It's 2026, and we are officially back in the era of the Owens sisters. With the long-awaited sequel Practical Magic 2 officially wrapping production and aiming for a September release, everyone is obsessing over the visuals again. But let’s be real. While Sandra Bullock’s Sally Owens had that enviable, "I just woke up in a victorian herb garden" brunette length, it was Nicole Kidman’s Gillian Owens who truly defined the aesthetic of the 1998 cult classic.
Her hair was a character of its own. It was reckless. It was vibrant.
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If you’ve ever sat in a stylist’s chair with a grainy screenshot of Gilly Owens, you’ve probably realized something: that hair is deceptively hard to pin down. Is it ginger? Is it strawberry blonde? Is it a blowout or a natural wave? Most importantly, is it even hers?
The Truth About the Nicole Kidman Practical Magic Hairstyle
Here is the thing that usually shocks people: the nicole kidman practical magic hairstyle was actually a wig.
Yeah, I know. It feels like a betrayal.
During the late 90s, Kidman was transitioning between roles that required vastly different looks. If you look at her in Days of Thunder or her earlier Australian work, you see her natural, tight, ginger curls. By the time 1998 rolled around, her hair had been through the ringer. Hairstylist Alan D’Angerio, who worked on her look for the film, used a high-quality wig to achieve that specific, almost ethereal copper sheen that wouldn’t have been possible with her natural texture at the time.
This matters because it explains why the hair looks so "perfectly messy." It has a structural density that human hair—especially fine, curly hair like Kidman's—rarely maintains in the humidity of a coastal setting like the one portrayed in the film.
Breaking Down the Gilly Owens Cut
Gillian's look isn't just about the color. It’s the architecture of the cut.
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- The Length: It hit well below the bust, usually styled with a slight taper toward the ends.
- The Bangs: These aren't your typical blunt "zooey deschanel" bangs. They are eyebrow-grazing, "see-through" fringe. They’re wispy.
- The Face Frame: Unlike the heavy layers of the early 2000s, Gilly had long, subtle face-framing pieces that blended into her length.
Honestly, the bangs are the hardest part to get right. If they’re too thick, you lose the "rebellious sister" vibe and end up looking like you’re ready for a school recital. If they're too thin, they just look like sweat-clumped strands. The sweet spot is that 90s "curtain" style that separates just enough to show the forehead.
Why the Copper Shade is Trending Again in 2026
We’ve seen a massive resurgence in what stylists are calling "Owens Copper." It’s not a flat orange. It’s a multidimensional strawberry blonde with a heavy lean into ginger.
In the original film, the lighting makes her hair shift. In the kitchen "Midnight Margaritas" scene, it looks deep and auburn. Under the harsh daylight of the town square, it’s almost golden. This is the hallmark of a great dye job (or a great wig).
If you're trying to replicate the nicole kidman practical magic hairstyle today, don't ask for a single-process color. You need a base of warm copper with hand-painted highlights in a lighter apricot tone. This creates the "glow" that Gilly Owens carried around like a localized weather system.
How to Style the "Witchy" Wave
You don't want "beach waves." That’s a different vibe. Gillian’s waves were softer, more "brushed out."
- Prep with Volume: Use a lightweight mousse on damp hair. Gilly never had flat roots.
- The 1.5-Inch Barrel: Use a large curling iron but leave the ends straight. This is the 90s secret. Don't curl the last two inches of your hair.
- The Brush Out: This is non-negotiable. Once the curls cool, brush them through with a boar bristle brush. It turns the "sausage curls" into a cohesive, fluffy mane.
- The Piece-y Fringe: Use a tiny bit of texture wax on just the tips of your bangs. You want them to look lived-in.
Practical Magic 2: The 2026 Update
Now that Kidman is filming the sequel, her hair has evolved. Recent set photos from late 2025 and early 2026 show a more mature take on the Gillian look. She’s still rocking the strawberry-copper hue, but the bangs have transitioned into a longer, more sophisticated curtain fringe.
Interestingly, while she’s still using hairpieces for the role—Kidman has been very open about her preference for wigs to protect her natural hair from heat damage—the 2026 version feels more "organic." It’s less about the sleek 90s blowout and more about a textured, air-dried look that matches the "Book of Magic" aesthetic.
Actionable Steps to Get the Look
If you're heading to the salon to join the 2026 witchy aesthetic revival, keep these points in mind:
- Consultation: Ask for "translucent bangs" and "shattered long layers." Avoid the word "shag" unless you want something much more aggressive than what Kidman wore.
- Maintenance: Copper fades faster than a ghost at sunrise. You will need a color-depositing conditioner (something in the "copper-gold" family) to keep the vibrancy between salon visits.
- Texture: If your hair is naturally straight, you'll need a sea salt spray that doesn't contain drying alcohols. If you're curly, you'll actually need to blow-dry your hair smooth first and then add back the "loose" wave with an iron to get that specific Gilly Owens texture.
The nicole kidman practical magic hairstyle isn't just about being a redhead. It’s about the attitude of the hair—it's slightly unkempt, undeniably romantic, and just a little bit dangerous. Whether you're going for the 1998 original or the 2026 sequel update, the key is movement. Never let it get too stiff with hairspray. A witch needs her hair to catch the wind, after all.
Check your local professional beauty supply for copper-specific glosses, as many brands launched "Practical Magic" inspired shade extensions specifically for the movie's revival this year.