When you’ve had the same hairstyle for more than a decade, even the smallest tweak can make a big impact. So, naturally, the GH beauty desk was quite surprised to see sunny blonde streaks woven through Emma Willis’ signature dark pixie.
While the presenter has had a few stints as a blonde over the years, the transformation still feels unexpected. With autumn in the air, most of us are contemplating a move to richer, darker shades – but Emma has gone in the opposite direction.
Though, not all is quite as it seems. A behind-the-scenes video from her hairstylist, Peter Burkill, reveals that the blonde pieces are actually the work of seamlessly blended clip-ins, giving her the effect of highlights without the commitment.
Still, we can’t help but notice how those sunny pieces bring instant warmth and brightness to her look – making a convincing case for ‘anti-autumn’ colour.
‘Emma’s dark hair has become part of her signature, so even a relatively subtle change feels transformative,’ explains Jason Collier, celebrity hairstylist and key opinion leader at Jerome Russell Bblonde.
While Emma’s look may be temporary, it proves just how much impact a little brightness can have on brunette hair. ‘It’s a beautiful example of how you can completely refresh dark hair without committing to an all-over colour change,’ Jason says.
And it’s this unexpected brightness that makes the look feel so fresh for autumn. ‘While we naturally gravitate towards deeper chocolate, caramel and auburn tones as we head into autumn, Emma’s blonde highlights keeps a little bit of summer in the hair,’ says Jason.
But there’s more to those sunny pieces than prolonging summer. Strategically placed brightness like this can also be particularly flattering in midlife. ‘As we move into our fifties, this can be a really effective way of bringing light back towards the face,’ Jason explains. ‘Highlights are a great way to create that illuminating effect without requiring the whole head to be blonde.’
For that glow-giving effect, Jason says getting the tone right is key. ‘You want brightness that complements the skin rather than looking stark against it, and keeping some depth at the root helps the result feel sophisticated and modern rather than overly ‘done’.
While Emma’s highlights might be the work of clever clip-ins, a colourist can recreate the effect for a longer-lasting take on the look. Jason explains, ‘Here, you’ll want to ask for a soft, warm-neutral blonde rather than an icy tone, and plenty of dimension between the brunette and blonde.’ Alternatively, he notes the Jerome Russell Bblonde Highlighting Kit is brilliant if you’re colouring at home.
Jerome Russell Bblonde Highlighting Kit Lightener
But tone is only part of the equation; placement should be carefully considered, too. ‘Emma’s highlights sit particularly well around the hairline and front sections. You’ll want to make sure that the extra brightness is concentrated around the front and face-framing pieces.’
While Emma may be returning to her signature brunette before long, her brief blonde has certainly made us rethink our autumn salon appointment.
