Michelle Monaghan on Her “Buttercrème Hazel Blonde” Hair Tra…

I’m not proud of how long it took me to get Michelle Monaghan’s The White Lotus character’s name straight. I guess that’s a compliment to her? Why learn another name when you can just say an iconic one like “Michelle Monaghan.”

Eventually I got it right, though. Jaclyn! The actress. The one with the blonde waves played by the brunette. Except… that’s not true anymore. It’s officially summer in America, so we can stop aching for that Thailand heat. And Monaghan is a blonde once again.

Monaghan worked with celebrity colorist Kirby Lago and stylist Harry Josh to perfect her new style. She revealed the transformation on Wednesday, June 11 when she appeared on Jimmy Fallon. Ahead, learn everything about the shade, which the colorist dubbed “Buttercrème Hazel Blonde,” from the stylists and Monaghan herself.

The Inspiration

Monaghan’s big reason for the change? “Summer!” Who doesn’t ache for a little time by the bleach bowl once the sun comes out?

“I was craving something new and fresh after shooting two films back to back as a brunette. I was in the mood for a brighter and blonder summer!” she told Byrdie. “I’ll be spending a lot of time traveling this season and I wanted to have a low maintenance, easy breezy beach vibe.”

“Color transformation really has the ability to create an emotional reset and an incredible power to shift your energy and mindset,” Lago added. “I think she was looking to make this shift for the summer season and bring a little bit of that blonde that she once had back into her overall look.”

How They Got the Look

The vision, according to Lago? “A lighter look that had warm, buttery tones to it.” The result? Exactly that—thanks to a suite of Goldwell products.

“When going blonde, it is really all about working with the base. It is critical to create a shade of blonde that will work best with your base color to not only achieve the perfect color, but to also create the easiest maintenance beyond the salon experience,” the expert explained. “I used Colorance and Silklift to achieve her look. Colorance is a multifaceted color line that allows me to create brilliant color results with outstanding color retention and Silklift allows a more strong and targeted, but supportive lift.”

Besides the seasonality, Monaghan knew now was the perfect time for a color change because she had the opportunity to do it for herself.

“Generally, I change my hair for every role but this time I was excited to do it for me,” she said, adding that her favorite thing about the new shade is that it feels fun and effortless. “I’ll be spending a lot of time in the ocean this summer and I feel like this color will be only enhanced by it.”

Buttery Blonde Is Trending

Lago thinks that this summer is going to be all about similar buttery blonde shades.

“I think you are going to see it trending globally. It is the perfect balance of a pop of blonde in the most natural shade possible,” she said. “Gone are the extreme pops of color and now it is all about the natural flow and harmony of color.”

If you want to get in on the trend, both Josh and Lago recommend you “find a colorist who is looking for gentle colors.”

“Goldwell is all about keeping the hair healthy while creating that high shine blonde,” they noted.

Michelle Monaghan’s Upkeep Tips

This summer, Monaghan’s beauty vibe is going to be “SPF and sun-kissed makeup”—plus a leave-in conditioner that “protects her hair from the sun and the sea.”

Right now, she’s loving Goldwell’s Color Brilliance Serum Spray. Josh also recommends the brand’s StyleSign Smooth Air-Dry BB Cream for a great vacation air-dry moment; it’ll “provide the hair with light hold and soft shine.”

The stylist adds that the actress’s hair is naturally thick with beautiful texture, so when it came time to choose a color-promoting cut they had it easy.

“Her hair is currently at that perfect middle length that I have been encouraging all of my female clients to switch to,” he said. “It was really all about shaping it up and adding some simple layers.”

And if she chooses to go a little more glam?

“I also love the Goldwell StyleSign Heat Styling Blowout & Texture Spray to give the hair buildable hold and texture,” Josh added.

Blondes have more fun in the sun.