You may have seen your favorite influencer indulging in the frothy adult beverage on a fancy rooftop, or maybe your go-to restaurant now has an entire menu dedicated to specialized ‘tinis (I know mine does!). There’s no doubt about it: espresso martinis are the drink of 2022. The perfect mix of refreshing, energizing, and relaxing, we couldn’t help but take inspiration from the rich, creamy shades of the espresso martini. So much so that we’re declaring the popular nightcap as the next hair color trend.
Colorist and Redken brand ambassador Cassondra Kaeding gave us the rundown on what espresso martini hair is and how to achieve it—plus some coffee-themed hair ideas to bring to your next appointment. Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about your mane’s future jolt of color.
What is espresso martini hair color?
“Espresso martini starts with a deeper brunette base with a mix of a creamy, honey, beige, [or] bronde ribbons of highlights,” says the colorist. “Not too warm and not too cool, just the perfect [melt] of cool and gold.”
There’s nothing like kicking back with a chilled espresso martini after a hot day, so it’s no surprise that the dimensional shade is a flawless match for the heat of the summer. “This is a great trend for clients that have gone a little darker over the last few months, and now that summer is here, they are wanting that pop of lightness,” explains Kaeding. “This is also a great way to start a slow transition to go even lighter over time, so that way you keep the integrity of the hair.”
Good hair day by @ckaedingcolor.
How do you get espresso martini hair color?
As its name suggests, Kaeding describes this color trend as a rich espresso base color with creamy, honey, beige, and bronde highlights weaved throughout. She loves using Redken’s Shades EQ Gloss in cool shades to execute the look. These ammonia-free formulas provide results in 20 minutes while conditioning the hair, leaving your mane looking and feeling healthier than when you stepped into the salon.
Depending on how deep your brunette espresso base is, you can work with your colorist to decide on the hue and transition of your highlights and how thick or thin they are. We’re talking money pieces, balayage, ribboning, highlights; you name it. Plus, your colorist can also create a custom Shades EQ formula to enhance your unique espresso martini—no single mane will end up looking the same in this trend, and we say that’s a beautiful thing.
Good hair day by @chael_00
What is the difference between espresso martini and expensive brunette?
Whereas expensive brunette is more about a soft transitional brunette grow out, Kaeding says that espresso martini bumps it up a notch by adding some lighter dimensional highlights throughout the mids and ends of hair.
Good hair day by @coloredbycaitlin
Is espresso martini low-maintenance?
Summer and a low-maintenance beauty routine go hand and hand. Since espresso martini color is fit for a softer grow-out, it allows you to put more time in between salon appointments. Don’t leave your pro hanging altogether, though! Kaeding suggests heading to the salon every six to eight weeks for a quick Redken Shades EQ Gloss refresh.
“This will help with refreshing the tone and adding some shine,” she says.
Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo + Conditioner Duo
A gentle, anti-fade duo for color-treated hair
Total Results Brass Off Shampoo
A color-depositing shampoo that banishes brass in lightened hair.
Total Results Brass Off Conditioner
A nourishing conditioner for color treated dry, brittle or damaged hair.
Matrix Brass Off All-In-One Toning Leave-In Spray
All-in-one conditioning leave-in spray with a buildable toning formula that neutralizes unwanted brassy orange tones on lightened brunette and dark blonde hair.
Acidic Bonding Concentrate Intensive Treatment
An intensive acidic rinse-off treatment that helps reinforce weak hair bonds and repair damaged hair.
Acidic Bonding Concentrate Bundle
Acidic Bonding Concentrate bundle to strengthen hair & repair damage
Mythic Oil Huile Originale
A multi-use oil made with argan oil.
How do you care for espresso martini hair color?
While espresso martini hair is fairly low-maintenance, caring for it at home will ensure it looks its best between salon appointments. A sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner like Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo + Conditioner Duo are ideal for protecting the vibrancy of your salon color.
Depending on the shade of your brunette espresso martini ‘do, we recommend investing in a toning system to keep brass at bay. Matrix’s Brass Off Total Results Shampoo and Conditioner deposit blue-violet pigments onto newly lightened brown hair to neutralize orange undertones that can crop up. On days your lightened brunette strands need a little extra help, spritz Brass Off All-In-One Leave-In Toning Spray onto damp hair for buildable toning and brightening benefits. Is your espresso martini hair so dark it borders on black? Look to Matrix’s Total Results Dark Envy Green Toning Shampoo and Conditioner, which contain blue-green pigments that counteract red undertones for both color-treated and virgin black to dark brown hair.
Even though your pro will do their best to keep hair strong and healthy in the salon, coloring in any capacity alters the bonds of the hair which can leave your strands looking or feeling damaged. Kaeding loves using Redken's Acidic Bonding Concentrate line to strengthen strands in-between appointments. When used together, the four-part system improves breakage reduction, reinforces weakened bonds, and leaves locks silky and conditioned. “It’s for all hair types and great for colored treated or damaged hair.”
Last but not least, nothing will play up the dimensional cool and golden tones in espresso martini hair like a healthy dose of shine. Besides keeping up with your in-salon glosses as mentioned above, an oil like L’Oréal Professionnel’s Mythic Oil Huile Originale can pump up the luster thanks to its argan oil from the legendary Moroccan argan tree.
Kaeding has some parting advice if you decide to give espresso martini a go: “Always go to your colorist with visuals; this way, you both are on the same page!” Keep scrolling for 10 of our favorite looks to get you started.
The 10 Best Espresso Martini Hair Colors to Try Now
Good hair day by @ckaedingcolor
Espresso Martini Balayage
Kaeding created this gorgeous espresso martini melt using Redken Shades EQ in 5N Walnut, 6NB Brandy, and 4N Chocolate. Replicate this look by asking your stylist to apply exterior soft balayage pieces to the mid-lengths to ends of hair.
Good hair day by denisesuzanne_
Dark Roast Foilyage
Foilyage (foils and balayage) is a fusion innovation that creates the sun-kissed effect of a brunette balayage but added foils provide more oomph and brilliance. Your stylist will hand-paint a few pieces, then wrap them in foils for a jolt of brightness.
Good hair day by @brooklynhairs
Super Subtle Streaks
Just like the richness of our espresso, consider this super-dark brunette look if you’re a color virgin. Barely-there streaks about two shades lighter than your base add dimension to hair without being too drastic.
Good hair day by @laurenaustin_stylist
Frothy Money Piece
Akin to the foam that tops your espresso martini, ask your hairdresser for a creamy statement piece around your face. It brings the drama of a major hair color change without the frequent touch-ups!
Good hair day by @lia.rose.hair
Espresso Babylights
If you steer toward natural-looking hair color, ask for warm babylights on top of an espresso base at your next salon appointment. Babylights are ultra-fine streaks inspired by the highlights that pop up on children’s hair after a day in the sun and require hardly any upkeep.
Good hair day by @balayage.by.kass
Espresso Shadow Root
This dreamy color combination features a dark shadow root to guarantee these caffeinated highlights and lowlights grow out seamlessly. Love these shades? See if your stylist stocks Redken Shades EQ in 04NA Storm Cloud, 04NB Maple, 06ABn Brown Smoke, 06VB Violet Lagoon, and 06NB Brandy.
Good hair day by @tashaparkerhair
Sandy Streaks
Got brass? An espresso martini melt with cool sandy streaks applied throughout the ends is the ultimate way to correct those unwanted orange tones.
Good hair day by @toshaiir
Creamy Gold Curls
The golden goodness of these velvety beige curls is just what you need to take your espresso locks up a notch. Ask your stylist about clouding your hair color throughout the ends of the hair, so the roots remain untouched and fuss-free.
Good hair day by @Hairby_gloria
Ash Bronde
Prefer to pair your dark brunette with ashier tones, but still want to dip your toes into espresso martini? Look no further than this ash bronde.
Good hair day by @daisyshair
Roasted Coffee Highlights
Have your stylist focus the bulk of your coffee-inspired highlights near your face to add vitality and brightness to your complexion—and your hair!
Ready to take your brunette to the espresso martini level? Head to Hair.com for all of the salon-backed products pros use to prolong color.
Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo + Conditioner Duo
A gentle, anti-fade duo for color-treated hair
Total Results Brass Off Shampoo
A color-depositing shampoo that banishes brass in lightened hair.
Total Results Brass Off Conditioner
A nourishing conditioner for color treated dry, brittle or damaged hair.
Matrix Brass Off All-In-One Toning Leave-In Spray
All-in-one conditioning leave-in spray with a buildable toning formula that neutralizes unwanted brassy orange tones on lightened brunette and dark blonde hair.
Acidic Bonding Concentrate Intensive Treatment
An intensive acidic rinse-off treatment that helps reinforce weak hair bonds and repair damaged hair.
Acidic Bonding Concentrate Bundle
Acidic Bonding Concentrate bundle to strengthen hair & repair damage
Mythic Oil Huile Originale
A multi-use oil made with argan oil.
