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13 Stars Who Inspired Your Streaky Highlights Phase

The chunkier, the better

Anyone who’s ever lightened their hair knows the magic (and horrors) of bleach. Things can go one of two ways: Bleach can give your tresses that effortless, sun-kissed glow, or it’ll fry blonde stripes into your roots. If you recall, in the early 2000s, such nightmarish stripes were the trend. Many of your favorite celebs sported chunky high or lowlights that contrasted with their natural hair color.

Of course you wanted to try it yourself. So you bought a box of bleach or dye, said a quick prayer in front of your bathroom mirror, and got to work. If it ended up looking horrific (probably likely), blame these celebs for giving you unrealistic hair expectations.

Mary-Kate Olsen

Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen Honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Their Achievements in Television

Mary-Kate went red, while Ashley stuck to blonde. I’d say this would help you tell them apart, but let’s be real — true fans know who’s who even when they’re wearing matching outfits.

Lindsay Lohan

Disney

Freaky Friday

LiLo’s Freaky Friday style was the “Ultimate.”

Christina Aguilera

Theo Wargo/WireImage

Your mom probably called this look “skunk hair.” Sigh.

Shakira

Kevin Mazur/WireImage

She’s basically Christina Aguilera’s long-lost sister in this pic.

Jessica Simpson

Tim Roney/Getty

Jessica Simpson

Everything about this screams “The Year 2000.”

Gwen Stefani

SGranitz/WireImage

Paul McCartney Record Party

Pink hair, don’t care.

Kelly Rowland

Jim Spellman/WireImage

The 5th Annual Ace Awards

A moment of silence for everyone with black hair who tried to emulate this do and ended up with bright orange streaks instead.

Beyoncé

Evan Agostini / ImageDirect

Destiny's Child Instore at Coconuts Records

Not even Bey could resist this fad.

Paris Hilton

Jeff Vespa/WireImage

Sundance Film Festival 2001 - Diesel/Movieline/William Morris Party

That’s hot?

Nicole Richie

Doug Benc/Getty

GettyImages-2778356

The unofficial 2003 rulebook explicitly states that where there’s Paris, there’s Nicole.

Geri Halliwell a.k.a. Ginger Spice

Tim Roney/Getty

Geri Halliwell

Spice up your life (and hair).

Fergie

Mychal Watts/WireImage

2003 Park City - Air Party Bash with The Black Eyed Peas

Do you think she’s wearing a bumpit, Y/N?

Kelly Clarkson

RCA

Kelly

Can’t decide between blonde or red highlights? Why not both?! BOOM.

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