Hannah Waddingham is a blonde bombshell in her own right, but her latest look channels one of Hollywood's most iconic blondes, thanks to a glamorous 'Marilyn Monroe bob'. Bouncy, unbelievably glossy and incredibly flattering, it's a style that's undoubtedly stood the test of time.
The actress debuted the look yesterday while stepping out in London for the press tour of her upcoming miniseries Ride Or Die.
‘Hannah’s look is a beautiful example of modern Hollywood glamour,’ says Jason Collier, top hairstylist, founder of Studio23 and key opinion leader for Jerome Russell Bblonde. ‘The appeal of the Marilyn bob lies in its timeless glamour,’ he adds.
‘Those soft, voluminous waves paired with the bright, creamy blonde colour create a look that's polished and sophisticated, yet it still feels fresh and contemporary,’ says Jason.
It's proof that a truly great haircut never goes out of style. ‘It works so well because of the balance of softness and structure,’ Jason tells GH. ‘The shorter length draws attention to her cheekbones and jawline, while the side-swept volume opens up the face and creates an incredibly flattering silhouette.’
Jason says the look also reflects a wider shift in beauty, with vintage glamour enjoying a major revival. ‘Vintage-inspired beauty is back, but with a contemporary twist. Rather than recreating retro looks exactly as they were worn, people are taking inspiration from the glamour and incorporating it into more relaxed, everyday styles,’ he says.
According to Jason, Hannah has embraced the trend perfectly. While her 'Marilyn' bob is undoubtedly inspired by the silver screen icon, her version feels softer and less structured. 'Today, rather than perfectly sculpted curls, we're seeing looser, more relaxed waves that feel wearable and effortless.’
It’s a style that’s all about volume, which Jason explains is particularly flattering for mature women. ‘It combines volume, movement and softness; three elements that can instantly create a more youthful appearance,’ he says.
He adds, ‘as hair naturally becomes finer over time, shorter cuts with fullness around the crown and sides can help create the illusion of thicker, healthier hair. The soft waves also add dimension and bounce, preventing the style from looking flat or heavy.’
According to Jason, the key to achieving the full à la Marilyn look is the colour. ‘Colour plays a huge role in the overall impact. Hannah's blonde sits in a soft champagne-vanilla tone, lending creamy beige and golden hues to create brightness without looking overly icy.'
He notes this shade is especially flattering as it reflects light beautifully, which makes the hair appear shiny, healthy and full.
Of course, anyone who’s been blonde knows a certain amount of upkeep is needed. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be complicated. ‘To maintain a similar shade at home, focus on moisture and gloss,’ says Jason.
‘A blonde-toning treatment, like the Bblonde Brighten & Repair Toner Vanilla, keeps the colour looking luminous, while preventing the dullness or brassiness that can detract from that polished Hollywood finish.’
Jerome Russell Bblonde Brighten & Repair Blonde Toner
Jason notes that shine-enhancing masks are also brilliant for keeping on top of your blonde.
For a close colour match to Hannah's shade, we spotted the SHRINE Gloss It mask in Champagne, which looks remarkably similar.
SHRINE Gloss It Champagne Colour Depositing Hair Mask
Once you have your blonde in check, then comes the styling. ‘To recreate Hannah's modern Marilyn bob, start by applying a volumising mousse to damp hair before blow-drying with a round brush to create lift at the roots,’ Jason advises.
He then recommends using a medium-barrel curling tong to create those soft waves. ‘Curl away from the face, and allow them to cool completely before brushing them out. This is the secret to achieving those soft, glamorous waves rather than defined ringlets,’ he explains.
For the final touch, he recommends a spritz of lightweight hairspray to lock the style in all day, plus a misting of shine spray for extra gloss.
Call it a modern Gentlemen Prefer Blondes moment.
