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Honestly, we all know Julianne Hough as the quintessential California blonde. For years, her icy, bright bobs were the gold standard for anyone walking into a salon with a Pinterest board. But then 2018 happened. She didn't just go a shade darker; she went full fiery copper.
It was a shock.
People were obsessed. Some were confused. But for Julianne, it wasn’t just a trend or a way to get headlines. It was a massive internal shift that she decided to wear on the outside. Looking back at it now, in 2026, that "red era" remains one of the most significant beauty transformations in recent celebrity history.
The Story Behind Julianne Hough With Red Hair
Most people think celebrities change their hair because they have a new movie coming out. Sometimes that's true. But for Julianne, the decision to go red was six years in the making. She told anyone who would listen that she felt like a redhead trapped in a blonde’s body. She even joked that she was so convinced of her "soul color" that she assumed her future kids would be born with red hair.
She finally took the plunge after her wedding to Brooks Laich. She described the change as a way to "embrace her sexuality" and dive into her womanhood. It was about identity.
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The transformation happened at Nine Zero One Salon in Los Angeles. If you know anything about celebrity hair, you know that’s the mecca for A-list color. Her master colorist, Amber Maynard, was the architect of the look. They didn't just slap on a box dye. It was a complex, multi-step process they dubbed the "Femme Fatale" technique.
Breaking Down the Color Formula
For the hair nerds out there, this wasn't a single process. It involved fillers to make sure the red didn't turn muddy or fade in two days. Maynard used Joico LumiShine products.
- The Filler: They used a mix of 8NC and 10NC (natural copper) to prep the blonde strands.
- The Base: A permanent crème in 8NRG and 8N with 20-volume developer.
- The Ends: A slightly different mix (8NC, 7NC, and a splash of 6RR) to give it depth and prevent that flat, fake look.
It worked. The result was a vibrant, multidimensional copper that looked like it actually belonged to her.
Why It Changed Her Entire Style
When you go from icy blonde to warm red, your closet has to change. You can't just wear the same stuff. Her stylist at the time, Anita Patrickson, mentioned that they had to completely rethink her red carpet appearances.
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Suddenly, Julianne was leaning into mustard yellows, deep navies, and crisp whites. White looks incredible against red hair—it makes the color pop without competing with it. They actually tried a green dress once and realized she looked exactly like Poison Ivy. Not the vibe they were going for.
She wore a stunning white Max Mara gown to a Vanity Fair Oscar party that year. It was a moment. The dress was simple because the hair was the main event.
The "Identity Crisis" Myth
There was plenty of gossip. People wondered if the red hair meant she was struggling or trying to "find herself" after leaving Dancing with the Stars. Julianne was pretty open about it, though. She called it a "secret project about transformation."
She stayed red for about five or six months.
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Then, just as quickly as she arrived in the "red zone," she went back to blonde. She told People magazine that she was ready to "jump back to her roots" with everything she had learned. It wasn’t a failure of the color; it was the completion of a cycle.
Maintaining That Copper Glow
If you’re thinking about copying Julianne Hough with red hair, you need to be ready for the work. Red is the hardest color to maintain. It’s a huge molecule; it literally falls out of the hair shaft faster than any other pigment.
Julianne’s secret was the Joico Defy Damage line. She used the Protective Shield religiously. You also have to wash your hair with cold water. It sounds miserable, and it kind of is, but it’s the only way to keep that copper from turning into a sad strawberry blonde.
What We Can Learn From Her Move
- Don't Fear the Change: If you've wanted to try a color for six years, just do it. Hair grows back. Color can be stripped.
- Trust the Pros: A transformation this big isn't a DIY job. You need fillers and developers that won't fry your hair.
- Check Your Undertones: Julianne has a golden glow to her skin and light eyes. That’s why copper worked. If she had very cool, pink undertones, she might have needed a more violet-based red.
Even though she’s back to her signature buttery blonde (she recently debuted a "micro-bob" in 2024 and rocked a Marilyn Monroe-inspired look at the 2025 Oscars), the red hair era proved she’s not afraid to take risks. It wasn't just a "look." It was a vibe.
Next Steps for Your Own Transformation:
Before you head to the salon, spend a week looking at your wardrobe. If your favorite shirts are all neon pink or cool lavender, a warm copper like Julianne’s might clash. Grab a few copper-toned hair filters on social media to see how the warmth interacts with your skin's natural "pull." If you decide to go for it, invest in a sulfate-free, color-depositing conditioner immediately to prevent the dreaded fade.