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Ariana Grande’s shift to blonde hair a few years ago marked one of the most talked-about transformations of her career. The change wasn’t just aesthetic. It was tied directly to her casting as Glinda the Good in the highly anticipated film adaptation of Wicked.

Fans were not happy with Ariana Grande’s hair transformation for ‘Wicked’

To embody the bubbly, magical character, Grande began lightening her hair months before filming, gradually transitioning from her signature dark brown to a soft, creamy blonde. The transformation, in 2022, aligned with her preparation for the role and quickly became part of her “Glinda era.”

Fans were surprised and even divided. Many had long associated Grande with her iconic high brunette ponytail and sleek cat-eye look, so the blonde was viewed as a drastic departure from her established image. Social media was flooded with before-and-after comparisons, memes, and polls asking whether the blonde suited her. However, as promotional photos and leaked set images emerged, fan reception shifted a bit more positively. The blonde hair began to feel more intentional and character-driven.

Now that Wicked: For Good is concluding the musical franchise, Grande can return to her roots. The 32-year-old began her transformation back to brunette during the promotional tour.

Eventually, many fans embraced the transformation as a symbol of Grande’s artistic evolution. The blonde look not only helped her disappear into the role of Glinda but also showcased her willingness to step outside her comfort zone and reinvent herself creatively.

Ariana Grande’s hair is actively rejecting her return to brown

In early November, Grande debuted her new, burnished brown hair as she began the Wicked: For Good press tour. Her toner treatment, done by colorist-to-the-stars Francesco De Chiara, marked the end of an era for the “Twilight Zone” singer. However, as she traveled across the globe to promote the musical drama, Grande struggled to maintain her nut brown locks.

During her Nov. 17 Dinner With Sally podcast interview, Grande explained that when she showers, her hair is “spitting out the toner every time.” Her hair was notably lighter than it was at the beginning of the month. The multihyphenate joked that her hair is method acting, whether she likes it or not. “I’m telling you, I washed my hair one time and woke up with highlights!” she told French podcaster Sally.

What is toner, and why is Grande using it?

Hair toner is a color-correcting product that adjusts the tone of your hair, according to L’Oréal Paris. It’s often used after bleaching or coloring, so Grande likely used toner much more while she was blonde. The final shade can look more natural, balanced, or intentional after utilizing the product.

But toner doesn’t lighten hair; it perfects and refines the color you already have. Think of toner as a filter that adjusts warmth, coolness, and shine. Naturally, returning to brunette still requires an expertly formulated toner. Even after an A-list colorist creates and applies it, the strands may struggle to absorb and hold the toner. With Grande’s long-term use of bleach-adjacent products, it might take years for her hair to return to its healthier, more natural color. She’ll likely have to continue using toner and other products while avoiding overprocessing the delicate strands.

Toner is a common issue for people coloring their hair because it’s both essential and unpredictable. While it’s meant to refine color, especially after bleaching, it can easily go wrong if the hair isn’t in the right condition or if the wrong formula is used.

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