Pamela Anderson's Hair Transformation Through The Years Proves She's A Master Of Blond

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Pamela Anderson has been known as a bombshell since her rise to fame in the '90s, in part due to her signature blond hair. The platinum hue is significantly different from her natural dark brunette color, with the British Columbia native revealing in her Netflix documentary "Pamela, A Love Story" that she maintains her dye job at home. "[My mom] taught me how to color my hair from the drugstore," she said. "Five dollars for a box, and I can do it myself in 20 minutes!"

The "Baywatch" actor mentions that she often changes up her hair dye brand, opting for cruelty-free varieties, but she's pictured throughout the Netflix special with a box of Garnier Hair Color Nutrisse Ultra Color Light Platinum in her home. While it might not be her natural color, Anderson has cemented herself as the master of the blond bombshell look, with her specific brand becoming a celebrity blond shade many ask for at the salon. From her Playboy spreads to her red carpet appearances, the '90s icon has sported the color in many different styles and lengths, undergoing a notable hair journey throughout her long-running career.

Pamela Anderson went full blond when she embarked on her Playboy career in 1989, but she arrived in LA with a dye job gone wrong. As she shared in her Netflix documentary, her attempt to use Sun-In to create some subtle streaks in her brunette tresses landed her with a color comparable to manilla folders. "I never intended to be blond, I just wanted sun-kissed highlights," she wrote in an excerpt from "Love, Pamela," her 2023 memoir. "Maybe I shouldn't have dumped the entire bottle on my perfectly healthy chestnut locks that sunny day at the beach" (per Tudum). Anderson was transformed into a blond bombshell for the October 1989 cover of Playboy, with the icon attributing her major hair change to the publication's stylists. "The Playboy hairdresser just added a thousand highlights," she told Tudum. "At least then my hair was a champagne blonde, and not [an] envelope."

Pamela Anderson's platinum color job quickly became a signature element of her brand, with her '90s style being characterized as casual, but wild and sexy. Voluminous, teased blowouts were a major part of this aesthetic, but she also paired her blond mane with an iconic updo. The flirtatiously undone look, which she sported at the 1999 World Music Awards, is a staple of her style legacy that has inspired plenty of iterations.

While there are some stylist-approved tips to recreate Anderson's messy bun, "The Last Showgirl" actor also provided a cheeky secret to the look during her "In The Bag" interview with British Vogue. "Don't know why I have a G-string in my purse, but don't tell me that you don't have a scrunchy," she said, going on to use the underwear to tie up her hair. "We're really flashing back to the '90s. The tousled up-do always had a pair of panties in them."

Pamela Anderson made a major change to her hair in 2013, trading in her long locks for a blond pixie cut. By the time she showed off the close-cropped style at the 60th Taormina Film Fest, where her charity foundation was honored with an award, the actor had already opened up to Ellen DeGeneres about the major change following her completion of the New York City Marathon. "I just thought my hair had a life, and I wanted to kind of put that behind me and start fresh," she said in the interview. "I thought it would be good for the marathon, and it was." The symbolic change was definitely an unexpected look for Anderson, but she was as stunning as ever in her iconic platinum shade.

While the former playmate stuns in grunge-inspired glam, Pamela Anderson also looks gorgeous going makeup free. She started her au natural journey back in 2023, ditching foundation during Paris Fashion Week and carrying the look into her ensemble for the 2025 Screen Actors Guild Awards. Naturally, Anderson coupled her pared-back beauty look with her signature shade of blond, styling her tresses into a side-part with elegant curls. "I didn't [realize] it was going to start all of this, all these people really relating to me," she told The Times about her makeup-free look. "It's a great message — we are good enough just the way we are. I have to remind myself of that every day."

Pamela Anderson debuted another notable blond look at the 2025 Met Gala, cutting her hair into a chin-length style with forehead-skimming baby bangs. The unexpected chop definitely channeled Joan of Arc vibes while the platinum tone kept it true to the "Home Improvement" actor's personal style. She also wore a sequined Tory Burch gown that can be interpreted as a glamorous homage to chainmail. "For the Met, I wanted something strong, brave, and committed—aligned with the night's theme of tailoring from head to toe," she told Who What Wear. "I believe the world needs more of a feminine warrior presence, and this was my small contribution." No matter the length or style, it's clear that Anderson remains the master of blond.