14 times Helen Mirren's hairstyles were all the inspiration we needed for a chic trim or updo

From short bobs to embracing natural greys, Helen Mirren's hairstyle repertoire is truly impressive and never fails to deliver some much-needed inspiration - no matter your hair length.

It's safe to say that most people have that one hairstyle, cut or colour that they've tried to disastrous effect and have sworn off ever since - be it a DIY fringe or spontaneous pixie cut. One name we feel is exempt from this universal experience, however, is Dame Helen Mirren, whose anthology of flattering hairstyles only seems to grow. We've seen her pull off everything, from silver headbands to a pastel blue updo, and even ultra-long strands. She has even mastered the bob, which has been a firm favourite among the 2025 hair trends.

That said, while she has tried a myriad of hairdos, we've noticed that they all have two very key things in common: elegance and simplicity. So, if you're looking to change things up and achieve Mirren-levels of chic, here are 14 of her best looks that are so easy to recreate...

14 Helen Mirren-approved hairstyles to consider, for easy elegance

If you're a fan of the actor, you'll know that Helen Mirren is not afraid of experimenting with her hair. Since 2023, we've seen her with long, side-swept hair, a modern collarbone bob and even a bright blue updo, which she debuted at the 76th Cannes Film Festival. She's also inspired many to embrace their natural grey and white strands, having demonstrated how luxe icy tones (like that of the crystal clear hair trend) can be when paired with elevated hairstyles. The actor has even made a case for the humble headband, having worn several on the red carpet - coordinating it to her outfit, naturally.

All of this means that there's likely to be a Helen Mirren-approved look to suit every preference - so we've rounded up 14 for a variety of occasions, seasons and aesthetics...

Our versatile styling staples

Before we dive into the many looks Helen Mirren has mastered over the years, we thought we'd share a few of our hairstyling staples - to help you achieve the star's smooth and perfectly shiny strands.

1. Helen Mirren's mushroom bob

Summer 2025 has seen Helen Mirren swap her collarbone bob for a bouncy, jaw-length mushroom-style instead. Mushroom bobs made their comeback last year and clearly, are still very much in demand. Here, we can see that Mirren paired her short trim with some feathery, curtain bangs, which frame her face beautifully. Styling-wise, she opted to keep her strands smooth and shiny for her day at Wimbledon, with not a flyaway in sight. This is a great option for those wanting to subtly update their bob and add easy volume.

2. Helen Mirren's coiffed updo

If you're keen to add a modern but simple updo to your wheelhouse, especially if you have short hair, look no further than this swept-back look that Mirren sported in March 2025. As we can see, her strands have been brushed backwards and secured. From the back, her short hair looks as though it's been tucked into a French braid or twist, with the ends fashioned to stick upwards, which gives the look a very effortless, undone feel - as if it's just secured with a claw clip, rather than tactically placed pins.

3. Helen Mirren's go-to hair accessory

If you've got a similar bob cut to Mirren's and want to change things up without much effort or maintenance involved, invest in one of her favourite, retro accessories: a headband. Here, she's wearing a black fabric one, but we've also seen her sport a classic red velvet hairband and silver iteration this year alone.

4. Helen Mirren's collarbone bob

Helen Mirren's collarbone-grazing asymmetrical bob is still such a popular choice this season and it's not hard to see why. It's smooth, simple and effortlessly chic - especially when you tuck one side behind your ear, like Mirren has here.

5. Helen Mirren's side-swept hair

Side-swept hair is a favourite on the red carpet and for good reason. As we can see from Helen Mirren's glamorous look, when paired with a soft wave and high-shine finish, simply wearing your hair to one side can afford such an elevated finish.

6. Helen Mirren's side-fringe updo

Classic and simple, a sleek updo is perfect for both everyday and occasion wear - especially if you achieve a glossy shine, like Mirren's.

7. Helen Mirren's sleek bob

Classic and inverted bell-bottom bobs have been a go-to as of late, and naturally, Mirren was ahead of the curve, having debuted her stylish take on the look at the Cannes Film Festival in March 2024.

8. Helen Mirren's pink pixie cut

If you're looking for a way to spice up your blonde or grey strands, follow Helen Mirren's lead with a wash of peachy pink. It's fun and playful, especially when paired with a pixie cut. While you can opt for a permanent colour, you can also achieve this pastel look with a semi-permanent gloss - ask your stylist before your next appointment.

9. Helen Mirren's tousled waves

Both Helen Mirren's soft wave and chic choice of hair accessory offer easy inspiration for elevating your mid to long lengths. A padded hairband is super flattering on fine hair, as it cheats a volumised look, too.

10. Helen Mirren's blue hair

While this may not be the most achievable or wearable look on this list, we love how the actor plays with pastel and bold pops of colour over her grey-white hair.

11. Helen Mirren's swept-back updo

If you're seeking inspiration for a formal updo, this swept-back look is so chic but you can also give it a more casual and effortless feel by securing your lengths with a claw clip - or adding some face-framing tendrils.

12. Helen Mirren's 'French' bob

French bobs are always a very timeless pick, and Mirren's feathered layers and face-framing strands make the haircut all the more effortless to style.

13. Helen Mirren's half-up half-down hair

Regardless of whether you have a bob or ultra-long strands, a half-up look like Mirren's, is always a great option. It allows you to sweep your hair up and away from your face, whilst still affording the impact of wearing your hair down.

14. Helen Mirren's wavy bob

Another timeless option, a wavy bob will never not be stylish - especially if you achieve a similar glossy and healthy shine. Again, it's simple and only requires your best straighteners or curlers (depending on your preference), to achieve a similar wave.