Jason Momoa’s Hair Evolution Is An Emotional Roller Coaster Ride

While modeling Fast X merch, Jason showed off his shaved head and tattoo in a braided look ending with a low pony. Looking forward to seeing other creative hairstyles Momoa uses to show off his ink.

In an Insta post dedicated to his stunt double for Fast X, Momoa rocked an adorable high pony, pre-head shave, in a pic taken during filming. The pair wore the same fun purple ‘fit, which coincides with the eccentric vibe of his villain character.

On Nov. 9, 2022, Momoa attended the premiere of Netflix’s Slumberland with a ponytail-bun and undercut hairstyle that showed off the actor’s healed head tattoo. While the sides of his head are still shaved, the length of Momoa’s hair looked about shoulder-length, potentially hinting at a return to the long-haired look his fans adored.

On Sept. 16, 2022, Momoa shared an Instagram Reel that showed off a brand new head tattoo. Momoa’s head tattoo is technically more the absence of hair than a hairstyle, but this is also the first time I’ve thought he was working the half-bun, half-ponytail look so it goes in the “good hair” column for me.

As of press time, this is the lone piece of visual media depicting the partial buzz cut Momoa underwent to bring awareness to the harms caused by single-use plastics. Since I was personally grievously harmed by seeing Momoa hold up two severed braids of his own hair, I’d say his message was received loud and clear.

As a Momoa hair historian, I can tell when the actor is hydrating his hair, and he definitely deep-conditioned before appearing at the See Season 3 premiere in L.A. His hair is shiny, his ringlets are defined, and his curl pattern is frizz-free. That, ladies and gentlemen, is some nourished hair.

This chapter in Momoa’s hair journey is not about length or color. It’s about that little silk scrunchie on the end of the french braid he wore to the Oscars in March 2022. There’s something so incredibly dear about Momoa, a giant of a man, wearing such a diminutive hair accessory in such a delicate shade of pink. Also, it shows that Momoa knows silk hair accessories are an important part of curly hair maintenance.

Just one year later, Momoa was back to blond. At the latest James Bond flick premiere in London, he was seen sporting Aquaman’s signature ombre look.

After wrapping his Aquaman filming and promotional tour, Momoa seems to have shifted back to his natural hair color. By the time the 2020 Golden Globes rolled around, he was sporting long, dark locks.

I currently have my hair up in a fluffy top knot, so I’m in no position to judge, but Momoa’s hair pulled back and folded into a half-bun, half-ponytail is my least favorite of the actor’s hairstyles. Nevertheless, this is how he wore his hair to the London Aquaman premiere, so I can’t just ignore it.

What’s the difference between Momoa’s 2016 blond hair and his 2017 Surfer Jesus hair? The difference is admittedly subtle, and is primarily about two inches of length, in addition to some potential deep conditioning treatments because Surfer Jesus Momoa has shiny AF hair.

Momoa at his most blond is far from platinum, but this look is definitely giving sun-kissed. The lightened shade even extends to his beard and mustache.

Momoa also wore a different, but still funny, hat at the Chicago Comics and Entertainment Expo one month prior to the Mad Max: Fury Road premiere in April 2015. Believe it or not, this was not the only hat he wore to the C2E2 conference. It was a strange time. I’m glad he grew out of it.

It might be more appropriate to call this Momoa’s “Funny Hat And Mustache Era” because those were the actor’s two defining from-the-neck-up features for the entirety of 2015. At the L.A. premiere of Mad Max: Fury Road, Momoa covered his shoulder-length hair with a funny hat.

The third iteration of Momoa’s short hair journey is probably my favorite. Seen here with temple-skimming curls and a full beard, Momoa is giving soulful warrior poet. I’ll take two, please.

At this point, how dare he? I’m sure there’s a reason Momoa underwent a big chop in 2013, but that doesn’t mean my feelings are any less hurt by these Zac Efron circa High School Musical styling choices.

The addition of a beard paired with his shoulder-length hair in January 2012 marks the official transition into what I call “peak Momoa hair.” There’s scruff, curls, and while his beard could be fuller, I’m just happy it’s there.

I’ve primarily been a fan of Momoa with facial hair, but I will not say no to his bare jawline either. At the Conan The Barbarian premiere in London, the actor sported a clean shave (minus a maybe accidental soul patch?) and wavy hair at the longest length seen so far.

Momoa went dark for a hefty chunk of the aughts — I can’t tell you where he went and, apparently, neither can his Wikipedia page — before reappearing sans locs and with that signature scar over one brow (after getting a pint glass to the face!) at the 2011 CinemaCon Awards. I love the throat-skimming length of his hair here and his return to his natural, dark hair color.

From 2004 to 2006, Momoa continued to ride the locs train to style town. In 2006, his locs were thicker and fewer in number than the last time he was photographed with this hairstyle. His beard is also longer and I’m a fan of the shell and metal hoops accenting his hair, but, then again, I’m a sucker for a hair accessory moment.

Momoa had a lot going on in 2004, style-wise. His shoulder-length hair was styled in thin dreadlocks and he appeared to be experimenting publicly with facial hair for the first time. It’s not a bad look for Momoa and his hair was clearly up to the challenge, but it’s probably among his most divisive styles.

In 2001, I was 10 years old and could not have telepathically instructed Momoa to grow out his hair, but someone must have because he popped up in December 2001 with a slicked-back bob. This hairstyle is the kiddie version of Momoa’s eventual signature look and I’m not mad at the Junior Varsity Khal Drogo moment.

A little over 20 years ago, Momoa had a baby face and a haircut that could have earned him a spot in any Y2K teen drama on The CW. Is it groundbreaking? Not really, but the volume in the front of this cut hints at the style potential in Momoa’s future.