Reese Witherspoon's Natural Hair Color Isn't The Blond She's Known For

When a celeb becomes so well known and recognizable for a certain trait, it's hard to imagine them any other way. That especially goes for Reese Witherspoon, who literally had a blockbuster hit centered around her hair color, "Legally Blonde." Not only did the movie instantly catapult her career into A-list stardom, but it also convinced everyone that she was simply born to be blond. 

Ironically, blond isn't her natural hair color. Reese Witherspoon has had quite the stunning hair transformation, so it makes sense that not many people are aware that she is actually a natural brunette. She's been blond since the '90s. It's only natural for fans to have forgotten her roots. In fact, Witherspoon herself has lived as a blond for so long that she even finds throwback pics of herself as a brunette unfamiliar. In 2019, the actor took to X (formerly Twitter) to post a photo of her younger self with her natural hair color and wrote, "Wait ... is this my real hair color?!?" 

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The "Big Little Lies" star often treats fans to flashback photos of herself as a brunette, but her mini-me daughter Ava Phillippe shocked everyone when she decided to try being brunette herself. In July 2024, Phillippe posted an Instagram photo of herself showing off a chocolate brown hue. Wearing shades and all, it was impossible to deny that she is her mom's twin, and it gave fans an idea of what a modern-day, brunette Reese Witherspoon might look like.

Reese Witherspoon is one of the celebs who are unrecognizable with their natural hair color. People are so used to her being blond that it feels natural. However, her look is anything but easy. In a 2019 interview with Allure, she gave fans insight into the process behind her hair and the amazing hair colorist making it possible. 

"Her name's Lorri Goddard. She's been my colorist for 15 years and has taken me from blond to red to brown, back to blond," the "The Morning Show" actor revealed. The process itself is no easy feat, as Witherspoon further explained that, because Goddard takes such a rigorous approach not to damage the actor's hair, it requires a massive time commitment of three hours just to do her highlights. But maybe, just maybe, Reese Witherspoon doesn't have to stick to her signature blond shade. 

This is actually a subject up for frequent debate on the internet, but there are so many fans who would love to see her return to her dark roots. This Reddit user believes Witherspoon's brown hair creates a perfect contrast that makes her blue eyes really pop. While we give the "Wild" star props for showing so much dedication to her signature look, perhaps she will take fans' advice and return to her roots one day and give us a dramatic new image to love. We already know what Witherspoon looks like makeup free, and she's just as gorgeous as ever. A brunette look won't do her natural beauty wrong.