Most people wouldn’t dare make a dramatic hair change right before a major event. But then again, most people aren’t Ariana Madix. The Love Island host made a surprising switch-up to her signature bright blonde hair, debuting a deep brunette hue just two days before BravoCon. 

“I get very bored,” Madix told NewBeauty at the event while spending time in the TRESemmé activation before her “Love, Ariana Style” panel. “When I’m shooting Love Island, it’s easy to feel less bored because we’re doing so many fun looks. But when it’s just me at home with my slick-back bun every day, I was like, ‘I really wanna do something to change it up.’” That she did, working with hairstylist Alysa Pace for the look. She says she wasn’t nervous at all to make the change, adding that she’s been “soft launching” the idea for a while. 

And let’s be honest: When else, if not at BravoCon? Ahead, Madix opens up about planning her looks for reality TV’s biggest weekend, how she approaches her reunion glam and more. 

How long ago did you start planning your BravoCon looks?

A couple of days ago. This is what fits; I felt good about it. For glam, Afton and I have been working together for a really long time, so we’ll text all the time like, “What’s the vibe?’”

You just had a milestone birthday, 40! Do you have any hair advice for your past self?

In the sense that I did just make a major hair change, it would be to not be afraid to make major hair changes. Because I think people always try to scare you out of making changes, like “What if you don’t like it?” You can always change it again. 

Do you have a hair struggle where you’re like, “I absolutely need help getting this to look good?“

All of it. I can’t do hair at all. But I’ve been using this TRESemmé Lamellar Gloss Finishing Oil. My hair is very fine and naturally fairly straight, but it’s not very shiny. Being darker now, you see the shine more. It really comes through. And this holds for 72 hours, so it’s shiny now, and it’ll still be shiny on Sunday. 

When you do have to do your hair yourself, what’s something you know you can nail?

Slick-back bun, parted down the middle. High or low. That’s the one thing I know I can make happen. 

We have to get into Love Island. I know you said you don’t get bored with your hair while filming, but is it harder to care for your hair while filming?

Yes. Because we’re doing so many different looks and there’s so much happening and so much product going in all the time, I’m washing it every day. It’s important that on days off, it just gets to chill. It needs a break sometimes. 

Now that you’re in the host’s chair for reunions, do you approach your hair and makeup differently? 

The approach is probably the same, but because I’ve been on the other side of them before, I know certain things to watch out for. So, like, I know a highlighter isn’t going to look good—in real life, it’ll be stunning, but on camera it’ll look different. It’s important for the hair to have some sheen, some shine to it. A beach wave, a textured style, doesn’t always look right on camera. In real life, it can look great, but then people are like, “Why is she messy?” 

What are some of the products you’ve come to rely on, especially when you’re going for a more polished look?

I love the TRESemmé Lamellar Gloss, especially on the ends. And because those days are usually 12-14 hours, you do need a product like that, that does its job for many, many hours. Because sometimes you don’t get a break for touchups or redos. So everything has to stay. And you might get shiny, you need setting spray—all that stuff. 

And then an important last question: What fragrance are you wearing today?

I’ve been using the same fragrance for a long time; it’s the Hong Kong scent from Le Labo, Bigarade 18. I’ve had it for years, and my bottle has a stack of labels because I’ve refilled it. I like mixing that with Sol de Janeiro scents too. I love their scents.