2004
I think the Zef was about 17 when this movie -- Miracle Run, in which he plays an autistic kid -- came out, so he was probably about 16 when he shot it. He looks 12. Look at those curly bangs.
2004, with Shelley Buckner
Shelley here was on Summerland with Zac, and I absolutely would have worn those shoes with those jeans in 2004. They remind me of the shape of a pair of Isaac Mizrahi slingbacks I bought off eBay. Zac's shoes... no. I am not a Flip Flops For Formalish Occasions person anyway, so there's that, but they're also so low-profile that he looks barefoot.
2005
Look at this bright-eyed teen heartthrob. It warms the cockles of mine.
2006, with Vanessa Hudgens
Neither person in this photo is living their best shoe life. But Zac is clearly leaning into the Troy From High School Musical bangs, the likes of which make The Youngs scream.
2006
This is a better version of The Bieb, which really did look like a skull cap at a certain point.
2006
Somewhere, there is a giant blackboard with the formula for 2000s Teen Heart Palpitations and it has a very long section on hair.
2006
Yes, I only pulled this photo because I like his jacket.
2006
Here, Zac has taken a little off the sides and gotten rid of his highlights. It also looks like his stylist hurled the sweater at him last-minute to try and lighten up this whole situation.
2006
What do we think frightened him enough to make his hair stand on end?
2007
Oh, son. You've discovered pomade but no one has guided you through this confusing crawl into manhood.
2007
This is a promotional shot from Hairspray. I am still laughing.
2007
"Don't worry, I've still got the bangs! Amanda Bynes studied these for She's The Man, you know."
2007
"I KNOW, right, how DO I get this volume?!? Where's MY Pantene ad?"
2007
"Ooooh, I don't think I'm gonna get that Pantene ad."
2007
This configuration looks oddly heavy. I am a person who has never had bangs, though, so I can't imagine having that much hair all up in my forehead pores. It may not feel like anything but to a non-banger (I wanted them as a kid but my mom wouldn't do it, and she was correct; my hair would NOT make good ones) it is hard to imagine.
2007
Time for a trim, Zef?
2008
"Getting any ideas, Zachary?"
2008
"No, David. I will take the hair off my face but I will NEVER take it off my skull."
2008
I had a really weird moment here where I thought, "He reminds me of Chalamet."
2008
"Vanessa you've GOTTA try this bangs thing. Trust me."
2009
This is a real backward step, Zac.
2009
Now we are just freefalling down a mountain.
2009
I've decided he did the front here with a wide-barrel curling iron.
2010
HELLO.
2010
Okay we're flirting with a mess up there right now but it's juuuust on the right side of chaos.
2010 Academy Awards - Mar 2010
Who taught him this?
2010
My only explanation here is that Vanessa was mad at him, and so deliberately didn't tell him that his hair horn was lopsided.
2010
NO BUT SERIOUSLY WHO IS TEACHING HIM THIS.
2010
ZAC YOU DON'T KNEAD IT LIKE BREAD.
2010
Here he looks like his own stunt double who is 20 years older.
2011
Sometimes, you just have to mow the lawn tightly and let nature start over.
2011
AND IT DOES.
2012
Everybody looks hotter in bushy yellow mustaches.
2012
Occasionally, Zac tries a real Ed Westwick/Chuck Bass vibe, and it does not work and is not necessary.
2012
The occasional stubble reminds us that, yes, the teen has become a man.
2014
I support this pairing.
2016
And now we have some very careful adult manscaping.
2016
And some less careful Vanilla Ice-scaping. (I believe these frosted tips were for Baywatch.)
2017
But I think now we've eased into a really stylish and comfortable place with the hair. Well done, Zac.
2019
PSYCH.