Plenty of women have shaved their heads and have been notoriously recognized for drastically altering their look, but for far too long, a buzzed cut was never considered a traditional hairstyle for women. Shaved heads are often met with extreme response, socially categorized as rebellious and nonconformist. But in recent years, the narrative has changed. The buzz cut is a symbol of strength and confidence—one we’ve seen quantified most visibly in Hollywood.
Demi Moore, Natalie Portman, and Cate Blanchett have traded longer locks for buzz cuts for film roles. But even off the silver screen, we’ve seen stars like Adwoa Aboah and Kristen Stewart following suit as a personal choice. Long hair shouldn’t be the standard for femininity—all hair, no matter the length, is beautiful. Simply put, a close-crop cut is a way to rebrand your identity on your own terms.
Below, a list of 22 ladies relishing in their unique beauty, no strings or strands attached.
Adwoa Aboah
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British model Adwoa Aboah took a stand against hair insecurity when she made the choice to lob off her locks as an antithesis to always trying to fit in.
Alicia Keys
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Alicia Keys took a clipper to both sides of her head, leaving just enough hair down the center for this beautifully braided mohawk she wore to the Grammy’s.
Alyson Stoner
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We almost didn’t recognize this child star without her signature pigtails and bangs when she took the stage during Missy Elliot performance at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards. Alyson Stoner’s buzz cut is further proof that she’s still making noteworthy moves.
Cara Delevigne
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Before Cara Delevigne took on her role as Isabelle, who finds out she has cancer in the film Life in a Year, she chose to buzz her hair to better identify with what it feels like to struggle through radiation treatments that result in hair loss.
Cassie
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“Don’t Play It Safe” singer Cassie is living what she’s preaching with this super sleek bun between her freshly faded sides.
Jada Pinkett Smith
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Jada Pinkett Smith’s undercut isn’t your traditional shaved ‘do. Just take a look at the sides, which are bleached blonde. It’s the perfect way to put your own twist to the trend.
Halle Berry
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Halle Berry follows a path all her own with these uniquely designed waves shaved into her undercut.
Halsey
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Halsey is a hair chameleon. We’ve seen her change her cut and color more times than we can count, and this pastel pink crop is one of our favorites.
Kate Hudson
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Kate Hudson was always known for her long, curly blonde tresses until one day she fearlessly buzzed it all away. As if that weren’t statement-making on its own, she decided to keep her natural brown color.
Katy Perry
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This cropped pixie on Katy Perry maintains enviable choppy texture proving even the shortest of strands can still have great movement.
Keke Palmer
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While we don’t typically consider matching our hair to our lipstick, this faded violet monochrome moment on Keke Palmer has us re-thinking our approach.
Kelly Osbourne
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Kelly Osbourne’s lavender hair and shaved head have become her signature look. She’s been effortlessly wearing this style for nearly a decade.
Kristen Stewart
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Kristen Stewart’s spontaneous platinum buzz cut done by celebrity hairstylist Bridget Brager scratched K. Stew’s longstanding itch to shave her head. The final look was so suiting on the actress.
Miley Cyrus
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Miley Cyrus’ platinum cut left a bit of length along the center, adding texture and movement to an otherwise short chop.
Rihanna
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Rihanna’s pompadour reclaims the feminine roots of the style named after the mistress of King Louis XV, Madame de Pompadour (who ironically wore her hair pulled back rather than lifted up).
Rosamund Pike
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A common reason for shaving the bottom half of the head is to eliminate excess weight and keep things light. We love the way Rosamund Pike is wearing her hair in a sleek bun as her bottom buzz grows out, looking almost like a pixie’d half-up, half-down style.
Rosario Dawson
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This angularly cut side part adds grit to counterbalance the soft, long strands Rosario Dawson decidedly kept.
Solange Knowles
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Solange’s stylist kept a guard on the clipper for this look, but brought things pretty close nonetheless, and we’re huge fans. We especially love the way she buzzed in a deeper part.
Natalie Dormer
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A side braid holds the hair up from cascading down along this beautiful buzz following the curvature of the head.
Jessie J
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Jessie J turned a cold shoulder on her black bob for this icy bleach and toned buzz.
Fantasia Barrino
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We’re used to hearing the descriptive “A-line” when talking about a good bobbed haircut, but Fantasia brings an inverted asymmetry to the front with a long, pointed bang to highlight her buzz cut.
Scarlett Johansson
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Scarlett Johansson traded in her long blonde locks for this textured pixie cut, fully buzzed below the parietal ridges of her head.