If you're looking to change up your brunette hair colour — or simply want to swap your hair care routine for something more low-maintenance — brownie batter brunette might be your match made in hair colour heaven. Combining the best of deep chocolate tones with face-framing highlights and delicate dimensions, the brownie batter look is rich, universally flattering, and easy to maintain. It's no wonder it's already trending on TikTok.
“Brownie batter brunette hair is a rich chocolate tone, about a level four to five at the root," Ashleigh Marie Rancilio, hair colorist at Meché Salon, tells Glamour, while the mid-lengths to end remain a warm and neutral tone. But what really sets the look apart is its show-stopping dimension, as well as how low-maintenance it is despite looking so luxe. “'This hair color trend has soft blonde money piece and a few highlights around the face,” adds Jennifer Korab, hairstylist, and owner of Renaissance Salon & Spa. "'It can also have some softer blonde pieces throughout the hair, but while still maintaining mostly the rich brunette look.”
TikTok content
Translation? Brownie brunette hair is one of the simplest, and chicest, ways to transition your hair from summer-mode, and prep it for autumn and winter without excess damage. That's why so many beauty buffs—and TikTok users—are obsessed with the look.
Instagram content
If you've been influenced (I know I have), here's how to get brownie batter brunette yourself: “Ask for a rich brunette hair colour at the salon, like a chocolate or caramel, accompanied with a soft balayage and subtle money piece," Korab says, noting that you should follow-up with an all-around glaze. If you prefer a more highlighted finish, however, Rancilio recommends emphasizing that you want a “dimensional” brunette with face-framing highlights.
Instagram content
As for overall upkeep? It depends on how highlighted you like your hair to be, as well as how dedicated you are to the aesthetic. That said, you can get away with fairly minimal maintenance, says Rancilio. Plan to refresh your highlights every six to nine months, and maintain the tone with glosses every eight weeks or so. If you prefer a bolder and brighter look, feel free to refresh your highlights closer to every six to eight weeks.
Instagram content
There's plenty you can do at home to maintain the color between salon visits too, like switching to colour-protecting shampoo and conditioner. “Make sure to use a sulfate-free shampoo that won’t wash out your colour prematurely,” Rancilio says. Her go-to for the job? "Oribe's Shampoo for Beautiful Colour. This gentle cleanser preserves the color of your hair from fading with UV protection."
Korab similarly suggests using a color-care hair care system, such as Pureology's Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner. “This shampoo and conditioner are color safe, sulfate-free, and have anti-fade complex to help protect from fading,” she says. “I also love Kerastase Chroma Absolu Hair Masque: this mask is great to preserve the health of your hair, keep colour vibrant, and enhance shine.”
Here's all the celebs swapping in a shot of chocolate cappuccino.
Finally, if you're unsure how to style your brownie butter brunette, both stylists agree: it's practically begging for beach waves. “I love to style this colour with a soft beach wave or a loose wave," Korab concludes, as waves show off the shade's show-stopping dimension. Blow-dry your hair and style with a curling iron, or simply spritz with sea salt spray and let it air-dry. No matter how you wear it, brownie batter brunette is breathtaking and perfect for cooler temps.
Danielle Sinay is the associate beauty editor at Glamour. Follow her on Instagram @daniellesinay.
This story was originally published on Glamour.com.
