Pamela Anderson’s new hair colour is a lesson in ageless style

Anderson, 58, debuted her copper-coloured shaggy bob at a Paris Fashion Week event last night - Instagram/British Vogue

Alongside the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Paris Hilton and Gwen Stefani, few women are as synonymous with platinum blonde hair as actress and activist Pamela Anderson. As the quintessential 1990s flaxen bombshell, she made her name as lifeguard C.J. Parker in Baywatch, before enjoying a recent career renaissance in the likes of Gia Coppola’s The Last Showgirl. Yet now the 58 year old has switched things up with a bold new look, stepping out at a Paris Fashion Week event last night with copper-hued locks, a shaggy bob and new wispy fringe.

The actress was best known for her platinum-blonde hair when she played lifeguard C.J. Parker in Baywatch - Getty

According to Vogue, Anderson’s moodboard for Paris-based hairstylist John Nollet (best known for creating Audrey Tautou’s Amelié crop in the 2001 film of the same name) included Swedish film stars Gunnel Lindblom and Bibi Andersson, the latter of which was known for her bright red hair. The change is also reportedly linked to her latest role opposite Steve Coogan and Jamie Dornan in Michael Cera’s directorial debut, Love Is Not The Answer.

Anderson’s decision to ditch her signature blonde hair is just the latest in a series of powerful decisions she has made in recent years to reclaim her identity as a woman and actress. In 2023, she debuted her now well-known make-up free look (also while at Paris Fashion Week), speaking at the time about how she was rejecting society’s obsession with unrealistic beauty standards and ageing, and sparking fellow star Jamie Lee Curtis to hail the moment, “The Natural Beauty Revolution”.

Swedish film star Bibi Andersson was known for her bright red hair (pictured in 2005) - Getty

“I am much more comfortable in my own skin, but I also am in an industry that really focusses on beauty,” she told NBC News. “And I thought, ‘I’m going to challenge beauty.’ I think challenging ourselves is what keeps us young and beautiful. And I think, really genuinely, beauty does come from within and you don’t have to play the game.”

She has also been experimenting a lot with her hair in general this year – at the Met Gala in May she wore it in a pixie crop with a micro fringe, while on her recent much-hyped press tour alongside Liam Neeson for The Naked Gun remake she wore it 1950s pin-up style à la Monroe. Both of which are worlds apart from the bombshell waves she wore it in for much of the 1990s.

At the Met Gala in May, Anderson wore her hair in a pixie crop with a micro fringe - Dimitrios Kambouris/ Getty

Anderson joins a long list of midlife red(ish) heads, including Julianne Moore, Karen Elson and Natasha Leone but what is it about this shade that is so flattering for women beyond 40? 

“I think Pamela Anderson’s choice of copper hair is incredible, it’s more of a gold-toned copper,” shares co-founder of hair salon Buller & Rice, Anita Rice. “It looks beautiful on her and somehow makes it look like she’s ageing backwards, adding more warmth. Transitioning to copper is a particularly popular choice for the autumn months – after summer our hair can feel dry and have a bleached look. Nature has a funny way of subtly inspiring us.”

The actress styles her locks in a 1950s pin-up style during a press tour alongside Liam Neeson for The Naked Gun remake - Getty

While Anderson’s northern European heritage means she’s got relatively pale skin, those with darker skin tones can also pull off the look too – it’s just about finding the right shade for you. “It’s a lot easier for blondes to transition into copper than a brunette, due to the fact that depositing tone is much easier than lifting, however, if [your] hair is natural, you can easily do a no-bleach copper on a brunette,” says Rice, who suggests trying the Davines Alchemic Conditioner in Copper, £29.50, as a way to trial a hint of copper in your hair.

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“Finding the right shade of copper can vary depending on skin colour, eye colour and also hair condition, so it is always best to consult with your stylist to see which shade is achievable and will suit you.” Her top tip? Always bring a few pictures of what you like, as Anderson did. “It’s always recommended to bring various references of as many people’s idea of red hair, copper hair and gold hair has huge variations.”

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