Mariska Hargitay's Hair Transformation Has Us Stunned

Since 1999, Mariska Hargitay has been gracing our television screens as Detective Olivia Benson in "Law and Order: SVU." In that time, we've not only seen her evolve as an actor, but as an amazing human being who advocates for survivors of sexual assault, physical abuse, and human trafficking. Hargitay, who's the daughter of legendary actress Jayne Mansfield and 1955 Mr. Universe, Mickey Hargitay, proved a long time ago she has staying power in an often-finicky industry, by making Olivia Benson one of the most iconic female characters we've seen in decades.

While Hargitay, like Benson, is strong-willed and always on the right side of history, they both also know a thing or two about hair transformation. "I love to play around and try new looks, but I've definitely had some hair crises over the years," Hargitay told Allure in 2023. "I had short hair for a while, and then I hated having to grow it out. We didn't have the styling right, and I made some mistakes with the color too. I was trying stuff out... Now I know immediately what works and what doesn't, but it took me some time to get there."

From rocking a pixie cut to inspire your next short haircut, to a caramel-color lob, which is the perfect gateway for going super short, Hargitay has pretty much done it all — just like Olivia Benson. "I think part of Benson's hair journey has been her growing into herself," Hargitay told Allure about her alter ego. Whatever the reason behind so many changes, some of which that have been a little risky, Hargitay's hair transformation has stunned us.

Although Mariska Hargitay wasn't totally new to the industry in 1999 — her parents had been stars after all — she was still in the early stages of forging a career for herself. Like a lot of struggling actors, Hargitary appeared in several well-known series throughout the early 1980s and 1990s, including "Seinfeld," but it was "Law and Order: SVU" that would become her biggest break.

When the show launched in 1999 and the world was introduced to Detective Olivia Benson, her look and hair style were pretty basic and cookie-cutter; a short polished style that was very much of the times. Not quite a bob or a pixie, but also not something that either Hargitay or Benson would opt for in the latter years. Unless they were going undercover, of course. 

Anyone who's ever had a pixie cut knows that no matter how liberating it feels, it is a commitment. And unless you want to keep it forever, you'll need to grow it out eventually — and that's not an easy thing to do. On the bright side, you can try to skip the awkward phase of growing out your short hair by opting for colors and styling techniques that draw attention away from what's going on in the back. Mariska Hargitay seemed to be experimenting with both of those options back in 2001 when she wore a more-yellow-than-platinum grown-out pixie look, complete with flipped ends and all. As much as Hargitay can usually getaway with any hair color or style, this one is a bit been dubious. 

One of the hottest hair transformations of Mariska Hargitay, so far, has been these super-hot blunt bangs. Although it wasn't her first foray into fringe, having had them in 2006 at an event, the cut she wore in 2007 was next level. Nothing about the straight-across bangs were half-hearted; they weren't wispy, and not even remotely close to the curtain bang that Sabrina Carpetner and other Gen-Z stars have sported over a decade later. Hargitay's bangs were direct, to the point, and fierce. 

Although Hargitay comes off as a celeb who is embracing aging with confidence, these bangs immediately strip a decade from her appearance. Truthfully, everything about this whole outfit and attitude was 100% chic.

In 2013, Mariska Hargitay received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame next to the star that belonged to her late mother, Jayne Mansfield. For the event, Hargitay seemed to pay tribute to her mother by wearing a simple black dress with a full skirt. As for her hair, she was back to her signature chestnut brow bob; a style that many would recognize as one of Detective Benson's signature looks. During the ceremony, Dick Wolf, the creator of the "Law and Order" franchise, said of Hargitay, with tears in his eyes, "I love you, you've done an incredible job. You are one of the icons of television, and certainly, I think the female icon for millions of women not only here, but all around the world."

By the time 2018 rolled around, Mariska Hargitay was back to dabbling in shades of blond, opting for shades that were trendy at the time, like honey and caramel. She also seemed to be growing out her famous bob into a medium-length lob, with ends that skirted the top of her shoulders.

The low-maintenance and versatile haircut was ideal for Hargitay because it allowed her more freedom to play around with styling, while still keeping that signature short, all-about-business hair look that matched her on-screen character's personality. Olivia Benson, doesn't have the opportunity to get dolled up often, but Hagitray certainly does. The blond was also a nice complement to the actor's warm skin tone.

One of the coolest things about getting older is you stop dressing for those around you and realize that prioritizing yourself isn't selfish, but self-care. This appears to be exactly where Mariska Hargitay is on her hair (and life) journey as of 2024. The actor is effortlessly chic, relaxed, and has these ideal almost-mermaid-like tendrils that fall perfectly over her shoulder in a natural brown that gets ever-so slightly lighter toward the ends of her hair. Hargitay very much looks at peace here. It's the attitude and body positioning of a woman who has arrived and is now just going to take a seat and watch what transpires. This is a woman who has it all — including a great head of hair — and knows it.