I Went Spring’s Most-Requested Hair Color: “It Girl Blonde”

I’ve been noticing signs that a boho renaissance is upon us for the past year or so, and as we quickly approach summer 2024, I think it’s really happening. Floppy, oversized leather bags are everywhere, Frye boots have had a chokehold on every cool girl on TikTok, and everyone I know seems to be watching The Rachel Zoe Project now that it’s been added to Peacock. The most important signifier? The Chloe Fall/Winter 24 show saw the brand go back to its flowy, feminine roots under its new creative director, Chemena Kamali.

You probably saw the viral meme of the front row, where guests like Kiernan Shipka and Georgia May Jagger were all wearing the same pair of chunky, wooden wedges. But just as widely circulated was a photo of Sienna Miller, who was looking as gorgeous as ever. Of course, I wanted her outfit, the perfect mix of an oversized leather jacket layered over a dainty slip dress. But mostly, I wanted her hair color—ribbony blonde highlights that look bright and sunny but totally lived-in.

I’m not the only one who became obsessed with the shade, as celebrity colorist Jenna Perry shared the look on her Instagram story, calling it “the most requested shade of the season.” She was sure to credit Miller’s colorist, Paris-based Sonia Akkari, but Perry is known for a similar bright-yet-soft blonde shade spotted on her coolest clients like Cholë Sevigny and Lila Moss—hence why she’s calling the shade “It Girl Blonde.”

Unable to get the shade out of my mind, I headed to Perry’s salon, Jenna Perry Hair Studio, to get the look myself. Ahead, everything you need to know about the season’s coolest color and how to get in on the trend.

The Shade

It Girl Blonde is as much about the aura it projects as the actual shade itself. It’s bright and warm and looks expensive but not too perfect. The warmer shade is keeping with current trends but also kind of feels like a throwback to the blonde Kate Moss and Miller herself wore in the early 2000s.

The pretty highlights give it a natural vibe, and like Miller’s outfit at the Chloe show, it’s both aspirational and fairly attainable as long as you know where to shop or get your hair done.

“I think it’s the essence of Sienna herself,” adds Perry when asked why she’s been asked to replicate the shade so much. “She looks so fresh sitting front row at Chloe, wearing the leather jacket of the season and a whimsical white dress. Her hair is so bright and effortless, framing her face simply as the best accessory here.” This “It” factor is what makes the shade a favorite of her clients, many of whom are actual It Girls themselves.

How to Get It Girl Blonde

Luckily, getting the shade is much easier than scoring a front-row seat at Fashion Week. According to Perry, It Girl Blonde works best for “any girl who has a healthy hair canvas that is looking to be brighter,” and it should be a smooth and easy process. As mentioned, the shade is more of a vibe than an exact science, so you have a little room to make the trend your own.

“I would bring [Sienna’s] picture to your colorist and make sure to point out exactly what you like about the hair color,” instructs Perry. “Make sure to point out if you like the placement of the highlights or the tone of her hair.” (I personally love both.)

Half the appeal of this color is its captivating shine, so be sure to keep your hair in tip-top shape for peak It Girl effects. “At-home hair care is so important,” says Perry. “I recommend the Olaplex No. 8 Mask ($30) and also the No. 7 Bonding Oil ($30) as the icing on top.”

My Transformation

Before It Girl Blonde entered my life, I was just feeling kind of…. blah. After a two-year stint as a redhead, I decided to go back to blonde. For phase one of the plan, Perry was able to lift out the red to get me to a very natural dark blonde. It was pretty, but I just didn’t feel like the best version of myself. I knew I wanted something bright and sunny but pretty low-maintenance for my final look.

Compared to some of my color transformations in the past, It Girl Blonde was pretty painless. I spent around two hours in the salon, where Perry gave me a full head of blonde highlights plus a toner, with a focus around my face for extra sun-kissed vibes. I wouldn’t go as far to say a full-on shadow root, but she left a few centimeters of my natural shade (a dark “adult blonde”) by my roots for a seamless growout.

Months after the change, I couldn’t be happier. The transformation was easy, and even though I have quite a bit of root at the moment, it looks purposeful and natural with no harsh lines. My routine has stayed pretty simple. I’m just sure to treat myself to a hair mask at least once a week. Most importantly? This color makes me feel like the coolest, prettiest version of myself. It makes my skin glow and gives off that effortlessly cool vibe I’m always chasing.

I’m far from an It Girl, but with a few hours in Perry’s chair, I totally feel like one.