Ariana Grande, a celebrated figure in the entertainment industry, has always considered her hair an integral part of her identity. As she stated on the "Zach Sang Show" in 2020, her hair serves as a "guard, character-façade type thing," undergoing its own evolution while remaining a significant "costume piece." While many admire her signature ponytail and the soft, caramel-blond ringlets of her "Wicked" era, it's worth exploring the journey of her hairline, marked by both iconic styles and hair-related challenges.
Grande's initial rise to fame came with her role as Cat Valentine on Nickelodeon's "Victorious." This role required her to dye her hair a vibrant cherry red. While the color was visually striking, it came with significant drawbacks. The pigmented shade led to skin stains, particularly noticeable under the harsh lighting of public appearances, such as a soundtrack signing at Walmart in 2011. Although such stains are a common experience for those who dye their hair, the bright red hue made them particularly prominent. Fortunately, methods like using a good cleanser, makeup remover, exfoliator, or rubbing alcohol can mitigate these stains, though gentle application is crucial due to the scalp's sensitivity.
Beyond the cosmetic issues, the red dye took a toll on Grande's hair health. In a 2011 interview with ClevverTV, she revealed that her team initially used bleach before switching to a "low-peroxide dye" due to the detrimental effects of bleach. The extensive damage from these frequent dye jobs ultimately led to the creation of her signature ponytail.
Transitioning from a Nickelodeon star to a pop icon, Ariana Grande adopted her signature updos, a style choice born out of necessity. She confessed that after four years of dyeing her hair red every other week for "Victorious," the damage was so severe that she had to resort to wearing a wig on the "Victorious" spinoff, "Sam & Cat." Furthermore, her hair looked "absurd" when worn down, leading her to keep it in a ponytail.
To enhance her ponytail, Grande turned to extensions. In a social media post, she acknowledged the repetitive nature of her hairstyle but emphasized that it was "all that works for now." In an interview with Mix 104.1, she admitted that without extensions, her hair resembled "little pieces of hay." This experience underscores a crucial lesson: a visually appealing hair move may not always be the best choice for long-term hair health.
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In the early days of her pop career, Ariana Grande frequently sported a half-up, half-down ponytail with pinned side bangs. As she evolved, she transitioned to an ultra-snatched high ponytail, sometimes incorporating braids or simply sleeked-back tresses. While aesthetically pleasing, these tight ponytails posed a risk to her hair follicles.
Tight hairstyles can lead to traction alopecia due to the constant pulling. In a now-deleted 2018 tweet, Grande admitted to being "in constant pain always and [didn't] care at all" from wearing such tight ponytails. Despite the discomfort, the slick ponytail became a signature style, setting her apart in Hollywood and garnering positive attention. However, the long-term impact on her hair health remained a concern.
While Ariana Grande's ponytails generally appeared flawless, the 2014 Teen Choice Awards presented a rare exception. Sporting honey-colored locks with slightly darker roots, her extensions had so much volume that her hair looked partially down despite being in a ponytail.
Given the damaged state of her hair after "Victorious," it's likely that she had short, uncooperative pieces near her hairline. Whether this was new hair growth or breakage, these bits needed extra hold. The look lacked the usual sleekness, possibly due to insufficient mousse, hairspray, or gel. This event stood out in Grande's ponytail portfolio, as she typically maintains a polished, every-hair-in-place aesthetic.
In 2024, Ariana Grande took on the role of Glinda in "Wicked," requiring her to dye her hair blonde. During a conversation with "Wicked" director Jon M. Chu and co-author Jeremy McCarter, fans noticed that her bangs appeared dehydrated. Experts suggested that this might be a "chemical cut" resulting from the extensive bleaching required to achieve the blonde shade.
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Throughout much of the "Wicked" press run in the second half of 2024, Grande styled her hair in slick buns, successfully managing the shorter pieces. This created a neater appearance, although the pieces may have been too short to style otherwise during the book talk.
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