There's a buzz about brunettes this autumn. Even dazzling blonde Cameron Diaz isn't immune ditching her trademark honeyed hue in favour of bitter chocolate locks. Brown shades have a seductive sizzle that perfectly offsets the rich tones and sumptuous fabrics that make up a winter wardrobe and they also warm up worn-out and summer-stressed styles. Comfort food for hair, shades of caramel, café au lait, cinnamon, cocoa and chestnut suit most skin tones, adding warmth and sensuality. Never settle for basic brown however; only bespoke brunette will do in the best traditions of Catherine Zeta Jones, Liv Tyler, Teri Hatcher, Eva Longoria, Elizabeth Hurley, Dita Von Teese, Kate Beckinsale and Angelina Jolie.
A gold standard brunette is a kaleidoscope of golds, warm coppers, browns, blacks intricately applied. For the understated brigade, base shades contrast with subtle highlights or lowlights to create natural depth and tone for a couture ripple of colour, whereas for those wanting a more dramatic brand of brunette there are blondes and aubergines to choose from. Darker colours have the most potent light reflecting qualities and so work well with bobs and long styles as they emphasise sleekness. Natalie Imbruglia and Courteney Cox exemplify this principle. Naturally wavy and curly hair needs a boost when it comes to natural shine levels and warm, dark brown tones beloved by the likes of Katie Holmes and Kelly Brook are the way to do this. On short hair a combination of brunettes and other harmonising shades enhance the texture within the cut and help to define the shape. Think Sadie Frost, and Victoria Beckham's bob with its strategic blonde slices that accentuate the geometry of the cut and make her hair appear thicker.
The downside of naturally brown hair is a tendency to dullness and an almost one-dimensional flatness. L'Oréal Professionnel appointed salons are promoting Shine lines hair colouring techniques devised by award winning colourist Robert Eaton. Brunette Ultra Gloss is ideal for adding allure to long dark hair. Three or four shine lines are added to create an effect, which looks like light is hitting the surface from all angles. Colour is applied all over and then blow-dried. The lines are then added to dry hair using a sponge. The addition of dark honey or rich bronze to a dark brown base is particularly effective. Matrix ColorSync Mochas are five new shades ranging from deep dark chocolate to light lattes. Designed to enhance, tone and blend they produce seamless results. Call 01753 441 253 for your nearest salon.
Shady ladies can experiment with off the shelf colour too. L'Oréal Casting Crème Gloss is a new generation of no-ammonia colourants featuring five enticing brown shades. A long-lasting semi permanent formulation produces colour results visible even on dark hair. Christophe Robin, internationally renowned colour guru and Creative Colourist for L'Oréal Paris explains, “The subtle hair-lightening formula, without ammonia is suitable for all women. Those who're nervous of colouring their hair; those who want to cover their grey and those who want a shimmering result without the commitment of a permanent colourant.” Meanwhile Schwarzkopf Professional Igora Duality, £9.99 (www.schwarzkopf-professional.co.uk) is a salon endorsed ready to use semi-permanent whose key benefits are there's no ammonia, no oxidation and no regrowth, just great colour intensity plus lashings of radiance and shine. Hazelnut Spark, Mahogany Moods and Dark Shimmer are all stand-out shades. “If you're fair-skinned with light hair and eyes make your selection from dark honey, maple and warm brown tones,” suggests top colourist Rae Palmer. “Olive skins and dark eyes will be flattered by dark beige, cool browns and rich chocolates.”
Enhance your brunette shade without altering it with Pantene Pro-V Brunette Expressions Shampoo and Conditioner, £2.99 each. The Sunsilk Deeply Brunette range, from £1.99 with chestnut extract enhances all shades of brown hair to reveal shimmering tones with an added intensity and radiance. John Frieda's Luminous Colour Glaze, £6.99 in Hazelnut to Chestnut and Chocolate to Espresso variants deliver a shine boosting effect and a delicious hint of glossy colour whether you're tinted, highlighted or a natural in just three minutes without ammonia or peroxide. Experience chocolate heaven with Bumble & bumble Hair Powder in Brown, £27 (01768 891394) delivering temporary colour in quirky spray form. Use to enhance or shift your shade, and blend roots between salon visits.
