You see Dua Lipa’s cherry cola red or Margot Robbie’s golden blonde on your feed and think salon appointments, professional colourists, and a hefty bill. But here’s what most people miss: hair dye that looks like celebrity hair is completely achievable at home with the right shades and techniques. You don’t need celebrity budgets or backstage glam squads to rock red carpet worthy colour. What you need is guidance on which shades work, how to apply them safely, and what products actually deliver professional results from your bathroom.
This guide breaks down six celebrity inspired hair colours you can recreate yourself using at-home dyes. You’ll discover which shades match iconic looks from Dua Lipa to Kim Kardashian, learn prep and application techniques that protect your hair, and get honest advice about what works for different starting colours. Each section covers the specific dyes you need, how to maintain your new shade, and realistic expectations for DIY results. Whether you’re after rich brunette depth, sun kissed blonde, or bold vivid brights, you’ll find step by step guidance that makes celebrity colour feel less intimidating and more attainable.
1. Smart Beauty cherry cola red like Dua Lipa
Dua Lipa’s cherry cola red dominated headlines during her Argylle premiere, and the shade proves that deep burgundy reds work beautifully on darker hair without extreme bleaching. This hair dye that looks like celebrity hair sits between classic red and rich plum, featuring purple-blue undertones that create a luxurious, moody finish rather than bright orange-red tones.
The cherry cola shade and celebrity inspo
Cherry cola hair brings deep red with burgundy hues that photograph beautifully in any lighting. The shade skews more purple than traditional reds, giving you that sophisticated, dimensional finish Dua Lipa and Dove Cameron have both worn. Your existing brunette base actually helps the colour develop richer depth rather than fighting against it.
Prep, patch testing and strand tests first
Always complete a patch test 48 hours before your full application to check for allergic reactions. Smart Beauty’s PPD-free formulas suit sensitive scalps, but testing remains essential. Run a strand test on hidden hair to preview how your natural colour interacts with the burgundy tones before committing to your entire head.
Best Smart Beauty dyes for this look
Smart Beauty’s red and plum shades create authentic cherry cola depth when you choose colours with purple or burgundy bases. Your brunette hair needs minimal pre-lightening, so select rich reds from the permanent range for lasting vibrancy. Mixing red with a touch of plum gives you that celebrity-worthy multidimensional finish.
Application tips and brunette balayage tricks
Apply colour to dry, unwashed hair for maximum pigment grab, working from roots through to ends systematically. Create natural dimension by leaving some darker strands untouched or applying lighter on mid-lengths for a lived-in balayage effect. This technique prevents the flat, one-tone result that screams DIY.
How to maintain cherry cola colour at home
Red dye bleeds for the first six washes, so protect your white towels and pillowcases during the initial fortnight. Smart Beauty’s colour-protecting formulas extend vibrancy between sessions, whilst UV protection prevents the purple tones from fading first.
Reds fade faster than other shades, but proper maintenance keeps your cherry cola rich for weeks.
2. Mocha mousse brunette like Zendaya
Pantone’s 2025 Colour of the Year translated perfectly onto Zendaya’s hair during her red carpet appearances, proving mocha mousse works as beautifully on locks as it does in design. This warm, earthy brown brings cozy coffee undertones that suit multiple skin tones without the flat, one-dimensional finish of basic brown dye. Your hair gains richness and depth rather than simply changing colour, creating that expensive-looking dimension professionals charge hundreds for.
What mocha mousse brunette looks like
Mocha mousse sits between milk chocolate and caramel brown, featuring subtle warm undertones that catch light beautifully. The shade ranges from creamy light browns to deeper chocolate hues depending on your starting colour and formula choice. You achieve this hair dye that looks like celebrity hair by selecting browns with golden or caramel bases rather than ashy or neutral tones.
Choosing the right mocha for your skin tone
Fair complexions benefit from lighter mocha shades with golden highlights that brighten your face naturally. Deeper skin tones look stunning with richer chocolate mocha that creates beautiful contrast and warmth. Smart Beauty’s brown and copper range lets you customise your exact mocha depth based on your natural colouring.
Mocha mousse flatters virtually everyone because you adjust the warmth and depth to match your complexion perfectly.
At home dye steps for rich brunette shine
Apply permanent brown dye to clean, towel-dried hair for even colour distribution throughout your strands. Work systematically from roots to ends, ensuring complete saturation in every section for professional-looking results. Smart Beauty’s plex-enriched formulas protect your hair structure whilst depositing rich colour.
Upkeep, toners and glossing upgrades
Maintain your mocha by using colour-safe shampoos that preserve warmth without stripping pigment. Add occasional glossing treatments between full colour sessions to refresh tone and boost shine without damaging your hair further.
3. Golden blonde like Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie’s golden blonde captures that sun-kissed California warmth without looking brassy or yellow, proving this hair dye that looks like celebrity hair requires understanding tone and technique rather than simply choosing "blonde" from a shelf. Her multidimensional golden hue features warmer undertones that complement various skin tones whilst maintaining natural-looking depth and movement throughout the hair.
Celebrity golden blonde colour notes
Golden blonde brings warm, radiant tones with subtle honey and caramel highlights that photograph beautifully in natural light. The shade differs from platinum by maintaining warmth rather than icy coolness, creating approachable elegance instead of stark contrast. Your golden blonde should appear naturally sun-lightened rather than artificially processed.
Lightening safely before you go golden
Pre-lighten your hair gradually using quality bleach products with bond-protecting technology to minimise damage during the lifting process. Start with strand tests on hidden sections to determine processing time needed for your natural colour. Smart Beauty’s bleach range includes plex technology that strengthens hair whilst lifting pigment.
Lifting dark hair to golden blonde takes patience across multiple sessions rather than one aggressive bleach appointment.
Best at home golden blonde shades
Select level 7-9 golden or honey blondes from Smart Beauty’s permanent blonde collection for lasting warmth. Avoid ashy or neutral tones that create the wrong undertone for authentic golden blonde results. Mix shades if needed to customise your exact golden depth.
Aftercare to keep brassiness away
Purple shampoo prevents unwanted yellow tones from developing between colour sessions, maintaining your golden brightness. Apply UV protection products before sun exposure to stop fading and oxidation that turns golden blonde brassy.
4. Soft bronde balayage like Jessica Alba
Jessica Alba’s bronde balayage represents the sweet spot between blonde and brunette, creating that effortlessly natural dimension that requires minimal maintenance compared to full blonde transformations. This hair dye that looks like celebrity hair works beautifully because bronde blends your natural base with lighter pieces, meaning regrowth looks intentional rather than obvious. You achieve lived-in colour that appears expensive whilst staying achievable at home with proper technique.
Why bronde suits so many hair types
Bronde flatters virtually every complexion because you adjust the ratio of blonde to brown based on your natural colouring and preferences. Fair skin benefits from cooler bronde tones with ashy blonde highlights, whilst warmer complexions shine with golden bronde blends. Your hair type matters less than technique since bronde works on straight, wavy, or curly textures equally well when applied correctly.
DIY bronde techniques with minimal damage
Apply lighter shades only to select sections and mid-lengths rather than saturating your entire head, preserving your natural base colour. Use Smart Beauty’s blonde shades on alternating pieces for natural variation, leaving roots darker for dimensional contrast. This targeted approach minimises damage by limiting bleach exposure to specific strands.
Bronde requires less maintenance than full blonde because your natural roots blend seamlessly into the overall colour.
Shade choices for warm and cool bronde
Warm bronde combines golden blonde with caramel brown for sun-kissed radiance that suits olive and warm skin tones beautifully. Cool bronde pairs ashy blonde with neutral brown for sophisticated, understated dimension. Smart Beauty’s brown and blonde ranges let you customise your exact bronde balance based on desired warmth.
Styling ideas that show off the dimension
Style your bronde with loose waves or beachy texture that catch light and showcase the colour variation throughout your hair. Straight styles work too, but movement and layers reveal the multidimensional effect more dramatically.
5. Platinum ice blonde like Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian’s platinum transformations consistently dominate beauty headlines because achieving true icy blonde on naturally dark hair represents the ultimate colour challenge. This hair dye that looks like celebrity hair demands more preparation and maintenance than any other shade, requiring strategic lightening and precise toning to reach that crisp, silvery finish without destroying your hair. Your commitment level needs assessment before starting since platinum requires regular upkeep and careful damage control to maintain both the colour and your hair’s integrity.
Is platinum right for your starting hair
Platinum suits you best if your hair currently sits at level 7 or lighter, though darker hair can reach this shade through multiple lifting sessions. Dark brunettes need gradual bleaching over weeks or months rather than attempting one aggressive session that destroys hair structure. Consider your natural undertones and skin tone since platinum creates stark contrast that works beautifully on fair, cool complexions but may overwhelm warmer skin tones.
Bleach, tone and bond care at home
Lift your hair using Smart Beauty’s plex-enriched bleach that protects bonds whilst removing pigment systematically. Apply bond-building treatments between bleaching sessions to maintain hair strength and elasticity throughout the lifting process. Tone with silver or violet-based shades after bleaching to neutralise any remaining warmth and achieve that icy platinum finish.
Platinum requires patience across multiple bleaching sessions rather than forcing your hair to lift in one sitting.
Maintaining icy tone between colour sessions
Use purple shampoo weekly to prevent brassiness from developing as your platinum oxidises naturally. Refresh your tone with toning treatments every 3-4 weeks to maintain that crisp, cool blonde rather than letting yellow creep back in.
Damage control products that really help
Invest in intensive moisture masks that counteract the dryness bleached hair experiences. Apply leave-in bond repair treatments regularly to strengthen hair structure and prevent breakage from repeated processing.
6. Vivid pastel brights like Hayley Williams
Hayley Williams’ iconic pink and orange shag proves that bold, vivid colours remain achievable at home when you understand proper preparation and application techniques. This hair dye that looks like celebrity hair requires pre-lightening to blonde before applying pastels or brights, since vivid pigments show true colour only on light bases. Your commitment to maintenance matters significantly with these shades since bright colours fade faster than natural tones.
Picking your pastel or vivid celebrity match
Choose your celebrity colour inspiration from Smart Beauty’s pink, purple, and blue ranges that replicate looks from Hayley Williams to Billie Eilish. Consider your lifestyle and workplace before selecting vivid brights since these shades make bold statements. Semi-permanent formulas let you experiment with pastel shades that fade gradually rather than committing to permanent vivid colour.
Preparing hair so colour shows up brightly
Lift your hair to level 9 or 10 blonde using Smart Beauty’s bleach before applying any pastel or vivid shade. Darker bases prevent bright colours from showing true, resulting in muddy or barely visible tones. Complete a strand test on your lightened hair to preview how the vivid pigment appears.
Layering and mixing shades the safe way
Apply vivid colours to clean, dry hair for maximum pigment deposit and even colour distribution. Mix complementary shades from Smart Beauty’s range to create custom celebrity-inspired tones rather than relying on single colours.
Fading, refreshing and switching your colour
Refresh fading pastels by reapplying semi-permanent colour every 4-6 weeks as pigment washes out naturally. Switch between vivid shades easily since semi-permanent formulas fade without leaving permanent colour buildup in your hair structure.
Vivid colours fade quickly, but this flexibility lets you experiment with multiple celebrity looks throughout the year.
Final thoughts
Achieving hair dye that looks like celebrity hair no longer requires professional stylists or expensive salon appointments when you understand proper preparation and application techniques. You’ve discovered six iconic shades from Dua Lipa’s cherry cola to Kim Kardashian’s platinum, complete with realistic DIY guidance that protects your hair whilst delivering stunning results. Your success depends on choosing the right shade for your starting colour, following proper prep steps including strand tests, and maintaining your new look with quality aftercare products.
Ready to transform your hair with celebrity-inspired colour? Browse Smart Beauty’s complete colour range to find vegan, cruelty-free formulas that deliver professional results from home.