Despite what the weekly gossip mags may say, stars are not like us for many reasons. One of which is how often they change up their hair colors. With top colorists on call and bottomless weave and wig budgets, it’s as easy to switch up their strand hues as it is their shoes. Of course, social media just encourages new colors, as a drastic change often elicits an avalanche of likes. Need proof? Let’s recall the craziness that ensued after Kim Kardashian’s high-profile "bleachable moment." However, not all color moments cause a ruckus. For instance, some fairly recent changes, like Rita Ora’s foray into pastel territory or Nicole Richie’s temporary teal, flew slightly more under-the-radar (if there is such a thing in the time of Instagram, Snapchat, etc.).
Meanwhile, a few of the most trend-inducing colors occurred long before some of you were even born, including Brad Pitt’s dreamy sun-bleached locks. In fact, even if you have your finger on the
Rihanna’s Silver Pony
Rihanna loved this slate shade from 2014 so much that she gave it another go recently. But we prefer this ombré, two-foot-long ponytail, especially because the trendy hue manages to transform into something incredibly elegant.
Brad Pitt’s Blonde Ambition
Think Jared Leto was the original poster boy for beautiful surfer-inspired hair? Think again. Let’s take a moment to remember Brad Pitt’s gorgeous mop from 1991. The bleached color! The tousled bedhead texture! The flowing length! Sigh. That is all.
Ashley Olsen Stopped Twinning
You can be forgiven for not being able to tell the Olsen twins apart. They may not technically be identical twins, but you wouldn’t know that by looking at them. But Ashley, at the end of 2006, decided to help us with our identity crisis by going dark — and celeb-caption writers briefly celebrated being able to distinguish between the two.
Sienna Miller's Red Moment
Who can say what inspired Sienna Miller to trade her typically blond shade for a coppery one? Perhaps she spotted her muse among the army of gorgeous ginger models, including Madison Stubbington, Magdalena Jasek, Natalie Westling, and in-demand newcomer Varya Shutova, that strutted down the spring runways. Redheads are so hot right now.
Gwen Stefani Perfects Pink
Back in the late '90s, when Gwen and No Doubt were more ska than pop, she took major beauty risks: some controversial (as in the case of culturally appropriated bindis), some unexpected (as in full-on metal braces), and some that would be forever copied (like her pink locks).
Kim Kardashian Was White-Hot
You probably didn’t miss that moment when Kim K. bleached her raven-colored locks last year. She documented the painstaking process on social media, so you’d have to be a cave-dwelling hermit or sworn Luddite not to be aware of it. Anyway, let’s revisit the divisive blond that damn near broke the internet.
Lil’ Kim’s Lovely Lilac
If we could just direct your eyes upward (yes, we realize the sequined pastie is super-distracting), you’ll note a waist-grazing lilac wig, not usually seen outside of costume parties, capping off Lil’ Kim’s neck-breaking ensemble at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1999. So much purple. So much skin. See kids, Miley wasn’t the first to wear NSFW outfits on the red carpet.
Rita Ora Blushes Beautifully
While Rita Ora is almost never without her signature flaxen mane (and Ruby Woo lipstick), she changed things up for a minute for one red carpet appearance in 2014. And we’re obsessed with it. Maybe it’s the delicate cotton-candy color, or the sharp bob— or the way she paired it, matchy-matchy style, with baby-pink lipstick.
Nicole Richie’s Art Of The Teal
Nicole Richie isn’t a regular mom; she’s a cool mom. Case in point: Her hair is an ever-evolving rainbow, and she pulls off every damn shade beautifully. While it’s hard to play favorites, we are obsessed with this rich jewel tone she wore in 2014 — especially in a prim updo.
Kate Moss’ Neon Sign
The '90s was a good decade for supermodels. The pinnacle was probably the Versace shows, at which the supes would sometimes skip down the runway hand-in-hand, seemingly having more fun than is currently allowed. One of the best moments was when Kate Moss did a turn sporting a head of fuchsia hair. Can we get an encore?
Claire Danes’ Scarlet Fever
Besides Jared Leto as the always dreamy Jordan Catalano, the thing we coveted most on My So-Called Life was Claire Danes' fiery locks. Nothing captured mid-'90s teenage angst quite like a rebellious red dye job (we could relate) — plus it paired so perfectly with her grunge-chic getups.
Lady Gaga Goes Strawberry
Until Gaga met Tony Bennett and subsequently swapped out meat gowns, onesies that were (seemingly) fashioned from fishing nets, and foot-high platform boots for more ladylike gear, her hair was like a rainbow. So when she showed up to a talk-show appearance in April 2014 without her signature Day-Glo locks, and instead sported a toned-down strawberry blond, it was noteworthy. One woman’s everyday hair is another’s statement-making look.
Dascha Polanco Is Just Peachy
Orange Is the New Black’s Polanco wants to remind you that in real life, she is the polar opposite of her unglamorous imprisoned character. One way she does this is by dyeing her hair a range of eye-catching hues, from ombré-gray to hot-pink to the lovely shade of apricot she wore last fall, which she paired with a pop of fuchsia on her lips.
Demi Lovato Lightens Up
Another color chameleon, Demi Lovato is rarely seen these days without locks dyed a shocking shade. Although, it’s not really shocking anymore. It’s easy to forget that she tried a relatively tame option — buttery blond — back in late 2013.
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