Dakota Johnson, Queen of Bangs, isn’t typically one to mix things up on the hair front. We’re used to seeing her long, sleek brunette strands worn pin straight down her back. But last night, when the 35-year-old actor stepped out in her sheerest dress of all time, she opted for an updo to show it off.
Johnson’s look for the Kering Foundation’s Caring for Women dinner in New York City leaned on dark moody details. She wore a floor-length long-sleeve skintight black dress with inky floral details—the witchy sister of the light, glittering, naked dress Margot Robbie wore the very same day—which showed off her black lingerie and lots of skin. She followed her typical glam formula from makeup artist Georgie Eisdell (“polished skin, defined eyes, and a soft neutral lip”) with a bit more smoky drama on the eyes than usual. But after taking the whole look in (and needing a moment to collect ourselves), we zeroed in on the hair.
For recent appearances, Johnson’s red-carpet hair has usually been kept long and straight, so last night’s Pamela Anderson-eqsue updo was a definite departure. And honestly? We’re all for it.
The actor wore the Pammy, with her brunette hair pinned up in a just-messy-enough textured pile, leaving her iconic curtain bangs (plus two textured tendrils, to frame) exposed. Her go-to hairstylist, Mark Townsend, definitely leaned more bombshell than girl-next-door for this look.
Johnson’s colorist and Schwarzkopf Professional U.S. Creative Director of Color & Technique, Tracey Cunningham, previously told Glamour about the “glossed chestnut” tone she created for the actor this summer—“a slightly warm, high-shine brunette with multidimensional tones—think deep chocolate with just a touch of golden warmth.” From last night’s photos, it seems that Cunningham may have taken Johnson’s hair a half-step darker, but some deep warm undertones are still coming through for fall.
While we’ll never get sick of Johnson’s signature look, we’re definitely inspired to try out her piecey updo with the season’s sheer trend. Here’s hoping it’s half as effortless to execute as it looks on her.
Grace McCarty is the associate beauty editor at Glamour.