Sarah Pidgeon’s Colorists Spent 24 Hours Recreating Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s Iconic Blonde for “Love Story” (Exclusive)

**From Brunette to Blonde: Inside Sarah Pidgeon’s Transformation for ‘Love Story’**

Celebrity hair colourist Kari Hill, renowned for her expertise, has opened up about the remarkable transformation of actress Sarah Pidgeon into Carolyn Bessette Kennedy for the acclaimed series ‘Love Story’. This intricate process took place over a staggering 24 hours, underscoring the dedication involved in honouring the legacy of the iconic fashion publicist.

Achieving the striking “Bessette Blonde” was paramount in capturing the essence of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, who was famous not only for her fashionable style but also for her luxurious, tousled blonde locks. Hill revealed to PEOPLE that the journey from Pidgeon’s natural dark brunette to the iconic blonde was not only transformative but also a matter of precision and artistry.

Hill explained that Carolyn’s hair underwent significant evolution throughout the 1990s. In her earlier years, the blonde was characterised by higher contrast with darker undertones and bold highlights. By the late ’90s, Carolyn’s look shifted to a brighter, more buttery blonde, yet the depth at the base remained intact, ensuring the style never appeared flat.

Pidgeon faced a considerable challenge, being a natural brunette. Hill remarked that transforming Pidgeon’s hair required an extensive commitment, with the initial session alone stretching beyond 20 hours. The colourist stressed the importance of prioritising the health of Pidgeon’s hair, insisting this was a “non-negotiable” aspect of the process.

Using Schwarzkopf Professional BLONDME® 9+ Premium Lightener, Hill ensured a safe lifting of the hair colour while preserving its integrity. The lightener features advanced protection technology that helps to prevent damage. Additionally, Hill employed the Schwarzkopf Professional Igora Vibrance to tone the hair, enriched with vitamins that fortify the hair during the colouring process.

Another vital component of recreating Carolyn’s evolving hair colour was Hill’s exclusive “Foiled Cashmere” technique. Unlike the prevalent balayage or hair painting styles popular today, this precision method allows for a refined contrast that exudes luxury. Hill noted that this technique involves delicate weaving of sections to build depth without harsh lines, ultimately achieving a sophisticated finish.

As trends move away from simple, flat blonde colours, Hill predicts that the ‘Foiled Cashmere’ technique may gain traction, particularly with the resurgence of ’90s styles, fuelled in part by the success of ‘Love Story’. For those interested in achieving a Carolyn-inspired look, Hill encourages bringing a reference photo and asking stylists for the Foiled Cashmere technique.

Shifting focus to Carolyn’s distinctive hair texture, Barry Lee Moe, the set stylist for ‘Love Story’, elaborated on the methods used to recreate Bessette Kennedy’s effortlessly chic waves. Pidgeon maintained her beautiful waves by sleeping in braids every night before filming. Moe applied Unite 7-Second Leave-In Conditioner to Pidgeon’s hair, then loosely braided it into sections for a gentle wave that would later be defined with a waving iron.

For added volume at the roots, Moe employed a round brush blowout enhanced by Velcro rollers. He finished the look with Unite Texturiza spray to achieve that lived-in vibe and applied Unite Blonda hair oil for moisture and shine, combating frizz.

The transformation journey, according to Moe, was nothing short of extraordinary. After two days of meticulous effort, the shift from brunette to blonde was realised, and the change in Pidgeon’s energy was palpable. Moe noted how the transformation elevated Pidgeon’s performance, lending a magical quality to their first day back on set.

The collaborative efforts between hairstylist Hill, set stylist Moe, and Pidgeon culminated in a striking portrayal of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, demonstrating the profound impact of hair and style in embodying a character. Their commitment to detail resulted in Pidgeon not only resembling the late fashion icon but also capturing her essence, allowing audiences to experience a piece of that unforgettable ’90s glamour.