Between the fashion, expensive shoes, and endless parade of men, Sex and the City provided years of unforgettable entertainment. Set in the late 90s and early 2000’s, the cult TV show follows four women as they navigate life and love in New York City. Over the course of six seasons, the famous foursome went on countless dates (good and bad), drank more than a few Cosmopolitans, and explored rich layers of friendship. And they looked good doing it.
While the show first premiered over 20 years ago, the iconic fashion and hairstyles remain just as inspiring as ever. Take protagonist Carrie Bradshaw, for example. She sported a wide range of trends including signature ombré locks and effortless beach waves. Her hairstyles never failed to fascinate, especially when she walked into Vogue offices in season four with a new short and curly bob. And although Carrie arguably went through the most hair-volution over the course of the show, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte all had their own memorable hair moments.
There’s no denying that it’s easy to get stuck in a rut with our own hairstyle routines from time to time. If you’re looking to mix things up, these ladies' ever-changing ‘dos can provide plenty of inspiration. From cowboy hat hair to pink wigs, the show had an endless supply of unique hair looks worth recreating at home. In honor of the new series that has just been announced, we’re looking back on the show’s best hairstyles and why we’re still into them, more than 20 years later.
1. The tousled waves
One of the show’s best Carrie Bradshaw hair looks is her perfectly imperfect waves. As Carrie herself once said, “I will never be the woman with the perfect hair, who can wear white and not spill on it.” Ms. Bradshaw not only embraces her frizz with this bohemian style, but also rocks darker roots with her golden ringlets to create an iconic hairstyle. Messy bedhead has never been better.
2. The glamorous, vintage-inspired ‘do
Nobody does glam quite like Samantha Jones. While she might be the most over-the-top vixen on the show, there’s no denying that her hair had its refined moments. Here, the PR maven wears a gorgeous, vintage-inspired style with sleek waves and statement earrings.
3. The short hair
Carrie gives the bob hair cut a try, and the results are stunning. While it was a bit of a hair shake-up to cut off her signature long locks, the Carrie Bradshaw short hair look proved memorable for fans. According to a Fashionista article, Mandy Lyons, the woman behind the chop, was inspired by Kim Basinger’s character in the movie 9 ½ Weeks. The haircut took place after Sarah Jessica Parker’s (the actress who plays Carrie) hair was damaged from different work and she wanted a fresh start.
4. The long ponytail
She might be the queen of shoes, but Carrie’s long ponytail is also pretty awesome. Not only does it have just the right amount of messiness, but she also tops it with a bold scrunchie. If you want to recreate this look for yourself, our clip-in ponytail hair extensions will help you get more length and fuller hair. They can also easily transform greasy, second day hair or a bad hair day in a New York minute.
5. The headband
Long before Blair Waldorf arrived on the scene, Charlotte York was working the headband. There are many things to love about the headband, including the fact that it can instantly add a bit of personality to your look. Known for her sweet and more traditional style, this Park Avenue princess always looks pretty and polished. Here, she pulls her smooth brown locks back with a contrasting tan, fashion-forward headband.
6. The classic red bob
The sarcastic and unapologetic Miranda Hobbes delivered many epic one-liners and wisdom throughout the course of the show. Whether she was giving catcalling men a taste of their own medicine or not wearing white to her own wedding, she was always a badass. Her fiery red locks were the perfect complement to these sassy moments.
7. The polished bun
Buns are a quick fix for any bad hair day, and Carrie’s is no exception. Her sleek hairstyle kept the focus on her fashion and paved the way for statement buns and hair doughnuts. It made an appearance many times throughout the series, including shopping sprees and during relationship drama.
8. The pin-straight hair
Around the third season, Carrie began experimenting with straightening her hair. Whether wearing it down or in a sleek ponytail, the sex columnist was never afraid to change things up every once in a while. This hairstyle also inspired the infamous Carrie and Mr. Big conversation about her being able to keep her blow dryer and other personal items at his apartment.
9. The bouncy blowout
For a just-left-the-salon feeling, Carrie’s blowout style takes the cake. After rocking her short bob, she started to grow her hair out, which results in a cute, shoulder-length look. This style marks the point in the show where Carrie was dumped via post-it note by Berger, probably one of the worst breakup plotlines on the show (and all time).
10. The pink wig
After being diagnosed with breast cancer in the final season and undergoing chemotherapy, Samantha rocked a colorful pink wig. The iconic look felt fun, fresh, and uplifting, and was meant to be a celebration of Samantha’s spunky spirit.
11. The super shiny ponytail
While Charlotte might not have been one to mix up her hair too often, she sure knew how to keep her hair looking shiny and healthy. Eating foods rich in fish oils and super-foods such as lentils will help make your mane shine. Here, Charlotte goes for a sultry look by pulling her hair back in a sleek ponytail and pairing it with a red lip and silver hoop earrings.
12. The half-up, half-down hair
Whether your hair is short, long, curly, or straight, the half-up, half-down hairstyle is versatile and effortless. Not only can it keep your hair out of your face, it is also excellent for one of those lazy hair days. Carrie pulls the look off in this scene with complete style and grace.
13. The cowboy hat
Never one to shy away from a good accessory, Carrie rocked many a bandana, beret, and scrunchie in her time. On one memorable occasion, she even wore a cowboy hat to a Hamptons party. While the theme was “cowboys and caviar”, the daring ensemble also included a bandeau bra and rainbow arm cuff. If you’re one to take fashion risks, this look is definitely for you.
14. The classic curls
Despite how effortless this style looks, it reportedly took Sarah Jessica Parker two hours to get Carrie’s iconic curls before filming. This hairstyle was one of the first in a long line of mane transformations, and probably the most remembered Carrie Bradshaw hair look.
The inspiration Sex and the City provided in both the fashion and beauty department is truly endless. From the wacky and weird, to the pretty and chic, there’s truly a style on the show to suit everyone. So next time you are considering mixing things up with your hair, pull some inspo from Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha.
Written by: Mikayla Uber
