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Now is the time to make room for all the nice things: sweaters, fragrances, nail polish colors and of course hair colors. Spring and summer may have been all about cool shades like bright ’90s-inspired blonde and rosy tones, but fall has officially ushered in the season of richer, warmed tones. Such a decadent example? Mocha brown hair. The color is popping up on celebs, runways and Pinterest boards everywhere, and top colorists are predicting it to be a big trend this fall-winter season.
There are so many ways to rock brown hair, of course—but mocha just happens to be an overwhelmingly flattering variation. “It’s a beautiful, rich, chocolatey brunette color that can complement many different skin tones,” says Garnier celebrity hair colorist Nikki Lee. And hairstylist and makeup artist Arianna Blean notes that luscious mocha brown is the perfect way to transition your strands through the holiday season and beyond.
If you’re interested in changing your hair, note that the options are many – you can choose a full color or even mocha-toned highlights. Oh, and one more reason to rock mocha brown strands? The shade is much easier to maintain than blonde, and in the fall and winter months you don’t spend as much time cooking in the harsh sun – so that means longer-lasting results without fading, notes celebrity and editorial hairstylist Joseph Chase. Scroll on for your expert-approved guide to mocha brunette hair color.
The key to nailing mocha brunette hair is to have a mix of warm and cool, caramel tones that sparkle in the fall sunlight, says Blean. “This is not a flat brown,” she tells Bustle. Within that range, you can go darker, à la a double shot espresso or lean closer to the creamier mocha latte range (heavy on the almond milk), explains Blean. Either way, think cozy/chocolate/coffee vibe. And as Lee notes, it’s super customizable.
This article originally appeared on bustle.com
#1 What is mocha brown hair?
The key to nailing mocha brunette hair is to have a mix of warm and cool, caramel tones that sparkle in the fall sunlight, says Blean. “This is not a flat brown,” she tells Bustle. Within that range, you can go darker, à la a double shot espresso or lean closer to the creamier mocha latte range (heavy on the almond milk), explains Blean. Either way, think cozy/chocolate/coffee vibe. And as Lee notes, it’s super customizable.
#2 What you need to know before you go mocha brown
If you’re going from blonde to mocha brunette and you think come spring you’ll be itching for lighter locks again, Blean says you can always ask your colorist for a semi-permanent color. That means it will gradually fade over time, “so there’s no commitment, and you’ll help maintain the overall health of your hair,” she explains. That said, going darker is far less scary than trying to lighten dark hair. In fact, Chase says, “Darker tones are great for plumping the cuticle and restoring hair health—a plus side of switching.”
#3 How to maintain mocha brunette
All the experts agree: As far as maintenance goes, dark hair colors like mocha brown are pretty cool, especially if you’re already a natural brunette. “Make sure you use color-safe shampoos and conditioners to help maintain your color,” says Blean. She adds that tinted conditioning masks will also help warm your color and protect your strands between color jobs.
If your hair is lighter or you’re committed to a perfect match, Chase says to expect to schedule a root touch-up every six to eight weeks. Important store maintenance information below.
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