Fashion

Exactly How Many Hairstyles Did They Have?

by Shorey Andrews

Oh NSYNC, be still my heart, for thousands of girls are still mourning the loss of your great wonder ... at least for me that is the first thought that comes to mind when reminiscing over one of the most adorable boy bands of the 1990s. Sadly, their ride on the pop train ended much too soon, but thanks to the success of the insatiable Justin Timberlake, former and closeted fangirls can cross their fingers for more mini NSYNC reunions in the future. That is if they all still continue in the music game, and why wouldn't they, right?

Their rise to the top was a fast one, and it remained on track until JT decided to go all solo genius on us and break way from the pack. Fortunately, his efforts turned out to be a gift from the music gods, and Timberlake went on to be not only a fab solo artist, but a damn fine actor as well. As memorable as their break-up-disguised-as-a-hiatus was, their myriad of hairstyles is far more fun to look back on. So here they are, some for the best, but most of them for the worst, a breakdown in chronological order of all of NSYNC's most memorable coifs.

1. MAKING A SPLASH IN 1996

They may not have reached fame in North America until 1998, but before that NSYNC looked like this when their debut single, "I Want You Back" hit the air waves in Europe. Oh, and don't act like you don't remember Joey Fatone's mushroom cut because that really happened!

2. TEARIN' UP OUR HEARTS IN 1998

Mike Prior/Getty Images

After successfully singing their way into America's heart, Chris Kirkpatrick's hair got a little longer, and Joey was introduced to our friend, the comb.

3. SWITCHING THINGS UP IN 1999

In 1999, each member underwent a series of changes that required some interesting experimentation. In the beginning of the year the group released their video for "(God Must have Spent) A Little More Time On You", and they looked like this.

4. DRIVING US CRAZY

In the middle of that same year, NSYNC looked adorable, let's be real. Their hair seemed to be blossoming quite well, they had their first top 10 hit, and they released a popular holiday album. They also entered a legal battle with legendary boy band creator Lou Pearlman over accusations that he stole large percentages of their earnings — Yikes!

5. AND THEN THIS HAPPENED

The end of 1999 may not have been their finest hour, but give the guys credit for trying to brighten things up.

6. TOYING AROUND IN 2000

After the legal smoke cleared, NSYNC gave us what would later become a karaoke diamond in the rough with, "Bye Bye Bye". They also scored their first No. 1 hit in the U.S. with "It's Gonna Be Me." Both music videos introduced the band as marionettes, later cultivating one of the best consumer marketing campaigns. So ... you're telling me we can watch the video AND own the doll? Sold!

7. REACHING POP PERFECTION

Behind the dolls' plastic and string, the guys finally got it right with the perfect amount of highlights, and a great cut. Ah, the boys in their prime, now we just call it the good ol' days.

8. NEARING THE END IN 2001 - 2002

In 2001 the group released a new album with the lead single "Pop". Also known as that time Justin went bald and JC decided long hair looked cool. Let's just say one of them ended up looking better than the other.

9. A MATCHY-MATCHY NIGHTMARE

So, they also did this thing before the year 2003 where they not only copied one another's highlights, but they allowed themselves to also be photographed in matching outfits. But, why NSYNC — why?

10. THE DAY THE WORLD STOPPED IN 2013

When the band went on hiatus in 2002, they never fully addressed to the public that they were no longer a group. They didn't have a farewell tour, a goodbye video, or even a stinking press release. They just stopped talking about it and let JT do his thing. Until one epic night in April 2013, the group got back together for a (very) brief montage of their hits at the MTV Video Music Awards. And, they looked really good!

11. RECENT EVIDENCE

The most recent photo of the gang together again is the above shot taken on Chirs Kirkpatrick's wedding day in November of last year. Thankfully in the end it appeared as though all the members of NSYNC had finally found their hairstyle spirit animal.

Images: timberlakelove/Tumblr, buzzfeedrewind/Tumblr, iamoutofsync/Tumblr, nsyncfans/Tumblr, nsyncishere/Tumblr, n-sync/Tumblr, hermitsunited/Tumblr