Bethenny Frankel’s Hairstylist on Her New Look: ‘I Could Tell She Was Ready for a Big Change’

We definitely didn’t see Bethenny Frankel‘s major hair change coming. The Skinnygirl beverage mogul and Real Housewives of New York star swapped her signature long dark locks for a unexpected short style. And while she was at the salon, she added in some auburn highlights. Curious to to know more about her unexpected mane transformation? Good, because Frankel’s hairstylist DJ Quintero tells PEOPLE all about the inspiration behind the chop.

Courtesy Bethenny Frankel

“When Bethenny came in, I could tell she was ready for a big change, but she didn’t want to tell me she wanted it, she wanted me to tell her what I thought she should do,” Quintero tells PEOPLE. “When we both found out we were on the same page she was all for the shorter look.”

Frankel even went to the salon prepared with photos she pulled for inspiration, but in the end she trusted Quintero’s vision. “I never saw them since she wanted me to tell her what I thought we should do,” he says.

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And because it was a drastic change-up for Frankel (a look Quintero describes as very “downtown”), he says we probably won’t see another chop anytime soon. “I’m not sure we will go shorter in the future. I wanted it to be shorter than a ‘lob’ and not a bob — somewhere in between, like a ‘mob.’ ”

As for the new color, Quintero worked with colorist Gina Gilbert to lighten up Frankel’s shade for summer. “We wanted it to be subtle. Not too light but not as dark as she was,” he shares. “More of a ‘sombré’ — a subtle ombré.”

Overall, he enjoyed the experience working with Frankel. “I loved Bethenny,” he says. “I think she is so sweet and fun and has a great personality.”

Tell us, are you loving her new look? Share your thoughts in the comments!

–Colleen Kratofil

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