Camila Mendes has done it again. Just weeks after debuting one of her shortest haircuts ever, the Riverdale alum is already switching things up, and this time, she is returning to her signature brunette roots. The actress revealed her latest transformation, sharing a series of fresh selfies on Instagram that showed off her new honey brown lob, and fans instantly knew this was a main character moment.
“feeling like myself again 🤎 @colorbymattrez,” Mendes captioned the post, tagging her longtime colorist. The vibe was warm, glowing, and very much classic Camila. Her hair now sits right around her shoulders, cut into a sleek lob that perfectly frames her face while letting the color do all the talking.
This new shade is not just brunette. It is part of the rising honey brown hair color trend that has been quietly taking over celebrity salons. Celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos described it to InStyle as “a sweet, golden brown with a natural, radiant glow,” fitting Mendes’ latest look exactly. The color has depth without being dark, brightness without being blonde, and just enough warmth to make skin look instantly healthier and more luminous.
From Cherry Red to Honey Brown in a Flash
Mendes’ hair journey over the past year has been a full-blown glow-up saga. Since the fall of 2024, she had been rocking a rich, dark auburn shade, leaning into bold cherry red tones that gave her hair a dramatic, high-fashion edge. The look was striking and playful, but in December, she surprised everyone by cutting it all off.
© Getty ImagesLast month, Mendes revealed that her long cherry-colored hair had been trimmed down to a chin-grazing length, making it one of her shortest cuts in nearly a decade. On Instagram Stories, she teased the transformation with three scissors emojis, keeping things cheeky and light. In a carousel posted to her feed, she showed off the fresh lob styled with gold earrings, a butter yellow hoodie, and 90s-inspired sunglasses that gave the whole moment a cool, retro feel. “snip snip ✂️,” she wrote, and the internet immediately understood the assignment.
That December chop marked a huge shift from the flowing red waves she had been wearing just weeks before. Now, by going back to brunette, Mendes has completed a full style reset, landing on a look that feels both nostalgic and completely current.
© GC ImagesA Brunette Moment
There is something especially powerful about a celebrity going back to their natural or signature hair color, and Mendes made that emotional connection clear in her caption. Saying she feels like herself again suggests that this honey brown lob is more than just a trend-driven choice. It is a return to the version of Camila that fans first fell in love with.
The last time Mendes’ hair was this short was in 2016, right before “Riverdale” premiered. That was the era when she stepped into the role of Veronica Lodge, the iconic comic book character who became one of The CW’s most memorable teen drama leads. “Riverdale” ran until 2023, and over the years, Mendes’ dark, glossy hair became part of her on-screen identity.
© Kevin MazurSeeing her with a short brunette cut again creates a subtle full-circle moment. It links her early career to where she is now, more confident, more experimental, and fully in control of her image.
Camila Mendes and the Art of Reinvention
This is far from the first time Mendes has played with her look. Nearly two years ago, she shocked fans by dying her brunette hair a vibrant red, a move that instantly refreshed her image. She debuted that transformation in a series of mirror selfies taken in an airport bathroom, which somehow made the moment even more iconic.
© Getty Images for VogueIn those photos, she looked thrilled, smiling as she played with her loose waves and admired the bold new color. That same energy is still here now, just in a softer, more grounded form. The honey brown shade feels intentional, grown-up, and quietly glamorous, especially paired with a sleek lob that highlights her features without overwhelming them.
Why the Honey Brown Lob Is the Hair Trend to Watch
From a real-world beauty standpoint, this look is a perfect storm. Short layered haircuts, celebrity hair transformations, and honey brown hair color are all trending search terms right now, and Mendes just combined all three into one irresistible style.
The lob, or long bob, remains one of the most versatile cuts in modern beauty. It works with straight hair, waves, and curls, and it is easy to style while still looking polished. Adding a honey brown tone gives it dimension and warmth, making it ideal for anyone who wants a fresh look without going too extreme.
