If you close your eyes and think of Avril Lavigne, you probably see pin-straight, blonde hair that looks like it’s never met a humidity spike it couldn't handle. It’s the ultimate 2000s "Sk8er Boi" aesthetic. But honestly? That’s mostly a lie. Or at least, it’s a very well-maintained illusion.
Avril Lavigne curly hair is actually her natural state, and for years, she fought it with a ferocity that only a small-town Canadian girl with a point to prove could muster.
In some of her most candid interviews, Avril has admitted that her hair is naturally "frizzy and curly." Back in Napanee, before she was a global icon, she didn't even have a flat iron. Can you imagine? The queen of straight hair didn't own the one tool that would eventually define her entire look. Instead, she used to braid her hair in dozens of tiny braids just to try and manage the volume, or she'd wash it and immediately shove on a toque (a beanie, for those of you not in Canada) to force it to dry flat.
It's kinda wild to think that the hair we all copied in middle school was actually a result of her trying to hide her real texture.
The Flat Iron Revelation in LA
When Avril first moved to Los Angeles to record her debut album, Let Go, she was still rocking what she calls "dirty, rock hair." She wasn't using a stylist. She was just a teenager living out of a suitcase.
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Everything changed during a studio session when her producer took her to get a professional blow-dry.
She’s described that moment as life-changing. She saw herself with sleek, straight hair for the first time and basically never looked back. That "cool girl" look wasn't just a marketing choice; it was a relief from the "unruly" ringlets she grew up with. But as any curly-haired person knows, you can't just run away from your DNA forever.
Why We Rarely See the Real Curls
You’ve probably noticed that even when she does "waves," they look very deliberate—more like a curling wand was involved than a natural air-dry. This is because natural curls are unpredictable. When you're performing under stage lights for two hours, frizz is the enemy.
The Texture Struggle
Avril has mentioned that her hair is quite thick. When you combine thickness with a natural curl pattern, you get a lot of "poof."
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- The Beanie Trick: In the early 2000s, those beanies weren't just a fashion statement. They were a functional tool to keep the roots flat while the rest of the hair was ironed into submission.
- The "Dirty" Look: She famously preferred her hair a bit "gritty." Clean curly hair tends to fly away, so she often went days without washing it to keep the weight down.
- Chemical Treatments: While she hasn't confirmed a permanent Brazilian blowout or keratin treatment, many stylists speculate she used them during the The Best Damn Thing era to maintain that high-gloss, plastic-pink look.
The Graham Norton "Regret"
There is a bit of a rumor floating around—partially fueled by a fan discussion regarding a Graham Norton Show appearance—that Avril once expressed regret over how much she straightened her hair. The theory is that years of high heat and chemical processing actually changed her curl pattern.
Is that actually possible?
Actually, yeah. It’s called "heat damage," and it’s why many people who spent the 2000s frying their hair now find that their natural curls have turned into a limp, stringy wave. Your hair follicles don't change, but the protein bonds in the strands themselves get permanently warped. Avril has noted that she feels her hair "never grew back the same," which is a heartbreak anyone who has over-bleached or over-ironed knows all too well.
How to Get the "Modern" Avril Wave
If you want to channel the Avril Lavigne curly hair look today, you aren't actually looking for her natural ringlets. You’re looking for that "undone, rock-star wave" she’s been wearing during the Love Sux era.
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- Start with a base of volume. Use a texturizing spray on damp hair.
- Rough dry. Don't use a brush. Just use your fingers and a blow dryer to keep some of that natural grit.
- The "Flat Wrap" Technique: Use a 1-inch curling wand, but don't wrap the hair flat against the barrel. Twist the strand as you wrap it. This creates a more jagged, "messy" wave rather than a pageant curl.
- Leave the ends straight. This is the secret. If you curl all the way to the tips, it looks too polished. Leave about two inches at the bottom untouched.
- Finish with hairspray. Avril loves hairspray on clean hair to create that "bedhead" texture without the grease.
The Evolution of the "Pop Punk" Mane
It’s interesting to see how she’s integrated her natural texture back into her look lately. In her 40s, Avril seems much more comfortable with a bit of volume. We're seeing more layers, more "shag" cuts, and definitely more wave. It’s less about the "curtain" of hair she used to hide behind and more about a style that moves with her on stage.
She’s also stopped trying to make it look "perfect." The raccoon tails, the neon orange streaks, and the choppy layers are all designed to look a bit chaotic.
Basically, she’s embraced the "frizz" she used to hate, but she’s doing it on her own terms.
What You Should Do Next
If you’ve been hiding your natural texture because you grew up in the era of stick-straight hair, it might be time for a "hair-aissance."
- Audit your heat usage. If you're noticing your hair feels "mushy" when wet or won't hold a curl, you likely have heat damage.
- Try a "Toque Dry." If you have wavy hair and want to reduce volume at the roots without a flat iron, try Avril’s old-school Canadian trick. Wear a loose beanie while your hair is 80% dry. It flattens the cuticle naturally.
- Invest in a professional-grade heat protectant. If you're going to use a flat iron to get that signature 2002 look, you need a barrier. Look for products containing silicones like dimethicone, which specifically help with high-heat styling.
Avril Lavigne proved that you can reinvent yourself a thousand times, but your natural roots—literally—will always be there. Whether she’s rocking pin-straight extensions or her natural "frizzy" waves, the key has always been her confidence in the chaos.
Stop trying to fix the "frizz" and start treating it like "texture." Switch to a sulfate-free shampoo to preserve those natural oils, and if you're going for the Avril look, don't be afraid to let it get a little messy. Proper rock hair isn't supposed to be perfect anyway.