Wait, she’s not actually a redhead? Honestly, that’s the first thing most people ask when they realize the fiery bob from The Queen’s Gambit was a wig. Then comes the second realization: she isn’t naturally platinum blonde either.
If you’ve seen the latest stills of her for the 2025 thriller The Gorge, you know exactly why Anya Taylor Joy brown hair is trending again. She looks completely different. It’s not just a color change; it’s like her entire vibe shifts from "ethereal moon goddess" to "gritty action lead" the second the bleach disappears.
The Natural Color Mystery Solved
Despite how well she carries that icy, almost-white blonde, Anya Taylor-Joy is actually a natural blonde—just not the kind you see on the red carpet. Her real hair is a darker, "dirty" blonde or light brown. In interviews, she’s joked about the struggle of her roots growing in during quarantine, saying it looked like she was balding because her natural hair was so much darker than the platinum she’s known for.
Most fans assume she’s a secret brunette.
It makes sense. Her eyebrows are naturally dark and thick, providing that high-contrast look that makes her eyes pop. When she goes full chocolate brown, like she did for the IWC Gala back in 2016 or her early red carpets for The Witch, she looks strikingly grounded.
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Anya Taylor Joy Brown Hair: The Movie Roles That Swapped the Bleach
Movies drive her hair changes. Usually, it’s a wig, but the visual impact is real.
- The Gorge (2025): Alongside Miles Teller, she sports a dark, practical brunette shade. It’s a survivalist look. It’s sleek, dark, and perfectly suits an "elite sniper" character.
- Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga: While she spent much of the movie under black engine grease, there are moments of "messy brown hair" that signify her years in the desert. She actually wanted to shave her head for this, but director George Miller apparently loved her long hair too much and insisted on a wig for the buzz-cut scenes.
- Barry (2016): In this film about a young Barack Obama, Anya played his college girlfriend with a soft, 80s-inspired chestnut brown mane. It’s probably the most "normal" she’s ever looked on screen.
Why Does She Keep Going Back to Platinum?
Tracey Cunningham. That’s the name you need to know. She’s the celebrity colorist who handles Anya’s hair, and she uses a very specific formula to get that "glass-like" platinum shine without the hair snapping off. They use a ton of Olaplex (specifically the 4-in-1 treatment) to keep it healthy.
Kinda wild when you think about it. Most people’s hair would be fried after a decade of that level of lifting.
But the platinum has become her "star" persona. It emphasizes her "otherworldly" or "alien" beauty that fashion houses like Dior absolutely love. When she’s brunette, she looks like a person you might actually meet. When she’s blonde, she looks like a faerie that wandered out of a forest.
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The "Color Season" Debate
If you spend any time on the weird side of TikTok or Reddit, you’ll see people arguing about her "color season."
- Team Winter: They argue her dark eyes and pale skin mean she needs high contrast (dark brown hair).
- Team Spring: They think the warmth in her skin means she needs those honey-blonde tones.
- The Reality: She’s a chameleon.
Stylist Gregory Russell, who does her hair for major events like the Golden Globes and SNL, usually leans into the volume. Whether she's rocking a dark brown bob or 30-inch blonde extensions, the goal is always "sleek and timeless."
How to Get the Look (Without Ruining Your Hair)
If you’re looking at Anya Taylor Joy brown hair photos and thinking about making the jump, don't just dump a box of "Dark Brown" on your head.
Anya’s brunette looks usually have depth. They aren't flat. If you’re naturally light, you need a "filler" color (usually something red or orange) before going dark brown, or your hair will turn a muddy, swampy green. Not cute.
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Actionable Tips for a "Joy-Style" Transformation:
- Focus on the Brows: Part of why Anya looks so good with brown hair is that her eyebrows are already there. If you dye your hair dark, you must darken your brows to match the intensity.
- Gloss is King: Brunette hair looks best when it reflects light. Use a clear gloss treatment or a shine serum like the Pureology Shine Bright Taming Serum (which her stylist actually uses).
- Texture Over Color: For that Furiosa or The Gorge vibe, it’s about "lived-in" texture. Use a dry shampoo or a sea salt spray to keep the dark hair from looking too "perfect" and pageant-like.
- Don't Fear the Wig: Honestly? Half the looks we love are high-quality lace fronts. If you want to try the Anya Taylor Joy brown hair look for a weekend, buy a wig. It saves your strands from the chemical see-saw.
Ultimately, Anya Taylor-Joy proves that you don't have to be "stuck" in one lane. You can be a redhead one year, a platinum icon the next, and a dark-haired action star the year after that. Just make sure you have a really good conditioner.
Keep an eye on her upcoming press tour for The Gorge—it’s looking like 2026 might be the official Return of the Brunette.
Next Step: Check out the specific Redken or Schwarzkopf shades her colorist Tracey Cunningham recommends for maintaining high-contrast tones if you're planning a DIY shift.