Chrissy Cunningham was one of the breakout characters in the fourth season of the hit Netflix series Stranger Things. Portrayed by actress Grace Van Dien, Chrissy made her debut in the premiere episode of Season 4, meeting a grisly demise at the hands of the season’s new villain, Vecna.
Chrissy’s strawberry blonde hair was one of her most signature features. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at Chrissy’s hair color and style throughout Stranger Things Season 4.
An Introduction to Chrissy Cunningham
For those unfamiliar, here’s a quick introduction to Chrissy and her role in Stranger Things:
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Chrissy was a student at Hawkins High School in 1986 and head of the cheerleading squad.
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She was dating Jason Carver, the basketball team captain. On the surface, they seemed like the perfect popular high school couple.
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However, Chrissy secretly struggled with depression, trauma from her emotionally abusive mother, and an eating disorder.
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In the first episode of Season 4, Chrissy begins experiencing disturbing visions and hallucinations. She later meets with fellow student Eddie Munson to buy drugs.
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While in Eddie’s trailer, Chrissy has a final vision of a grandfather clock and being chased by a monstrous creature. This “creature” is later revealed to be the season’s villain, Vecna.
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Vecna psychically murders Chrissy in Eddie’s trailer, making Eddie look guilty of her murder. This kicks off a major plotline for the new season.
Now that we’ve covered who Chrissy is, let’s dive into the details of her iconic hairstyle!
What Exact Shade of Blonde is Chrissy’s Hair?
So what exact shade would you call Chrissy’s signature blonde locks? Here are some key facts:
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Her hair is a light golden blonde hue with subtle strawberry undertones.
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It falls into the category of “strawberry blonde”, which is a blend of blonde and red shades.
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Her roots are a slightly darker and ashier blonde than the rest of her hair.
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When under bright light, Chrissy’s hair takes on more of a pale peach tone. But in general lighting it pulls more golden blonde.
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Stylist Nikki Nelms, who worked on Chrissy’s hair for the show, described it as “peachy keane”, referencing a specific type of blonde hair dye.
Comparing Chrissy’s Hair to Other “Strawberry Blondes”
Chrissy’s hair color isn’t totally unique. There are other famous “strawberry blondes” she can be compared to:
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Her shade is quite similar to actress Nicola Peltz, known for roles in Bates Motel and Transformers. Peltz’s hair has those same peachy-gold tones.
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Supermodel Gigi Hadid also sports a very similar strawberry blonde hue, especially when her hair is freshly colored and the red tones stand out more.
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Actress Sophie Turner, particularly as Sansa Stark on Game of Thrones, wore a shade that’s close to Chrissy’s color as well. Her hair pulls a bit more copper red in some lighting though.
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Jessica Chastain and Bryce Dallas Howard are two redhead actresses whose shade crosses over into strawberry blonde territory fairly often.
So in other words, Chrissy’s hair color isn’t wildly unique, but it is considered one of the most coveted and flattering blonde shades. It flatters both cool and warm skin tones. Chrissy joins the ranks of many Hollywood starlets who’ve sported peachy-golden strawberry blonde locks at various points.
How Chrissy’s Hair Color is Described in Stranger Things
Within the actual Stranger Things series, Chrissy’s hair is described in a few ways:
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In the show’s official social media reveal of Chrissy as a new character for Season 4, her hair color was simply described as “blonde”.
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The Stranger Things wiki also lists her hair as “blonde”, albeit a distinctively strawberry-toned version of blonde.
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In a wig available to purchase officially from the Stranger Things production, Chrissy’s hair color is called “LH Blonde” for “light honey blonde”.
So in official Stranger Things canon, it seems her hair is categorized broadly as blonde. But it’s understood by fans and viewers to be a strawberry blonde variant of blonde hair, not a pure golden blonde.
How Chrissy’s Hair Color Compliments Her Character
Chrissy’s strawberry blonde locks are the perfect complement to both her personality and character arc:
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The reddish tones in Chrissy’s hair help separate her from the “popular blonde girl” archetype. Her hair hints there’s more below the surface than just a ditzy blonde trope.
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Strawberry blonde hair lends itself to Chrissy’s flirtatious social side, while also hinting at the depression and personal struggles she secretly faced.
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The peachy tones flatter Chrissy’s skin and completion as one of Hawkins High’s reigning “beauty queens.”
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As strawberry blonde is a rare and trendy hair color, it suits Chrissy’s status as the coveted head cheerleader dating the basketball captain.
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The contrast between Chrissy’s light hair and darker roots adds dimension that matches her complex characterization.
Overall, Chrissy’s hair color is a perfect blend of lightness and depth that aligns nicely with her character’s hidden depths beneath the surface.
How Chrissy’s Hair is Styled in Stranger Things 4
Beyond just her color, Chrissy’s actual hairstyling is iconic in its own right:
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The High Ponytail: Chrissy sports a voluminous high ponytail for many of her scenes, including the basketball game and hallway scenes at school. This looks suits her role as head cheerleader. Her strawberry blonde ponytail swishes animatedly as she walks.
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The Half-Up Style: When Chrissy is buying drugs from Eddie or walking home, her hair is styled in a half-up look. Her hair is parted down the middle and the top layer pulled into a small ponytail, with the rest hanging loosely. This style looks slightly undone but still put-together.
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Loose Curls: During emotional scenes, like Chrissy’s vision in the bathroom, she wears her hair fully down. Her waves are styled into loose, tousled curls befitting the tense mood.
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The Cheerleading Uniform: As Hawkins High’s head cheerleader, Chrissy wears herhair pulled into a sleek high ponytail when suited up for the basketball game in her iconic blue and yellow uniform.
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The Red Scrunchie: Whether her hair is up or down, Chrissy tends to fasten it with a thick red hair scrunchie. This eye-catching hair accessory suits her bold fashion style.
Recreating Chrissy’s Hair Color and Style
If you want to recreate Chrissy’s memorable strawberry blonde locks, here are some tips:
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Get inspired by photo references – Study screencaps and promotional images of Grace Van Dien as Chrissy. Note the way the light reflects off her hair in different scenes. Also pay attention to the color of her eyebrows and complexion for hints at her natural tone.
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Consult a colorist – Meet with a professional hair colorist armed with photo inspiration of Chrissy’s hair. Ask them to help formulate a custom strawberry blonde shade for your hair texture and complexion. Be sure to do allergy and strand tests first.
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Use temporary color – If you’re hesitant to commit to permanent hair dye, try clip-in hair extensions or temporary coloring sprays in strawberry blonde shades. You can find budget-friendly options online for cosplay or Halloween costumes.
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Add highlights and lowlights – To mimic Chrissy’s dimensional color, consider face-framing highlights around your face and lowlights/roots a shade or two darker than your base. Avoid one solid block of color.
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Curl and tease the ponytail – Styling your hair in Chrissy’s voluminous ponytail means generously curling and teasing the lengths of your hair before gathering it up high. Use finishing spray to prevent flyaways.
The most important tip? Make sure the color and styling accentuate your own natural features and complexion. Chrissy’s look is iconic, but personalized adjustments may be needed to make it your own!
Chrissy’s Hair Evolution Throughout Stranger Things Season 4
Chrissy may have only appeared in one full episode of Stranger Things before her death. But her hair