When Ariana Grande first entered our lives as Cat Valentine back in 2009 (can you actually believe that was 15 YEARS AGO ALREADY?) she was a cute, brown-haired 16-year-old, starring in the Nickelodeon TV show ‘Victorious.’
And little did we know how much fame and glory the young Floridian would go on to achieve.
Since 2009, Ariana has grown into the super-talented singer, actress and businesswoman we’ve all come to adore, netting all manner of Grammy’s, Billboard Music Awards, AMAs and MTV VMAs, as well as no less than 36 Guinness World Records.
But for all her success, we have to admit, there’s been something missing in her more recent years: her gorgeous brunette locks!
Ariana was known for her shiny dark hair and trademark high ponytail for many years, but she ditched the dark hue on October 21, 2022 when she dyed her hair bleach blonde for her role as Glinda in the movie adaptation of Broadway smash, ‘Wicked.’
And don’t get us wrong, she’s been totally rocking her look ever since. She even celebrated her ‘Blondieversary’ a year later with a shout-out on Instagram Stories.
Sadly, as Stories are known to do, the images are now gone (dang it!) but she posted a number of snaps reminiscing back over a year of being blonde, while having her locks refreshed by one of her favorite hair colorists, Francesco De Chiara who works at Nicola Clarke at John Frieda in London, UK.
This weekend, however, the 7 Rings singer was all over the ‘Gram sporting what seemed to be a totally new look. We’re talking a very sexy, bell-bottom, brunette bob!
Ari took to social media to promote her new single, The Boy Is Mine (which released on June 7) with a gallery of behind-the-scenes pictures as she shot the music video while showing off some serious Cat Woman vibes.
Wearing a black cat mask over her eyes and the top half of her head, we can’t actually see all that much of her hair, but what we can see is a far cry from her latest blonde locks or go-to high pony.
The color is way richer, darker and more of a chestnut brown, while her long lengths have made way for a shoulder-length bob with the ends flicked up.
Dark hair is definitely more fitting for the whole Cat Woman thing than long, baby blonde hair, that’s for sure. And the cut?
Well, this style of bob (along with countless others!) is everywhere right now (here’s looking at you Gigi Hadid and Bridget Brown) and has already been coined the bell-bottom bob, in homage to the pant shape that was and will forever be synonymous with the 1970s.
Whoever came up with the name gets major kudos from team TH—it’s pretty genius, don’t you think?
What’s more, the look is fairly simple to copy at home. You just need to flip the ends of your hair up with a medium-barreled, round bristle brush during the last few minutes of your blow dry.
Set it with hairspray and you’ve got yourself a bell-bottom bob just like that!
We wish Ari’s fabulous dark and sultry look was something we could reveal as a new permanent fixture, but we’re loathe to report that it’s likely to be a wig as she’s since been seen out and about sporting her long, blonde hair again.
Another day, another A-lister trying to fool us with a wig, right!?
It’s OK, celebsville, we don’t mind. In fact we love it.
So, don’t let that deter you from taking inspo from the gorgeous singer/actress and switching your hair color up for summer. Sure, going blonde is usually the go-to as the days get lighter and balmier, but rules schmules! Brunette hair is equally as fabulous come summer, spring, winter or fall.
Just remember, when going for such a drastic color change, it’s always best to get it done by a pro. We love home hair color as much as the next person, but for completely switching your hair up? That’s not something to be taken lightly.
PS: We highly recommend watching Ari’s very cool The Boy Is Mine video which also stars You actor Penn Badgley as ‘The Boy’ in question. Don’t quote us, but we predict yet another VMA will be heading her way in the not-too-distant future.
And if her makeup gets you just as excited as her hair, here’s how to get Ari’s look, using products from her very own line of cosmetics, R.E.M. Beauty.
That’s this year’s Halloween costume sorted. And it’s only June. Nailed it!