Pamela Anderson’s bright blonde hair is having a major moment, and here's how to emulate it
The term ‘iconic’ is generously bandied about in beauty, but when it comes to referencing Pamela Anderson’s signature hair colour, the description is truly fit for purpose.
A distinctive element of her much-lauded physicality, Anderson’s hair – whether styled in a messy up-do, or down in beachy waves – is one of the most recognisable blondes of our times. And as she takes back ownership of her public profile – and personal life – via her new memoir and a Netflix documentary, Pamela, a Love Story, Anderson’s look feels as relevant now as it did when she shot to fame via Baywatch in the Nineties.
Indeed, the star is having a huge impact on trends today, confirms Tom Smith, trend forecaster and hairstylist. A move towards this hair colour “has been slowly gaining traction since the Pam & Tommy series was released last year, and now that Pamela has her own Netflix documentary, requests for the look have reached an all-time high,” he says. Between the two televised moments of Anderson’s story, we saw the evolution of the 'Barbiecore' trend spearheaded by Paris Hilton and Valentino last year, with momentum building for the forthcoming Barbie move starring Margot Robbie, Smith notes. “The filming of the hyped Barbie movie, which is due out in cinemas this July, has drawn even more interest and ‘Barbie blonde’ is seriously having a moment. Pamela’s rich and creamy shade of blonde is actually one of the brightest and boldest shades you can choose thanks to the high level of lift and clean result (no violet toners here!) and it has a really illuminating effect on the wearer.”
Influential colourist Zoe Irwin, John Frieda salons’ creative director, agrees. She describes blondes like Anderson as having an effect “like a lightbulb”; with it “you walk into a room and get noticed”. Different to a cool bleached blonde, this is soft, warm and creamy. It’s glamorous and grown-up.
“Pamela’s hair isn’t bleached; it’s achieved using a high-lift tint,” Irwin tells us. “Bleached hair tends to be more Marilyn Monroe or early Madonna,” she adds, which one might associate more with ‘peroxide blonde’. “The difference between bleach and a high-lift tint is that bleach can take the hair very pale, whereas a high lift tint will take it creamy or very ashy, lighting the colour and leaving hair in a better condition.” As bleaching the hair can make it super light, “you would opt for this if you were dark haired, because a high-lift tint would only take you a few shades lighter to a dark blonde,” she explains.
While Anderson might colour her own hair at home – “in the Netflix documentary she even shows a packet of the high-lift tint, which is creamy and golden” – for those inexperienced we’d always recommend visiting a professional when going, and maintaining, any shade of blonde. “We like to combine techniques and highlights through a tint so you get multi-dimensional effects with less harm to the hair,” says Irwin. As she says, colouring hair “is a form of art matched with science”.
A professional colourist will also help you determine the best shade for you via a consultation, Irwin adds, noting that “when your skin is more pink-toned and perhaps paler, then cool tones work better – whereas when your skin is more olive, then warmer tones suit”.
And, of course, a pro will consider what would work for your hair depending on its existing colour and condition. “For dark hair, a blonde transformation needs to be a lengthy process because of the care needed to maintain hair health. It is often recommended to go lighter gently over several appointments.” Make sure to expect a few hours in the salon on your first visit, she says, where your colourist will plan to take you lighter in the gentlest way.
If you’re inspired by Anderson – and the likes of Sienna Miller and Aubrey Plaza, who can be seen sporting this bright, creamy blonde – maintaining your hair's health is essential for it to look good.
“My top home-care combination is to use Olaplex No.3 before you shampoo, which will repair your strands on a molecular level,” says Smith. “And swap out your conditioner for Olaplex No.8, which will deliver a surge of moisture and softness.” He says to avoid over-use of purple shampoo or toners; “the beauty of Pamela's blonde is the clarity and freshness”.
This shade is not low-maintenance, he cautions. As well as diligent home care, expect “regular salon appointments to keep roots at bay” – but the results are worth it, he feels.
This brightest blonde shade is joyful “and really is the epitome of the adage ‘blondes have more fun’,” he says. “Brightening up one’s hair is one of the easiest ways to make yourself feel lighter, brighter and happier.” If Anderson’s 2023 energy is anything to go by, Smith's certainly not wrong.
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