Angelina Jolie Is a Full-On Blonde Now

It's been a slow (and healthy) transformation.

Angelina Jolie in New York City with blonde hair
(Image credit: Backgrid)

When you think "blonde Angelina Jolie," your mind likely travels back to 1999, when Girl, Interrupted hit theaters and the actress kept her movie dye job (but thankfully ditched the haphazard micro-bangs). Now, exactly twenty five years later, Jolie has gone back to her blonde roots.

While leaving her Atelier Jolie store in New York on Wednesday, February 21, the 48-year-old was seen with a new head of shiny, dirty blonde hair. Laying a few inches past her shoulders, her hair was blown out sleek and straight, looking incredibly glamorous even though the wind wasn't on her side.

Angelina Jolie is blonde in New York City

Angelina Jolie gave fans a glimpse at her fully blonde hair late Wednesday evening in New York City.

(Image credit: Backgrid)

Jolie's brunette-to-blonde transformation has been in the works for a while. In December, the Oscar winner was spotted walking around the East Village with an ombré hair color, her natural dark roots transitioning to a warm blonde at mid-lengths. This slow color change-up is a good thing for multiple reasons: It gives beauty lovers more hairstyles to take in, and it's a sign Jolie is taking care of her hair.

“Don’t be impulsive when it comes to being blonde,” celebrity hairstylist Barb Thompson previously told Marie Claire while discussing healthy blonding. “I tell most clients to give me at least three appointments to get the inspiration for blonde that they have. It’s a marathon not a sprint.”

A blonde Angelina Jolie in February 1999.

A blonde Angelina Jolie in February 1999.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Angelina Jolie takes a walk in New York in December 2023.

An ombré Angelina Jolie in December 2023, before her full blonde transformation was complete.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Because bleach is involved, transitioning to a lighter hue can be incredibly damaging. "Blonding your hair is a process of opening up the cuticle and removing elements of your hair until it gets to your desired level of yellow tone, and often adding a color to neutralize the tone that remains," adds Creative Director of Aveda Arts & Sciences InstitutesTatum Neill.

The good news? Jolie absolutely took things easy and has gorgeous, healthy hair to show for it. A marathon winner, indeed.

Sophia Vilensky
Freelance Writer

Sophia Vilensky is a Freelance Beauty Writer at Marie Claire with a beauty, wellness, and entertainment journalism portfolio that includes contributions to Byrdie, Bravo, Teen Vogue, and Us Weekly. Growing up in a family of beauticians—and through her own personal studies—she developed an in-depth understanding of aesthetics, cosmetic product formulation, and beauty treatment development and has also held roles as a senior copywriter, content strategist, and proofreader for top beauty and wellness brands. Even so, you'd be hard pressed to find her with her hair and makeup actually done. Sophia is based in Minneapolis and is a 2019 graduate of the University of Minnesota, where she majored in English and minored in cinema studies. During her time at the university, she was the Arts & Entertainment Editor for the Minnesota Daily, earning the 2019 Editor of the Year award for her work. She connected deeply with the Twin Cities arts scene, collaborating with leading beauty professionals, designers, and artists. Graduating Summa Cum Laude, her thesis—a close-reading of Vanderpump Rules—was featured on NPR. When not immersed in writing or testing new products, Sophia enjoys watching reality TV, reading, and exploring the newest woo-woo wellness trends. Keep up with her on Instagram @sophiavilensky.