Oprah Winfrey speaks onstage at the 3rd annual Diane Von Furstenberg awards at the United Nations on March 9, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)
“Curls Gone Crazy” (1986)
Corynne Corbett says…
This hairstyle was a miss. Some looks just don’t translate on television and this is one of them. Her massive curls blur together to give us a voluminous mess. I call this look: “Curls Gone Crazy.”
Photo courtesy of Harpo
“She’s Stacked” (1986)
Veronica Wells says…
I will call this look a hit for nostalgia sake. She gets a pass because it was 1986; but, this is a lot of stacked hair…a lot. Short on the top and long at the bottom is technically a mullet. I call this hairstyle: “She’s Stacked.”
(AP Photo)
“Full and Fluffy” (1988)
Veronica Wells says…
As with any hairstyle you have to take the time period into consideration. While that bang is almost a separate entity, I’d still consider this look a hit. Her hair is full of body and it’s thick. It looks luscious. I call this look: “Full and Fluffy.”
(AP Photo)
“Heavenly Bunny” (1989)
Veronica Wells says…
Her bang is shaped into a halo atop the “rabbit’s foot” ponytail. I don’t hate this look but it’s certainly not a hit. I suspect Oprah’s hair was sub par that day and her people made do. I call this look: “Heavenly Bunny.”
Photo courtesy of Harpo
“Black Girl Mullet” (1999)
Veronica Wells says…
Even though this look frames Oprah’s face very well, I’m not a fan and thereby will have to give Lady O a miss on this one. Sorry boo. This is the “Black Girl Mullet.” No bueno.
(AP Photo)
“O So Plain” (2000)
Corynne Corbett says…
This look is a hit and miss. Oprah plays it safe with simple, sophisticated layers.Judging by the hairstyle alone one would think Oprah is meek, conservative and doesn’t ever rock the boat, and we know that’s not the case. She needs a style with impact. I call this look: “O So Plain.”
(AP Photo)
“Short and Shaggy” (2001)
Corynne Corbett says…
This look is a hit.Oprah showed her sassy side with a combination of face framing fringe and layers culminating with a shaggy bottom. While it doesn’t venture out to something wild it does give an indication that Oprah’s got her own sense of style. I call this look: “Short & Shaggy.”
(AP Photo)
“Rocking Rows” (2002)
Corynne Corbett says…
This look is a hit. We all know that when we’re on the road our hair can have a mind of it’s own. Oprah took the proactive approach by sporting cornrows on one of her trips to Africa. It’s definitely a vacation ‘do.’ I call this look: “Rocking Rows.”
Photo by Rajesh; Getty Images
“Straight, No Chaser” (2004)
Corynne Corbett says…
The look is a hit. This long, layered bob is polished to perfection but it’s almost too perfect and doesn’t look like Oprah. Makes me think she’s about to deliver the news. I call this look: “Straight, No Chaser.”
Photo courtesy of Harpo
“Flipping Out” (2004)
Veronica Wells says…
There’s nothing wrong with this look per se… I just don’t like to see a grown woman with flipped hair. So even though Oprah’s face is beat, her skin is smooth, and the dress makes her look regal the hair throws it off for me and so it must go down as a miss in my book. I call this look: “Flipping Out.”
(AP Photo)
“The Next Wave” (2005)
Corynne Corbett says…
This look is a hit. These loose waves are as relaxed and beautiful as Oprah has become in the last few years. Her style isn’t overly done and feels very natural. It gives me the sense that she feels good about herself and is no longer trying to impress anyone.This look is called “The Next Wave.”
Photo by Thomas Cooper; Getty Images
“Up and Down” (2006)
Corynne Corbett says…
This look is a miss.While I like the highlights, Oprah’s slightly tousled updo doesn’t look like it is going to make it through the night. It’s already showing signs of frizziness and curl collapse. Another round of hairspray was in order. I call this look: “Up and Down.”
(AP Photo)
“Sweet Sadie” (2008)
Veronica Wells says…
This look is a hit. I feel borderline disrespectful for saying this but I always referred to this look as Oprah’s Cocker Spaniel hair, (I don’t think the Queen of Talk would mind considering her dog Sadie is a Cocker Spaniel.) I was not a fan of this look on the show but it’s winning in this picture. We’ll call this one “Sweet Sadie” in honor the pet that clearly inspired this look.
(AP Photo)
“Werk” (2009)
Veronica Wells says…
This look is a hit. It’s sleek and sophisticated but still full of body. Is it just me or do I detect a bit of color in the front? Yes! As Andre 3000 would say “Ooo I just want to play in her hair.” Get it Oprah, girl! There is only one word for this one: “Werk!”
(AP Photo/Harpo Productions, Inc., George Burns, File)
“The Pony Express” (2011)
Corynne Corbett says…
This look is a hit. Whether it’s because she’s in a hurry or she doesn’t want to compete with an intricate neckline, Oprah usually makes a ponytail work for her. The secret? It’s not too tightly slicked back and the slight pompadour gives the simple style some added sophistication. I call this look “The Pony Express.”
Photo by Frazer Harrison; Getty Images
Today is Oprah Winfrey’s 59th birthday.
Nearly two years ago fans of The Oprah Winfrey Show said farewell to the talk show queen after 25 years.
A sometimes overlooked part of Oprah’s legacy, her hairstyles have progressed over a quarter of a century — adapting to the current fashions along the way.
The talk show host has frequently mentioned the man behind her mane, Andre Walker, who has been her hairstylist since the Oprah Winfrey Show began in 1986. Last season Oprah said, “I’ve had the same hairdresser for 24 years, That’s why I still have my hair.”
We’ve compiled some of the talk show host’s most memorable hairdos and asked experts to decide whether they were hits — or misses. We enlisted the help of Essence Magazine beauty director Corynne Corbett and Veronica Wells, resident hair guru and Associate Editor of Madame Noire.
Follow Chris Witherspoon on Twitter at @WitherspoonC
