Cher's transformation

Simply Cher

When it comes to Cher, the regular rules don't apply. Born Cherilyn Sarkisian, she was a bride by 18, a No. 1 pop star by 19 and a TV star by 25. It was during her stint on "The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour" that she developed her signature style with the aid of designer Bob Mackie and an ocean of faux locks. She has had "every color wig you can imagine," she once told InStyle. "You cannot do things with your hair because all that styling ruins it. And I love my hair." Cher may be outrageous, but the Hollywood veteran is certainly not reckless.

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1964

The 18-year-old wore thick bangs and Cleopatra-inspired eye makeup. "I used cake liner that you had to spit into and did a thick line above my lashes and over the hood of my eyelids," she told InStyle. "Garbo did it too, but mine was stark, not subtle." (Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images) Share Back to slideshow navigation

1971

Cher and husband Sonny Bono launched trends with "The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour." "We blew out everybody's envelope," she told People of that time. "Nobody looked like us."

• InStyle.com: Cher's signature style

• InStyle.com: 50 best celebrity wedding dresses of all time

• InStyle.com: 10 hairstyles that are always in style
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1972

She created a wild style with designer Bob Mackie. "Not too many people can wear what Cher wears," he once told People. Case in point-this multi-hued feather headdress.

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1977

The mother of two made a TV appearance with low-key braids and natural makeup.

• InStyle.com: Cher's signature style

• InStyle.com: 50 best celebrity wedding dresses of all time

• InStyle.com: 10 hairstyles that are always in style
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1973

She framed her distinctive features with a '20s-inspired bobbed wig. (Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images) Share Back to slideshow navigation

1980

The "Black Rose" chanteuse worked a punk wig during a visit to London. (Gabor Scott / Redferns) Share Back to slideshow navigation

1984

She launched her serious acting career with an Oscar-nominated role in "Silkwood," but kept her look playful with a bleached Mohawk.

• InStyle.com: Cher's signature style

• InStyle.com: 50 best celebrity wedding dresses of all time

• InStyle.com: 10 hairstyles that are always in style
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1985

The "Mask" lead slipped on a pair of dramatic hair accessories for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala. (Ron Galella / WireImage) Share Back to slideshow navigation

1986

"As you see, I received my booklet on how to dress like a serious actress," she joked at the Academy Awards. Of the Mackie-designed look, Cher told InStyle: "I was about 10 feet tall with the headdress."

• InStyle.com: Cher's signature style

• InStyle.com: 50 best celebrity wedding dresses of all time

• InStyle.com: 10 hairstyles that are always in style
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1988

She piled her ringlets into an updo to pick up her best actress Oscar for "Moonstruck." (Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic) Share Back to slideshow navigation

1988

Cher channeled Cleopatra for Bob Mackie's Halloween party. (Michael Grecco / Getty Images) Share Back to slideshow navigation

1998

She had a smash hit with her "Believe" album - and hit the Oscars in a lacy Bob Mackie creation. (Ron Galella / WireImage) Share Back to slideshow navigation

1999

She promoted her "If I Could Turn Back Time: Cher's Greatest Hits" album in a rhinestone-studded platinum wig.

• InStyle.com: Cher's signature style

• InStyle.com: 50 best celebrity wedding dresses of all time

• InStyle.com: 10 hairstyles that are always in style
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2000

She returned to the Oscars with Gothic curls. "I especially like the hair," she told InStyle of this look. "It's hard coming up with new ideas." (Fitzroy Barrett / Globe Photos) Share Back to slideshow navigation

2001

The "Living Proof" singer wore butter-blond waves to the Q Awards in London.

• InStyle.com: Cher's signature style

• InStyle.com: 50 best celebrity wedding dresses of all time

• InStyle.com: 10 hairstyles that are always in style
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2002

The star wore feathers and ruby-streaked locks for the Billboard Music Awards. (Stewart Cook / Rex USA) Share Back to slideshow navigation

2010

She attended the premiere of "Burlesque" in a fiery orange wig. (David Fisher / Rex/Rex USA) Share Back to slideshow navigation

2011

The seemingly ageless star turned 65 on May 20.

• InStyle.com: Cher's signature style

• InStyle.com: 50 best celebrity wedding dresses of all time

• InStyle.com: 10 hairstyles that are always in style
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