7 Questions with Bella Hadid’s Cannes Colorist, Jacob Schwartz
Ever wonder what it really takes to color a global icon for one of the most high-stakes events in beauty and fashion? Schwarzkopf Professional® U.S. Hair Color Trend Ambassador Jacob Schwartz (@jacobschwartzhair) takes us inside the whirlwind 24-hour transformation that turned Bella Hadid’s blonde into one of the most talked-about red carpet looks of the year.
From transatlantic travel to a high-stakes blonde, step inside the world of hotel hair transformations as Jacob turns a vision and two suitcases full of hair color into an unforgettable global beauty moment.
Bella’s Supermodel Blonde: A Q&A With Jacob Schwartz
BTC: What was your initial reaction when you were asked to fly internationally to color Bella’s hair for the 2025 Cannes Film Festival?
Jacob: When I got the call, I was instantly excited. Bella’s an incredible client and friend, and Cannes is such a massive event—it’s the kind of opportunity you need to nail perfectly. I was confident we could create something flawless no matter the challenge or time constraints.
BTC: How far in advance are you planning and communicating for a major appointment like this? Are there mood boards, pre-event prep with the glam team or digital consults involved before you travel?
Jacob: For big events like Cannes, there’s always some prep involved. With Bella, since she’s a natural blonde but had been darker for a while, I went back and looked at photos of her from when she was younger to get a sense of her natural tone and how to bring that brightness back in a way that feels authentic—to create that perfect “Supermodel Blonde.”
I also worked closely with Bella and her full glam and styling teams to ensure a cohesive vision. And of course, a big part of prep is making sure I have the exact products I need lined up. For Bella’s color, I reached for Schwarzkopf Professional products because I knew that I could trust them to perform even in big transformation moments.
BTC: Can you walk us through the travel logistics? How long did the color process take from start to finish?
Jacob: This one was a bit of a whirlwind. The coloring itself took about 24 hours, but the real magic was how quickly we got everything organized. I thought I was going to run out of color, so I reached out to the Schwarzkopf Professional team overnight, and they connected me with the global team who coordinated with the French offices to get me the exact IGORA® VIBRANCE shades I needed within 24 hours.
That kind of international support is huge and I’m so thankful to have them in my corner for worldwide projects like Cannes.
Related: Tracey Cunningham & Jacob Schwartz Step into U.S. Roles with Schwarzkopf Professional
BTC: How did you manage the time zones and fatigue?
Jacob: Jet lag hits hard—but I always make sure to hydrate, rest and supplement with a few French cappuccinos when in need. I was just in Berlin with Schwarzkopf for their HAIR by Schwarzkopf Festival and learned a lot of lessons that I tried to implement during this trip to ensure I was the best I could be.
I always try to adapt the next time zone I’m going to be in—whether that means sleeping select hours on flights or keeping myself awake so I can sleep upon arrival.
BTC: Where did you do the color—was it in a salon, a hotel room, a suite?
Jacob: We actually started the process in Texas, then finished it in Cannes once we landed, right in her hotel suite. When you’re working on a transformation like this, especially for a moment as big as Cannes, flexibility is key. I’ll set up wherever makes the most sense and where my client feels most comfortable.
A behind-the-scenes shot of Jacob styling Bella, shared to her Instagram:
BTC: What were the biggest challenges of taking Bella from brunette to blonde in time for the Cannes Film Festival?
Jacob: Going from brunette to blonde in a short timeline is always a lot of pressure as a hair colorist, especially when the end goal is a huge red carpet moment. You need maximum lift for brightness, but the hair’s integrity has to come first.
That’s where Schwarzkopf Professional IGORA® VARIO BLOND SUPER PLUS made all the difference. It delivered the power and precision I needed to lighten effectively, without compromise.
To finish, I used IGORA® VIBRANCE to tone and enhance—adding multi-dimensional shine and that ultra-luxe, reflective quality that really brings blonde to life under the spotlight. For me, it’s always about elevating the color while protecting the hair every step of the way.
BTC: What essentials do you pack in your kit when you’re traveling for high-stakes color appointments like this?
Jacob: I had two full suitcases of color options, towels, foils, styling products, hair accessories—you have to be prepared for anything and any change. Things move super fast when you’re working with an A-list client. Especially when traveling overseas, you need converters and tools for the specific country you’re in.
I put most of the IGORA® VARIO BLOND SUPER PLUS in heavy-duty plastic bags to save space because we needed as much blonde as possible for this moment. I also packed tons of different IGORA® VIBRANCE colors in gold, ash, neutral and brunette tones—you have to pack for any scenario or change that may happen at a moment’s notice.
Bellas Supermodel Blonde Formula: Save The Steps
Click the beaker to get Jacob’s formulas, and scroll down for his step-by-step breakdown:
1. Start by lifting a test strand. “I did a test strand initially to see how much of the dark I could lift out of her hair before we decided to move forward with the full process,” Jacob explains.
2. After a test strand to gauge hair strength, Jacob began the blonding process. “When you’re working with a high-profile client like Bella—especially for a moment as major as Cannes—there’s no room for error. My goal was even, controlled lift while maintaining her hair’s integrity as much as possible,” Jacob explains.
Start by taking ultra-fine sections across the entire head and apply Formula A.
3. Then, Jacob processes to his desired lift, rinses in sections and blow-dries to prep for controlled lowlighting.
4. To lowlight, Jacob uses IGORA® VIBRANCE to build intentional depth with Formula B on the top sections and Formula C on the ends.
5. Next, Jacob repeats the lowlighting process with Formula B and Formula C. Why? “To reinforce the tone and richness without overprocessing,” he explains.
6. Jacob approaches toning strategically:
- At the roots, he applies Formula D and processes for a total of 20 minutes
- On the hairline, he applies Formula E for the last 10 minutes of processing to soften the face frame
- To customize the blonde, Jacob hand-paints sections with Formula F to add tailored brightness exactly where it’s needed.
“The key to avoiding damage is not just the products, but the placement, timing and knowing exactly how to work each formula,” Jacob adds.
7. Shampoo, condition and style as desired.
