by Tina Turner: The Queen of Big Hair and Her Signature Styles
Tina Turner is known the world over as the “Queen of Rock n’ Roll” thanks to her incredible singing ability and high-energy performances. However, another key part of her iconic image throughout her legendary career has been her voluminous, wild hairstyles. Turner developed a signature style with massive amounts of hair sprayed up high on her head in an exaggerated updo. This bold, dramatic look became synonymous with her powerful stage presence and unique brand of rock music.
While Turner stuck faithfully to her big hair for decades of performances, there are certainly some hairstyles that are simply unimaginable for her. The styles she made famous are so ingrained in her public persona that it’s hard to picture her sporting anything low-key or understated. Here are a few alternative looks that Tina Turner would never rock based on her established signature style.
The Pixie Cut
One of the most drastic departures from Tina’s signature would be a pixie cut. This cropped, short style is the complete opposite of her voluminous mane. A pixie requires virtually no hair at all to pull off – just a close crop all over with short bangs. It’s a sleek, androgynous look that highlights facial features.
For Tina, known for her over-the-top hair that was almost a character in its own right, a pixie would strip away her most recognizable physical trait. It doesn’t allow for any dramatic elements or exaggerated volume. Her powerful stage presence was built on charisma, energy and an in-your-face aesthetic. A pixie is understated – it doesn’t command attention or take up space in the way Tina’s wild hair did.
Without the ability to tease and spray her hair sky-high, Tina’s brand wouldn’t translate in the same way. Part of what made her performances so captivating was that massive mane flying around as she belted out hits like “What’s Love Got To Do With It” and “Private Dancer.” A pixie eliminates the physical drama and visual impact. It’s simply too low-key and low-maintenance for an artist who built a career on high-octane shows and a bold visual persona.
The Sleek Bob
Another style that’s too polished and sophisticated for Tina is the sleek bob. This short cut kept hair neatly framed around the face at chin or jaw length. Often worn straight and side-parted, a bob requires minimal styling and has a tidy, put-together appearance.
In complete contrast to Tina’s over-the-top hair, a bob is very controlled and low-drama. There’s no opportunity for big volume or exaggerated shapes. Tina was never one for understated looks. Her outfits were just as bold and attention-grabbing as her hair, usually consisting of skin-tight spandex bodysuits leaving little to the imagination.
A sleek bob doesn’t command attention or take up much physical space. It doesn’t allow for big hair to be a key part of Tina’s act. Her performances were all about unleashing untamed energy and passion. A neat bob is too prim and proper, lacking the wildness that aligned with her rebellious spirit. It also doesn’t fit with her sexy, liberated image. Tina broke barriers as a strong, independent black woman – she wasn’t about subtlety. A sleek bob is the opposite of her over-the-top, no-holds-barred aesthetic.
The Middle Part
One more style that’s unimaginable for Tina is the middle part. She always went for dramatic side parts that accentuated her massive hair volume on one side. A deep side part was key to creating her signature look.
In contrast, a precise middle part is very straight-laced. It lacks visual drama and impact. Tina was never one for understated looks – she commanded attention through bold fashion and hairstyles. A middle part divides hair evenly down the center of the head in a low-key, balanced way. It doesn’t allow for asymmetric shapes or exaggerated volume on one side.
Tina’s whole brand was built on unleashing untamed energy and passion through her performances. A neat middle part has no wildness or sense of abandon. It’s very controlled and proper. Tina broke barriers as a strong black woman who didn’t hold back. Her image was about liberation and living freely without restraints. A middle part feels too rigid and structured compared to her rebellious spirit.
The exaggerated side part created asymmetry that matched her unbridled stage presence and unmatched talent. It highlighted the massive volume she piled high on one side. A middle part divides things evenly and lacks visual drama. It doesn’t fit with Tina’s bold, unapologetic image that pushed boundaries. Her signature style was all about standing out from the crowd through exaggerated shapes, volume and fearless self-expression. A low-key middle part simply doesn’t align with that ethos.
The Queen’s Signature Looks
While short bobs, pixie cuts and middle parts don’t suit Tina Turner’s established image, her signature big hair defined her legacy. Towering heights teased skyward with copious hairspray created a focal point that matched her charismatic performances. The dramatic side part highlighted her incredible volume for maximum visual impact. These exaggerated styles took up physical space just like her vibrant personality filled any room.
Tina Turner didn’t follow trends – she set them. Her wild, voluminous locks became a symbol of empowerment for many. Even in her 70s today, Tina remains one of the most iconic figures in rock music thanks to incredible talent and an unforgettable aesthetic defined by massive amounts of hair. Low-key looks could never do justice to her bold spirit and unmatched stage presence. Tina Turner will forever be remembered as the “Queen of Rock n’ Roll” in no small part due to the dramatic hairstyles that complemented her legendary career.
