During her 11-year run as Alex Dunphy on Modern Family, Ariel Winter maintained a consistent look, wearing her natural brunette hair in a simple, casual style. Although her character evolved on screen, her hairstyle remained largely unchanged. Off-screen, however, Winter has embraced bold and dramatic hair transformations since the show ended in 2020.
“I’m pretty adventurous with my hair,” Winter told People in 2019. “Alex doesn’t change up her look that much, so it’s fun for me to do it outside of work.” And she proved it. After Modern Family wrapped, Winter began experimenting with vibrant colors and different styles that made her look nearly unrecognizable from her TV persona.
Shortly after the series finale, she surprised fans on Instagram by debuting a light red hair color. Styled with a center part and beachy waves, the new look drew praise from followers. One fan commented, “Looks amazing. The color is done so well.” Winter herself was thrilled with the change. “It makes me feel like a new me,” she said. “A lot of people don’t recognize me at first. They can’t piece it together because the hair looks so different — but I like it a lot.”
The red wasn’t her only dramatic shift. Later in 2020, Winter took things even further by going platinum blond. She also cut her hair to shoulder length, giving off major Marilyn Monroe and Game of Thrones vibes. In one Instagram post, she captioned a photo of her icy blond locks, “Winter Is Coming!!!!!!!!!!!!,” referencing the popular fantasy series. Fans loved it, with one writing, “The blonde suits you! You look gorgeous!”
Despite the bold changes, Winter is careful to keep her hair healthy. “I put a lot of conditioner on it. I am serious about conditioner,” she told Allure. To maintain shine and prevent damage, she also uses argan and coconut oils, especially on the ends. “I put it on almost every night. I braid my hair and sleep like that. It helps keep it healthy for all the styles I want to try.”
A natural dark blonde, Winter has proven she’s not afraid to step out of her comfort zone. With her adventurous spirit and strong hair care routine, the actor continues to impress fans with each transformation.
