The Winter Brunette Trend That’s Surprisingly Low Maintenance
@thescissorsammurai
The perfect blend for brunettes this season
I’ve been writing about hair color trends for almost 20 years (yes, I'm dating myself). And without fail, the trend for brunettes come winter is almost always to go darker, richer, and warmer. So when I spot something more unexpected, it gets my attention. Give it a fresh-sounding name, and you’ve really piqued my interest.
Enter this winter’s must-dye brunette hue: Satin Bronze, created and coined by Samantha Grover, owner and Wella master color expert at Signature Salon in Yaphank. (If you follow my Instagram page, you’ve seen her gorgeous work in my hair color galleries under the handle @thescissorsammurai.)
What’s the trend? “It’s a medium, warm brown base mixed with neutral-to-cool, beige balayage highlights,” says Grover. The combo of warm and cool tones creates a bronzy hue and gives hair a luminous, satin-like finish. Hence, the name Grover gave the look. Despite the addition of beige blonde, it’s decidedly a brunette shade—not bronde, she says. “It’s about 80% brown and 20% blonde balayage.”
Who can wear it? Here’s the beauty of this shade: It flatters most skin tones because it’s a mix of warm and cool tones.
What’s the maintenance like? While it looks rather expensive (in an upscale way), this is a low-maintenance look, especially if you’re a natural brunette. “You can do balayage a minimum of two to four times a year,” says Grover. She suggests getting a glaze every eight weeks to boost the shine and keep the color looking fresh in between balayage appointments.
At home, Grover says a thermal protectant spray is a must. (Heat damage will dull shine, cause the color to fade, and turn blondes brassy.) Her pick: Wella EIMI Thermal Image Heat Protecting Spray ($19; ulta.com). Color-safe shampoo and conditioner are key, too. Which one you use depends on your hair type and texture, but Grover says a favorite brand is Kevin.Murphy.
As a natural brunette, I’d say my biggest struggle is keeping my shade from looking drab and flat. This lived-in, low-maintenance color seems like a perfect solution for adding luster and interest to a more basic brown. And who doesn’t want hair that looks like satin?
