Dark brown hair naturally has the advantage of appearing shiny, as it reflects light, but revitalizing its color can be challenging due to its pigmented strands. Fortunately, the latest sophisticated hair trends are forgiving to deep, brown hues, providing a method to introduce light and depth without significant lightening. Below, the four simplest ways to celebrate your brunette locks this spring.
Sunny Bronze
Keep the color vibrant, not brassy, with a light bronze hue. “It’s an exquisitely rich, dimensional shade that fits between copper and chocolate brown,” says Hershesons’ colorist James Samuel, who suggests it for warmer skin tones looking to amplify depth and warmth. Ensure the color stays super glossy. “Like a sun-kissed brunette that captures the light in a genuinely natural, flattering manner.”
Flecked Brunette
Not all cocoa shades have to be warm; a cooler tone can be more subtle and more flattering on those with cool undertones. “I’m really into cooler brunettes with what I call ‘flecks’ – tiny, nearly unnoticeable pieces of deep, mink-toned blonde interspersed throughout the hair,” shares Samuel. “It’s not about traditional highlights or anything striped; it’s far softer and more blended. I use fine, scattered highlights and finish with an ash-blonde gloss to achieve that seamless, light-catching effect.”
Caramel Delight
A sun-kissed shade will always be fitting for brighter weather, and adds depth to brown hair without having to commit to a complete makeover. “I adore incorporating soft, sun-kissed streaks of caramel, honey, or toffee throughout the mid-lengths and ends. It elevates the color and reflects light beautifully, imparting brunettes with that fresh, effortless radiance,” says hairstylist Hadley Yates of Hadley Yates salon. Playing with natural-looking extensions is also an excellent way to refresh your hair color. Yates’ Curated line looks like your hair, but superior, and is available in a multitude of shades.
Cherry Cola
Cherry red shades have graced us with their presence in the past, but for this season, the red tone is significantly more subdued. “It lies right between a deep chocolate brown and near-black, with just a touch of red woven into it,” says Samuel. “The red isn’t obvious, but it imparts the hair with incredible richness and depth, especially under natural light.” Think of it as the mature interpretation of last year’s cherry red wave.
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