Billie Eilish on Her Favorite Hair Color: “I Felt Like I Was Becoming Who I Am”
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Billie Eilish, the genre-defying singer-songwriter known for her bold style and musical evolution, has made headlines not only for her chart-topping hits but also for her ever-changing hair colors—each hue reflecting a chapter of her artistic journey. Recently, in a candid interview with British Vogue, Eilish opened up about the one hair color that truly resonated with her identity: her iconic green and black look.
A Hair Journey Through the Years
Eilish’s hair story began with her natural blonde locks, which she first transformed into a pale white shade for her breakthrough single Ocean Eyes in 2016. This ethereal look accompanied her early rise during the Don’t Smile at Me era. Soon after, she embraced a “blue period,” sporting shades from denim to vibrant teal during hits like Bad Guy and bury a friend, expressing her rebellious youth.
But the most defining change came with her debut album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?—when she dyed her roots neon green, contrasting starkly with jet-black strands. This striking style, worn from mid-2019 through early 2021, became synonymous with Billie’s bold aesthetic, dominating red carpets, music videos, and fan imaginations alike.
The Green and Black: More Than Just a Look
Asked about her favorite hair colors, Eilish reflected, “Well, I really like to romanticize two specific periods in my life: the green roots and the red roots,” but was clear that “Green and black especially felt like such a personal and career-defining look for me. I felt so exactly who I was at that time.”
She described that vivid shade of green as “my color for so long. I loved it so much. Hair, nails, clothes. It was such a magical period for me, and it was so intense. I felt like I was becoming who I am.”
More than an aesthetic choice, the green and black hairstyle symbolized a powerful period of self-discovery and artistic assertion. The singer even affectionately dubbed it “The Billie,” underscoring its intimate significance.
Contrasts and Current Preferences
While green and black hold a special place in her heart, Eilish has also spoken about her evolving relationship with hair colors. In a Vogue video, she noted, “Black is kind of what feels the most like me, weirdly. Even though I think I’m naturally blond. I haven’t had natural hair color in a long time.” However, this preference reflects comfort and consistency rather than the transformative identity she associates with the green and black era.
She’s been candid about disliking blue, her “least favorite color,” recalling in a 2019 BuzzFeed interview, “I hate the color blue… I don’t know how I ended up dying it blue,” further highlighting the stark emotional contrasts tied to her hair color choices.
A Symbol of Selfhood and Artistic Identity
The green and black look’s significance is rooted not only in its visual impact but also in its timing—coinciding with a breakout moment in Billie’s career. It was a bold statement of individuality that fans and media alike celebrated, with UNICE noting how it embodied her “edgy and unconventional style.”
While black may currently feel like her go-to, the green and black phase remains the emblematic period when Billie Eilish truly felt she was “becoming who I am.” It marks a pivotal chapter of confidence, creativity, and personal growth—an enduring symbol of the artist’s evolving journey.
As Billie continues to experiment and redefine her image, that unforgettable neon green rooted in darkness will forever be remembered as the color that helped her find herself.
