2009 Hair Color Trends: A Throwback to Blonde, Red and Brunette
A throwback to 2009 hair color trends, from Hilary Duff’s golden blonde to Christina Hendricks’ red, and how those classic shades look today.
Let's take a trip back to 2009. Skinny jeans, side-swept bangs, Gossip Girl on every TV, and hair color that was all about glossy, bold, red carpet shine.
Back then, the big question every spring was which shade to try next. Here's a throwback to the hair color trends everyone was copying in 2009, the stars who made them famous, and how those shades have aged.
One thing hasn't changed since then: the right color is all about your skin tone. Pick a shade that suits your undertone and it looks effortless. Pick the wrong one and, well, we've all seen the photos.
Blonde
Blonde was everywhere in 2009. Carrie Underwood's warm, natural blonde and Hilary Duff's golden waves were huge, and Blake Lively's honey blonde as Serena van der Woodsen on Gossip Girl had everyone running to the salon.
Paris Hilton and Gwen Stefani kept platinum alive, while Jennifer Aniston showed how flattering soft, sun-kissed highlights could be. The trick then, as now, was adding highlights and lowlights so blonde looked dimensional, not flat.
Want more blonde inspiration? Our list of famous blonde actresses shows how the shade has evolved since.
Red
The days of red hair being teased are long gone, and by 2009 it was one of the most-wanted shades around.
Ashlee Simpson's bold red era made it feel young and fun. On TV, Marcia Cross was the queen of rich red on Desperate Housewives, and Christina Hendricks' vibrant red as Joan in Mad Men turned heads every week. Emma Stone was a redhead back then too, long before most people knew she was naturally blonde.
Auburn and burgundy were especially popular for anyone wanting a softer take. If you love red, our roundup of redhead actresses has plenty more to swoon over.
Brunette
Brunette was the elegant choice. Sitting somewhere between chocolate and black, it suited almost every skin tone, and it looked amazing with a smoky eye.
Sarah Michelle Gellar wore a rich brunette, while Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek and Norah Jones were all brunette icons. Adding caramel highlights or a hint of red lowlights gave the color extra depth.
Our guide to famous brunette actresses is full of gorgeous shades if you're thinking of going darker.
Dark Brown
Think coffee and dark chocolate. Dark brown felt bold and grown-up, and it was everywhere on the red carpet.
Selena Gomez was still in her Wizards of Waverly Place days with glossy dark brown hair, and Kim Kardashian, Nicole Scherzinger, Vanessa Hudgens and Demi Moore all rocked deep brunette shades. Even Katy Perry wore dark brown when she wasn't in one of her colorful wigs.
How Have These Trends Aged?
Pretty well, honestly. Warm blonde, rich red and glossy brunette are all still classics. The main difference now is technique. Chunky 2000s highlights have been replaced with softer balayage and lived-in color that grows out more naturally.
Want to see what came next? Here's our throwback to 2010 hair color trends around the world.
Final Thoughts
2009 was a great year for hair color, from Hilary Duff's golden blonde to Christina Hendricks' fiery red. Some looks scream late-2000s, but plenty of these shades are just as gorgeous today.
