You know that specific shade of auburn that basically belongs to Julia Roberts? The one from Pretty Woman that launched a thousand salon appointments? It’s iconic. But honestly, if you’ve been paying attention lately, she’s been leaning hard into the flaxen life. Julia Roberts with blonde hair isn’t just a random trend she’s trying out—it’s a look she’s been flirting with for over thirty years, and in 2026, it’s officially her new power move.
Most people think of her as a natural redhead. She isn’t. She’s actually told David Letterman years ago that her natural color is a "dark blonde." That probably explains why, no matter how much we love the copper, she always seems to find her way back to the lighter side of the spectrum.
The 2024-2025 Blonde Renaissance
In the summer of 2024, Julia shocked everyone by ditching her signature ginger-auburn for a bright, golden blonde lob. This wasn't just a weekend whim. She was prepping for her role in Luca Guadagnino’s thriller After the Hunt, which premiered in late 2025. In the film, she plays a college professor, and the hair gives off this vibe of "intellectual but slightly stressed," which totally works.
But then something interesting happened. The movie wrapped, and the blonde stayed.
By the time the 83rd Annual Golden Globes rolled around in January 2026, she walked the carpet in a plunging black gown with honey-blonde waves that looked better than ever. It wasn't that stark, bleached-out blonde you sometimes see on celebrities who are trying too hard. It was expensive-looking. It was warm. It had those "bronde" roots that make it feel lived-in and real.
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Why this color works (The Science of Her Skin)
Stylists often talk about Julia being a "True Autumn" in color theory. Usually, that means you stick to earthy tones—burnt oranges, moss greens, and rich browns. When she goes too platinum, it can wash her out.
The secret to her 2026 blonde is the warmth. Her colorist, Kadi Lee (the genius behind the Highbrow Hippie salon), uses a "slow and methodical" approach. You can’t just go from dark mahogany to sunflower blonde in one sitting without your hair feeling like straw. They do it in multiple sessions, keeping the "integrity of the hair" front and center.
A Trip Down Memory Lane
If you think this is her first time going light, you’ve forgotten the 90s.
- 1991: The Oscars. She showed up with Kiefer Sutherland and a bright blonde "bixie" cut. It was a mix of a bob and a pixie with soft waves. Total Marilyn Monroe vibes.
- 1997: This was the era of the "layered bob." She dyed it a honey blonde that became one of the most requested looks in the country.
- 2010: Eat Pray Love. While it was more of a "dirty blonde" or "bronde," it cemented the idea that she could play a relatable, searching woman without the fiery red hair.
- 2018: She started playing with the "butter blonde" look, leaving a dark root for a more modern, California-cool aesthetic.
How Serge Normant Styles the New Look
If Kadi Lee is the architect of the color, Serge Normant is the master of the shape. Serge has been her go-to guy forever. He’s the one who says the magic of Julia’s hair is that people "catch a feeling" from it. It never looks too "done."
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To get that 2026 Golden Globes look, Serge uses a specific technique:
- Foundation: He starts with nourishing masks because blonde hair is naturally more porous and prone to dryness.
- The "Dusting": He doesn't do big chops. He does "dusting"—trims so tiny you don't lose length, but you lose all the dead ends.
- The Opposite Curl: When he uses a curling iron, he curls each section in a different direction. This prevents the hair from clumping into one giant "prom" curl.
- The Brush Out: This is the most important part. He isn't afraid to brush the curls out. It makes the wave pattern look natural and adds that signature volume.
Is Blonde Julia Here to Stay?
It’s hard to say. She’s a "hair chameleon," as People magazine likes to call her. But there’s a maturity to the blonde she’s wearing right now. It softens the features and blends beautifully with a little bit of natural gray that most 50-plus icons are navigating.
Honestly? It feels authentic. It’s a nod to her natural roots while keeping that Hollywood gloss.
How to Get the "Julia Blonde" Without Ruining Your Hair
If you’re looking at these photos and thinking, I need that, don't just buy a box of bleach.
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First, talk to your stylist about your "underlying pigment." If you have a lot of red in your hair (like Julia’s previous shades), you’re going to hit an "orange" phase. You have to be okay with that.
Second, invest in a "bond builder." Products like Olaplex or K18 are basically mandatory when you're lifting color this much.
Third, don't ignore your scalp. Kadi Lee treats the scalp like "soil"—if it’s not healthy, nothing good is going to grow out of it. She recommends scalp massages and exfoliating scrubs (like the Himalayan salt one from Goop) to keep the follicles clear.
Next Steps for Your Own Transformation:
- Schedule a Consultation: Ask for "dimensional honey blonde" rather than a flat, single-process color.
- Focus on Hydration: Switch to a sulfate-free moisturizing shampoo (Serge Normant makes a great one) to keep the blonde from turning brittle.
- Go Slow: If your hair is currently dark, expect it to take 3 to 4 appointments to reach Julia’s level of brightness safely.