Honestly, if you ran into Emilia Clarke on a London street back in 2014, you probably wouldn’t have realized you were standing next to the Mother of Dragons. She’d be there in a chunky sweater, sporting her natural, deep espresso-colored hair, looking absolutely nothing like the icy, silver-haired conqueror we saw on HBO every Sunday night.
For years, the Emilia Clarke blonde look was essentially a high-stakes magic trick. We all saw Daenerys Targaryen’s shimmering, waist-length braids and assumed it was a simple dye job or a really good bleach session. It wasn’t. It was a masterpiece of lace-front engineering that cost more than some people’s cars.
But then, 2017 happened.
The actress famously "bent the knee" to the peroxide bottle in real life, and the results were... complicated. From chemical haircuts to being "instantly recognizable" by every fan in a five-mile radius, the transition from brunette to platinum wasn’t just a style choice; it was a total lifestyle overhaul that nearly wrecked her hair.
The Wig Era: Keeping the Secret (and the Silk)
For the first seven seasons of Game of Thrones, Emilia didn’t touch a drop of bleach. Not one. Her hair was tucked away under a bald cap and a series of hyper-expensive wigs.
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We’re talking about hand-tied, human-hair pieces that cost roughly $7,000 each. The show’s hair designer, Kevin Alexander, actually gave them names. There was "Dany," "Diva," "Candice," and "Blondie." "Blondie" was apparently a bit of a nightmare to style—she was nicknamed "Bitch" for a while because she just wouldn't cooperate during filming.
The process to get that hair ready was grueling. It took about two hours every single morning. They had to braid her dark hair tight to her scalp, glue down a cap, and then carefully pin the wig so that not a single brunette strand escaped.
Why She Finally Bleached It
So, why did she change? After seven years of being a secret brunette, Emilia decided to go full Targaryen for the final season. Her reasoning was pretty human: she was tired of looking in the mirror and seeing the same thing.
"I just want to look in the mirror and see something different," she told Vanity Fair at the time. She figured, "Fuck it, it's the last season."
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She went to the same pros who handled her wigs, Kevin Alexander and Candice Banks, to ensure the color was "Khaleesi-accurate." It looked incredible on the red carpet—an icy, piercing platinum that made her eyes pop. But the honeymoon phase didn't last.
The "Frigging Stupid" Aftermath
You’ve probably heard of the "chemical haircut." It’s what happens when you take hair as dark as Emilia’s and force it to be white-blonde. The hair basically says, "I'm done," and snaps off.
By late 2018, the Emilia Clarke blonde experiment had taken a dark turn. Or rather, a very short one. Her hair was "dying," as she put it. She had to chop it all off into a pixie cut just to save what was left of her natural tresses.
- The Damage: Bleaching to that level kills the protein bonds in your hair.
- The Fame Factor: Suddenly, she couldn't hide. As a brunette, she was anonymous. As a platinum blonde, she was a target for every selfie-seeker on the street.
- The Regret: She eventually called the decision "frigging stupid" because of how much it ruined her hair quality.
She spent the next few years desperately trying to grow it back out, swearing off heavy bleach forever. She leaned hard into products like Olaplex and Philip Kingsley’s Elasticizer to try and resurrect her fried strands.
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The 2024-2026 Evolution: A Softer Shade
If you look at her lately—specifically her appearances at events like the British Grand Prix—you’ll notice the Emilia Clarke blonde look has evolved. She isn't chasing that "Old Valyria" silver anymore.
Instead, she’s moved into what stylists are calling "Sunbeam Blonde" or "Honey Blonde." This is a way more sophisticated, wearable version of the color. Created by celebrity colorist Nicola Clarke, it’s a warm, multidimensional shade that doesn't require the scorched-earth policy of platinum bleach.
It’s softer. It’s healthier. Most importantly, it doesn’t require a $7,000 wig to look good.
How to Get the Look (Without Killing Your Hair)
If you’re looking to channel your inner Khaleesi but don’t want your hair to fall out in the shower, take a page from Emilia’s recent playbook.
- Don't Go Platinum Overnight: If you're a brunette, do it in stages. Emilia’s 2017 transition was too fast for her hair to handle.
- Ask for "Money Pieces": This is what she does now—brighter strands around the face to give that blonde "glow" without bleaching your whole head.
- Bond Builders are Non-Negotiable: If you're going light, you need Olaplex or K18. Period.
- Embrace the "Lob": Emilia’s bob/lob (long bob) phase was a result of necessity, but it’s actually the most flattering way to wear blonde. It keeps the ends looking thick rather than wispy and fried.
The "Mother of Dragons" might be her most famous role, but Emilia’s real-life hair journey is a cautionary tale for anyone thinking about the bleach bottle. Blonde is a vibe, sure, but sometimes the brunette life—or at least a very careful balayage—is the real secret to keeping your hair on your head.
To maintain a healthy blonde transformation like Emilia’s current look, start by scheduling a consultation for a gradual balayage rather than a full head of foils. This mimics her "Sunbeam" aesthetic while preserving the integrity of your hair. Invest in a high-quality silk pillowcase and a weekly protein treatment to prevent the breakage that famously forced Emilia into her 2018 pixie cut.