Just as we thought we were ready to embrace rich, deep hair shades for autumn, Jessica Chastain has taken us in the opposite direction. The actress, 49, looks unrecognisable after trading her signature red locks for a gleaming blonde bob. With her bouncy, Hollywood curls, it seems she's taking notes from Marilyn Monroe's beauty playbook. Gentlemen prefer blondes, after all.
It appears the transformation has been on Jessica's beauty moodboard for a while. Last month, she was spotted at the US Open sporting a sweet strawberry blonde shade. The final transformation made its red-carpet debut last night at the Other Mommy premiere.
‘It’s a real transformation,’ says Jason Collier, celebrity hairstylist and Key Opinion Leader at Jerome Russell Bblonde. ‘What makes it so striking is that it feels like a complete departure from the image we’re used to seeing.’
He explains, ‘Hair colour plays such a huge role in how we perceive someone, particularly when they’re known for one very distinctive shade. Jessica’s red hair has become part of her signature look, so moving to blonde instantly changes the overall impression.’
The fact that we had to do a double-take goes to show the power of a hair transformation. ‘Red tends to bring warmth, intensity and vibrancy to the face, whereas a lighter blonde can feel softer, brighter and more ethereal,’ says Jason. ‘The colour change makes her features stand out in a completely different way.’
Anyone who's ever considered going blonde will know that not all shades are created equal. ‘A well-chosen blonde can be incredibly flattering at any age, but as we get older, the right tone can help brighten the complexion and soften the overall look,’ says Jason.
Jason tells us it’s all about choosing a tone that complements your natural colouring, and it seems Jessica has gotten the formula just right. ‘What I particularly like about this blonde is it’s creamy rather than icy. It has a soft, luminous quality that reflects the light beautifully without looking overly ashy or stark against the skin,’ says Jason.
The colour change is only one part of Jessica's transformation. While her usual sleek, smoothed-down style is undoubtedly polished, the rounded, Monroe-inspired curls are the height of glamour, and cleverly creates the illusion of thicker locks.
‘The beauty of Old Hollywood styling is that it’s all about shape, volume and movement,’ Jason explains. ‘The softly sculpted waves create a rounded silhouette that adds fullness. Those curves give the style body and structure without needing lots of layers.’
Being a red-carpet affair, Jessica brought her beauty A-game. But Jason says the look is surprisingly wearable (and easier to recreate than you might think). So, for those also wanting to channel their inner Monroe, Jason tells us exactly how.
‘You’ll want to tart by applying a volumising mousse, like Bstyled Thickening Mousse to damp hair, focusing on the roots for lift and through the lengths for hold. Blow-dry using a medium round brush, directing the front section away from the face to create that sweeping shape,’ he says.
Jerome Russell BStyled Thickening Hair Mousse
For the curls, he recommends a medium barrel-curling tong, curling sections in the same direction for a polished look. For the vintage effect, he says to let the curls cool before brushing through. ‘The trick is to not leave the curls too defined; that’s what gives you that soft, expensive-looking Old Hollywood finish.’
As a final touch, he recommends finishing with a light-hold hairspray for hold, and a touch of the Bstyled Hair Oil for that glossy, red-carpet worthy finish.
Jerome Russell BStyled Hair Serum
We're certainly taking notes. Jessica's transformation has us seriously considering a trip to the salon.
