Last night, Beyoncé took to a Stockholm stadium to mark the start of her Renaissance World Tour. And while the collection of refractive, club-ready couture called for immediate analysis, Bey’s freshly lightened lengths (We’ll do our best to avoid the designation of Barbie-core, though it’s tempting!) deserve equal attention.

The new hue was conceptualized two days ahead of the tour’s kick-off with the help of longtime colorist and creative collaborator Rita Hazan. And, as with all elements of Renaissance, the switch-up involved holistic consideration—the better to elicit the most powerful possible aesthetic. “First, we have a conversation, and then I go see the stage, the lighting, the scene,” says Hazan. “Then, we have a talk about what she is looking for, what’s the vibe of the show. Taking all of this in mind, I come up with what would work best based on what the outfits are like, what the makeup is like, et cetera.”

In this case, the result was what Hazan calls “sun-washed blonde,” a wealth of honeyed highlights in keeping with the shift of season and playful enough to elevate even the most exaggerated ensemble or onstage scene. “Because all of the dancers had platinum hair, I really wanted her to stand out,” explains Hazan, who relied on her own product line, including her cult-favorite Breaking Brass gloss, to tone, color, gloss, and hydrate. The final product was a mane worthy of pop royalty—all by design, of course.

“I love her when she is blonde on stage,” says Hazan. “It’s sexy, it looks amazing, and when she gives that infamous Beyoncé flip of the hair, I wanted to make sure the colors come through—and they do, beautifully.”

Originally Appeared on Vogue

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