Shakira turns 35: Style review (photos)

As the Colombia native, and one of the biggest-selling female stars of the past decade, hits the mid-thirties milestone, we take a look back at the changing styles of Shakira.

Since bursting onto the international scene in 2001 with Grammy-winning album “Laundry Service,” Shakira’s untamed mane and gyrating hips have had their fair share of the world’s attention.


The Barranquilla beauty had made it big on her own turf long before, releasing debut Spanish album “Pies Descalzos” (“Bare Feet”) back in her brown-haired and, according to the lady herself, “chubby” teenage years.


When Shakira started performing she did so without her trademark blonde hair, but with her original black haircolor.


Following in the footsteps of others victims before (see Christina Aguillera), the Colombian popstar made an unfortunate attempt at dreadlocks (see over-sized plaits), before hitting the mark with her trademark blond explosion.


But first she tried red.


…and returned to dreadlocks, but for the first time introducing what later became her trademark blonde hair.


Shakira remained true to her roots however, bringing the “I haven’t got my highlights done in months” look into fashion, to the joy of women worldwide.


With her jackpot hair and the puppy fat long gone — no doubt helped by the endless hip-shaking — Shakira became the svelte but oh-so-sexy star we know today, doning little more than body glitter as she vibrated her way through 2006 mega-hit “Hips Don’t Lie.”


In 2009, having been the world’s cutest curly-haired girl for years, the now-world famous Colombian went diva.


Not having forgotten how she got famous looking a little more sloppy, Shakira tried the Pippi Longstocks look.


Then just last year, the world heaved a collective gasp as Shakira took the plunge and loped off all those glorious curls during a six-hour trip to a Barcelona hair salon, while visiting boyfriend and Barcelona FC star Gerard Pique.

Despite a mixed response from fans after she introduced the new look on Twitter, the daring move has proved a success for the star, who career continues to soar, including recently being knighted in France.

Perhaps Shakira’s new mature look is a sign of things to come, as she firmly moves away from her teenage popstar beginnings. With her 25-year-old boyfriend coming along for the ride, this style-queen may just have found the perfect combination.

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