils one season, sleek braids the next, then a vintage sculpted wave that sent the internet into a spiral. She proves that hair can be a form of storytelling, and that the right style at the right moment is genuinely powerful.

Here at Perfect Locks, we have been obsessing over her transformations for years - not just because they are beautiful, but because so many of them are achievable. With the right extensions, the right texture, and a little know-how, you can step into any of these eras yourself. Let us walk you through the looks and exactly how to get them.

The 70s Mane: Big, Bold, and Unapologetically Curly

This look channels old-school Cher energy - massive volume, tight coils, and hair that commands a room before you even speak. The key here is density and length working together. Thin, flat curls will not achieve this effect. You need hair that has genuine body all the way from root to tip.

What makes this style work is the curl pattern itself. This is not a loose beach wave - it is a tight, springy coil that holds its shape and creates that signature fullness. Natural Black is the right color call here, keeping the look authentic and high-contrast.

For this era, lace clip-ins in a tight curly texture are your best tool. They give you that full-length, high-volume look without any commitment, and the lace weft mimics a more natural-looking root line. Go for at least 20 inches to hit that cascading length - anything shorter and you lose the drama that makes this style work.

Classic Cornrows: The Art of the Braid

This look requires a different kind of raw material entirely. Intricate cornrows that sweep back and merge into a long, trailing French braid are one of the most technically demanding protective styles - and one of the most stunning when executed well. The hair used for this kind of installation needs to be smooth enough to blend seamlessly into the braids while still holding the pattern throughout the length.

At 26 inches, this style is all about the drama of the length. The braid itself is the design - so the quality of the hair used to build it matters enormously. Cheap bulk hair loses its smoothness fast, creating fuzzing and inconsistency in the braid pattern within days. That is not acceptable for a style that should look immaculate for weeks.

This is a job for a professional. Cornrow work of this intricacy requires a skilled hand, and the installation is only as good as the hair being used. Our bulk braid hair is the foundation a style like this deserves - ethically sourced Remy hair that will hold the braid clean for weeks, not days.

Old Hollywood Bob: Vintage Glamour, Modern Execution

Last year's Golden Globes look was a masterclass in restrained glamour. A sculpted, vintage bob with soft wave - short enough to feel deliberate, long enough to retain movement. Chocolate Brown was the exact right color choice here, adding warmth and depth that photographs beautifully under red carpet lighting.

What separates an Old Hollywood bob from just a short hairstyle is the wave pattern and how it is set. You need a body wave or loose wavy texture that can be styled with a medium-barrel iron into those classic, directed waves. The hair itself needs enough weight to lay smooth between the waves rather than frizzing out.

14 inches hits the sweet spot for this specific look - long enough that the wave has room to breathe, short enough that the style reads as structured rather than just layered. Tape-in wefts are ideal for adding volume and length to achieve this exact silhouette, and they lay flat enough to keep the bob shape clean and polished.

How to Choose the Right Extension Method for Your Look

Each of these styles works because the right application method was matched to the right style goal. That alignment matters more than most people realize when they start their extension journey. Here is a quick breakdown:

• Clip-ins are perfect for high-volume, special-occasion looks like the 70s curl. No commitment, maximum drama, and you control the density.
• Bulk braid hair is the only real option for braided protective styles. It needs to be high-quality Remy hair for the braid to stay clean and hold its pattern.
• Tape-in wefts work beautifully for sleek, structured styles like a bob because they lay flat, add controlled volume, and blend seamlessly with straightened or waved natural hair.

If you are not sure which method fits your hair type and lifestyle best, our quiz takes less than two minutes and gives you a personalized recommendation.

Frequently Asked Questions