Iconic styles, expert-approved products, and how to steal Rihanna’s look
Rihanna’s hair care has been a masterclass in reinvention, flawlessly switching between bold pixie cuts, fiery red waves, and everything in between. So, how does she maintain those envy-inducing locks—even with all the heat styling, color changes, and red carpet demands her strands endure?
With the 2024 launch of Fenty Hair, Rihanna is shaking up the beauty industry with a line that revolves around repair, hydration, and inclusivity. At the heart of it is the Replenicore-5 complex—a blend of amino acids, proteins, and antioxidants designed to strengthen hair from the inside out. Created to work for all textures, the line also feels personal to Rihanna, who recently embraced her Type 3B curls with a fresh chop, proudly showing off her natural texture.
Rihanna’s own journey with her hair—from bold transformations to celebrating her natural curls—feels like the perfect backdrop for her latest venture. Without further ado, let’s uncover Rihanna’s iconic hair evolution, the secrets behind her healthy strands, and what makes Fenty Hair the next big thing.
A timeline of Rihanna’s iconic styles
2006: Soft brunette waves
Rihanna burst onto the music scene with “SOS,” pairing her fresh sound with soft brunette waves that exuded youthful charm. Later that year, she flipped the script with sleek, straight strands, showing off her natural length and hinting at the style chameleon she was destined to become.
2007: Asymmetrical bob
The Good Girl Gone Bad chapter gave us Rihanna’s first truly iconic cut: a sharp asymmetrical bob. With jet-black strands and bold, blunt bangs, she left behind her sweet-girl image and fully embraced her edgier side. This was the moment Rihanna became a hair icon.
2009: Blonde bombshell mohawk
During her Rated R phase, Rihanna pushed the boundaries with a daring blonde mohawk paired with an undercut. The style was unapologetically punk, perfectly complementing the raw, emotional energy of her music and proving she wasn’t afraid to take risks.
2010–2011: Loud and red-hot
When Rihanna went red during her Loud era, she turned heads everywhere. Her cherry-red locks, styled in everything from bouncy waves to intricate braids, became an instant signature. It was bold, fearless, and entirely Rihanna.
2012: Blonde glamour
With the release of Talk That Talk, Rihanna reinvented herself yet again, going blonde with wavy bangs. Later that year, as Unapologetic and “Diamonds” dominated the charts, she returned to her signature pixie cut—this time sharper and sleeker than ever.
2017: The wet-look bob
By the ANTI era, Rihanna was playing with textures. A wet-look curly bob added a high-fashion edge to her style, while her bangs and top knot at the 2017 Met Gala showed she could mix drama with minimalism like no one else.
2020: Bold braids
Rihanna embraced protective styles in 2020, rocking zigzag braids and sleek, simple black looks. These styles celebrated her roots while proving that even her low-key moments are anything but ordinary.
2023: A celebration of natural texture
In her latest era, Rihanna has embraced her Type 3B curls with a fresh chop, proudly showcasing her natural texture. It’s a statement of self-love and authenticity, redefining beauty on her own terms and reminding us why she’s the ultimate trailblazer.
More about Rihanna’s hair care line
Fenty Hair is Rihanna’s unapologetic statement: hair care can be both effective and inclusive without cutting corners. Launched in 2024, the line zeroes in on repairing damage and maintaining moisture while celebrating every texture under the sun. The star of the show is Replenicore-5, a cutting-edge formula packed with amino acids, proteins, and antioxidants designed to rebuild hair from the inside out. This isn’t a band-aid solution—it’s about creating strong, resilient strands that shine with health.
The collection’s nine products cater to every step of your routine, including:
The Rich One Moisture Repair Shampoo cleanses without stripping, while The Richer One Deep Conditioner melts into dry, damaged hair for instant hydration.
Styling? The Homecurl Curl-Defining Cream enhances bounce without the crunch, and The Protective Type 5-in-1 Heat Protectant Styler shields against temperatures up to 450°F while taming frizz and sealing split ends.
And let’s not forget The Controlling Type Hair-Thickening Edge Control, which promises a flake-free, all-day hold.
What sets Fenty Hair apart is its deeply personal touch. Infused with ingredients like Barbados gooseberry, jackfruit extract, and green tea—nods to Rihanna’s Caribbean heritage—the products blend authenticity with modern hair science. With sustainability in mind, the brand even uses recycled packaging and ensures its formulas are vegan, cruelty-free, and free of sulfates, silicones, and parabens.
Rhianna’s hair care products (beyond Fenty)
Rihanna’s hairstylist, Yusef Williams, is the genius behind her ever-evolving hair moments—from daring mohawks to sleek buns. In a Cosmopolitan Magazine interview, he let fans in on the products (not her own line, FYI) that have kept her strands thriving despite constant styling and coloring.
ORS Olive Oil Moisturizing Hair Lotion
For a queen like Rihanna, even the simplest products play a starring role. Yusef swears by this affordable lotion, found at your local Walgreens. Infused with olive oil, it delivers a moisture boost to her hairline while doubling as a heat protectant. Yusef emphasizes that a little goes a long way—this isn’t about overloading hair but rather sealing in hydration and keeping those edges sleek and shiny.
Peter Thomas Roth Mega-Rich Conditioner
Rihanna’s strands endure plenty of heat styling, and this conditioner is a must-have for reversing damage and maintaining that soft, glossy texture. Packed with biotin B7 complex and pro-vitamin B5, it works overtime to strengthen hair while adding a spa-like fragrance. According to Yusef, it’s one of those products that doesn’t just smell luxurious—it leaves hair feeling as rich as it sounds.
Phyto Botanical Scalp Treatment
Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp, and Yusef loves this botanical-based treatment for promoting growth and reducing dryness. Infused with rosemary, sage, and lemon extracts, it deeply nourishes while creating a fresh, clean base for styling. Yusef often uses it on Rihanna under a dryer to maximize its moisturizing powers, a trick anyone can adopt for extra hydration.
Beyond these favorites, Yusef’s approach to Rihanna’s hair is grounded in balance. It’s not just about piling on products—it’s about using targeted solutions for specific needs. Whether it’s taming frizz or prepping her hair for braids, these staples prove that high-low mixes work wonders. And now, with the launch of Fenty Hair, it’s clear Rihanna’s personal philosophy—focused on repair, hydration, and inclusivity—is woven into every step of her routine.
If it’s good enough for Rihanna’s strands, it’s probably worth a spot on your shelf, too.
Rihanna’s hair care secrets
What can we take away from Rihanna’s Fenty products and her stylist’s insights? H
🤫 Hydration is a non-negotiable
Rihanna’s hair secrets revolve around one fundamental truth: moisture is everything. Whether she’s prepping for a red-carpet event or recovering from heat styling, hydration takes center stage in her routine. Her Fenty Hair line underscores this with moisture-rich products infused with nutrient-packed ingredients that nourish strands from the inside out. Put simply, Rihanna’s glossy, resilient locks remind us that well-moisturized hair is the foundation of every great style.
🤫 Protect, protect, protect
For Rihanna, protection is a mantra. Between constant heat styling, color treatments, and elaborate looks, shielding her strands from damage is so important. That’s why heat protectants, like Fenty Hair’s The Protective Type 5-in-1 Styler, play such a vital role in her routine. It defends against high temperatures while taming frizz and smoothing ends, ensuring her hair stays strong no matter the style.
🤫 Scalp health is holy
Rihanna’s hairstylist, Yusef, has long emphasized the importance of scalp care in her routine, and her Fenty Hair collection reflects this focus. Hydrating, soothing, and promoting hair growth, Rihanna’s commitment to scalp health is a reminder that good hair days start at the root. Prioritizing regular scalp care keeps strands strong and ensures your hair can handle whatever style you dream up.
🤫 Confidence in change
One of Rihanna’s biggest secrets isn’t just her products or techniques—it’s her fearless attitude. She treats every style, from pixie cuts to red waves, as a reflection of her evolving personality. Her confidence inspires others to experiment, proving that self-expression is the ultimate accessory.
🤫 Celebrate your natural texture
While she’s known for being a hairstyle chameleon, Rihanna’s recent decision to chop her hair and embrace her natural Type 3B curls speaks volumes about her more recent philosophy: love what you’ve got. Whether she’s rocking braids, waves, or an edgy bob, she always starts with a foundation of healthy, natural hair. Her message? Don’t fight your texture—find ways to enhance it instead.
What we’ve learned from Rihanna
Rihanna’s hair journey shows us that great hair is no accident—it’s the result of smart care and daring experimentation. From sleek pixies and beachy waves to bold red locks and protective box braids, her looks have always been as dynamic as her music. And she pulls it all off by prioritizing hydration, protecting strands from heat and damage, and keeping the scalp in top shape.
With Fenty Hair, she’s bottled up the lessons she’s learned over years of reinvention. So, take a page out of Rihanna’s playbook and make your hair the ultimate accessory.