Stephanie Suganami Didn’t Recognize Herself With Her New Bob

One thing that always gets me in trouble at the salon is my desire to be a little unrecognizable to myself. I like to remember that something happened when I pass a mirror, and that can mean getting an inch or two more than I need chopped off. One time, it left me with a bob.

Stephanie Suganami can relate, though I *promise* that hers is much cuter—and easier to backtrack from—than mine ever was.

On Saturday, May 10, Suganami (you might know her as @steph_shep on Instagram) attended Gold House’s 2025 Gold Gala in Los Angeles. In a game time decision, she decided to let hairstylist Ricky Mota outfit her with a bob—and brought Byrdie along on the journey.

Stephanie Suganami’s Bob

Middle parted and featuring the very slightest wave, the actress’s silky black hair tickled her jawline in a true bob cut—there was none of that lob business going on here.

“We made a last-minute decision to do a bob. Ricky Mota and I have been saving her for a special occasion and the Gold Gala is as special as it gets,” explained Suganami of the wig. “We braided my hair up in 30 minutes and glued her on.”

Known for her long and luscious waist-length hair, the look was a shock for the star. But that was kind of the point.

“I never stray from my uniform looks and this is way out of my comfort zone but fun to try something new,” she added. “Because why not?”

Getting Ready for the Gala

Bob assembly aside, the former Kardashian West Brands COO’s getting-ready festivities included some “pre-gaming with Hennessy” and all of her must haves: “my cozy barefoot dreams blanket, good music playing really loud (usually a pop divas playlist), an order of French fries, good lighting, and a martini!”

Plus, her fabulous team. Alongside Mota, she had celebrity makeup artist Sophie Haig, stylist Edward Bowleg, and photographer John Parvin McBride by her side.

“Getting ready is the most fun part. My glam team, Ricky Mota and Sophie Haig are the best. I really trust them, and I think it makes such a difference when you have good people taking care of you. It feels like family,” she explained.

Stephanie Suganami’s Ethereal Outfit

After pulling on a shredded cream Colleen Allen skirt set with “the most beautiful delicate details” (“It felt like a fresh look to start spring. I love everything she has been doing and I’m so grateful to get to wear one of her pieces. Look out for her!” she said of the look), the environmental advocate peeked through an array of beautiful jewelry pulled by Bowleg.

“I ended up choosing my staple Jessica McCormack Diamond Gypset earrings,” she noted. Then, it was time for makeup touch-ups and a night on the town.

Stephanie Suganami’s Makeup

As a longtime follower of Suganami, I know how much she loves a soft glam moment.

“I personally don’t love to wear a lot of makeup; so Sophie and I prioritize skin prep with products like Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream, it gives the skin a really nice hydrated glow,” she explained.

Another “can’t live without” product for the evening was Refy Brow Sculpt Gel, and of course a good lip liner: “We always use a Makeup Forever Lip Pencil in Anywhere Caffeine or Endless Cacao.”

Heading Out

If Suganami looks shocked in some photos from the event, it’s because she was.

“Me questioning my life choices LOL I literally don’t recognize myself,” she captioned one photo shared with Byrdie.

So it goes, though. Off she went to the Music Center in LA, where she posed for a couple more snaps.

“The wind was a paid actor,” she wrote. And that bob gets top billing.