Dakota Johnson isn’t afraid to make some bold hair statements, from intricate updos to romantic braids. But, no matter how she switches it up, she usually keeps her strands in the same, signature medium length and chestnut-brown shade. This week, ahead of the release of the final Fifty Shades installment, the actor is lightening up, literally. She was spotted out and about yesterday afternoon sporting a new version of her brown hair that featured subtle blonde highlights toward the ends and a center part for a pretty sunny effect.
In an interview with Refinery29 Dakota’s hairstylist and famed colorist Tracy Cunningham explained the process. “We had been using a gloss to darken her hair color to brunette,” she told them, “but she’s naturally a dark blond, so the highlights were an easy transition. I used Redken Flash Lift to foil highlight all over, then went in with a ShadesEQ gloss around her root area to lessen the line of demarcation.”
Of course, new highlights aren’t the only new thing in Johnson’s life. She’s reportedly now “definitely dating” Coldplay frontman (and Gwyneth Paltrow ex) Chris Martin. The upcoming end of her 50 Shades era does call for some bold new choices though. After 50 Shades Freed premiers, you’ll next see the starlet in adventurous indie films like a remake of Suspiria and the film The Peanut Butter Falcon.
Related: Dakota Johnson Just Turned Herself Into Her 50 Shades of Grey Character
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Melanie Griffith and Dakota Johnson during Focus Features, NBC Universal Television Group and Universal Pictures Golden Globes After Party in 2006.
Dakota Johnson attends Art of Elysium “Bright Lights” with VERSUS by Donatella Versace and Christopher Kane at Milk Studios on April 30, 2010 in New York City.
Dakota Johnson arrives at 2011 MOCA Gala, An Artist’s Life Manifesto, Directed by Marina Abramovic at MOCA Grand Avenue in Los Angeles, California, on November 12, 2011.
LDakota Johnson attends the “Goats” Los Angeles premiere held at Landmark Nuart Theatre on August 8, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.
Dakota Johnson attends the Fox 2012 Programming Presentation Post-Show Party at Wollman Rink Central Park on May 14, 2012 in New York City.
Dakota Johnson arrives at the Los Angeles Premiere ’21 Jumpstreet’ at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on March 13, 2012 in Hollywood, California.
Dakota Johnson attends the LACMA 2013 Art + Film Gala in L.A.
Dakota Johnson arrives at the 26th Annual BAFTA LA Garden Party at the British Consul-General’s official residence on June 2, 2013 in Los Angeles, California.
Dakota Johnson attends the 2014 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Dakota Johnson attends the 2014 LACMA Art + Film Gala in Los Angeles.
Dakota Johnson in New York after The Today Show
Dakota Johnson backstage after the Chanel Fall 2014 Haute Couture show in Paris.
Dakota Johnson arrive at the LACMA 2015 Art+Film Gala Honoring James Turrell And Alejandro G Inarritu, Presented By Gucci at LACMA on November 7, 2015 in Los Angeles, California.
Dakota Johnson attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 22, 2015 in Hollywood, California.
Dakota Johnson attends the 2015 Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles.
Dakota Johnson arrives at “China: Through The Looking Glass” Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2015 in New York City.
Dakota Johnson attends the InStyle Awards at Getty Center on October 26, 2015 in Los Angeles, California.
Dakota Johnson attends the official After Party Dinner for the EE British Academy Film Awards at The Grosvenor House Hotel on February 14, 2016 in London, England.
Dakota Johnson attends at Vogue 100: A Century Of Style atNational Portrait Gallery on February 9, 2016 in London, England.
Dakota Johnson attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.
Dakota Johnson attends the “Bad Times At The El Royale” New York screening at Metrograph on September 27, 2018 in New York City.
Dakota Johnson attends the premiere of 20th Century FOX’s “Bad Times At The El Royale” at TCL Chinese Theatre on September 22, 2018 in Hollywood, California.
Dakota Johnson attends ‘Suspiria’ photocall during the 75th Venice Film Festival at Sala Casino on September 1, 2018 in Venice, Italy.
Dakota Johnson walks the red carpet ahead of the ‘Suspiria’ screening during the 75th Venice Film Festival at Sala Grande on September 1, 2018 in Venice, Italy.
