NEED TO KNOW
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Jessica Simpson’s hairstylist Rita Hazan breaks down the star’s brunette transformation after years of being known for her blonde locks
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Hazan tells PEOPLE that the new look matches the “vibe” of her new music
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The colorist also shares insights into brunette hair trends in 2026
Jessica Simpson is trading in her trademark blonde.
The singer and actress tapped her longtime colorist Rita Hazan for the winter hair transformation, which the stylist is calling “hot chocolate brunette.”
The warm, dimensional shade was done by Hazan in Nashville. “It took a few hours to color because we kept making it darker and darker,” she tells PEOPLE exclusively. “I didn’t want to go too dark at once, so we gradually increased the hue to ensure that we got the most perfect tone.”
Simpson has been slowly inching towards a darker look for awhile now. “For years we kept different variations of either blonde or very blonde,” Hazan recalls. “Just recently I took her dirty blonde, and the shade continues to get deeper and more brunette.”
Going dark after so many years of blonde could easily be a nerve-wracking experience, but after decades of collaboration, Simpson and Hazan made the transformation fun — and festive.
“We laugh so hard the entire time,” Hazan says. “Except for when I need to focus, then she works while I work with the color.”
During the coloring process, the pair had Simpson’s past holiday performance on in the background. “It was really amazing to go down memory lane together of what we were up to in the early 2000s,” the stylist adds.
Rita Hazan
Jessica Simpson’s new look.
As for what sparked the hair change, Hazan says the new look matches Simpson’s new era of music.
“I think her music is very moody,” the stylist says. “It’s a full vibe, so the hair has to match — very deep and multi layered and dimensional with the color.”
In fact, Simpson may go even darker in the future.
“This shade is pretty dark for her but maybe we could go a little darker,” Hazan teases. “Her hair color still has to be sexy and soft. Darker colors can be dense and aging for anyone.”
As for now, the singer “loves” her new look, says the stylist, who adds, “It’s a great change.”
Rita Hazan
Jessica Simpson getting her hair colored.
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Simpson’s transformation points to a burgeoning trend in the new year.
“I do think we will see a lot of blondes going darker in 2026,” says Hazan. “Change is good.”
The colorist predicts that 2026 will see lots of “rich warm tones.”
“Not necessarily red, but more chocolate chestnut browns, golden buttery blondes and rich auburn,” she explains.
For those taking the plunge, Hazan suggests using a gloss regularly (she recommends the Glaze Supergloss) to boost shine, as well as conditioning treatments once or twice a week.
“The most important if you are coloring hair is to only use products for color-treated hair and use heat protection before you use hot tools,” she adds.
Read the original article on People