Would Elizabeth Taylor’s violet eyes have been as famous without her tumbling brunette mane to complement them? Throughout the actor’s lifetime — from her breakout role aged 12 in 1944’s National Velvet to her final public appearance in 2009, before her death aged 79 in 2011 — she remained a vision of opulent beauty and style. Her naturally thick hair became the perfect canvas for trending styles during her six decades in the public eye.
A Closer Look At Elizabeth Taylor’s Many Spectacular Engagement Rings
10 Photos
By Vogue
View Gallery
Throughout the ’60s, in particular, Taylor worked with hairdresser Alexandre de Paris to create styles that rivalled her ever-expanding supply of diamonds for the limelight – not to mention the acting accolades and passionate love affairs that filled countless column inches. In the midst of her most famous marriage(s) to Richard Burton, the actor would turn up to premieres on her husband’s arm wearing up-dos fastened with her beloved suites of jewels, set amongst teased bouffants, lengths of braids and sometimes sweet ringlets that framed her face.
Elizabeth Taylor’s Life In Dresses (And Diamonds)
100 Photos
By Naomi Pike
View Gallery
Taylor’s lustrous hair also became a dramatic prop in her onscreen roles. While some called for wigs (Cleopatra, Dr Faustus), other parts allowed Elizabeth to use her natural style (1965’s Sandpiper in particular) to reveal something about a character’s persona, taking her from Elizabethan England (The Taming Of The Shrew) through to contemporary roles in The Only Game in Town and Cat On A Hot Tin Roof.
Below, British Vogue looks at Elizabeth Taylor’s most glamorous hairstyles on what would have been her 89th birthday.
