Penélope Cruz’s New “Bronze Blond” Is Fall’s Most Expensive-Looking Color
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
Autumn is here, and with it comes a whole host of new celebrity hair inspiration. Between film festival season and Fashion Month , it's no surprise that a striking hair refresh is in high demand this September. At the forefront is Penélope Cruz , with a statement blond transformation and the lightest color she's worn in years.
"This is quite a transformation for Cruz," says hair forecaster and expert colorist Tom Smith . "The color is lighter and bolder than we often see, but remains in her ideal color palette of warm tones, this time leaning towards the brighter pops of gold that sit in high contrast with the much darker base color."
Robin Marchant - Getty Images
Cruz debuted her latest transformation at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival this week, though she is far from the first celebrity to embrace brighter tones for the colder months ahead.
"I've noticed a recent shift away from the subtly multi-toned and blended colors that we've been seeing become more popular over the last year," Smith adds. "Instead, there has been a more recent focus on higher contrast and more drama and dimension in hair color designs. This is a great example of how adding high contrast in a blended way can look modern and statement-making while still looking expensive and intelligently refined."
To recreate the look, he recommends asking your stylist for a neutral mid-to-dark brown base color with a combination of highlights and balayage, layered to create a subtle ombré effect. "If, like Penelope, you have warm undertones to your skin, these golden and caramel tones will be ideal. If your complexion feels cooler or more rosy, you may prefer more neutral or muted beige tones instead."
You Might Also Like
