Martha Stewart has traded her signature blonde bob for a soft rose gold look, marking one of her boldest style changes in years.
The lifestyle entrepreneur unveiled the transformation on Instagram with celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, who shared photos and a playful makeover video featuring Stewart’s new pink-toned hair. The reveal came just days after Stewart celebrated her 85th birthday on August 3, giving the makeover extra attention.
The change stands out not only because of the color, but because Stewart continues to push against assumptions about how women in their 80s are expected to look, dress and present themselves.
Stewart Has Entered Her ‘Rose Gold Era’
The makeover replaced Stewart’s familiar blonde shade with a glossy pink tone that still kept the shape of her recognizable bob.
Appleton revealed the new look in photos showing himself alongside Stewart, captioning the post with a reference to her famous phrase, “It’s a good thing.”
He also shared a transformation video in which Stewart lip-synced to Miranda Priestly from The Devil Wears Prada before Appleton covered the camera and revealed the new hair color as Madonna’s “Vogue” played.
The stylist called the transformation Stewart’s “rose gold era,” helping turn the reveal into another highly shareable moment online.
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The Pink Shade Is Temporary, Not Permanent
Stewart’s rose gold color was created with a temporary gloss, allowing her to experiment without fully abandoning her blonde hair.
Appleton first added highlights to create an even, bright base before applying a diluted rose gold gloss.
The final result created a soft pink finish rather than a dramatic solid dye job, which helps explain why the color still works naturally with Stewart’s longtime blonde look.
The temporary formula also means the transformation does not necessarily signal a permanent change. Stewart has experimented with color before and returned to blonde after trying other trends.
This Is Not Her First Hair Experiment
Stewart has become increasingly willing to play with trends rather than stick rigidly to the look she has worn for decades.
Earlier this year, Appleton helped Stewart experiment with the mocha mousse color trend before she eventually returned to a lighter blonde shade.
The rose gold makeover is much more noticeable, but it follows the same pattern: Stewart tries something new, adapts it to her existing style and treats the change as temporary rather than a complete reinvention.
That approach has helped her remain visually current without losing the appearance people immediately associate with her.
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Turning 85 Has Not Slowed Her Down
Stewart’s latest transformation arrived shortly after she made clear that she does not view turning 85 as a reason to retreat from work, fashion or experimentation.
In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Stewart described 85 as “just a number,” a comment that fits neatly with the timing of her new look.
She has also spoken openly about the habits she believes have helped her maintain her appearance and energy, including eating well, exercising daily, limiting alcohol and avoiding smoking.
Stewart has credited genetics too, pointing to her mother’s longevity and appearance as part of the reason she feels she has aged well.
She Is Open About Fillers but Denies Plastic Surgery
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Stewart has rejected claims that surgery explains her appearance, while acknowledging that she uses some cosmetic treatments.
She has said she occasionally receives fillers and sees New York dermatologist Dr. Dan Belkin for touch-ups roughly every few months.
At the same time, Stewart has insisted that she has never undergone plastic surgery and prefers what she describes as maintenance. She has cited facial exercises, professional facials, skincare and peptides as part of her routine.
That openness has become part of Stewart’s public image. Rather than pretending she does nothing, she distinguishes between cosmetic maintenance and surgical procedures.
The Makeover Fits a Bigger Pattern
Stewart’s rose gold hair feels less like a stunt and more like another example of how she has continued to evolve her public image later in life.
She has spent decades moving between television, publishing, food, home design and business, but in recent years she has also become increasingly associated with fashion, beauty and unexpected pop-culture moments.
The new color reinforces that shift. It is playful, temporary and attention-grabbing without abandoning the polished style that has defined Stewart for years.
She has also made clear that fame and wealth are not what keep her working. Stewart recently said her main goal is to keep learning, even joking that one luxury she still wants is a lage yacht.
At 85, Martha Stewart is not presenting aging as a retreat from style. Her rose gold hair suggests the opposite: she still sees room to experiment, change and have fun with how she looks.
What do you think Martha Stewart’s rose gold makeover says about the idea that women should become more conservative with their style as they get older?
