Brass Off Blue Shampoo
Deposits blue-violet pigments to neutralize brassy tones.
Welcome To The New Matrix!
Listen up, brownie troops! Never in the history of hair color has there been a better time to be a brunette. Because thanks to sophisticated new brunette hair color shades, and madly talented color artists who take those shades to imaginative new heights, brown hair color is badass. Brown is bombshell. Brown is beautiful. We asked Matrix artists from coast to coast to report in on the trending brunette shades in their areas, share tips on how to talk to your stylist so you get exactly the shade you have in mind and give you the straight up on what it will take to care for your shade.
We asked Matrix artists from coast to coast to report in on the trending brunette shades in their areas, share tips on how to talk to your stylist so you get exactly the shade you have in mind and give you the straight up on what it will take to care for your shade.
First, here are a few top brunette trends to be aware of no matter where you live:
Here are 12 of-the-moment brunette hair color shades in each of the country’s top areas.
The Bay Area
Ask your stylist to hand-paint thick, silvery mocha highlights on the center and ends of your hair. The highlights will vary in location—with some starting higher up than others. The lightest and heaviest portions should be on the ends—mimicking hair’s natural flow from dark to light.
Making the ends so much lighter than your natural base color will require a substantial amount of hair lightener, so talk to your stylist about including a reparative bond builder in your formula to prevent breakage. Bond building systems come with a conditioner to use at home—apply yours as often as needed (you can’t use too much) to maintain strong strands.
Dallas
Loads of warm, golden highlights make this brunette hair color look naturally beachy. Your stylist will place finely-woven highlights to reduce the amount of contrast in your hair while maintaining enough dimension to prevent a flat, one-color effect.
Shine is everything when it comes to brunette hair color—without it your locks will look lackluster. Keep hair polished to perfection with frequent hair mask treatments at home and during salon visits.
The Southwest
How cool is it to recreate the subtle tones of the Southwestern desert with these peach and cool khaki accents? Your stylist can apply any combination of shades with a color melt technique, which allows each color to gradually blend into the next.
If you opt for sheer, watercolor shades like this, be prepared for fairly regular upkeep appointments to refresh the color. Prevent premature fading with non-sulfate shampoos that treat color with TLC.
Miami
The rich character of brunette color hair is subtly enhanced with fine, hand-painted caramel highlights. Placement is critical—your stylist will concentrate on the areas where the sun would lighten your hair if you spent three months on your favorite beach—without the sand or salt!
Lightly-scattered highlights like this that mimic the sun’s work will only need to be touched up two or three times a year. In between, your stylist will apply a demi-permanent gloss to keep your color on point and your hair shiny.
The Northwest U.S.
Ends tipped to a lovely golden brown warm up brown hair color in a subtle, sophisticated way. Your stylist will apply warm highlights by hand, gradually lightening the color along each strand.
The ends of hair tend to be the driest sections. Since this color is all about the ends, be sure to apply a deeply hydrating conditioner each time you shampoo, concentrating on the lightened end sections.
The Southeast U.S.
Southeastern brunettes are playing it cool with lots of cool mocha highlights with violet undertones. Highlights should start an inch or two from the scalp, and gradually progress from narrow to heavier on the ends for the most natural-looking result.
This color must keep its cool. To avoid unwanted yellow tones, use a purple shampoo once a week or so.
The Midwest U.S.
Everyone was buzzing about bronde hair color (brown + blonde) last summer and this version trends a bit darker and a bit richer. Your stylist will carefully melt medium brown highlights into dark golden brown highlights for this blended hair color that’s as innocent as a child’s.
This should fade naturally so upkeep will be minimal. Your job? Keep your hair strong and shiny with shampoos and conditioners designed for color-treated hair.
Minneapolis
Everything’s coming up roses this season—including brunette haircolor. If you already have highlights, your stylist can create this head-turning hue with a wash of sheer, rosy pink gloss.
The more you shampoo, the faster your color will fade. Try alternating your regular shampoo with a cleansing conditioner that will refresh and gently cleanse your hair without disturbing your color.
New York
Dark strands morph into a delicate ombré in tones of violet and violet-tinged mocha. The contrast is dramatically sophisticated.
Lightening dark hair in order to deposit cool tones can lead to unwanted brassiness. Beat brass with regular use of a shampoo designed to neutralize yucky orange tones.
Chicago
Sassy berry strands play among warm mocha ombré highlights within—yes you’re seeing it right—a moss brown/green base. This is a highly artistic color design so don’t try this at home. Make sure your colorist is highly skilled and in possession of a sophisticated eye!
No time to shampoo? Believe it or not, skipping a few shampoos will actually help your color last longer. Plus, if you hit your roots with a refreshing dry shampoo, no one will ever notice you’re on third-day hair!
Southern California
So Cal girls always lean to the blonde side, and these cool biscuit highlights provide the perfect brown/blonde hair color blend. They’re placed all over the head in a variety of sizes-thick and thin, including heavier highlights to frame the face.
Curling irons are your style’s best friend—but they’re definitely no friend of your color. Extreme heat puts color fading on fast forward, so be sure to use a heat protectant spray each and every time you wave!
The Northeast U.S.
Here’s brunette with an auburn glow. To achieve this trendy red/brown hue, your stylist will combine a variety of copper, gold and red shades for natural dimension.
What’s better than a deep hair conditioning mask? A hair mask that’s formulated specifically for color-treated hair! Add one to your regular hair care regimen to maintain your color’s depth, tone and shine.
Looking for a new salon for your mocha or brunette hair color transformation? We can help! Use the Matrix salon locator tool: Find a Salon.
Deposits blue-violet pigments to neutralize brassy tones.
Nourishes and moisturizes dry hair.
The latest sulfate-free technology gently cleanses to maintain vibrancy of fast-fading hair colors.
Fine, calcium-based texturizing minerals easily fix onto hair providing grip and texture.
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