NYE hair inspiration: Five of Rihanna’s best looks

Brigitte Bardot’s tousled yet voluminous bedhead, Carrie’s corkscrew perm, the “Rachel” cut which launched Jennifer Anniston into superstardom – most celebrities are known for rocking just one strong hairstyle.

Rihanna, on the other hand, is a true style and beauty icon famous for constantly changing up her hair – and it makes her the perfect inspiration for experimenting with a killer party hairdo on New Year’s Eve.

Whether you’re hanging at a house party or hitting the town, you’ll want to look your absolute best as you wave goodbye to 2016 and welcome in a fresh start.

So we’re running through five of Rihanna’s best hairdos and sharing a few top tips on how to copy them.

#1: A sleek and sophisticated bob

Umbrella was Rihanna’s breakout hit and the sophisticated, super-sleek bob she debuted at the same time was also the first in a long line of iconic hairstyles.

It’s a look she’s returned to a few times, but its first incarnation remains the best for its asymmetrical cut and healthy glow.

Be warned, though – unless your tresses are naturally straight and manageable, you’ll need a good quality hairspray to keep a bob in place all night long.

#2: All-out curls

Whether natural coils, old Hollywood glamorous waves or fairytale ringlets, Rihanna’s no stranger to curls, regularly turning to them for a fun and sexy red-carpet style.

It’s up to you to determine the size and kind of curls you want to go for – relaxed or permed, sharp or messy – but you’re going to need a proper toolkit to nail it, whatever vibe you decide.

Mark Hill’s pick and mix curler comes with a variety of interchangeable barrel heads, giving you a thin and thick curling wand in one – and plenty of scope to play around until you get your desired look.

#3: Attention-grabbing red hair

Although normally a brunette, Rihanna does experiment with dye occasionally – and pillar-box red is the fiercest shade she’s ever tried.

Attention-grabbing and bold, it’s a colour that’s sure to make you stand out even in the middle of a crowded dancefloor.

You’re probably best looking to a professional hairdresser if you want to take your hair all-over, permanently red, but if not you could always add temporary streaks or dip-dye for a one-night-only taste of life as a redhead.

#4: A picture-perfect pixie crop

Short hair is hard to pull off with flair, yet Rihanna has rocked it time and time again.

Her pretty features and edgy sense of style perfectly complement a short and choppy – and impeccably polished – pixie crop.

If you’re taking the plunge and lopping all your hair off remember it takes a lot of styling to maintain – heat protector spray is essential for keeping your locks healthy and shiny.

#5: Fishtail plait

The bright red, chunky fishtail plait Rihanna wore on red carpets everywhere in 2014 is one of her most lust-worthy hairstyles.

Always thrown over one shoulder, there’s something about it that screams Ariel from The Little Mermaid – making it irresistible to all Disney-lovers.

The best thing is, it looks much more complicated to do than it really is – you’ll find plenty of online tutorials that’ll show you the basics of creating your own fishtail plait.

There you have it – our pick of Rihanna’s five best hairdos. Whichever one you go for, remember to rock it with the same unshakeable confidence as her for maximum impact.

The editorial unit