The Carolyn Bessette Kennedy Blowout Is the Classic Trench of Hairstyles

In the 2004 classic-to-me novel Bergdorf Blondes by Plum Sykes, the nameless narrator (“a champagne bubble of a girl”) references the late Carolyn Bessette Kennedy as the ultimate inspiration for the pack of heiresses at the center of the story. “The hair can't be yellow, it has to be very white, like Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's was,” she says. “She's the icon, the hair to worship.”

It’s been nearly 20 years since those words were written, but they still ring true today. Actually, they’ve probably never been more relevant. Bessette Kennedy, the eternally stylish icon and wife of John F. Kennedy, Jr., is influencing a whole new generation thanks to her sleek style and effortless hair. She’s the subject of a new book, CBK: A Life in Fashion, and the New York Times recently called her a “ghost influencer” for how prevalent CBK-inspired silhouettes were on the runways.

Though her simple Narciso Rodriguez, Yohji Yamamoto and Calvin Klein ensembles grabbed a lot of headlines, her hair shouldn’t be ignored. Bessette Kennedy typically wore her blonde hair long, straight and perfectly undone; it wasn’t pin-straight or bouncy and voluminous, but rather easygoing yet elegant. Though we’re kind of over the term “quiet luxury,” Bessette Kennedy’s hair certainly fits right in with the aesthetic; even Jennifer Lawrence, who leaned right into those sumptuous knits and simple silhouettes, agrees. 

Ahead, everything you need to know about the classic look and how to get the style yourself.

The Trend

CBK’s mane impact is a combo of the perfect blonde tone and that simple styling. “The ultimate wealth signaling hair, this blonde cashmere textured hair glows with opulence and health,” explains Tom Smith, hairstylist and global creative direct at Evo Hair. “The golden cream blonde tones blend seamlessly giving the hair a very fine quality, while the shape is elongated and not overly detailed, retaining a soft canvas of hair rather than choppy layers or cutting details.” 

Smith considers Bessette Kennedy’s hair both very ‘90s but also completely modern. “The whole look feels ‘of a time’ yet feels fresh and timeless at the same time,” he says. Meredith Kirkland, ghd educator, agrees. “I describe this look as timeless, an effortless elegance that stands out in its simplicity,” she says. According to Kirkland, Bessette Kennedy’s simple blonde blowout still resonates today because of the “shine and subtle movement through the ends,” which keeps it feeling fresh. 

How to Get the Look

A straight, no-frills blowout sounds so basic, but it can be more difficult to achieve than you think. Smith recommends starting in the shower, shampooing with “something lightweight” to cleanse without heaviness. (Smith likes Evo’s The Therapist Shampoo). "Shampoo your hair with something lightweight to get the hair clean without weighing down the roots." he says. Apply conditioner just through the ends and rinse well, then spritz in a volumizing spray like Evo’s Day of Grace Pre-Style Primer before you blow dry.

Smith recommends drying upside down until your hair is about 80% dry, then using a large ceramic round barrel brush to smooth and lift the hair. “We’re not focusing on curling the ends,” he says. “The roundness of the brush will give you just enough body.” While your hair is still warm, tip it over to one side “allowing the hair to open up with gravity,” then apply a light dry shampoo into the middle section of your hair—not too close to the roots or on the ends. Then repeat on the other side and sweep your hair back up for that airy, classic volume.

Kirkland recommends ghd’s Duet Style 2-in-1 Hot Air Styler to both dry and style at the same time. (This is not your clunky ‘90s flatiron!) Start with freshly washed, towel dried hair and apply a prep product like ghd’s Sleek Talker Wet to Sleek Styling Oil for heat protection and shine. Pass through each section of hair with the tool, pausing at the roots and “gliding slow and steady” down the strand; Kirkland recommends passing through each section two to four times until dry. 

Once your hair is fully dry, it’s time to activate the tool’s Shine Shot mode. The airflow will stop and the plates will heat up to 365°F, which Kirkland says is “the ideal temperature for all hair types to achieve the longest-lasting result and keep hair its healthiest.” In large sections, insert your styling tool near the roots and turn 180°, gliding down the strand. Once your hair is fully styled, add another drop of styling oil and work through hair for shine.

Then, grab your tortoiseshell headband, your Calvin Klein peacoat and perhaps a drop or two of CBK’s favorite musk oil to channel this beloved style icon.