Gwen Stefani is known for her iconic platinum blond hair, a style that has defined her glamorous image for decades. While she has experimented with bold colors like neon blue and hot pink, she always returns to her signature blond look. However, many fans are surprised to learn that Stefani is not naturally blond at all.
Photos from Stefani’s childhood reveal that she is a natural brunette. In a Father’s Day post on Instagram, a baby Stefani is seen with soft, light brown hair. In another throwback family photo shared years later, her hair appears darker, a rich chestnut brown. The singer is pictured with her father and sister Jillian, both of whom also have dark brown hair.
The unexpected reveal prompted reactions online, with one social media user commenting, “So you weren’t actually blond?!”
To maintain her signature shade, Stefani works closely with her longtime hairstylist Danilo Dixon. He told Refinery29 that he colors her hair weekly to prevent roots from showing. “I developed a high-lift formula for her,” he said, explaining that he avoids traditional bleach by using a gentler product that protects hair health.
Danilo also shared tips with E! News on how he keeps Stefani’s hair healthy despite frequent coloring. He uses Pantene’s Repair and Protect 3 Minute Miracle Deep Conditioner and their Conditioning Detangler Spray. “She gets multiple types of deep conditioning every day,” he said, but warned against over-conditioning, which can leave hair greasy and flat.
Although Stefani rarely shows her natural color today, she has embraced it—or something close—on occasion. In her music video for “Cool,” she sported a brunette look that closely resembled her natural hair. “Gwen’s an Italian girl with wavy brown hair,” Danilo said. “We did her in her natural shade, maybe a little darker.”
Still, it’s unlikely Stefani will fully return to her brunette roots. She first went blond at age 25 after an eight-hour salon session and told Harper’s Bazaar that the transformation felt life-changing. “It was like I’d unlocked the key,” she said. “I remember feeling like, ‘I have arrived. This is me. Finally.’”
And decades later, she continues to embrace the blond that helped shape her image.
