Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s buttery golden blonde — revived by American Horror Story — is spring 2026’s most stylish shade, blending warm champagne highlights with visible root-to-tip strands. Far from icy platinum, this 90s New York icon suits brunettes to blondes with its versatile, glossy warmth.
If you were looking for inspiration among blondes before visiting the salon, chances are you already had a photo of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy on your mood board. Even before social media platforms like Pinterest and TikTok, and before the concept of “old money blonde,” it was her creamy, shiny hair color that became a symbol of 1990s New York style.
Now, thanks to the TV show American Horror Story, this shade is popular again, according to Vogue magazine. At the beginning of the series, actress Sarah Pidgeon’s blonde hair is slightly darker with some noticeable strands, but as the plot develops, it gradually lightens and reaches the same buttery golden shade associated with Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.
What is Bessette blonde?
Bessette’s blonde hair is warm and soft, unlike the cool, almost white blondes that were popular in the early 2010s. It’s a mix of champagne and creamy golden tones on a natural base color. The shade is bright but not too bright.
“Caroline’s hair has a lot of golden undertones — it’s very 90s,” says Harriet Muldoon, a blonde specialist. “At first, she had a light blonde color, but over time it became lighter. It’s never platinum blonde, but always has a warm golden color. The most important thing is not just the tone, but also where the strands are placed. “The technique involves weaving in a fairly coarse manner, but with some randomness. You can see the strands, and they aren’t too thin or blurry,” adds Muldoon.
Here’s a mistake to avoid
Bessette blonde is not the lightest shade of blonde. It’s not platinum blonde or the bronde with soft regrowth that has been popular recently. The most important thing is to lift the highlights to the roots and leave them visible in the middle, length, and ends.
Who suits Bessette blonde?
The shade is versatile because it has a warm and neutral base. “Even brunettes can try bessette blonde, as Carolyn did. The key is to avoid drying out your hair and ending up with strands that reach the roots,” says Muldoon. Light skin looks good in soft champagne tones, while olive or darker skin looks good in rich honey tones. The most important thing is to have healthy hair, because shine is crucial for the effect.