Gwen Stefani may be known for her signature platinum blond hair, but it turns out the pop star and fashion icon is naturally a brunette.
Over the years, Stefani has experimented with a variety of bold hair colors — from bright pinks to blue streaks — but she always returns to her trademark glossy blond. The striking color has become a central part of her glamorous and ever-evolving style. However, childhood photos shared on Instagram reveal that the No Doubt frontwoman was born with light brown hair.
One throwback picture posted for Father’s Day shows a young Stefani with shiny, light brown locks while sitting with her dad. In another family snapshot from a few years later, her hair appears even darker, showing a rich chestnut shade. Her sister Jillian also had dark brown hair in the photo. Fans were surprised, with one commenting, “So you weren’t actually blond?!”
Stefani’s longtime hairstylist Danilo Dixon keeps her platinum shade flawless with weekly coloring sessions. Speaking to Refinery29, Danilo said he developed a high-lift formula to achieve the perfect blond while preserving hair quality. “I learned that I could get to the blond I want — and keep the hair healthy — by using a new product, not just bleach,” he explained.
To maintain the look, Danilo uses deep conditioning treatments daily, including Pantene’s Repair and Protect 3 Minute Miracle Deep Conditioner and Conditioning Detangler Spray. However, he cautions against over-conditioning, as it can leave hair greasy or limp.
Though Stefani rarely returns to her roots, she has worn her natural color — or something close to it — as an adult. In the music video for her song “Cool,” she sported a bouncy brunette style that closely matched her real hair. “Gwen’s an Italian girl with wavy brown hair,” Danilo said. “We did her in her natural shade, maybe a little darker.”
Still, fans shouldn’t expect her to go brunette full-time. Stefani told Harper’s Bazaar that she first went blond at age 25 during an eight-hour salon visit — and never looked back. “It was like I’d unlocked the key,” she recalled. “I remember feeling like, ‘I have arrived. This is me. Finally.’”
Stefani’s love for her platinum look remains strong, and despite the occasional glimpse of her natural hue, blond continues to be her trademark.
