What is Expensive Brunette? Say Goodbye To Golden Tresses, And Hello To Sultry Bombshell Hair…
Everything you need to know about the latest hair colour trend taking social media by storm that celebrities can’t get enough of…
Blondes may have more fun, but maintaining the right shade is a full-time commitment. Spurring from missed hair colour appointments during the pandemic period, “Expensive Brunette” is the latest brown hair trend you’ll be seeing everywhere this winter – and won’t break the bank.
Bazaar Arabia gets the latest on the trend from Karl Warner, Artistic Director at Pastels Salon Ritz Carlton, and Hicham Ed, creative director at Eideal and Davines Arabia.
What is Expensive Brunette?
Expensive Brunette is one of autumn 2021’s latest hair colour trends, as seen on celebrities and social media stars alike (think Hailey Bieber, Blake Lively and Gigi Hadid). Seemingly inspired by the low-maintenance hair life we’ve been living throughout the pandemic, Expensive Brunette is ironically not as fancy as it sounds. The dimensional look is achieved by adding multiple tones, depth and detail to darker tresses, making it the perfect low-maintenance colour.
Stars such as Hailey Bieber, Gigi Hadid and Florence Pugh recently jumped on the trend, ditching their blonde tresses for the new trending brown shade. Blake Lively, envied for her signature blonde locks, recently also stepped out in a darker shade of bronde – embracing a more natural look.
Is the pandemic partly behind the Expensive Brunette hair trend?
According to Hicham Eid, creative director at Eideal and Davines Arabia, the rise of the Expensive Brunette trend is a natural evolution of our hair care routines – or lack thereof – during the pandemic lockdown, when colour appointments were far and few between.
“Given the current situation of minimalism and natural beauty, it makes sense that this natural tone has been embraced on runways and in street style alike. Given the lockdown and its associated quarantine, everyone was given the opportunity to learn how to embrace their natural hair colour,” says Hicham Eid.
With the rise of Expensive Brunette, is blonde hair out of style?
The word among Gen-Z TikTokers is that blonde hair is “cheugy” – a word for something untrendy or unstylish. First revealed in a viral TikTok video from @girlbosstown asking viewers if she should keep her hair blonde at her next hair appointment, after seeing various celebrities go darker, begged the question: is the platinum blonde simply out of style? TikTok star @thedigifairy also covered the mega-trend of going from bright blonde to a more natural, lived-in look.
Essentially, the trend marks a clear trend towards a less fussy hair-colour aesthetic. With a lower cost, less maintenance, is Expensive Vrunette the hair trend we all need post-pandemic?
“People are opting for more lived-in colours, embracing a low key, more natural look, whatever their chosen shade may be,” adds Karl Warner, Artistic Director at Pastels Salon Ritz Carlton.
For blondes that are looking to make the switch to Expensive Brunette, what are some things to consider?
“While it may seem an easier maintenance choice, to have your brunette colour looking its best, you will still need to invest in a homecare routine. Choose a brunette shade that will not wash you out but rather flatter your complexion and eye colour. From deep chocolate to light sand, the entire spectrum of brown is on trend,” says Hicham Eid.
“It can also take time for you to fully embrace your new look. Also, brown hair looks different in different lights – daytime, evening, and in your bathroom mirror – so spend time looking at your hair in different environments, explains Karl.
How to achieve the ultimate Expensive Brunette look…
Expensive Brunette is all about creating a luxurious look, yet keeping it low maintenance. But what’s the secret behind the style?
“Ask your stylist for a multi-tonal look, with plenty of depth and dimension to the colour, opposed to one flat darker shade,” recommends Hicham Eid. “Consider which combination of browns that best flatter your skin tone and eye colour, as choosing a shade that is too dark tends to wash out your features.”
Karl Warner recommends keeping the root colour uniform, but mixing golden, copper and some beige tones in the hair to achieve the desired expensive brunette look – with that signature depth and dimension.
“A tip is to avoid adding direct colour, as it can go murky. Instead, ask your stylist to use a direct dye for the artificial pigment and then place the colour on top. Mixing multiple tones, not one flat brown shade, is the key to achieving this style,” says Karl Warner.
Lead image courtesy of Jason Lloyd Evans (Marc Jacobs AW2020)