Angelina Jolie Looks Unrecognizable With Larger-Than-Life Disco Curls

Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images

Ever the beauty chameleon, Angelina Jolie has done it again. The dark feminine energy pioneer debuted a hair transformation so dramatic that I did a double take to confirm that I was really looking at pictures of the Oscar winner and not Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw.

The photos were part of CR Fashion Book’s September cover shoot, in which Jolie modeled larger-than-life disco curls and designs from her new sustainable clothing brand and “creative collective,” Atelier Jolie. You can read the full story and pre-order the issue here.

While unexpected, Jolie’s striking new look is on theme: In the cover story interview, the Maleficent star spoke at length about what inspired her decision to launch a clothing brand and how she hopes her newest chapter will be perceived, meaning a striking new do was more than appropriate for the occasion.

angelina jolie disco curls

Courtesy of CR Fashion Book. Photographers Luigi & Iango @Luigiandiango @2bmanagement.
“My intention was to build a space—a home, really—for people to create and be inspired. The house is comprised of artists and designers from around the world, and at the heart is an invitation to re-engage in design and build community,” Jolie said in the interview.

“I have always loved making and designing alongside the brilliant tailors, costume designers, and pattern makers I’ve had the privilege of encountering over my career,” Jolie continued, also noting that she hopes Atelier Jolie is “not perceived,” but “rather experienced as a home for artists, and that it’s understood when our doors are open that we invite everyone to come create.”

Courtesy of CR Fashion Book. Photographers Luigi & Iango @Luigiandiango @2bmanagement.

Courtesy of CR Fashion Book. Photographers Luigi & Iango @Luigiandiango @2bmanagement.

While Angelina Jolie was obviously focused on her latest projects, which also includes her forthcoming film Maria, as a beauty editor, I couldn’t help but fixate on her hair, which, according to beauty pros, is right on trend: Classic big hair is very much back in the zeitgeist.

“Looks from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s are coming back and providing inspiration for this big-hair trend,” celebrity hairstylist Lacy Redway previously told Glamour, pointing to beauty icons like Brigitte Bardot, Donna Summer, Dolly Parton, Diana Ross, and Cindy Crawford as inspirations, We’ve seen the trend in the return of disco curls in particular.

Courtesy of CR Fashion Book. Photographers Luigi & Iango @Luigiandiango @2bmanagement.

“The disco-curl trend is giving extra, over-the-top, and bold, and it’s so exciting as a hair dresser to see,” says Sarah Potempa, celebrity hairstylist and founder of The Beachwaver Co. “We’re seeing such a large contrast between this style and tamer, sleek trends.”

Essentially, beauty lovers are leaning into a more-is-more beauty ethos, since larger-than-life disco curls are a stark contrast to the countless quiet-luxury trends we’ve seen in beauty over the past few years. It’s the same exact reason we’re seeing a rise in dark feminine energy beauty, which Angelina Jolie helped popularize, so really her disco curls brought us full circle.

Courtesy of CR Fashion Book. Photographers Luigi & Iango @Luigiandiango @2bmanagement.

To get the look yourself, start from scratch after using volumizing shampoo and conditioner, then apply heat protectant before you begin heat styling. After your hair is dry, Potempa suggests going with the smallest barrel possible, such as the Beachwaver S.75. “This will help give a tight, springy curl,” she says.

“Continue making tight curls throughout this section, alternating the direction of the curl between away and toward the face,” Potempa says. “Alternating the direction of the curl will help create more texture throughout the curls once we style them.” And be sure to let your curls cool completely before touching or styling them further, as this will help set the curl pattern, allowing for longer-lasting curls.

Courtesy of CR Fashion Book. Photographers Luigi & Iango @Luigiandiango @2bmanagement.

Once your curls have cooled down, brush them out with a wide-tooth comb or styling brush, and finish with texturizing spray for additional volume. “This will add grit and lift to hair, and will also mattify it for a more natural-looking hairstyle,” Potempa says. “Play around with flipping the bangs or the part for even more volume for a very extra disco-curl look.”