Sarah Pidgeon’s Summer Style Transformation Leads to Unforeseen Psoriasis Outbreak

Sarah Pidgeon’s journey to channel Carolyn Bessette Kennedy was not without its challenges.

The 29-year-old actress, who took on the role of the renowned fashion publicist in Ryan Murphy's series Love Story, recounted a wardrobe blunder that left her with an unexpected skin condition while on set.

In a recent Beauty Secrets video for Vogue, released on April 9, Pidgeon shared her experience filming in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, the historic home of the Kennedy family.

"While we were shooting Love Story, I wore a cashmere turtleneck and jeans," she explained. "It was around 90 degrees outside, and I ended up with a heat rash that escalated into psoriasis all over my body."

She elaborated, "It appears on my chest and tummy. It’s really everywhere. It comes in waves; it can disappear, but I can always cover it up." This isn’t the first time Pidgeon has discussed her struggles with scalp psoriasis, having previously opened up about it in a 2024 interview.

In the Vogue video, she also mentioned the difficulties of going blonde for the role, noting that hair dye can irritate her scalp. "I auditioned for Carolyn with long, dark brown hair and transitioned to blonde, which is quite a process," she said. "We have to be cautious because of my psoriasis, and lightening such dark hair requires intense treatment."

Celebrity colorist Kari Hill, a Schwarzkopf Professional ambassador, provided insights into Pidgeon's hair transformation during a March interview. "Transforming Sarah from very dark hair to Carolyn’s blonde was a significant undertaking — it took over 20 hours in the first session alone," she recalled.

To achieve Carolyn's signature look, Hill employed her unique "Foiled Cashmere" technique, a precise foiling method inspired by the texture of cashmere sweaters. "This isn’t the ‘lived-in’ look that’s popular today with balayage or hair painting," she clarified.

Hill emphasized the importance of Schwarzkopf Professional BLONDME® 9+ Premium Lightener in the process. "Its texture allowed me to weave delicate sections into the foils, almost thread-like, which is crucial for creating soft contrast without harsh lines. That level of control results in a blonde that feels luxurious and expensive — high contrast yet refined," she stated.