Zendaya never does anything by halves, and her hair is no exception. Every Zendaya hair colour change sparks conversations across social media, with fans eager to decode the exact shade and find ways to recreate the look themselves. From warm honey tones to rich brunette depths, she’s proven that switching up your hair colour can completely transform your style.
Whether you’re hunting for red carpet inspiration or simply curious about her colour journey, we’ve rounded up five of her most memorable transformations. Each look offers something different, soft and sun-kissed, bold and dramatic, or somewhere beautifully in between. At Smart Beauty, we believe celebrity hair moments like these should feel achievable, not out of reach. Our vegan, cruelty-free home hair dyes are designed to help you experiment with confidence, bringing salon-worthy results to your bathroom.
Here are the Zendaya hair colour moments worth bookmarking.
1. Smart Beauty match: Zendaya-inspired blonde at home
This is the Zendaya hair colour change that launched a thousand mood boards. Her warm honey blonde made waves at the 2024 Met Gala, blending soft gold tones with natural depth that caught the light beautifully. Instead of flat, single-process blonde, this look layered dimension and movement through strategically placed highlights. You can absolutely recreate this vibe at home with the right products and a clear plan.
What this colour reads like in photos
In natural light, this shade leans towards buttery gold with subtle caramel undertones. Zendaya’s version avoided anything icy or platinum, choosing warmth over cool. The colour sat somewhere between level 8 and level 9 (medium to light blonde), which means it’s achievable without excessive bleaching if you’re starting from a darker blonde or light brown base.
How to choose the right blonde level and tone
Start by assessing your current hair colour and its undertones. If you have naturally warm hair (gold, copper, or red tones), you’re already halfway there. Look for blonde shades labelled honey, golden, or warm beige in the product range. Smart Beauty’s Bleach & Blonde collection includes plex-enriched options that lift and tone in one step, protecting your hair as it lightens.
"Warm blondes suit almost everyone because they mimic how the sun naturally lightens hair."
Smart Beauty-friendly at-home plan to get there
Bleach your hair to a pale yellow base (level 9 or 10) using a gentle lightener with plex protection. Follow with a golden or honey toner to neutralise any remaining yellow and deposit the warm tone. If you’re already blonde, skip the bleach and go straight to a demi-permanent golden shade. Apply from mid-lengths to ends first, then roots, to avoid hot spots.
How to keep it bright without brass
Use a purple shampoo sparingly (once a week maximum) to prevent your blonde from turning too warm. Pair it with a colour-depositing conditioner in gold or honey tones to refresh the warmth between dyes. Avoid excessive heat styling, and always apply a heat protectant before blow-drying.
2. Wimbledon preppy blonde
Zendaya stepped onto the Wimbledon grounds in July 2024 with a polished blonde that felt distinctly different from her warmer Met Gala shade. This version leaned cooler and cleaner, with subtle ash undertones that complemented her preppy outfit perfectly. The colour sat at a level 9 blonde, bright without looking platinum, and the tone avoided any brassy orange or excessive warmth.
What this colour reads like in photos
This Zendaya hair colour change appears almost champagne blonde in direct sunlight, with neutral beige undertones replacing the honey golds. You’ll notice the absence of obvious yellow or copper, making it read as sophisticated rather than beachy. The colour looks intentionally refined and polished, with minimal dimension through the lengths.
"Cool blondes require precise toning to prevent unwanted warmth from creeping back in."
How to choose the right blonde level and tone
Your starting point matters here. If you’re currently dark blonde or light brown, you’ll need to pre-lighten to level 9 before applying a cool toner. Choose shades labelled ash, beige, or champagne from Smart Beauty’s range. Avoid anything marked golden or honey, as these will push you back towards warmth.
Smart Beauty-friendly at-home plan to get there
Bleach your hair to a pale yellow base, then apply a cool beige or ash blonde toner. Leave the toner on for the full processing time to ensure proper deposit. Rinse with cool water to seal the cuticle and lock in the tone.
How to keep it bright without brass
Use a purple shampoo twice weekly to maintain the cool tone. Between washes, apply a beige toning conditioner to refresh the colour. Limit chlorine and hard water exposure, as both introduce unwanted warmth.
3. Antique penny blonde
This Zendaya hair colour change arrived in late 2024 during a promotional appearance, showcasing a rich penny blonde that split the difference between her cooler Wimbledon shade and the warmer Met Gala honey. The colour felt distinctly vintage, evoking old copper coins rather than shiny new pennies. You’ll notice the blend of gold and rose undertones that gave the shade unexpected depth without reading overtly red.
What this colour reads like in photos
The colour registers as a level 8 to 9 blonde with subtle copper and peach undertones. In natural light, you’ll catch flashes of rose gold that distinguish it from straightforward golden blonde. The tone avoids anything brassy or orange, maintaining a sophisticated warmth that complements most skin tones beautifully.
How to choose the right blonde level and tone
Look for shades described as rose gold, copper blonde, or peachy beige within Smart Beauty’s Bleach & Blonde range. Your natural undertones matter here. If you have pink or neutral undertones in your skin, this shade will harmonise perfectly without clashing.
Smart Beauty-friendly at-home plan to get there
Pre-lighten to a pale yellow base at level 9 or 10, then apply a rose gold or peachy blonde toner. Process for the recommended time to allow the subtle copper pigments to deposit evenly throughout your hair.
"Rose gold tones require precise balance between pink and gold pigments to avoid looking too orange or too purple."
How to keep it bright without brass
Alternate between purple and pink shampoos weekly to maintain the complex tone. Apply a rose gold colour depositing treatment every two weeks to refresh the shade between full colour applications.
4. Wheat blonde highlights at the SAG Awards
The 2025 SAG Awards brought another memorable Zendaya hair colour change, this time showcasing wheat blonde highlights that created natural dimension throughout her hair. Rather than a solid block of colour, this look featured strategically placed ribbons of lighter blonde against a slightly deeper base. The result felt sun-kissed and organic, mimicking how hair naturally lightens through summer months.
What this colour reads like in photos
This shade blends level 8 base colour with level 9 highlights placed around the face and through the mid-lengths. The highlights lean neutral to slightly warm, avoiding both ash tones and excessive gold. You’ll notice the colour creates movement and texture without obvious lines of demarcation between shades.
How to choose the right blonde level and tone
Select a base shade one level darker than your desired highlights for proper contrast. Smart Beauty’s neutral blonde range works perfectly here, offering subtle warmth without pushing into honey territory.
Smart Beauty-friendly at-home plan to get there
Apply your base colour first, processing fully before rinsing. Then paint highlights through sectioned hair, focusing on face-framing pieces and the surface layers where light naturally hits.
"Highlights should mimic natural hair lightening patterns for the most believable results."
How to keep it bright without brass
Rotate between your base colour maintenance and highlight refreshers every six to eight weeks. Use purple shampoo once weekly to maintain the neutral tone throughout both shades.
5. Golden Globes brunette comeback
After months of blonde experimentation, Zendaya returned to her brunette roots at the 2025 Golden Globes, reminding everyone why darker shades suit her so well. This Zendaya hair colour change marked a complete departure from the lighter tones, showcasing a rich chocolate brown with subtle warmth throughout. The depth created immediate contrast against her skin tone, making the colour feel both dramatic and incredibly natural.
What this colour reads like in photos
This shade sits at a level 4 to 5 brown with warm undertones that prevent the colour from reading flat or dull. You’ll notice the absence of red or copper tones, keeping the warmth subtle rather than obvious. The colour appears glossy and dimensional under lighting, suggesting healthy hair rather than over-processed strands.
How to choose the right brunette depth and warmth
Select a warm or neutral brown shade from Smart Beauty’s Brown & Copper collection, avoiding anything labelled cool or ash if you want to match Zendaya’s version. Your natural undertones guide this choice. If you have warm or neutral skin tones, lean towards shades with golden or chestnut bases.
Smart Beauty-friendly at-home plan to go darker
Apply your chosen brunette shade from roots to ends, working in sections to ensure even coverage. Process for the full recommended time to achieve proper depth and richness.
"Going darker is always easier than lifting colour, making brunette transitions relatively low-risk for at-home applications."
How to keep brunette glossy and rich
Use a colour-depositing shampoo in brown tones weekly to refresh the pigment between full colour applications. Apply a glossing treatment every two weeks to maintain shine and prevent fading from washing.
Your next colour move
Every Zendaya hair colour change proves that switching between shades doesn’t require salon visits or professional training. Whether you’re drawn to her warm honey tones, cool champagne blonde, or rich brunette comeback, these transformations all started with quality products and clear technique. Your version doesn’t need to match hers exactly. Pick the elements that speak to you, whether that’s the warmth level, the depth, or the dimensional highlights.
Smart Beauty’s vegan and cruelty-free formulas give you the freedom to experiment without compromising hair health. Our plex-enriched products protect your strands while delivering colour that genuinely impresses. Browse our Lighten & Tone System to explore blonde shades inspired by these iconic looks, or choose from our full range of ethically made hair colours designed for confident at-home transformations. Your next favourite shade is waiting.