Kaitlyn Dever's Stunning Hair Transformation

When Kaitlyn Dever was cast as Abby in the HBO adaptation of "The Last of Us," some fans of the series wondered if the Arizona native would change her hair from her signature brunette to a blond reminiscent of the character's original video game depiction. Just as with projects like "Last Man Standing" and "Unbelievable," the celeb stuck close to her natural color for Season 2 of the zombie apocalypse series. Even though she's not on the list of celebrities who look unrecognizable with their natural hair color by staying partial to her brunette shade, that doesn't mean Dever hasn't experienced a stunning hair transformation.

Since landing her first-ever acting job in "An American Girl: Chrissa Stands Strong" at age 13, Dever has experimented with different styles and cuts on both the red carpet and in front of the camera. She hasn't spoken in-depth about her haircare routine or favorite products, but Billie Lourd shared with Hero Magazine that Dever's hair tasted like "strawberries and summer days" after inhaling her tresses for a scene in "Booksmart." With this unconventional stamp of approval, we imagine the "Justified" actor must be doing something right.

Otherwise, Dever deems her mother as her biggest beauty and fashion inspiration, naming her as her personal definition of American beauty in an interview with Allure before opening up to Harper's Bazaar about the influence. "To be honest, no one has really shaped my style more than my mother," she told the outlet in 2023. "She's just such a smart and versatile dresser, and her style is one I've admired the most." While Dever has joined in on some hair trends over the years, there is definitely a timelessness to her styling that speaks to this familial influence.

One of Kaitlyn Dever's earliest high-profile appearances came in 2010, with the then-13-year-old attending Bella Thorne's 13th birthday party. For the event, the "Short Term 12" actor styled her chest-length locks in loose curls with a deep side-part nearly curtaining one eye. In a 2020 interview with Elle, she reflected on similar hairstyling moments from the up-and-coming era of her career. "'I remember going to my first one of these big events when I was 13," Dever said. "I curled my hair into ringlets and sprayed them with so much hairspray that they just hung there — just these horrible hard as a rock ringlets."

Kaitlyn Dever showcased another brunette hairstyle in 2015, pairing playful overalls with a pulled-back hairstyle and forehand-spanning fringe for a Just Jared-hosted event. The look is another example of celebrity-approved ways to wear wispy bangs, with the feathery, forehead-grazing pieces falling across her eyebrows and giving way to face-framing pieces. As Dever doesn't frequently opt for bangs, it's nice to see the celeb experiment with different looks throughout her hair transformation, with this particular ensemble definitely giving pumpkin patch-ready vibes for fall.

Fast forward to 2017, Kaitlyn Dever experimented with a moody hair color when attending a Tyler Ellis anniversary party. The Arizona native opted for a notably darker chocolate brown hue infused with coppery highlights, styling the dyed tresses in a very loose, messy braid with loose curls sitting across her shoulders. At the same time, she wore a houndstooth dress with a thick, fringe skirt while accessorizing with a black clutch and nude-toned heels. While it isn't a drastic departure from Dever's natural brunette, the darker shade paired with the look's dark mauve lip color definitely gave the star an edgier, witchy vibe.

Next, Kaitlyn Dever added to her stunning hair transformation at the 2018 Toronto Film Festival, trading in her long brunette tresses for a lob-esque cut. While looking stylish in a patent leather midi skirt and matching red top from Anouki, the celeb wore her hair in a middle-part with subtle waves. Her typical brown hue was subtly accented with copper-toned coloring around the shoulders, creating an almost ombre-like effect. Though she's stuck close to her natural color, this look demonstrates how Dever has continued to stylishly play with different brown-toned hues throughout her career.

Kaitlyn Dever continued practicing color theory at Paris Fashion Week in 2020, sporting a cool-toned hue a few shades darker than her typical tone. The "Last Man Standing" actor paired the color with a shoulder-length haircut, which she pulled into a slightly messy half-updo that emphasized her dark, smoky eye and pale pink lip. Additionally, she repped Louis Vuitton at the designer brand's runway show, wearing a ruffly, white dress featuring lace detailing and brown platform boots. The overall 'fit provided a high-fashion spin on vintage Victorian vibes, with Dever's subtle hair color rounding out the chic aesthetic.

In 2022, Kaitlyn Dever channeled girl-next-door vibes with an effortlessly casual hairstyle at a Chanel event. She wore her chest-length tresses in a middle-part style with shiny waves, returning to a warm-toned brunette in time for the high-profile occasion. While the hairdo marks a cool-and-casual vibe we'd love to carry into our everyday lives, the celeb combined the look with some designer pieces, including a Chanel cropped top, chain-adorned pants, and a quilted handbag. This installment in Dever's hair transformation proves that she's great inspiration for everyday styling, with the look marking an example of a medium-length haircut that will make the most of your brunette color.

Kaitlyn Dever gave major bombshell energy at the 2023 Met Gala, turning heads in a custom scarlett Michael Kors gown. She paired the glistening sequins and teasing cut-outs with a glamorous hairstyle, wearing her chest-length tresses in a cascading sidepart featuring a slight curl at the ends. "I do like to go bold with my fashion, and when I'm doing something bold, but I'm comfy, that's when I feel most confident," she told Harper's Bazaar about the look. This entire look is definitely a bold and glamorous extension of Dever's typical style, marking a standout moment in her hair evolution.

Kaitlyn Dever ranked among celebs who've rocked inspo-worthy curtain bangs in 2024, sporting the drapey fringe at the opening night of "Our Town" on Broadway. The "Unbelievable" star channeled NYC elegance by styling the trendy bangs with a loosely-curled hairstyle and donning a classic red lip. She carried this vibe through the rest of her outfit, wearing a lacy black-and-biege dress, pointed-toed heels, and a black blazer. Fringe isn't a typical element of Dever's hairstyling, but she sure does pull off a curtain bang.

While Kaitlyn Dever has experimented with different lengths throughout her hair transformation, she really committed to the chop in 2025. The Arizona native showed off her bob at the premiere of "A House of Dynamite," infusing her brunette locks with curls that sat around her chin and cheeks. She wore an airy black chiffon maxi dress to the event, rounding out the look with peach-toned makeup for a subtly chic effect. Dever might not have had the most drastic hair transformation among her Hollywood peers, but she's remained stunning nonetheless.