Blonde is back, baby: from Bella Hadid and Kristen Stewart at Cannes to Beyoncé and Marvel's Pom Klementieff – there's a reason your favourite celebrities are lightening up their locks
Bella Hadid stepped onto the Cannes red carpet this year with glossy, golden-blonde strands, the message was clear: blonde is back. Achieved with the help of colourist Jacob Schwartz and a 14-hour process, the transformation was anything but subtle: a clear pivot from her usual brunette.
Bella Hadid attends the opening ceremony of the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival on May 13. Photo: EPA-EFE
After all, Cannes is where celebrities go to reinvent. With the world watching and couture turned up to eleven, the red carpet becomes a stage for beauty debuts. This year, French actress Pom Klementieff's icy platinum hair stood out sharply against her typically dark-haired portrayal of Mantis in the Marvel universe.
Kristen Stewart , too, returned to Cannes with bleached roots and soft pink ends, years after debuting her first blonde bob back in 2016 on the same red carpet.
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Pom Klementieff at the premiere of the film Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning at Cannes on May 14. Photo: Invision/AP
Of course, going blonde has always carried a certain weight. Historically, blondness has worked as a kind of cultural short-cut in Western beauty: flirty, ultra-feminine and just rebellious enough to keep things interesting. There's a reason the term 'blonde ambition' conjures an entire pop culture mythology, one built on Marilyn,
Madonna and
Beyoncé in her golden-blonde prime. The shade may vary – ash, beige, strawberry – but the subtext rarely changes: going blonde is a move.
Kristen Stewart poses during a photocall for the film The Chronology of Water at Cannes on May 16, 2025. Photo: Reuters
This year's blonde revival may feel sudden, but it's been bubbling up for a while. Emma Stone reminded everyone she's actually a natural blonde when she debuted a platinum mane in 2017. Jennie from Blackpink showed up at Paris Fashion Week that same year in creamy blonde, leaving behind her signature dark locks, and even the
Kardashian-Jenners have cycled through just about every shade imaginable.
Olaplex's Blonde Enhancer shampoo and conditioner. Photo: Handout
'Going blonde has never just been about aesthetics – it's about recognising agency,' says Patrice Williams-Lindo, CEO of Career Nomad and an expert on the cultural and career subtext behind aesthetic shifts. 'Whether it's a rebellion against expectations, a reclaiming of visibility, or a quiet refusal to blend in – or even a combination of all three – blonde becomes a badge.' She adds that for Black and brown women especially, the move 'often signals disruption, 'I will not be invisible; even if there are attempts of my being erased.''
Kérastase Blond Absolu Bain Ultra Violet shampoo. Photo: Handout
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South China Morning Post
9 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Blonde is back, baby: from Bella Hadid and Kristen Stewart at Cannes to Beyoncé and Marvel's Pom Klementieff – there's a reason your favourite celebrities are lightening up their locks
When Bella Hadid stepped onto the Cannes red carpet this year with glossy, golden-blonde strands, the message was clear: blonde is back. Achieved with the help of colourist Jacob Schwartz and a 14-hour process, the transformation was anything but subtle: a clear pivot from her usual brunette. Bella Hadid attends the opening ceremony of the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival on May 13. Photo: EPA-EFE After all, Cannes is where celebrities go to reinvent. With the world watching and couture turned up to eleven, the red carpet becomes a stage for beauty debuts. This year, French actress Pom Klementieff's icy platinum hair stood out sharply against her typically dark-haired portrayal of Mantis in the Marvel universe. Kristen Stewart , too, returned to Cannes with bleached roots and soft pink ends, years after debuting her first blonde bob back in 2016 on the same red carpet. Advertisement Pom Klementieff at the premiere of the film Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning at Cannes on May 14. Photo: Invision/AP Of course, going blonde has always carried a certain weight. Historically, blondness has worked as a kind of cultural short-cut in Western beauty: flirty, ultra-feminine and just rebellious enough to keep things interesting. There's a reason the term 'blonde ambition' conjures an entire pop culture mythology, one built on Marilyn, Madonna and Beyoncé in her golden-blonde prime. The shade may vary – ash, beige, strawberry – but the subtext rarely changes: going blonde is a move. Kristen Stewart poses during a photocall for the film The Chronology of Water at Cannes on May 16, 2025. Photo: Reuters This year's blonde revival may feel sudden, but it's been bubbling up for a while. Emma Stone reminded everyone she's actually a natural blonde when she debuted a platinum mane in 2017. Jennie from Blackpink showed up at Paris Fashion Week that same year in creamy blonde, leaving behind her signature dark locks, and even the Kardashian-Jenners have cycled through just about every shade imaginable. Olaplex's Blonde Enhancer shampoo and conditioner. Photo: Handout 'Going blonde has never just been about aesthetics – it's about recognising agency,' says Patrice Williams-Lindo, CEO of Career Nomad and an expert on the cultural and career subtext behind aesthetic shifts. 'Whether it's a rebellion against expectations, a reclaiming of visibility, or a quiet refusal to blend in – or even a combination of all three – blonde becomes a badge.' She adds that for Black and brown women especially, the move 'often signals disruption, 'I will not be invisible; even if there are attempts of my being erased.'' Kérastase Blond Absolu Bain Ultra Violet shampoo. Photo: Handout
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- South China Morning Post
Looking for luxury stays in London? The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park and Mandarin Oriental Mayfair offer unique experiences for the discerning traveller – and locations that are second-to-none
London is one of the few cities in the world to boast two Mandarin Oriental properties, and much like in the hotel chain's hometown of Hong Kong, they complement each other. Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park opened its doors 25 years ago and has built a loyal following among Asian, Middle Eastern and American clients who like its proximity to the green expanse and the luxury shops of Knightsbridge, including the legendary department stores Harrods and Harvey Nichols. Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in London is situated in one of the capital's most prestigious areas. Photo: Handout Advertisement The hotel, which underwent a refurbishment in 2019, couldn't be more different from sister property Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, which opened one year ago in the fancy neighbourhood that is also home to iconic hotels such as Claridge's and The Connaught. While the Hyde Park property marries British tradition with the warm, Asian-style service the company is known for, the Mayfair hotel is low key and discreet, eschewing grandeur for quiet luxury. Housed in a historic Edwardian structure first built in 1889 as a gentlemen's club and residence, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is always buzzing with international guests and stylish locals making a beeline for its popular eateries, which include the two-Michelin-starred Dinner by Heston Blumenthal – one of Britain's most celebrated chefs; the lovely Hyde Park Garden, a perfect spot for a drink or an informal meal in warm weather; and Japanese izakaya The Aubrey. Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park's Hyde Park Garden is a great spot for an informal meal or a drink. Photo: Handout Designed by Hong Kong-based Joyce Wang , the rooms and suites combine art deco motifs with retro touches harking back to the 20th-century golden age of travel. Needless to say, the accommodations overlooking the park, some of them with balconies, are the most coveted among visitors. Views like these are priceless in a dense city like London, and the natural light on a sunny day truly makes a difference. If you're looking for panoramic views, the Mayfair property's rooms and suites will not provide any, but the hotel's focus on privacy, personalised service and discretion is just as appealing for discerning travellers. Sleek and urban, Mandarin Oriental Mayfair is housed in a newly built red brick and glass structure in Hanover Square, a short walk from the luxury shops of Bond Street and more commercial Oxford Street. The rooms and suites are quite minimal when compared to those at Hyde Park but touches such as de Gournay hand-painted wallpaper and curvilinear sofas make them warm and welcoming. Award-winning Korean-born American chef Akira Back is the mastermind behind the two main restaurants – Akira Back and Dosa by Akira Back – while Abar Rooftop, on the top floor, features an outdoor terrace with great views of Mayfair and London's skyline.
South China Morning Post
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