When we talk about brassy blond hair, it's usually about how to get rid of it [1]. Sometimes, a bad, single-process dye job can leave tones of orange-red, copper, or mustard yellow, which can be a drag if that particular color is unintentional. But some of the most badass women and men in history have gone brassy on purpose. From Brigitte Bardot to Justin Bieber, check out nine times "bad" blond was actually so good.
Brigitte Bardot
If Brigitte Bardot, the OG French girl inspiration, had one signature look, it would be her pile of golden ringlets. Sure, she could have gone platinum, but in typical je ne sais pas fashion, she worked a dirtier color.
Debbie Harry
Debbie Harry of Blondie was such an iconic brassy girl that her dang band named itself after the look. Her grungy, go-with-the-flow, textured look is peak punk.
David Bowie
The natural redhead pulled off the impossible during his star turn in 1986's Labyrinth. Not only did he go brassy, but he also had a mullet. Just another reason [3] to love the late icon.
Angelina Jolie
Yes, we all know and love Angelina Jolie [4] for her go-to chestnut brown hair, but back in 1999, she lightened up while playing a rebellious but charming psychopath. She nailed both the style and her challenging breakout role in Girl, Interrupted by earning an Academy Award for best supporting actress for her performance.
Kim Cattrall
We'd never peg Kim Cattrall [5]'s Sex and the City [6] character, the fashion-forward publicist Samantha Jones, to be a brassy blond lover. And yet, she went and surprised us in the film spinoff sequel by muddying up her hair.
Rihanna
Remember Rihanna [7]'s blond phase? It's hard for us to forget the just dirty enough blond she wore back in 2012. To paraphrase classic Rihanna, it may be bad (blond), but she's perfectly good at it.
Miley Cyrus
Hannah Montana would approve of Miley Cyrus [8]'s brassy hair, which truly gives us the best of both colors. This lived-in bronde can work wherever life takes you — even the ultrafancy Met Gala.
Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin
The newly engaged couple [9] that puts off a coloring appointment together stays together. Or at least that's the case with Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin, who did the rocker version of a matchy-matchy couple photo shoot during a recent evening out.