As we’re experiencing an explosion of ombre and unicorn trends, it’s refreshing to see deep brunette hues making a comeback. Dubbed by colorists as “expensive brunette”, the style offers beautiful alternatives to highlights for hair styles that need something different than them.
Lighter shades require much more frequent upkeep. Here’s how you can purchase them at home.
1. Caramel Chocolate
Caramel brown highlights can create a warm, sensual and luxurious look suited for brunettes with light to medium hair colors. Victoria’s Secret angel Gisele Bundchen beautifully showcases this look on her chin-length locks.
To achieve a beautiful ombre effect, ask your colorist to combine milky brown, cinnamon and maple strands with your natural hair color for an alluring ombre look. They’ll use the balayage technique for an alluring sun-kissed finish that works on all skin tones.
EmRata showcases an understated caramel highlight using soft face-framing placement reminiscent of EmRata. Her colors blend so beautifully with her dark brunette base that they seem almost invisible, making this look work for all hair lengths! For DIY use, pick up a balayage kit and follow its instructions.
2. Chocolate Brown
As its name implies, this luxurious hue resembles chocolate truffle with deep tones that feel indulgent and luxurious. Lee describes this look as being “mesmerizing and luscious”, adding that healthier hair will appear brighter and shiner.
To elevate the shade, she recommends adding lowlights for added dimension and depth, or having your stylist add honey highlights around the face to frame and illuminate for an alluring glow.
Haliti suggests choosing sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners containing keratin for long-term color care; she recommends Redken Shades EQ Gloss as one such product.
3. Milk Chocolate
Liam Curran, celebrity hairstylist and Tangle Teezer ambassador, describes this luxurious brunette trend as low maintenance and wallet friendly. “The look can easily be achieved while still producing salon quality high-shine finish,” according to Liam Curran.
From caramel balayage (soft, hand-painted highlights on a golden brunette base) to cherry cola and so-called latte hair, this luxurious look enhances any natural tone.
When selecting this color, it’s essential to consult a professional who can ensure it complements both skin tone and eye color. A colorist must take extra care in neutralizing brassy tones so as not to leave you looking faded or dull, according to Matrix colorist and designer George Papanikolas. For optimal shine in expensive brunette hairstyles, your stylist may suggest glossing treatments and products like Redken Shades EQ Glosses to keep the luminous shine intact.
4. Hazelnut Brown
Imagine an exquisite cafe latte, complete with caramel swirls and spicy notes of cinnamon; that’s the feeling this rich brunette hue conveys. Perfectly autumn-like in appearance, its spicy nuances complement most complexions and styles for maximum impact!
Ashley recommends this shade for anyone seeking warm and vibrant tones without high contrast, such as blondes or brondes wanting a deeper hue during cooler months. To ensure both parties are on the same page when transitioning directly from lighter hues to this hue, Ashley advises bringing in photos as inspiration so both parties are on board regarding shade parameters.
For the smoothest transition, choose a brown box dye one to two shades lighter than your current shade and conduct a strand test beforehand.
5. Caramel Brown
Caramel brown is the latest luxurious brunette trend sweeping salons. A mix of caramel, gold and honey highlights that soften a warm brunette base is what defines it; celebrities like Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez and Hailey Bieber have all worn variations of it. For at-home use you may want to consider investing in an at-home highlighting kit like L’Oreal Paris Superior Preference Balayage At-Home Highlighting Kit that comes equipped with an expert applicator for natural-looking results!
If you are a brunette, it is essential that you work closely with your stylist in determining the appropriate hues for your complexion. Some subtle formula adjustments could mean the difference between a caramel look that enhances and flatters your complexion and one which appears brassy or cheap-looking.