What is Bronde hair and why everyone’s talking about it?
Summer was all about golden blonde tones, now the hottest hair hue of the season is bronde.
No, that's not a typo - we're talking about combining brown and blonde shades to create a chic, multi-dimensional look.
Why is bronde hair so in demand right now?
"It's because of the seasons changing," says creative director Julie Harper.
"For autumn and winter people like toning their colour down, adding depth and breaking up the blonde. And for brunettes, they want to feel like they're not so pale, so adding warmer tones really helps to enhance your complexion."
It's a look that celebrities and influencers are loving too, Julie says: "JLo is a real bronde girl, and Sofia Vergara from Modern Family."
Plus, it's versatile and can be easily tailored to suit your taste. Here, Julie explains everything you need to know about bronde hair colour…
THE BENEFITS OF BRONDE HAIR
There are two main options when it comes to choosing your bronde shade: warm or cool.
"When deciding between a golden brunette or an ashy brunette it's about the undertone in your skin and what's going to suit you," Julie says.
"Golden bronde is really good at warming your skin up naturally. Going into winter, bronding your hair up can make you feel a bit more bronzed in your face."
If you have cool-toned skin, meaning you tend to suit silver jewellery, a more ashy-toned bronde can be really flattering for your complexion.
Going bronde is also a great way to transition away from summery blonde hair that might be looking and feeling a bit lacklustre.
"It's often blonde clients who had a lot of colour on their hair over the summer wanting to tone down," Julie explains.
"Blondes want to see depth added to break up their blonde, while brunettes want to see lightness added without using bleach. They want soft tones that are a bit more ashy and muted."
Bronde is also a great low-maintenance option, she adds: "It helps with the longevity of your colour, so you can go for longer between your appointments."
HOW TO CREATE THE BRONDE LOOK
There are a few different ways to achieve the bronde look, depending on how light or dark your hair is to begin with.
"If my client's hair is blonde I'll often do what's called reverse balayage, where I'm adding depth with brown tones and breaking up the blonde," Julie says.
Alternatively, she might use a semi-permanent tint: "If a client has grey hair and they want to cover their grey but the hair is already lightened you can take the tint from the roots through to the ends to break up the blonde."
Another option is adding a 'root smudge' (a faux root with a darker hue) to create an ombre effect.
"Mainly, I recommend talking to your colour specialist about the colour you want to be going or if you want to be toning down from blonde," Julie says. "Have a consultation prior to the appointment so your colourist can talk through your options."
HOW TO MAINTAIN BRONDE HAIR
To keep your bronde hair looking as vibrant as JLo's it's important to use the right products at home.
"I love the Shu Uemura Color Lustre range to keep that depth running through so the colour doesn't fade," Julie.
But it's best to avoid pigmented shampoos or conditioners aimed at blonde or brunette hair, she warns: "If you put a brunette shampoo on ashy ends the pigment will grab on to the strands and the colour will turn murky. You just need moisturising and colour-protecting products."
For extra hydration, she suggests: "Use a hair mask once a week and a night serum in your hair before bed to help keep your hair moisturised and maintain the colour. If you keep your hair more moisturised your colour lasts better."
And finally, don't forget a spritz of serum before blow-drying or using heat tools: "Always follow through with a heat protection spray when you've changed your colour as this prevents colour fade."
Here are Julie's top picks for maintaining bronde hair:
Brondes have more fun
The perfect way to transition your colour for autumn/winter, bronde is a stylish and flattering look that can be tailored to suit anyone.
From warm, golden brunette to cool, ashy tones, there's a spectrum of shades to choose from that will refresh your hair and complement your complexion.
Find out which shade of bronde is best for you. Book a colour consultation at Paul Edmonds London.
