The Hair Evolution of One Direction's Zayn Malik
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Zayn Malik has had a monumental career. He may have parted ways with the One Direction boys, but he's continued to release music on his own, including a recent collaboration with Timbaland and an action-packed video that was filled with twists and turn. In between releasing all this new music and spending time setting trends and playing Pokémon with Gigi Hadid, the pop star has also gone through several monumental changes in hairstyle
From the beginning, Zayn always got points from us for being the most experimental of the 1D boys in the fashion and hair departments. And much like his career and overall style since his days as a teen dressed in a white tee and khakis frolicking in the sand in the "What Makes You Beautiful" video, Zayn's hair has gone through some dramatic changes over the past few years, too. And we've kept track of every last one of them.
From soft spikes to an exaggerated side-sweep and every color switch-up in between, put your rollercoaster of emotions aside, and see all of Zayn's highest hair notes, ahead.
Photo: Getty Images1/29December 2011
Early on in his career at the Capital FM Jingle Bell Ball in London, Zayn rocked a bouffant-like style with mega shine (and adorable baby hairs to boot).
Photo: Getty Images2/29February 2012
At Sony's after-party for the 2012 Brit Awards, the singer hit us with a profile shot of a new side-shaved 'do.
Photo: Getty Images3/29March 2012
Performing live on NBC's Today, Zayn matched the 1D members' wind-blown coiffed hair with an upright tousle of his own.
Photo: Getty Images4/29October 2012
At the BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards in London, the singer debuted a pop of blond on the tips of the front portion of that signature, Johnny Bravo-like bouffant of his.
Photo: Getty Images5/29August 2013
On the red carpet of 1D's world premiere of One Direction: This Is Us, Zayn ruffled his hair into soft spikes like the rockstar he is.
Photo: Getty Images6/29November 2013
Rocking those spikes yet again, this time Zayn paired the edgy 'do with full-grown scruffy facial hair for an urban gent' vibe.
Photo: Courtesy of Instagram7/29May 2014
There he goes flashing that side-shave of his again—with more of a mohawk feel this time around.
Photo: Getty Images8/29September 2014
We have to say, Zayn's channeling his (former) band member, Louis, with this side-swept style, which he wore for the 2014 iHeartRadio Music Festival.
Photo: Getty Images9/29December 2014
Consider this Zayn's best Elvis Presley impersonation. The slicked-back style and wisp of hair nearly tangled in his lashes is awfully reminiscent of the legend's iconic style. He even nailed that seriously smoldering gaze!
Photo: Courtesy of Instagram10/29January 2015
Zayn tries his hand at the man bun! The little loop at the crown of his head might be the tiniest topknot known to man.
Photo: Courtesy of Instagram11/29March 2015
My, how quick his hair has grown! Zayn lets his bun down, tossing it to one side for an asymmetrical pixie quite similar to something we’ve seen on Kristen Stewart. And yes, we’re pouting too right about now.
Getty Images12/29April 2015
At the Asian Awards in April, Zayn attended his first awards ceremony solo and showed off a dramatic buzz cut and noticeably trimmed down facial hair to match.
Courtesy of Instagram13/29June 2015
Before true love totally died, Zayn decided to have some fun while hanging out with his then-fiancé, Little Mix's Perrie Edwards, and dyed his hair a loud shade of lime green.
WireImage14/29June 2015
At the Louis Vuitton Menswear spring/summer 2016 show, Zayn sported a high-fashion platinum blonde buzz cut that earned him a seat front row with Kanye West and Joe Jonas.
AFP/Getty Images15/29August 2015
Only Zayn could look this good post-breakup. With his hair back to black, Zayn sported a much more grown-out style that was still shaved on the sides while attending a movie premiere in early August.
� www.splashnews.com16/29August 2015
Just days later, Zayn gave new meaning to the term silver fox when he quite literally dyed his hair this silvery shade.
17/29November 2015
But the silver fox didn't last long, because Zayn later showed off this brooding selfie on his Instagram with his dark hair very much back.
18/29December 2015
With new romance rumors swirling (and kind of confirmed?) with model Gigi Hadid, Zayn broke out a new hairstyle with a whole lot going on. Half blonde, half black, Zayn's been wearing the shaggy-at-the-top, shaved-on-the-sides style spiked up in a volumized bouffant that takes us back to his boy band days.
19/29February 2016
You, like us, may have thought neon green was the craziest shade Zayn would ever go for — until he rocked pink spikes the same hue as Bazooka bubblegum at the Grammy’s.
20/29May 2016
With a sharp new cut and Gigi by his side, it’s safe to say that Zayn was officially #living at 2016’s Met Gala.
21/29September 2016
Raise your hand if you just did a double take — Zayn’s hair clearly doesn’t grow at a glacial pace. Just a few months after he debuted a close crop, he appeared on the red carpet in a full, glossy mane and major facial hair.
Photo: Getty Images22/29December 2016
Looks like Zayn is saving a surprising new transformation for the New Year! A trimmed beard and shorn sides highlight the true beauty of his hair’s natural swoop.
23/29January 2017
Is he growing his hair out? Or, will he buzz it and dye it blonde — again? It's hard to tell, but whatever vision Zayn has for his hair in 2017, we’re here for it.
Photo: Getty Images24/29February 2017
Zayn demos his best interpretation of the “Blue Steel” expression to show that he’s gone facial hair-free — but his head of hair is no less bountiful than we’re used to.
Photo: Getty Images25/29February 2017
Zayn takes tousled waves for a test-drive, showcasing the breezy style at the Pre-Grammy Gala. On another note: he’s totally mastered the art of the model pout, no?
Photo: Getty Images26/29March 2017
Cheering on Gigi from the sidelines at Balmain, Zayn switches up his side part. The crescendo-inspired style starts with closely cropped sides that gradually cascade into long, cheek-grazing strands. It’s safe to say his stylist has a way with scissors.
Photo: Getty Images27/29September 2017
Zayn’s pretty much experimented with every hair color and style out there — which turns out to be the reason for his freshly shaved head. The singer reveals that he bleached his hair so many times to the point of damage, and this is his way of starting fresh.
Splash News28/29March 2018
In the spring of 2018, Zayn went from dark to light, surprising fans when he appeared on Instagram with platinum blonde hair. The drastic change in hair color came just as the singer appeared in Miami, Florida for a video shoot, People reported. The lighter color change wasn't the first time that Zayn had tried out this shade. In 2012 he incorporated a streak of blonde to his dark hair and later went full blonde in 2015.
Gotham29/29June 2018
Summer 2018 was a time of hair color experiments for Zayn. He was constantly spotted in new shades, going from a light lavender to a soft silver sheen. He later surprised fans again in July, debuting a bright pink shade. Then after trying out practically every color in the rainbow, Zayn shaved all his hair off and was photographed with the new 'do on August 1, 2018, Just Jared Jr. reported.
