We all know someone who dramatically changes their hair after a breakup (it's me, hi, I'm the hair chameleon, it's me). Celebrities, meanwhile, do it for... [insert movie magic jazz hands here] ✨cinema✨. Dakota Johnson's latest transformation is the perfect example of this, having swapped her trademark brunette lengths and curtain bangs for a style that oozes 1950s glamour in abundance.
The actor is pretty much unrecognisable in first-look images from Flesh Impact, a new 17-minute short film written and directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal. Gone are Dakota's cascading brunette locks and in their place we're met with an Old Hollywood glamour bob complete with softly sculpted curls and a peroxide blonde colour to boot.
So, if you've ever wondered what Dakota Johnson would look like after a rendezvous with a vintage roller set, behold:
Now, while the only plausible reaction to such a transformation is collective admiration (read: mouths agape), it is worth noting that the 'do arrives as a temporary style for the role. Yep, news flash! She is, in fact, wearing a wig.
In Flesh Impact, Dakota portrays a young Marilyn Monroe – and considering Marilyn's hair was practically the blueprint for the Hollywood bombshell look, a blonde bob was pretty much non-negotiable. Her co-star, Ellen Burstyn, plays an imagined older version of the Hollywood icon and the story explores fame, identity and the complicated realities of being an actor.
The short film will premiere at the Venice Film Festival this September as part of celebrations marking what would have been Marilyn's 100th birthday.
Everyone's clicking on...
Wig or not, there's no denying that this is one of Dakota's most memorable transformations to date. I guess blondes do have more fun...
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Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
