If you're looking to change up you're hair color, there are a few factors to consider — skin tone, lifestyle, and the current state of your hair, to name a few — when deciding which shade is right for you. While some colors are notorious for being a full-time commitment (ahem, platinum blonde) that only interests those who are up for the challenge, others are lauded for their low-maintenance universal appeal. Case in point: "expensive brunette." To learn more about this darker, lived-in color, we turned to colorists for their expertise.
Keep scrolling for our complete guide to "expensive brunette" hair.
"It's shiny, it's warm, it sparkles in the light, and it's natural," says Sarah Klein, stylist at Nine Zero One salon in L.A. "What makes it look expensive is the richness of the tones and the shine."
Think: Hailey Bieber's chestnut brown base with peekaboo honey blonde ends. "We would do the bare minimum with some baby face-framing pieces and a gold shiny gloss," says Cassondra Kaeding, Redken brand ambassador and celebrity colorist, about coloring Bieber's hair "expensive brunette."
Former blondes who have been growing out their natural color or anyone looking for a low-maintenance hair color, in general, may find "expensive brunette" appealing. "This trend can be a multi-tonal brunette that is rich in depth and glossy, but this does not mean you can't be one-dimensional," Kaeding tells us. "If you are a person that loves one color this is definitely a trend for you as well."
While "expensive brunette" hair sounds fancy, it's ironically easy to maintain and reflects the shift to low-maintenance haircuts and colors. And since it requires less upkeep than a full head of highlights or a lighter hair color, it's also more wallet-friendly.
"The beauty industry changed quite a bit with more and more people going back to their roots with more of a low maintenance, natural appearance — thinking 'less is more'," Klein tells us. She recommends getting a gloss to add depth to your color, which will enhance your eye color and skin tone. The colorist is a fan of using Redken's Shades EQ Gloss in the salon.
At first glance, it probably doesn't seem like Bieber's hair is that much darker. But in reality, the model has gradually been going brunette, blending her regrowth with warm blonde highlights starting at her mid-lengths.
While Johnson has been a brunette for years, her rich chocolate brown base with gold lowlights is the definition of "expensive brunette."
Richie is another celebrity who recently went back to their roots.
Ciara has played with variations of "expensive brunette" hair. Here, the singer's buttery brown ends add even more warmth to her brunette base.
After temporarily going blonde, then red, Zoey Deutch is back to being a brunette. While her shade is on the darker spectrum of "expensive brunette," the copper undertones add dimension and depth to her color.
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