Martha Stewart, 85, has traded her signature platinum blonde bob for a soft rose gold transformation, debuting the striking new look on Instagram on August 9, just days after her birthday. The lifestyle mogul’s hair color shift marks one of her boldest style changes in years, moving away from the light blonde shade she has maintained throughout her decades-long career.
Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton orchestrated the transformation, applying a warm, luminous rose gold hue with golden undertones to Stewart’s iconic bob. According to styling details shared by Appleton, the rose gold formula involved BlondeMe 9+ highlights, an all-over gloss, and a rose gold base, creating what sources describe as a soft wash rather than a full pastel commitment.
Stewart has maintained her signature blonde bob for decades, with the style becoming as iconic to her personal brand as her lifestyle empire itself. The transformation comes at a moment when she is embracing what social media has dubbed her “rose gold era”—a shift that resonates with broader conversations about style and self-expression in later life.
The rose gold shade has emerged as a trending color choice for older women seeking a fresh, youthful aesthetic. According to coverage from Women.com, Martha Stewart’s new look has become “the perfect hair inspo for older women who are in need of a change,” suggesting that her decision carries weight beyond her personal style statement.
Martha Stewart’s willingness to experiment with color at 85 stands in contrast to conventional beauty standards that often discourage bold transformations in later years. At a time when many public figures her age maintain consistency in their appearance, Stewart’s pivot suggests a confidence in reimagining her look without concern for age-related constraints on fashion choice.
The timing of the transformation—just days after her 85th birthday—frames the rose gold debut as a celebration of entering a new chapter. Stewart’s decision to share the reveal on Instagram, where she maintains an active presence, amplified the moment, turning a personal style choice into a cultural touchstone for conversations about aging, style, and the refusal to settle into predictable patterns.
Sources
- People — Martha Stewart’s rose gold hair debut on August 9, 2026, and details of the transformation with Chris Appleton
- InStyle — Confirmation of the August 9 reveal, Stewart’s age, and Chris Appleton’s role as the hairstylist
- USA Today — Martha Stewart’s platinum blonde bob history and the rose gold transformation details
- Harper’s Bazaar — Technical details of the rose gold hair formula used by Chris Appleton
- Women.com — Analysis of the rose gold shade as inspiration for older women seeking style changes
- Hello Magazine — Confirmation that the transformation occurred days after her 85th birthday
