Michelle Obama throughout the years (Photos: Getty Images)
Michelle Obama‘s hairstyles throughout the years are just as iconic as her fashions. During her time as first lady, she typically wore her natural hair straightened so her hair choices wouldn’t become a political “distraction.” But that has since changed and we’re loving it!
Obama just released her coffee table look book, “The Look,” a stunning journey through her style evolution featuring more than 200 photographs, including never-before-seen images. She admitted she now embraces wearing braids in public and even called the style an act of “freedom.”
Now, we’re taking a walk down memory lane highlighting some of our favorite hair looks from the style icon throughout the years!
Feathered Blowout
Michelle Obama attends a presidential campaign kickoff rally for her husband, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), at the University of Illinois-Chicago Pavillion in Chicago on February 11, 2007. (Photo by E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
During her husband Barack Obama’s presidential campaign kickoff rally in Chicago in 2007, Obama rocked her dark natural hair with a classy curl at the ends.
Bouncy Curls
WASHINGTON – FEBRUARY 25: (AFP OUT) First Lady Michelle Obama makes opening remarks as she and U.S. President Barack Obama host an evening of celebration in honor of musician Stevie Wonder’s receipt of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in the East Room of the White House February 25, 2009 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Ron Sachs-Pool/Getty Images)
Two years later, Obama looked stunned with bouncy curls— not to mention the gorgeous green dress!
Classy Up-Do
WASHINGTON – NOVEMBER 24: First lady Michelle Obama awaits the arrival of the Indian Prime Minister in the North Portico of the White House November 24, 2009 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama hosted their first State Dinner for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur of India. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)
Obama knew just how to wear her hair with exposed shoulders at her first State Dinner for the Indian Prime Minister in 2009. Her curls were softly pulled back into a classy style that really showed off her face card.
Side Bang
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 31: First Lady Michelle Obama presents the Big Help award onstage at Nickelodeon’s 25th Annual Kids’ Choice Awards held at Galen Center on March 31, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Obama went back to the basics with her dark brown natural hair, but at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards in 2012, she added a sleek side bang for a new look. We love!
Brown Highlights
US First Lady Michelle Obama laughs as President Barack Obama tells jokes during the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner on May 3, 2014 in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo by JEWEL SAMAD / AFP) (Photo by JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images)
Obama experimented with color adding light-brown highlights! The color complimented her complexion flawlessly.
Middle Part
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 24: First Lady Michelle Obama speaks during a screening of “The Trip To Bountiful” at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on February 24, 2014 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kris Connor/Getty Images)
In 2014, Obama went even lighter with the highlights, going from brown to a golden blonde highlights at a screening in Washington, D.C. Not only that, she also switched her signature side-part for a middle part and added face-framing layers. Gorg!
Blunt Cut
US First Lady Michelle Obama speaks following a screening of the movie, “Hidden Figures,” in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building adjacent to the White House in Washington, DC, December 15, 2016. / AFP / SAUL LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
In December 2016, Obama kept the middle part, but wore her hair bone straight with a blunt cut at the ends.
Hang Time!
TODAY — Pictured: Michelle Obama on Thursday, October 11, 2018 — (Photo by: Nathan Congleton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
Obama was all smiles during an appearance on the “TODAY” Show in October 2018. With added inches, Obama rocked soft, cascading curls that perfectly fit her style.
Natural Curls
VARIOUS CITIES – JUNE 28: In this screengrab, Michelle Obama is seen during the 2020 BET Awards. The 20th annual BET Awards, which aired June 28, 2020, was held virtually due to restrictions to slow the spread of COVID-19. (Photo by BET Awards 2020/Getty Images via Getty Images)
The Covid-19 pandemic didn’t stop Obama’s style! During a video appearance at the BET Awards in 2020, Obama rocked her natural curls.
Braids…
THE KELLY CLARKSON SHOW — Episode J077 — Pictured: Michelle Obama — (Photo by: Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
After she left the White House, Obama began experimenting with her hair. The first stop? Braids! During an interview on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” in 2022, Obama rocked long braids with a side bang styled in a sleek ponytail.
More Braids…
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 02: Former First Lady Michelle Obama speaks onstage during the Michelle Obama: The Light We Carry Tour at The Fox Theatre on December 02, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Derek White/Getty Images for ABA)
And it’s only right to style your braids in different ways because they are SO versatile! During her book tour in late 2022, she styled her braids with curly ends in a top-knot. 10/10!
…And Even More Braids!
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 07: Michelle Obama attends the American Symphony New Orleans Premiere on December 07, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Netflix)
Obama shut the “American Symphony” premiere in New Orleans DOWN with her jet-black knotless braids mixed with curls in 2023!
Twists (and Shout!)
MARTHA’S VINEYARD, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 09: Michelle Obama speaks during Higher Ground’s “IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson” podcast during 2025 Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival at Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center on August 09, 2025 in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
In August, Obama swapped out braids for deep-ginger two-strand twists. She also wore them pulled back in a high pony.
Braided Headband
AUSTIN, TEXAS – MARCH 13: Michelle Obama speaks onstage at IMO Live: Michelle Obama, Craig Robinson & Dr. Laurie Santos during the 2025 SXSW Conference and Festival at Austin Convention Center on March 13, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images)
Obama got creative with her brown braids with accentuating curls in March. She styled some braids into a bigger braid making one cute headband. Too fab!
Braided Ponytail
NATIONAL HARBOR, MARYLAND – APRIL 30: Former First Lady Michelle Obama welcomes the audience at Matriarch – An Evening with Tina Knowles at The Theater at MGM National Harbor on April 30, 2025 in National Harbor, Maryland. (Photo by Shannon Finney/Getty Images)
And who could forget this sleek braided ponytail! When she stepped out for the opening night of “Hell’s Kitchen” on Broadway in New York City, she pulled her long braids up for a style fit for a queen.
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