London, UK – Could the ultimate bombshell be heading back to the villa? Love Island legend Maura Higgins has sent fans into a frenzy after debuting a glamorous new hairstyle on social media. The Irish reality star unveiled her fresh look on Instagram on Thursday, December 18, 2025, leading many to believe she is preparing for a shock return to the show that made her famous.
With the third series of Love Island: All Stars set to hit our screens in just a few weeks, the timing of Maura’s makeover has raised eyebrows. The 34-year-old, who is widely considered one of the most iconic contestants in the show’s history, swapped her signature dark brunette locks for a softer, honey-toned color with face-framing layers.
In the photo shared with her millions of followers, Maura looked radiant as she posed in a salon chair. She captioned the post simply with a “scissors” emoji and a “sparkle” emoji, letting the image speak for itself. Within minutes, the comments section was flooded with theories from eagle-eyed fans who think this “glow up” is more than just a festive treat.
“That is 100% ‘villa ready’ hair,” one excited fan commented. Another user wrote, “New hair right before January? We see you, Maura! Please tell me you are going on All Stars.” A third added, “Imagine if she walks in as the first bombshell. The ratings would go through the roof.”
Maura first appeared on Love Island in 2019 during Season 5. Her quick wit, straight-talking attitude, and memorable catchphrases made her an instant hit with viewers. Since leaving the villa, she has carved out a hugely successful career in presenting and modeling. While she has previously shut down rumors of a return, saying she feels she has “grown past” the dating show format, fans have never given up hope.
The speculation comes as ITV bosses are reportedly pulling out all the stops for the upcoming All Stars series in January 2026. After the massive success of the first two seasons, producers are under pressure to sign big names to keep the momentum going. Bringing back a “legend” like Maura would be a major coup for the network.
Hair transformations are often a tell-tale sign that an Islander is about to fly to South Africa. Past contestants have often admitted to spending thousands on beauty treatments, including hair extensions, veneers, and skin facials, in the weeks leading up to their appearance. The cameras in the villa are unforgiving, and the stars know they will be in high-definition on national television every night.
Of course, Maura isn’t the only name being whispered in the rumor mill. Recent reports have suggested that former winners Millie Court and Liam Reardon could also be eyeing a second stint on the show after their on-off relationship made headlines earlier this year. However, no name carries quite as much weight as Maura Higgins.
Whether this new hairstyle is just a fresh look for Christmas or a strategic move for her career remains to be seen. Maura has stayed tight-lipped about her plans for the New Year. But in the world of reality TV, silence often speaks louder than words. For now, fans will have to wait and see if this Irish beauty is packing her bags for one last summer of love.
Love Island legend debuts ‘new hair’ ahead of rumoured All Stars return
