Cheryl Cole transforms into a blonde bombshell for 3 Words video

Dark Rapunzel locks are her trademark and thanks to a lucrative L'Oreal deal, her bread and butter too.

But Cheryl Cole has swapped those famous tumbling brunette curls for a bold suicide blonde wig in the new video for her upcoming single, 3 Words.

The look, which appears to be inspired by fashion forward pop star Lady GaGa, marks a rare case of experimentation for the X Factor judge, who has had the same hairstyle for a number of years.

She also swaps her bronzed tan for alabaster skin, smokey eyes and pale lipstick.
Cheryl teams up with Black Eyed Peas rapper Will.I.Am in the clip for her atmospheric love song, which is the title track from her chart-topping album.

Throughout, she shows off other 'dos, including a blunt long bob.
Of course, it follows controversy over her national advertising campaign for Elvive Full Restore 5, a shampoo and conditioner range.

In the advertisement she credits the products with making her hair 'full of life' but makes little reference to her £1,000 hair extensions.The 3 Words video itself tries - perhaps just that little bit too hard - to be edgy and features a split screen, unconventional camera angles and modern dance.

Although the song has already charted at No. 26 on downloads alone, the track will be officially released as a single on December 21 - meaning Cheryl could have the first number one of 2010.

3 Words tells the story of a couple who socialise separately and are both approached by members of the opposite sex.
The singers go on to declare each other is 'the love of my life' and 'through the ups and the downs... never let go,' which will no doubt be interpreted by fans as an insight into Cheryl's marriage to footballer Ashley Cole.

Cheryl, 26, recorded five tracks with the Black Eyed Peas star in Los Angeles over the summer for the album, which reached number one in the UK charts when it was released last month.

The first single Fight For This Love, which was also released in October, also went straight to the top of the singles chart.