Michelle Monaghan is going back to blonde: inside her soft summer hair transformation

Michelle Monaghan may have wrapped filming for The White Lotus Season 3, but her blonde era is far from over. The 48-year-old actress, who famously traded in her rich brunette locks for a golden hue to play Jaclyn — a glamorous, sun-soaked TV star on vacation in Thailand — says the role unlocked something new for her. Now, as summer heats up, she’s teaming up with Goldwell to bring a softer, more wearable blonde into her everyday life. “I’m craving that change again and that transformation,” Monaghan tells exclusively. “I just wanted to be lighter and brighter for this summer. I’m really excited to shed the brunette once again and get to play around with being blonde.”

The blonde that broke the internet

Monaghan’s blonde moment in The White Lotus came as part of a deliberate creative vision from series creator Mike White. “Mike was like, ‘I really want all of you to be a big blonde blob,’” she says with a laugh. Her co-stars, Carrie Coon and Leslie Bibb, also went blonde for the season — creating a trio of high-gloss, high-drama characters whose look instantly became a pop culture talking point.

What no one predicted was how deeply the audience would respond to the shift. Bibb’s razor-sharp bob inspired memes and beauty editorials; Monaghan’s bright, beachy transformation signaled a departure from her usual on-screen aesthetic. “We had no idea that the blonde, Leslie’s bob, all of the things would take hold in the way that they did,” Monaghan admits.

Though she returned to brunette for subsequent roles, the desire to reconnect with that lighter side lingered. And now, with summer on the horizon, she’s ready to bring back the blonde — just with a softer, more effortless twist.

A buttery update for summer

This time, Monaghan is teaming up with Goldwell colorist Kirby Lago to craft a look that feels lighter and lower maintenance than her platinum “Jaclyn” shade. “I don’t think we’ll be as blonde as Jaclyn, but I think we’ll be somewhere in between,” she says. Lago’s vision? “Buttery, warm blonde tones” set over a hazel base that complements Monaghan’s skin tone.

“I’m creating a really soft hazel base and then really popping it with some buttery warm blonde tones,” Lago explains. “It’ll be really nice on her skin tone.” To achieve this summer-ready glow without damaging Monaghan’s hair, Lago is leaning on Goldwell’s premium product range, including the SilkLift system — a luxurious lifter designed to maintain the health and integrity of the hair during lightning. “It’s got all of the properties in there to help with the hair as you’re lifting to really support the bond,” she says.

She also mixes in Bond Pro, a bond-building formula that protects strands from breakage, followed by Bond Pro II post-service to nourish and strengthen the hair after lightening. “It’s really important that the hairstylists are taking the steps to nourish and look after the hair as it’s lifting,” says Lago. “Gone are the days of really over-processed blondes that are a matte porous texture.”

Cut, curl, and care

Color isn’t the only element of Monaghan’s transformation. Celebrity hairstylist Harry Josh is also giving her cut a refresh, embracing her natural curls and keeping the look breezy and heat-free for the season.

“We’re going to shape it up because she likes to wear it naturally curly,” Josh says. “I’m going to add a couple of layers, do a little bit of face framing.” Since Monaghan prefers to avoid hot tools, Josh is turning to Goldwell’s hydrating styling essentials to enhance her natural texture. “We’ll use the Goldwell StyleSign Air-Dry BB Cream and the Blowout & Texture Spray — these will nourish her curls and allow her to air dry her hair,” he explains. The result? Soft, moisturized curls with a polished yet effortless vibe.

This “less-is-more” approach is in line with how Monaghan thinks about beauty in general — as something fun, flexible, and aligned with who she is in the moment. And in this moment, she’s embracing change.

Healthy hair is always in style

Monaghan’s return to blonde isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s about transformation, confidence, and embracing what feels good. And according to both Lago and Josh, this healthy, glossy approach to hair color is the beauty trend of the summer.

“That’s the thing with blondes now,” Lago says. “Hair needs to look glossy and healthy.” Josh agrees. “Now all of a sudden it’s, ‘Wow, I can go this blonde and it can feel soft and touchable and shiny, and I don’t need to put extensions in,’” he says. “That’s a win-win for everybody.”

As Monaghan reclaims her blonde with a more personal twist, she’s proving that great hair isn’t about reinvention — it’s about returning to what makes you feel alive, beautiful, and bold. Blonde, brunette, or somewhere in between, Michelle Monaghan is right where she wants to be: in control, in season, and in full bloom.