Dear ITG,
Last year, through a mutual friend, I first met Bella Hadid when she needed a colorist for a Saint Laurent campaign. What began as a single appointment quickly became a rhythm: every six to eight weeks, we’d meet to refresh her color. But earlier this year, Bella had something bigger in mind. When she was set to walk the opening night red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival with Chopard, she wanted her look to be a full statement. Her decision? To go blonde.
Working with Bella is never a simple task—in the best way. She’s endlessly creative and brings a real sense of artistry to every project. When she floated the idea of blonde, we built a moodboard together, drawing inspiration from Brigitte Bardot’s sultry honey tones and Gisele Bündchen’s iconic ’90s waves. To ground it in something personal, we also pulled out Bella’s childhood photos. She’s naturally a dark blonde, though years of highlights and coloring had shifted that memory. If you’re ever considering returning to your “original” shade, baby photos are the best reference point—it’s easy to forget where you started.
The transformation itself was no small feat. We began the lightening process in Texas, and I devoted nearly 14 hours to carefully lifting her color. Rushing blonde is a recipe for disaster—fried hair is no one’s dream look. I even tested a strand beforehand to be absolutely sure her hair could handle it. Thankfully, Schwarzkopf Professional’s Igora Vario Blond Super Plus proved to be the perfect tool. As an ambassador for the brand, I trust its formula, and in this case, it worked magic. When I brushed through Bella’s hair afterward, not a single strand broke—a rare outcome after such a dramatic shift.
We finished the color work in Cannes itself, just in time for the red carpet. I styled Bella’s hair with a clean side part to let the rest of her look shine: a sleek black Saint Laurent gown paired with breathtaking Chopard jewels—118.68-carat emerald earrings and a heart-shaped 12.15-carat diamond ring. Nadia Tayeh perfected her makeup, and the result was nothing short of luminous.
Those few days in Cannes were surreal. Between the whirlwind of fittings and events, there were unforgettable moments—like accompanying Bella to the Chopard suite to select her jewelry. The sparkle in that room was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. Or our breakfast at the legendary Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, just outside the chaos of Cannes. The sea glittered, the light was golden, and for a moment, it felt like we’d stepped into a film. Shortly after, we jetted off to London for the launch of Ôrəbella at Selfridges, extending the magic just a little longer.
Now, as people everywhere attempt their own versions of Bella’s Cannes blonde, I have two pieces of advice. First, ask your colorist to incorporate a demi-permanent shade for toning and at the roots—I swear by Schwarzkopf’s Igora Vibrance for this. Demi-permanent color creates softer grow-out and extends the time between touch-ups. Permanent color, on the other hand, locks you into a higher-maintenance routine. Second, invest in the right shampoo and conditioner. They’re the bedrock of any blonde maintenance plan. Personally, I recommend Olaplex Nº.4 shampoo and Nº.5 conditioner to keep strands strong and glossy.
Looking back, this experience feels like a dream I’m still pinching myself over. I’ve always loved working with friends and people who inspire me, but if you’d told me a year ago that I’d be in Cannes and London alongside Bella Hadid, styling her hair for some of the biggest moments of her year, I wouldn’t have believed you. Yet here we are—and I’ll carry that joy with me for a long time.
Love,
Jacob Schwartz
Jacob’s Formula for Bella’s Blonde (Save this for your colorist!)
- Began with ultra-fine highlights across her head using Schwarzkopf Professional Igora Vario Blond Super Plus (20 volume).
- After rinsing section by section, moved into lowlights with demi-permanent Igora Vibrance:
- Top section: 7-55 + 7-0 (6 volume)
- Ends: 9-55 + 8-0 (6 volume), processed for 20 minutes.
- Reapplied lowlights for added depth and dimension.
- Detailed roots and hairline with Igora Vibrance:
- Hairline: 9-55 for the final 10 minutes with a touch of 8-0 at the face frame.
- Roots: Blend of ¼ 7-55, ½ 7-0, and ¼ 6-0, processed for 20 minutes.
- As a final flourish, hand-painted select strands with Igora Vario Blond Super Plus (20 volume) to brighten and add editorial sparkle.
—As told to Daise Bedolla
