Pete Davidson has a thing for chaos. We’ve seen it in his dating life, his impulsive tattoos, and most definitely in his hair. But nothing seems to trigger the internet quite like the Pete Davidson blonde hair era. It’s a look that shouldn't work. On paper, a guy with naturally dark features and a self-described "pasty" complexion going full platinum should be a disaster. Yet, somehow, it became a mood.
Actually, it became the mood for an entire generation of guys who realized they didn’t need to look like a Ken doll to pull off bleach.
The Origins of the Bleach
The first time we saw it was back in 2018. Pete was deep in the Ariana Grande whirlwind. He posted a shot on Instagram with the back of his head looking like a freshly painted wall. The caption? "Big time adolescence."
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People thought it was just a breakup move or a "life is changing too fast" impulsive decision. Turns out, it was partially for work. He was filming the movie Big Time Adolescence, where he played Zed—the kind of guy who absolutely would have DIY bleached hair at 3:00 AM.
But then he kept it.
He didn't just keep it; he leaned into it. He started showing up on Saturday Night Live looking like a mix between 1999 Eminem and a very tired surfer. It worked because it matched his brand. Pete isn’t about perfection. He’s about being "kinda" messy but totally fine with it.
Why Everyone Tried to Copy It
It’s easy to dismiss a celebrity hair change as fluff. But the Pete Davidson blonde hair effect was real. Barbers started seeing a massive spike in guys asking for "trashy blonde" or "platinum crops."
Unlike the polished blonde of someone like Justin Bieber, Pete’s hair always looked a little grown out. The roots were visible. The tone was often a bit brassy. Honestly, it made the look accessible. You didn't need a team of stylists every morning to make it work. You just needed some purple shampoo and a lack of fear regarding chemical burns.
The Kim Kardashian Era Evolution
Fast forward to 2022. Pete is dating Kim K, and suddenly the blonde is back, but it’s... different. It was brighter. Higher maintenance.
The two of them showed up with matching platinum locks. While Kim’s was the result of a grueling 14-hour session to channel Marilyn Monroe, Pete’s seemed more like a "sure, why not?" moment. Reports from the set of a SKIMS shoot suggested he might have even used some of the leftover bleach from her touch-ups.
Whether it was a professional job by Chris Appleton or a quick bathroom sink session, it signaled a new phase of his fame. He wasn't just the "funny guy" anymore; he was a full-blown style icon, even if his style involves wearing a trucker hat and gym shorts to a red carpet.
The Brutal Reality of Going Platinum
If you're thinking about chasing the Pete Davidson blonde hair aesthetic, you need a reality check. Bleach is a commitment. It’s not a "one and done" situation.
- The Scalp Burn: Bleaching down to platinum from dark brown requires high-volume developer. It stings. It’s not fun.
- The Maintenance: Dark roots show up in a week. Pete often let his grow out, which is a vibe, but if you want that "fresh" look, you’re at the salon every 21 days.
- The Texture: Bleach eats protein. Your hair will feel like straw if you don't use conditioners like Olaplex or heavy-duty masks.
Pete has even joked about his hair loss in the past, mentioning on SNL and in interviews that he’s used Finasteride to keep what he’s got. Adding bleach to thinning hair is a high-stakes gamble.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that Pete’s hair is a sign of a breakdown. Every time he dyes it, the tabloids start the "Is Pete okay?" cycle.
In reality, he’s just a guy who treats his body like a sketchbook. Between the 100+ tattoos (many of which he’s now lasering off) and the constant hair swaps (blue, pink, buzzed), it’s just self-expression. It’s not that deep.
The blonde hair specifically serves as a "reset" button for him. It’s his most recognizable "revolt" against the status quo of how a leading man is supposed to look. He doesn't want to be the polished movie star. He wants to be the guy from Staten Island who happened to get famous.
How to Get the Look (The Right Way)
If you're dead set on the bleach, don't go to the grocery store for a box kit. Seriously. You’ll end up with orange hair and a patchy scalp.
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- See a Colorist: Ask for a "double process." They’ll lift your natural color and then tone it.
- Toning is Everything: You don't want yellow. You want "icy" or "ash." Pete’s best blonde looks were always on the cooler side of the spectrum.
- Embrace the Mess: The reason it looks good on Pete is the texture. Use a matte clay or a "gritty" styling paste. Avoid gels that make it look crunchy.
- Purple Shampoo: Use it once a week. It kills the brassy tones that make blonde hair look cheap.
The Cultural Shift
What Pete Davidson did was make "ugly-cool" mainstream. He proved that you can have dark circles under your eyes, a bunch of weird tattoos, and bleach-fried hair, and still be the most talked-about man in the room.
It’s a rejection of the "Alpha Male" aesthetic that dominated the 2010s. We’re in the era of the "King of Staten Island" now. It’s okay to look a little tired. It’s okay to have roots.
Actionable Steps for Your Hair Journey
If you’re ready to pull the trigger on a transformation, start by assessing your hair health. If your hair is already brittle, bleach will snap it off. Start using a strengthening shampoo now.
Book a consultation with a stylist who specializes in "creative color" rather than just highlights. Show them a photo of Pete from 2018—specifically the Big Time Adolescence era—if you want that lived-in, authentic look. If you want the "Met Gala" version, show them the 2022 Kim K era photos.
Finally, buy a high-quality hair oil. You’re going to need it to mimic the natural shine that bleach inevitably steals.