Rose Leslie is a Scottish actress best known for her role as Ygritte on the HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones. With her fiery red hair and fierce personality, Ygritte became a fan favorite character. But does Rose Leslie really have red hair naturally or did she dye it for the role? Let’s take a closer look at Rose Leslie’s hair color and styling throughout her career.
Rose Leslie’s Natural Hair Color
Rose Leslie was born with natural dark brown hair. She is not a natural redhead. However, she has dyed her hair red and auburn shades for acting roles in the past.
In most public appearances, Rose wears her naturally dark brown locks. You can see her dark brown hair color at events like the Game of Thrones season premiere in 2011 and various red carpet appearances over the years. Her natural hair color is a very dark brunette.
So while red hair has become a signature look for Rose Leslie thanks to Ygritte, she does not actually have natural ginger hair. The fiery red locks were a stylistic choice for the character of Ygritte.
Dyeing Hair Red for Game of Thrones
Rose Leslie had to dye her brunette hair to the vibrant copper red shade that Ygritte is known for. It took hours in the hair salon to get her hair the perfect ginger hue.
In interviews, Rose spoke about the lengthy process of coloring her hair for Game of Thrones:
“It took about two hours to get it exactly the right shade of red. My skin is quite fair, so the red has to be just right, too. Any shade too dark would make me look a bit off.”
To maintain the bright red color week after week, Leslie had to get regular touch-ups and dye jobs. It was a high maintenance look. But it was worth it, because Ygritte’s red hair became an iconic part of the character’s wildling look.
Ygritte’s Hair Evolution
Ygritte’s hair went through some subtle changes over the course of Rose Leslie’s time on Game of Thrones. Looking back, you can see the progression:
- Season 2: Vibrant cherry red, styled wild and loose.
- Season 3: Darker auburn red, with braided styling.
- Season 4: More muted and natural coppery red.
As Ygritte spent more time south of the Wall, her hair color likely faded. But the red locks remained an important part of her look even as the styling evolved.
Rose Leslie has said she loved the messy, textured hair for Ygritte: “Red hair and the wilderness go hand in hand. Her hair represents her unbridled spirit.”
Hair Coloring After Game of Thrones
After her character’s run ended on Game of Thrones, Rose went back to darker hair colors. She retained a bit of red or auburn on occasion.
Some examples of Rose Leslie’s hair looks after Game of Thrones include:
- Dark brown with reddish tint at 2015 BAFTAs
- Dark auburn locks in The Good Fight (2017)
- Shoulder length chestnut brown hair in 2021
- New mom bob hairstyle in 2022 back to dark brown
Rose seems to favor more natural hair colors nowadays. But she does still occasionally pay homage to Ygritte with a touch of red hair dye.
Ygritte’s Influence on Beauty Trends
The character of Ygritte sparked a surge of interest in red hair dye. Her vivid ginger locks inspired some fans to go red themselves.
In 2012, there was a noticeable uptick in women dyeing their hair red or coppery shades. Dubbed “The Ygritte Effect,” salons saw more requests for wildling-inspired dye jobs. Women wanted to channel their inner fierce redhead.
Even today, Ygritte is still a beauty inspiration for bold red hair colors. Celebrities like Sophie Turner, Emma Stone, and Florence Welch have even dyed their hair Ygritte red at times.
Game of Thrones had a definite impact on beauty and fashion trends. And for red hair, Ygritte was the face of the movement. Her fiery mane made ginger locks popular in the early 2010s.
Rose Leslie’s Thoughts on Red Hair
While dyeing her hair red was a big commitment, Rose Leslie seems to have enjoyed becoming a redhead. She has shared her appreciation for ginger locks:
“Red hair is fascinating. I love the vibrancy of it. Seeing yourself with a different hair color totally changes you.”
“Going red helped me embrace the warmth and feistiness it represents. Ygritte was a lot of fun to play with that hair.”
So even though red is not her natural color, Rose had positive things to say about her experience being a redhead. It helped bring out Ygritte’s personality.
The intense process of dyeing and maintaining the red hair for years was worthwhile. Ygritte’s mane is one of the most memorable parts of Rose Leslie’s standout performance on Game of Thrones.
Rose Leslie’s Hair Through the Years
| Year | Event | Hair Color |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | BBC Interview | Dark brown |
| 2011 | Game of Thrones Season 1 premiere | Natural brunette |
| 2012 | Game of Thrones Season 2 filming | Dyed vibrant red |
| 2013 | Game of Thrones Season 3 premiere | Auburn red |
| 2014 | Game of Thrones Season 4 | Coppery red |
| 2015 | BAFTA Awards | Dark brown with red tint |
| 2017 | The Good Fight | Dark auburn |
| 2021 | GQ Awards | Chestnut brown |
| 2022 | Motherhood | Dark brown bob |
This timeline gives an overview of Rose Leslie’s hair transformations over the course of her career so far. She went from her natural brunette to the vivid Ygritte red back to darker shades post-Game of Thrones. You can see how she blended her real hair color with red hues following her breakout role. She still taps into that fiery redhead spirit on occasion with auburn locks even today.
How Did Ygritte’s Hair Impact Rose Leslie’s Career?
Playing Ygritte and taking on that unmistakable hair color was a definitive moment in Rose Leslie’s acting career. The role took her from indie films to mainstream popularity.
The red hair was a crucial part of Ygritte’s character. It set her apart visually and came to represent her wild, fearless spirit.
In many ways, Ygritte’s hair defined Rose Leslie as an actress. It was a bold stylistic choice that she embodied fully. That commitment to the role boosted her fame and recognition.
There is no doubt that fiery red Ygritte hair made Rose Leslie stand out. Given her memorable performance, she could have easily been typecast. But she transitioned smoothly into new roles showcasing her versatility.
In the end, the red hair served its purpose for Game of Thrones. But it did not end up defining Rose’s career permanently. She has gone on to play diverse characters as her star continues to rise.
Rose Leslie’s Acting Highlights
Some of Rose Leslie’s acting highlights and standout roles include:
- Game of Thrones (2011-2014) as Ygritte
- Downton Abbey (2010-2012) as Gwen Dawson
- The Good Fight (2017-2019) as Maia Rindell
- The Last Witch Hunter (2015) as Chloe
- Divergent (2014) as Tris Prior
- The Great Fire (2014) as Mary Ward
- Vigil (2022) as Kirsten Longacre
Ygritte was her career-defining role, but Rose has proven herself a versatile actress in period dramas, sci-fi/fantasy, and thrillers. She continues taking on exciting new projects across genres.
Rose Leslie’s Personal Life
Beyond her acting career, Rose Leslie’s personal life has been in the spotlight as well. She married her Game of Thrones co-star Kit Harington in 2018 after meeting on set of the show. Their real-life romance delighted fans.
In 2021, Rose and Kit welcomed their first baby. Motherhood is Rose’s biggest role yet. She largely stays out of the public eye now to focus on family life. But no doubt, her daughter will grow up hearing amazing stories about her time as the iconic redheaded wildling Ygritte.
Conclusion
Rose Leslie brought Ygritte to life on Game of Thrones with her tough performance and bright red hair. But in reality, Rose is not a natural redhead. She dyed her dark brunette hair vibrant coppery shades specifically for the role on the show. Maintaining that look for seasons of filming required serious commitment. However, the fiery mane ultimately became an integral part of Ygritte’s character and wildling style.
The red hair left a lasting impact on Rose’s career and popularity after Game of Thrones. But she has also succeeded in taking on diverse roles that showcase her acting range. While red may not be her real hair color, Rose Leslie’s talent and skills are undeniably true.