The summer is a great time to refresh your beauty look with anything from the season’s top makeup trends to an updated skin care routine to, of course, a new summer hair color. This season colorists are predicting chocolate brown and more rich brunette hair shades to really take off for a few reasons. “Like all darker shades, when you go brown, your hair stays healthier because it reflects the sun more — making brown shades a low maintenance option,” says Chiara Scudieri, founder of hair company, I.C.O.N, of its popularity. Min Kim, L’Oréal Professionnel global ambassador echoes this: “Shades of brown are not damaging as there is no lifting or lightener used unless you’re adding lighter pieces to existing dark hair.”
Plus, from bronde to chestnut, there’s no shortage of brunette color options. But, with so many shades to choose from, how do you narrow down your search? According to Kim, it’s all about the undertone of your skin. “By looking at your veins, if you see blue or purple, you are most likely a cool undertone,” the expert shares. “On the other hand, if you see green, you have a warm undertone.” Although the general rule of thumb is to choose a shade that is opposite your undertone for your hair color, Aaron Bradford, colorist at NYC-based hair studio Cedric Salon, told TZR that this isn’t always the case — sometimes it’s best to accentuate your natural pigments instead of contrasting them. When in doubt, discuss your color goals with your colorist.
If you’re looking to go darker for summer (a la J.Lo), check out all the intel on the season’s trending chocolate brown and brunette shades ahead — plus, the best products and tips to preserve your new color: here!
