Bella Hadid debuted her new honey-blonde hair colour at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Celebrity colourist, Schwarzkopf Professional hair colour trend ambassador and Olaplex global ambassador Jacob Schwartz shares his colour formula and opens up about how he created the striking transformation while maintaining the supermodel’s hair integrity.
What was the inspiration behind Bella’s decision to go blonde?
Bella attends Cannes every year, so it was the perfect moment to do something major. Going from a brunette to a blonde is major.
How did you determine the right shade of blonde to complement her features and skin tone?
Bella is a natural blonde, so sourcing photos of her as a child was a great reference. Using those images and her skin tone led us to this epic, luxurious honey hue.
Can you walk us through the process of taking Bella from dark brown to blonde—how many sessions did it take?
It took two days of colour and a whole lot of Olaplex. I always use Olaplex’s No.1 in my bleach formulas and No.2 in between each process step.
What were the biggest challenges in making such a dramatic colour transition?
The long and dramatic chemical process really depended on her having faith that her hair could withstand it and come out as beautiful as it did.
How do you maintain hair health and strength during a high-lift transformation like this?
Proper planning, product, and patience are the three things that I rely on most to always deliver. Olaplex is always key. I am more of a confident artist because I can trust and rely on its ability to maintain strength for each of my clients, every time without fail.
I always use Olaplex’s No.0 and 2 when lifting to blonde to ensure a solid, healthy foundation. Post-colour, her hair didn’t have breakage. It was incredibly healthy, allowing me to style her hair for the red carpet with ease.
What at-home care routine would you recommend for someone undergoing a similar colour shift?
I always recommend clients to maintain their hair by shampooing and conditioning with Olaplex’s number four and five. I also highly suggest No.3 as a pre-treatment. They also just came out with a line for fine hair. Now you can cater to your hair’s thickness the way Olaplex tailors their formula for each type.
How would you describe Bella’s new blonde era in one word?
Fresh
Can you describe the hairstyle you did for Bella for the Cannes Film Festival Leave One Day by Amélie Bonnin?
Soft, brushed-out chic [inspired by a] ’70s vibe with a modern twist. We really like to feel it in the moment once the jewelry and dress comes together, we start getting inspired.
Her hair was prepped using the new Olaplex Shampoo and Conditioner for Fine Hair beforehand. I used Olaplex’s blow-dry spray because it is incredibly buildable, almost weightless, allowing me to use it in layers.
Colour formula:
1. Lighten with Schwarzkopf Professional’s Vario Super Blonde Plus (white powder) with 20 volume. Slice the entire head.
2. Low light with Schwarzkopf Professional’s Igora Vibrance:
Top: 7-55+7-0 with 6 volume
Ends: 8-0+9-55 with 6 volume
3. Apply Olaplex No.1 for strength.
4. Blow dry hair up again.
5. Low light hair again with same Igora Vibrance formula for extra depth.
6. Popped a few pieces with 20 volume and Vario Super Blonde Plus.
7. Blend roots:
Hairline: 8-0+9-55 with 6 volume, last five minutes
Roots: 7-0(30)+6-0(15)+7-55(15) with 6 volume, 20 minutes
Zone 2 (middle section): 9-55+9-0 with 6 volume, last five minutes
8. No colour all over.
9. Shampoo and condition with Olaplex’s No.4 Fine and No.5 Fine.
Photos: Instagram (@jacobschwartzhair)
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