Over the years, Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay’s hairstyles have evolved significantly. While fans may have their favorites, which look does Hargitay herself consider her best?
The Hairstyle That Makes Mariska Hargitay Feel Most “Girly”
Attention to detail is crucial in portraying Hargitay’s character, Olivia Benson. Her hairstyle has been as integral to her character’s presentation as her wardrobe, reflecting her development and growth over the years. In the early seasons of SVU, Benson sported a shorter hairdo, a style Hargitay favored since the 80s. However, Olivia’s hair has often mirrored her circumstances on the show.
“For a recent episode, I wanted my hair thrown back because Benson wouldn’t have time to wash it with what was going on in the show,” Hargitay told Allure. “She [was attacked by a street gang and] had a big black eye, so we did a ponytail bun with the front pieces out for something that looked practical.”
Sometimes, Olivia Benson’s hairstyles influence Hargitay’s personal style as well.
“The hair ended up looking so great that I wore it for three episodes, and I started doing it in real life too. It’s fresh and efficient,” she said.
Hargitay collaborates with trusted hairstylists to achieve her desired look. Stylist Cassi Hurd has remarked that any length suits the actor well. However, Hargitay has come to favor longer hairstyles in recent SVU episodes.
“Longer hair fits my face so well, and I’ve learned by now that I’m just better with length,” Hargitay said. “Plus, I love that longer hair makes me feel girly — my husband, [Peter Hermann], and kids love it too.”
Almost Getting Fired Over a Haircut
Olivia Benson’s hairstyle is so critical to Law & Order: SVU that Hargitay was once nearly fired for changing it. During the third season, she went to her regular stylist, and a minor mishap with major consequences occurred.
“I look up and [my breath caught],” Hargitay recounted to HuffPost. “My hair was so cute and then all of a sudden, he did the one irrevocable cut. I went, ‘Oh! Oh!’ and he said, ‘What? Honey, you’re gorgeous.’ He kept going. He cuts it and then he leaves. I’m calling the producer at 10:30, [crying], ‘I just got a haircut. I don’t think it looks good!’ I went over to the producer’s house and he was like, ‘Yeah, that’s a problem.’ When they saw dailies [at work], they weren’t happy.”
Hargitay got in trouble due to the stylist’s mistake. When she approached SVU creator Dick Wolf about the issue, she realized how close she was to being fired.
“I’ve fired people for less,” she recalled Wolf telling her.
Hargitay quipped that at least Wolf wasn’t the one who had to live with the haircut.
“I said, ‘You can’t be mad at me; I’m the one with the dramatic hairdo,’” she remembered.
Fans Celebrating Hargitay’s Hair Evolution
Hargitay’s hair evolution over the past 25 years has become so iconic that fans often ask her hairstylists for the Olivia Benson look. She also discovered that there’s apparel designed to honor Benson’s hairstyles, which she found amusing.
“My fans are so hardcore that they even made a shirt about my hair evolution. It says ‘Benson’s Hair’ on it, and it’s so funny. That’s when you know your hair’s a thing,” she said.
