The (Hair)Volution of Carrie Bradshaw From Sex and the City
Rachel M. Johnson is a lover of all things pop culture. She's been writing about music and entertainment online for years.
Sex and the City is a beloved television show that has garnered a massive following since its debut in 1998. The character of Carrie Bradshaw, portrayed by Sarah Jessica Parker, has become a fashion icon and inspiration to women across the world. There's no question that Carrie was a fashionista; her various styles and looks are heavily showcased in the series. Throughout the show's six seasons, Carrie flourished with her fashion and style, and her hair was no exception.
Let's take a look at Carrie's (hair)volution over the series' run.
Short and Voluminous Ombre
Carrie started out the series with a darker, shorter hairdo that ultimately became ombre and voluminous in the first season. She is known for rocking her signature curls, and would often pin it back during the early seasons. Despite how effortless and natural the style looked, it took Sarah Jessica Parker two hours to get the famous Carrie 'do.
Did You Know? Sarah Jessica Parker almost portrayed a different Carrie before her iconic role as Carrie Bradshaw. Actress Andie McDowell beat Parker for the role of "Carrie" in Four Weddings and a Funeral.
"I will never be the woman with the perfect hair, who can wear white and not spill on it."
— Carrie Bradshaw
Long, Curly, & Golden
As the series progressed into the second season, Carrie grew out her initially shorter hairdo and developed a longer, bohemian hairstyle. Her curly golden locks were on full display and the look would become a staple for the character. The ombre coloring remained, as Carrie rocked darker roots and honey-golden curls.
Did You Know? Sarah Jessica had a no-nudity clause in her contract, and was the only lead character in the series to wear a bra in bed. The actress once explained why, saying, "I was not comfortable with nude scenes, scenes with sex toys, or vulgar language--so I didn't do any. My character Carrie, kissed a lot of men--but that's as far as it went."
Shiny, Sleek, & Straight
Around the third season, Carrie really began to experiment with styling her hair, and often straightened her famously curly-locks. She would keep it down and straight, or pull it back into a sleek ponytail. It was definitely a different look for the character, since she was notorious for her voluminous curls.
Did You Know? Sarah Jessica Parker wore heels for 18 hours a day during the filming of the show. Manolo Blahnik even named a shoe in her honor, the SJP.
Read More From Bellatory
Smooth and Refined Golden Ringlets
Curls are nothing new for Carrie, but when she first met Aiden she wore her medium length hair in smooth and refined ringlets. The style looked effortless and lovely, and of course Carrie managed to wear one of her famous flowers during the meet-cute. The golden hue and natural make-up only amplified the look.
Did You Know? In 2001, Sarah Jessica became an executive producer of the show, and her subsequent pay raise meant she earned a whopping $3 million per episode.
Sophisticated & Elegant Updo
Carrie didn't often style her hair in elaborate updos, but this classy bun definitely made the character look chic and sophisticated. Seeing Carrie embrace a different hairstyle and opt out of wearing it down was a pleasant change.
Did You Know? Carrie asks 92 questions throughout the show. In the episode before she moves to Paris, Carrie writes, "Is it time to stop questioning?" This is her final question of the series, as she doesn't ask anything in the last two episodes.
Short & Curly Bob
At the end of the fourth season, Carrie debuts a completely different hairstyle. She adopts a short and curly bob, cutting off her long locks. The style is perhaps the biggest hair change Carrie had up until this point. Her blonde color remained the same, but her curly tresses just reached her chin. It was definitely a bold shake-up for the character.
Did You Know? Sarah Jessica's pregnancy caused season five of the show to be shortened. The season only had 8 episodes and if you look closely when Carrie attends Bitsy and Bobby's wedding, you can see her little bump!
Short & Sleek
After rocking the curly bob, Carrie begins growing her tresses back out. She once against straightens her hair, keeping it shorter and sleek. The softer, buttery blonde tone highlighted the cute, shoulder-length cut.
Did You Know? In 2012, the apartment Carrie lived in sold for $9.65 million.
Curly, Dark, & Highlighted
By the end of the series, Carrie is back to sporting her bold, luscious locks. The thick, curly ringlets look chic and elegant, and she also went for a darker, highlighted hue. The brownish-blonde tone really made Carrie's eyes pop and gave her an effortlessly beautiful look.
Did You Know? For her role as Carrie Bradshaw, Sarah Jessica Parker won two Emmy Awards, four Golden Globes and three Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Questions & Answers
Question: Did Sarah Jessica Parker wear hair extensions in season 2 of Sex and the City?
Answer: From what I’ve researched that was her natural hair. When she chopped off her hair in the later seasons it was because she had damaged her hair from styling and curling and wanted a fresh start.
© 2018 Rachel M Johnson
