As every hair colorist in the world will tell you, there’s no such thing as the perfect hair color. That’s because there’s no one shade that sits above all the rest. Instead, beautiful, lived-in color is all about the subtle highlights and lowlights rather than base tone. The more multidimensional the ‘do, the more your friends will ooh and ah over it. It’s a basic rule of hair color.
One color trend that we can’t quite get over is bronde (“brown blonde”). By now, you’ve seen this color on your favorite celebrities and hair inspiration accounts. So, what’s stopping you from trying it out?
To get your brain (and bronde) gears turning, we’ve pulled together some inspiration. Keep reading for everything you need to know about bronde hair, including exactly what it is and 27 of the best ways to try the shade for yourself when salons open back up.
Photo Credit: @glamiris
What is bronde hair?
If you’ve searched far and wide for the perfect middle point between blonde and brunette, consider bronde your new favorite hair color. Bronde, or “brown blonde,” is a blend of dark and light notes that result in a dimensional, low-maintenance hue.
How do you go from brown to bronde?
If you’re starting with natural brunette hair, the process of going bronde can vary, depending on how light you want your hue to be. To create bronde hair, your colorist will apply a mix of highlights and lowlights throughout your mane tailored to your base color. No matter what bronde look you’re trying to achieve, however, your colorist will likely need to use bleach to lift your color. While bleach will always cause some damage, your colorist will work with you to improve the look and feel of your strands before you leave the salon.
Photo Credit: @hairbyragen
How do you care for bronde hair?
No matter what bronde hair shade you choose, a new hair color is an investment. Which means other than salon touch-ups, you’ll need to amp up your at-home care to keep your bronde hair color looking it’s best.
Start by swapping your regular shampoo and conditioner for a system formulated for color-treated hair like Biolage R.A.W Color Care Shampoo and Conditioner. This system nourishes and protects to help maintain the depth, tone, and shine of color-treated hair.
To prevent your bronde from turning brassy over time, use a blue shampoo and conditioner system like Redken Color Extend Brownlights Shampoo and Conditioner once a week. This progressive color depositing system features blue pigment to counteract brassy and orange undertones in lightened brunette hair
After a bleach session or two, your mane can use a bit of TLC. That’s why we recommend adding a weekly hair mask like Matrix Total Results Miracle Creator Nourishing Strengthening Mask to your routine. This formula intensely nourishes, revitalizes, and strengthens hair in just 60 seconds.
Ready to try bronde hair color? Read on for the 27 best ways to try the shade in 2020.
The Best Bronde Hair Ideas To Try Now
Photo Credit: @hairbyraquell
Sandy Bronde
No matter the time of year, we never say no to beach hair! If you want to give your bronde hue a seasonal update as the weather heats up, consider sandy bronde. This lived-in, sunkissed hue looks like you just spent the day in the sun instead of hours in the salon chair.
Photo Credit: @beautybybrittw_
Pearl Bronde
If you’re looking for a bronde hair color that’s on the flashier side, look to a cool-toned, reflective hue like pearl bronde. Use a hair serum like Matrix Total Results Mega Sleek Mega Varnish Shine Anti-Frizz Serum to give hair high shine and control rebellious, unruly hair.
Photo Credit: @tabetha_and_co
Bronde With Chunky Highlights
The thought of chunky highlights might send shivers down your spine, but hear us out! Unlike its ‘90s counterpart, modern-day chunky highlights are dramatic and blended. Ask your colorist for two face-framing streaks to really stay on trend for 2020.
Photo Credit: @thesalteblond
Dark Bronde
If you’re not ready for an entirely lighter hue, ask your colorist for balayage to add subtle pops of color throughout your mane. This will give you just enough of a change without committing to something completely different.
Photo Credit: @charonawhite
Curly Bronde
Hot take: No hair texture shows off dimensional color better than curls. Bronde hair color instantly gives natural ringlets effortless movement and brightness.
Photo Credit: @sloan_styles
Subtle Bronde
Hair transformations don’t need to be drastic! If you want to subtly go from brunette to bronde, ask your colorist for a few understated teasylights. For those with virgin hair, this is the perfect way to edge into salon color.
Photo Credit: @coloredbycaitlin
Bronde Money Piece
The money piece technique has grown wildly popular in the past few months—and we can totally understand why! If you want to go bronde without going overboard, this technique adds just the right amount of lightness and dimension to your mane.
Dirty Bronde
Your bronde look doesn’t have to be super light to make an impact. Similar to dirty blonde, dirty bronde is a subtle way to add some lightness throughout a dark base color without committing to a ton of maintenance.
Photo Credit: @constancerobbins
Short And Bronde
There’s a very common misconception that it’s best to have waist-length waves with fresh color, implying that length is the only way to make a new shade pop. That’s simply not true, particularly since clinging to length can leave you with damaged, split ends. Instead, try a freshly chopped bob. You’ll have to make regular trips to the salon for trims, but the crisp end result will be totally worthwhile.
Photo Credit: @tabetha_and_co
Bronde Lob
One trend is excellent, but two together is a power move. That’s certainly the case with the bronde lob, which combines shoulder-length strands with the blended brunette-blonde shade we love so much. If you’re worried the lob has gone out of style, just take a look around you. This universally flattering cut isn’t budging.
Photo Credit: @brit_bellasalonandboutique
Bronde Fringe
This is 2020, which means bangs are where it’s at. It’s an ideal way to add femininity to your look. Whether you choose to wear your bangs below eyebrow level or a little shorter, they’re sure to flatter you.
Photo Credit: @sorayahstyles
Bronde Pixie
Pixie cuts don’t get as much love as glamorous long styles, but we’ve recently noticed more female celebrities daring to go short. If it’s your first time without a full mane, an opulent bronde ‘do can help you feel feminine without all the length. A professional stylist can talk you through the cut before picking up the scissors to make sure you know what’s coming and help put you at ease.
Photo Credit: @dremalczewska
Long and Bronde
If you’d like a hairstyle that plays nicely with your color, there’s no better match for bronde than mermaid waves. Ultra-long strands give your colorist room to stretch out, lovingly painting bright highlights and deep shadows on your hair.
Photo Credit: @hellobalayage
Layered Bronde Hair
There’s no better solution for any length hair than thoughtfully placed layers, which can create a sense of movement and depth on a wide range of textures. Not so sure if layers are the right choice for you? Consult with your hair professional before making any serious moves. He or she can walk you through the most flattering options, taking your lifestyle, texture, and styling skill into account.
Photo Credit: @balayagebylinet
Pin Straight And Bronde
After years of beachy this and salt spray that, we’re ready for a flatiron revolution—one that starts with your trendy bronde ‘do. Try Kérastase’s L’Incroyable Blowdry Lotion, a miracle reshapable heat lotion that controls the look of frizz for 96 hours in 80 percent humidity.
Photo Credit: @jaye_edwards
Bronde Balayage
When you’re seeking hair that’s perfectly customized for your facial structure and mane texture, the right answer is always balayage. Hand-painted golden highlights will certainly brighten your complexion. A talented hair stylist will be able to use the bright streaks to contour your face, highlighting your favorite features and disguising the ones you don’t love.
Photo Credit: @alex_dobrogorsky
Bronde Ombre
There’s no one way to do bronde, as evidenced by a popular ombre take on the shade. With extra-dark roots and bright blonde ends, your colorist will take your strands from one note to stunning in a single salon visit. If you’re starting with a naturally dark base, expect to return to the salon several times to ensure you’re getting the perfect shade while respecting the integrity of your hair.
Photo Credit: @nicoleoharehair
Bronde Highlights
If you’re starting with very dark hair and don’t want to move entirely away from that chocolate-hued life, ask your colorist for bronde-inspired highlights. These breezy streaks should sit around your face and in areas the sun might naturally hit. Whether it’s summer or winter, bronde highlights are an excellent choice for the hair color newbies out there.
Photo Credit: @barbararabelo_
Bronde Babylights
Speaking of natural-looking highlights, you may want to consider a babylight technique. This strategic application of blonde streaks is meant to mimic the way the sun might have brightened your hair as a child. Paired with a tan and a smile, this look is summer vacation in a hair appointment. It will look effortless and chic—just like you!
Photo Credit: @mikaatbhc
Bronde Dip Dye
Okay, so putting “dip dye” and “bronde” together in the same sentence is something of an impossible equation. By definition, bronde hair color is all about gradual blending and a naturalistic finish. But, if you’re already working with dark roots and light ends, ask your colorist to blend the shades as little as possible.
Photo Credit: @kathynunezhair
Ashy Bronde
Ash is in, baby. The trendiest girls are wearing their hair matte and cool as can be, which means it’s only natural that we would take bronde there. Ask for a bronde that’s more of a matte beige tone, particularly if you have a pale complexion.
Photo Credit: @ferarango_ra
Honey Bronde
For summertime, refresh your mane with a honey-colored take on bronde. Instead of white blonde or caramel-like highlights, you’ll be treated to a full head of textured golden delight.
Photo Credit: @jessdomyhair
Caramel Bronde
Women with medium or dark skin will love the look of caramel-based bronde, which brightens your complexion and makes everybody look like they just returned from a tropical vacation. This shade is a do-no-wrong color, that’s for sure.
Photo Credit: @uppercutschichester
Strawberry Bronde
Where you’ll find strawberry blonde, you’re bound also to discover strawberry bronde. This moody cousin of red is all about the ashy orange notes with tasteful highlights and lowlights. Redheads, you’ll want to try this one out.
Photo Credit: @rubyelectrahair
Coppery Bronde
Although it’s subtle, there is a marked difference between strawberry and copper bronde shades. Copper incorporates more golden brown than its fruit-inspired companion, creating a barely-there red shade that will look natural on a wide variety of complexions.
Photo Credit: @hairbychrise
Cinnamon Swirl Bronde
Take a moment to visualize a cinnamon roll, all doughy and dark on the inside but pale gold on the outside. This shade—beloved by celebrities, we should note—is flattering and toasty. It’s the perfect choice for any season.
Photo Credit: @_ashleyparr_
Pink Bronde
While your stylist has gone to all that effort to give you the perfect creamy blond ends, don’t be afraid to throw out the rulebook. Add a touch of pastel rose to your ends for an unexpected finish—one that will set your hair apart from everyone else’s.