Get the Look: Expensive Brunette

Haven’t you heard? Brunettes are back in a big way in 2022, and we’re here to help you create that expensive brunette look everyone is asking for. 

Before we begin, what is the “expensive brunette” trend? Although brown hair has and always will be timeless, there's no hiding the fact that blonde has been the star of the show for the last well…century. Don’t get us wrong, we love our blondes. From icy locks to sandy balayage, we know blonde will never truly go out of style. But when big-name celebrities like Hailey Bieber and Gigi Hadid traded their signature blonde hair for chocolaty tresses, we took notice. 

It's a common misconception that brunettes are easier to achieve stylistically than blondes. While there isn’t any bleach involved, getting that rich, brunette look, especially when it comes to transitioning from blonde or light brown to a deep brown, requires time, skill, and the right products. We know our StyList audience is more than talented enough to pull this brunette revolution off, but here are some tips and tricks from us for when it comes to achieving the new #1 hairstyle. 

What Shade Are You Looking For?

The first thing to ask yourself or your client is what shade of brown they are looking for. Brunettes are not a monolith. Cool-toned browns, warm-toned browns, deep chocolate, and luscious caramel–there are endless options to choose from. Not only is hair inspiration important when it comes to picking the perfect shade of brown, but the color your client started with, too…

Shop beautiful brunette shades on StyList here.

Blonde to Brown in a Heartbeat

All the newfound celebrity brunettes didn’t achieve their look with a quick snap of their stylist’s fingers. When it comes to transitioning from blonde to brunette, it is especially important to apply filler pigment in order to create an optimal base for the brown shade your client wants to achieve. Whether they are blonde all over, sporting highlights, or ready to get rid of their ombre look, nobody wants their hair going a swampy green. Well, at least not unintentionally. 

A go-to suggestion in this situation is to choose a color that mimics your client’s natural shades. All of this takes a little bit of extra time in the long run, but that finished result makes it worthwhile. 

To do this, you’re going to want to mix equal parts of a few brown tones that match your client’s roots with a cream developer. Shop for everything you’ll need  on StyList. 

Dimension, Honey!

The first two steps are incredibly important, but when it comes to achieving that expensive brunette look, this step is the kicker. We’re not going for a boxed-dye-looking job here! 

With any color, there is a risk of hair looking flat and lifeless, but this is especially true when it comes to brunettes. You’re going to want to use a specific combination of shades and tones to give your client the look they are going for without sacrificing vibrance. While they might be asking for a brown-all-over look, which can still elicit that trending brunette style we’re looking for, highlights and lowlights, however subtle, may be necessary to add some nuance.