From the long, inky locks of Morticia Addams to the wild curls of the Sanderson sisters, the witch's mane is a visual shorthand for her power: unruly, otherworldly and often defying the beauty norms of her time. For decades, 'witch hair' has meant one of two things: poker-straight and black as night, or a storm of curls.
We revisit some of pop culture's most iconic screen witches, from classic coven leaders to modern-day sorceresses, and trace how their hair continues to cast a spell. Because the witch is never just a villain - she's a mirror of glamour and female rage.
Spooky, curly queens in The Witches of Eastwick. The different perms and buoyant curls represent a shedding of inhibitions - letting go has never looked so good.
The brushed back, 1960s style blow out from Bewitched's Samantha Stephens
Cynthia Erivo's young Elphaba in Wicked had statement micro braids, a deliberate choice. "I wanted to show how versatile braids could be, and how much fun you could have with them, and how emotional the hair could be, how much movement it has," Erivo said in an interview. Her hair also evolves as her powers grow, starting with taut side braids then transforming into more carefree styles.
Margaret Hamilton as The Wicked Witch of the West. The famous look was more about the classic pointy hat than her hair, which was pulled back into layered knits with messy tendrils.
Mistress of the Dark Elvira is famous for her signature jet black hair. It's called a "knowledge bump" and was inspired by 60s girl band The Ronettes.
Baby witch Hermoinie Grainger with her untamed, frizzy locks.
The Great High Witch's sharp black bob and blunt fringe in The Witches (1990) was a sleek, commanding style that mirrors her icy glamour and ruthless power. An instantly recognisable beauty look, from the hair to the lipstick.
Morticia Addams' long, inky hair has become the ultimate witch symbol. Another iconic look of dark allure from Anjelica Huston.
Whether it was crimped, or half-up/half-down with butterfly clips, Sabrina the Teenage Witch had ultimate 90s hair. Her blonde aunts Hilda and Zelda offered their own grown up style of the era.
The dark-haired Halliwell sisters (OG power of three version) were peak 1998, with choppy layers and side-parts.
The Sanderson sisters' hair is chaos made iconic. Winifred's fiery red curls blaze with mischief and power, Mary's towering coif teeters on the edge of control and Sarah's golden waves drift like a spell. Together, this power of three is playful and a little over the top.
"We are the weirdos, mister." Nancy Downs was always the coolest one in The Craft, with her gothy dark locks that were as untamed as she was.
Whimsigoth icon Gillian Owens (played by Nicole Kidman) in Practical Magic. The wispy bangs and copper colour are back for the film's sequel, set to be released in 2026.
The frizzy, fiery red hair of Teen Witch is pure late 80s/early 90s chaos that captures magical mischief - and the trends of the era.
Elaine's retro glamour in The Love Witch extends to her long dark hair, which acts like a seductive and ultra-feminine armour.
