Just when fans thought Camila Mendes was done switching things up, she surprised everyone again. Only weeks after unveiling one of the shortest haircuts of her career, the actress has officially let go of her bold cherry cola era and stepped back into familiar territory — rich, glowing brunette.
Mendes revealed her latest transformation on Instagram, sharing a series of selfies that instantly set social media buzzing. Her hair now falls at shoulder length in a sleek lob, colored a warm honey brown that feels effortless, polished, and unmistakably her. In the caption, she admitted she finally feels like herself again, tagging her longtime colorist and letting the look speak for itself.
The shade isn’t a flat brunette. It’s part of the increasingly popular honey brown trend — a golden-toned brown that reflects light beautifully without crossing into blonde territory. The color adds softness and dimension, giving her skin a healthier, brighter glow while still keeping depth and richness.
This moment didn’t come out of nowhere. Over the past year, Mendes’ hair journey has been anything but boring. Since fall 2024, she leaned hard into dramatic territory with deep auburn and cherry-red tones, a striking look that felt playful and fashion-forward. Then, in December, she shocked fans by cutting off her long waves entirely.
That chop brought her hair to a chin-grazing length — her shortest cut in nearly ten years. She teased the change with playful scissors emojis before revealing the final look in a carousel that paired the fresh cut with gold jewelry, a butter-yellow hoodie, and retro-inspired sunglasses. The message was clear: she was ready for a reset.
Now, with the red officially gone, the transformation feels complete. Going back to brunette wasn’t just a style decision — it was emotional. Mendes’ comment about feeling like herself again hinted at something deeper than trends. This look connects her present to her roots.
The last time her hair was this short and dark was back in 2016, right before Riverdale premiered. That was the era when she stepped into the role of Veronica Lodge, and her glossy brunette hair became part of her identity on screen throughout the show’s run until 2023.
Seeing her return to a similar look now creates a quiet full-circle moment. She’s no longer the newcomer — she’s confident, established, and fully in control of how she presents herself. The honey brown lob feels intentional, grown-up, and quietly powerful.
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Mendes has never been afraid to experiment. Nearly two years ago, she stunned fans by debuting vibrant red hair in a series of airport bathroom mirror selfies — casual, joyful, and instantly iconic. That same energy is still present now, just softer and more grounded.
With one haircut, she managed to combine three major beauty trends — celebrity hair transformations, the long bob, and honey brown color — into a single look that feels wearable and aspirational at the same time. It’s not extreme. It’s not loud. And that’s exactly why it works.
