Leighton Meester may be best known for her brunette persona as Blair Waldorf on Gossip Girl, but she is wholeheartedly embracing her redhead era as she steps into new roles and red-carpet moments.
A public unveiling: from Paris to the SAG Awards
She debuted the color update while attending the Elie Saab AW25 show during Paris fashion week. Styled by hair artist Halley Brisker (assisted by Allie Harknett), her sleek, straight blow-dry and full bangs enhance the vibrancy of the new tone while remaining understated and elegant.
Going bright copper can be tricky, as anything that leans too orange can feel overdone, but Meester's hue has plenty of depth that allows it to feel subtle and grown-up.
Meester's color was perfected by the LA-based hair colorist Amy Huson. "We originally started taking Leighton’s hair red in baby steps," Huson tells Harper's Bazaar UK. "She was filming a show in Scotland and wanted to let it fade out and grow out nicely without much upkeep. As we continued coloring it, we got bolder with each visit."
"Reds tend to fade quickly, and it can take some time for the hair to really take hold, so when you’re making the transition to red, make sure to visit the salon every four weeks at first to keep the color building," suggests Huson, who's a big fan of color masks such as Christopher Robin Chic Copper, used in-between appointments to "help keep the tone bright and add lots of shine."
Shade options: sunset copper and balayage approaches
As the new season is upon us, a sunset copper tone can bring a much needed lift to the complexion (no matter the weather) and it feels significantly fresher than winter's richer, cherry reds. The copper sundowner look is another excellent option, as worn by Aimee Lou Wood on The White Lotus. Unlike Meester's even, all-over tone, this more subtle version uses balayage and combines warm golden and copper hues for a beachy, sunkissed effect.
Meester opted for a refreshing change as she debuted a new hair colour at last night's SAG Awards. The Gossip Girl star has switched up her usually cooler, dark brunette hair for a stronger, redder auburn and we're loving the new shade. Her new hair colour provides just the right touch of warmth, making it perfect for the incoming spring and summer seasons.
Styled in soft, flowing layers, Leighton's hair perfectly accentuates her radiant complexion, proving that even small changes can make a significant impact.
Public appearances and supporting roles
The actor attended the SAG Awards to support her husband (and our dream man), Adam Brody, who was nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series, for his role as "hot Rabbi" Noah in Nobody Wants This. The couple walked the red carpet hand in hand and posed for pictures, with Leighton wearing a stunning cut-out Elie Saab gown with a delicate scarf across her neck. Adam looked sharp in a charcoal Prada suit, complementing his wife's elegant dress.
In the most exciting update, Netflix has announced that Leighton will be guest starring alongside her husband in Nobody Wants This season two. She will play Abby, Joanne's 'middle school nemesis' who is now an Instagram momfluencer. The pair will cross paths again, and it seems reasonable to predict that some serious fireworks are on the agenda.
Her evolving hair history: highlights and turning points
2014: Caramel Silky Waves - a grown-out bob with ombré and red-tinted ends, an updated retro look she enjoyed and would like to revisit.
2016: Beachy Ombré - a long, lightly highlighted look, approaching her natural state.
2017: Return of the Bangs - blending side bangs with a natural aesthetic, reflecting a trend toward softer, less edgy color and style.
2018: Platinum Plunge - attempting a platinum shade, a dramatic shift away from natural tones, while balancing makeup to play up contrasts without leaning into overly feminine tropes.
These snapshots illustrate a journey from cooler brunettes to a spectrum of reds, showcasing how Meester rotates tones to match roles, seasons, and personal style shifts.
How to transition to red like Leighton
We originally started taking Leighton’s hair red in baby steps, which helps the color fade out gracefully when needed and reduces upkeep early on. Reds fade quickly, so regular salon visits at first help build and maintain the tone. Color masks can help keep brightness and shine between appointments, supporting a healthy, vibrant red.
For a wearable red that remains sophisticated and grown-up, look for depth rather than orange undertones, and consider balayage or warm copper hues for a sun-kissed finish. A sunset copper or copper sundowner shade can be a flattering compromise between all-over red and natural tones, especially for warmer complexions.
Leighton Meester Dyes Her Hair Platinum Blonde!
The SAG Awards appearance demonstrates how a refreshed hair color can enhance a complexion and elevate an overall look, pairing well with elegant gowns and complementary makeup. If you decide to experiment with red, plan a staged color progression with a trusted colorist and keep maintenance visits consistent to achieve depth and longevity in the shade.
With a growing slate of projects, including Nobody Wants This season two, Meester's red hair era feels both a personal and professional statement-an embracing of warmth, depth, and modern elegance that resonates across red carpets and screens alike.