Key takeaways
- Serena Williams debuted an icy platinum blonde shade at the inaugural Airbnb Gala on October 28th, marking a shift from her previous warmer hair tones.
- She balanced the cool-toned platinum with warm makeup, including smoky eyeshadow and full-bodied red lipstick, paired with loose wand curls and an Old Hollywood side part.
- The hair transformation coincides with major life changes, including her return to professional tennis after a four-year hiatus and becoming lead spokesperson for telehealth provider Ro.
Platinum blonde with minimal brown roots dominated Serena Williams’ appearance at the inaugural Airbnb Gala on October 28th in Los Angeles. The icy silver shade marks a notable shift for the professional tennis player, who has traditionally favored warmer, richer hair colors throughout her career. The look arrived at a black-tie event supporting the company’s nonprofit arm, where Williams mingled with attendees including Charlize Theron and Jimmy Kimmel.
The Debut of Icy Blonde
The frosty hue signals a departure from Williams’ progression toward lighter shades in recent years. While she has experimented with platinum tones before, this particular shade reads cooler and more crystalline, catching light in a way that feels aligned with fall’s chillier aesthetic. The minimal brown roots create intentional contrast rather than appearing as regrowth, keeping the look polished and deliberate.
Makeup and Dress Alignment
Williams balanced her cool-toned hair with warmer makeup choices. She wore smoky eyeshadow that added depth and dimension to her eyes, paired with a full-bodied red lipstick that brought warmth to her face. The lip color created a striking complement to the icy blonde, establishing a visual tension that prevented the overall look from feeling cold or severe.
Her sparkly cheetah-print dress featured a square neckline that allowed her styling to shine. The dress’s texture and pattern added movement and visual interest, working in tandem with her hair styling rather than competing for attention.
Hair Styling Choices
Curls and Texture
Loose wand curls gave the platinum blonde volume and softness. Rather than wearing the hair sleek, Williams chose a romantic texture that echoed Old Hollywood glamour. The curls fell past her shoulders, creating dimension that showcased the color’s range and depth.
The Side Part
An Old Hollywood-style side part anchored the look, creating a face-framing silhouette. The deep part drew the eye across the face while the curls neatly followed the square neckline of her dress, creating a cohesive visual line from hair to clothing.
Color Maintenance
The minimal brown roots visible in the platinum blonde suggest recent color work and careful maintenance. This level of root management typically requires regular salon visits to maintain the purity of the platinum while allowing for intentional contrast.
A Year of Personal Evolution
The hair transformation aligns with significant changes in Williams’ life over the past year. She recently returned to professional competitive tennis following a nearly four-year hiatus, marking a major shift in her career trajectory. Beyond sports, she became the lead spokesperson for Ro, a GLP-1 telehealth provider, publicly discussing her health journey and crediting medication for her weight loss and improved cardiovascular markers.
The platinum blonde feels like an external manifestation of these internal changes. Hair transformations often coincide with life transitions, and Williams’ icy blonde serves as a visual punctuation mark for a year of new beginnings.
Recreating the Look
Finding Your Platinum Shade
Not every skin tone reads the same platinum blonde identically. Cooler complexions often suit icy platinum with minimal warmth, while warmer skin tones may benefit from platinum with slightly more golden undertones. Consultation with a colorist experienced in platinum work is essential for achieving the specific frosty effect Williams demonstrated.
Maintenance Between Appointments
Platinum blonde requires purple or blue-toned shampoos and conditioners to maintain the cool cast and prevent yellowing. Weekly treatments and deep conditioning help keep platinum hair healthy and hydrated, as the lightening process can be drying.
Styling for the Look
Loose wand curls can be created with a 1.25-inch curling iron, wrapping sections away from the face for a romantic finish. Creating this look requires sectioning hair deeply to one side before styling to achieve the dramatic sweep that frames the face.
Source: Allure
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Serena Williams debut her new platinum blonde hair?
Williams debuted the icy platinum blonde at the inaugural Airbnb Gala on October 28th in Los Angeles, which supported the company's nonprofit arm.
What makeup did Williams wear with her new platinum blonde hair?
She paired the platinum blonde with smoky eyeshadow and a full-bodied red lipstick to create warmth against the cool-toned hair, balancing the overall look.
How can you maintain platinum blonde hair between salon appointments?
Platinum blonde requires purple or blue-toned shampoos and conditioners to maintain the cool cast and prevent yellowing, along with weekly deep conditioning treatments.
