This time of year, it feels like everyone's hair is a few shades lighter. It's not just you, your best friend, and the cute towheaded toddlers splashing in the water at the beach: Everyone in L.A. also seems to be slowly ticking blonder and blonder.
Photo inspiration and A-list examples of how to seamlessly transition from dark brunette or dull blonde to a summery sun-kissed color are all over Instagram, on the lifted, carefully-blended highlights of Bella Hadid, Scarlett Johansen, Rachel Brosnahan. Now, there's a new pinnacle of blonde-highlighted perfection: Natalie Portman.
As the face of Christian Dior's new Love N' Roses fragrance, Portman made a rare public appearance this week at the brand's exhibition launch in Shanghai, China, showing off her fresh summer color.
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From her sleeveless floral-embroidered gown to the subtle shadow around her piercing hazel eyes, everything about Portman's red-carpet debut proved to be stunning. But off-the-rack perks and good genes aside, it's the star's shiny, sunlit caramel-blonde lob — worn in a tousled half-up style, courtesy of Hollywood stylist Bryce Scarlett — that had us screen-shotting the photo with plans to bring it to our next appointment.
"We wanted to create a look that paid tribute to the vibe of Dior’s Moroccan-inspired show," explains Scarlett of the romantic half-up he created using Moroccanoil styling products. "To complement the intricate beading on Natalie’s dress, we went with an undone, texturized look with lots of shine that showed off her fresh, lighter color.”
A little sifting though Portman's recent Instagram activity proved that her seemingly glowing strands are not just a trick of the light, but undeniably brighter, blonder balayage highlights, painted by celebrity colorist and Redken brand ambassador Cassondra Kaeding.
With an of-the-moment cut topped with the perfect summer color, Portman has effectively made the case for breaking away from the heat and spending your next Saturday afternoon in the salon chair.