Stewart’s new rose-gold hair is a noticeable departure from her signature blonde, but its sheer finish keeps the change polished rather than costume-like. The look also offers a useful lesson for anyone curious about trying a temporary-looking fashion color.
Martha Stewart just traded her signature blonde hair for a dramatic rose-gold color, debuting the new hair transformation in an Instagram video with celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton. Appleton helped create and unveil a soft, glossy version of rose gold that shifts Stewart’s familiar blonde bob into warmer territory without reading as bright bubblegum pink.
The result is being praised for a reason: it makes a fashion shade look polished, wearable and tailored to Stewart’s established style. Her makeover also puts a spotlight on a gentler approach to colorful hair—one built around translucency, shine and a carefully prepared blonde base.
A blonde bob takes a turn
For years, Stewart’s light blonde bob has been part of her highly recognizable look. That history is what gives this color change its impact: the silhouette remains familiar, while the tone is visibly different.
The new color is best described as a rosy veil over blonde rather than a solid pink dye job. It has warmth, a peachy-pink cast and reflective shine, but the underlying lightness still comes through.
That distinction matters. Opaque fashion shades can be striking, but they can also overwhelm a cut or compete with skin tone. A sheer gloss lets the wearer test a new color family while retaining dimension from highlights and natural variation in the hair.
Chris Appleton kept the color sheer
According to Real Simple’s account of the transformation, Appleton first used highlights to brighten Stewart’s hair and create an even canvas. He then applied an all-over gloss to produce the delicate rose-gold tint and high-shine finish.
The reported salon formula used Schwarzkopf Professional BLONDME Premium Lightener 9+ with 20 Volume Developer for the lightening step. The gloss combined IGORA VIBRANCE shades 9.5-19 and 9.5-5 with 0-00 Clear.
Those technical details help explain why the finished look appears soft rather than saturated. Clear dilutes pigment, while a gloss treatment emphasizes reflection and can make a tint appear more luminous. Still, a formula is not a universal recipe: professional color results depend on a person’s starting level, existing color, porosity and hair condition.
Why rose gold suits the moment
Rose gold sits in a useful middle ground for people who want to experiment with pink-toned hair but do not want a neon or cotton-candy effect. It can pull from peach, beige, blonde and pale pink, allowing a colorist to adjust the balance for a warmer, cooler or more neutral result.
On blond hair, the shade can look like a subtle filter that changes with the light. On darker hair, it often requires more preparation before the rosy tones can show clearly and evenly.
Stewart’s version makes the strongest case for the low-contrast approach. The color does not erase the blonde base; it adds warmth and a new finish to it. That is likely why the transformation reads as playful without abandoning the polished look associated with her public image.
The appeal is the restraint
Celebrity color changes often earn attention because they are dramatic in a before-and-after sense. This one is more nuanced. The contrast with Stewart’s signature blonde is real, yet the gloss keeps the effect understated enough to look plausible beyond a photo shoot or a single event.
That restraint is also why reactions may differ. Readers who prefer Stewart’s classic blonde may see the rosy tint as a temporary novelty, while others may view it as proof that a familiar beauty look does not need to stay fixed. Both readings fit a makeover that appears designed to be flexible rather than permanent.
Real Simple called the look sophisticated and wearable, emphasizing its soft wash of color instead of a fully saturated pink. The publication’s enthusiasm is grounded in the finish: high shine and visible dimension can make experimental color appear more expensive and intentional.
What to tell a colorist
Anyone taking inspiration from Stewart’s hair should bring reference photos and describe the finish, not just the color name. “Rose gold” can mean very different things depending on the salon, the lighting and the client’s starting hair color.
- Ask for a soft, sheer rose-gold gloss instead of an opaque pink.
- Discuss whether highlights or additional lightening are necessary for an even result.
- Be clear about how visible you want the color to be indoors and in direct sunlight.
- Ask how the hair’s previous color treatments may affect the final tone.
- Request a maintenance plan before committing to a salon service.
Blondes may be able to get close to this effect with a customized gloss, depending on their existing tone. People with darker or previously colored hair may need more than one appointment, and some may not be able to achieve the same pale, translucent result without compromising hair condition.
Glossy color needs maintenance
Soft pink, peach and rose-gold tones usually fade faster than many conventional brunette, blonde or red shades. A rosy gloss can be appealing precisely because it is lower-commitment, but that does not mean it is maintenance-free.
Washing less often, using cool or lukewarm water and choosing color-safe products can help slow fading. A stylist may also suggest a color-depositing mask or an at-home gloss suited to the salon formula.
The caution is that at-home pigment products can shift unexpectedly on very porous or unevenly lightened hair. A product that appears delicately rosy on one person can turn brighter, warmer or patchier on another. Stewart’s new color makes a strong argument for a professional consultation first: the most convincing part of the look is not simply the pink, but the controlled, luminous way it was applied.
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