Run, run as fast you can…to jump on the gorgeous gingerbread hair color trend! If you’ve been searching high and low for a bright hair color that is equal parts vibrant, dimensional, and deep, look no further. Whether you’re interested in completely switching up your ash blonde hair for the season or giving your dark brown hair a reddish makeover, continue reading for everything you need to know about one of winter’s hottest hair colors.
What is gingerbread hair color?
Gingerbread hair color is inspired by the warm, spiced bread that pairs perfectly with a hot cup of tea. Much like the treat, the base of gingerbread is a deep, warm brown expertly mixed with spiced cinnamon and auburn hues. The result is a rich brunette hue with a warm ginger-to-red glow.
As with any hair color, gingerbread hair is totally customizable. If you’re looking to slay a dark brown look, ask your colorist to keep the auburn hues to a minimum or ask them to balayage the red shade, focusing on your ends. If the ginger in gingerbread is what brought you to the salon, ask your colorist to amp up the red hue with all-over highlights. With the help of a professional, there’s no wrong way to take gingerbread hair color for a spin.
Good hair day by @hair.by.jessv
How much upkeep does gingerbread hair color require?
New to professional salon color? The biggest change to your hair care routine will be how often you have to return to the salon.
While a full head of gingerbread can make for time-consuming touch-ups, reddish accents should require less work overall. Having highlights painted on in a balayage technique will grow out without any visible lines of demarcation. If your natural hair color is nowhere near gingerbread and you want to keep grow-out to a minimum, expect to head back to the salon every four to six weeks for a touch-up. If your natural strands are similar to gingerbread, you can stretch your salon appointments a little further to every eight to ten weeks. Ask your colorist about the gloss smudging technique to help refresh your color between appointments.
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.
Acidic Bonding Concentrate Intensive Treatment
An intensive acidic rinse-off treatment that helps reinforce weak hair bonds and repair damaged hair.
How do you upkeep gingerbread hair color?
As with any chemical salon service, you’ll have to make a few changes to your routine to care for your strands after you leave the salon.
Swap out your regular shampoo and conditioner for a system formulated for color-treated hair. We recommend the Matrix Total Results Brass Off Shampoo and Conditioner. Blonde locks aren’t the only ones that deal with unsightly brass, which can make your gingerbread hair appear more orange than auburn. Total Results Brass Off is a professional salon clarifying shampoo that neutralizes brassy tones while refreshing strands with cool tones. Best for brunettes who lighten their hair, this shampoo and conditioner system deposits balancing blue-violet pigments to reduce brassy tones.
While your colorist won’t likely have to use bleach to achieve your desired hue, your hair can always use a little extra TLC after a chemical service. We recommended adding a deep bond-repairing treatment like Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Intensive Treatment to your routine to help keep your locks nourished for weeks after your appointment. This highly reparative rinse-off formula works within your hair to strengthen hair bonds weakened by stressors like hair color, lightening, and more, while also smoothing and conditioning your hair’s cuticle for a silkier, healthier appearance.
Sound like gingerbread hair color is the perfect hue for you? Keep scrolling for eight of our favorite gingerbread looks to try now.
8 Gingerbread Hair Color Ideas
Good hair day by @slim_color
True Gingerbread
This is as close as it gets to replicating the cute winter treat’s hue. If you adore your dark brown hair but are looking for a subtle way to bring warmth to your color this winter, this stunning combination of deep brown and rich auburn looks fantastic on everyone.
Pro tip: @slim_color, the mastermind behind this gorgeous shade, says, "I always add gold to my copper clients, so their color looks natural and not too bright red or browned out."
Fiery Gingerbread
Craving a spicier version of gingerbread? Ask your stylist about Redken Shades EQ Hair Gloss in 07C Curry and 06AA Bonfire for a more fiery take on a gingerbread shade. This combo works especially well on those with a light golden brown base, as showcased by this hair transformation by Redken artist Hannah Matthews Moore.
Good hair day by @hairbykatierose
Cascading Copper Gingerbread
If the phrase “sugar, spice, and everything nice” had a hairstyle to embody it, this look would fit the bill. Take your vivid gingerbread hair color one step further by weaving in hints of copper! You’ll be amazed by how much dimension it’ll infuse into your tresses when the light hits just right.
Good hair day by @beeblondor
Curly Gingerbread Highlights
Ask your colorist for reddish gingerbread highlights if you want just a touch of color throughout your strands, which meshes particularly well with natural brunette hair.
Work in a bit of Mizani’s 25 Miracle Leave-In Cream and True Textures Perfect Coil Oil Gel to plump and soften your color-treated coils and curls.
Good hair day by @simone.di.fazio
Gingerbread Streaks
Lighter face-framing pieces of gingerbread add dimension to dark hair while brightening up the complexion during the drab winter months. Plus, the subtle streaks are ideal for those who want to keep their mane low maintenance.
Good hair day by @live_love_dohair
Gingerbread Root Smudge
On the topic of low-commit hair color, root-smudged gingerbread makes for a seamless grow-out. This technique helps eliminate any lines or streaks to give your strands the most natural-looking and long-lasting color possible.
Good hair day by @angela_doeshair
Bright Gingerbread Highlights
Looking for a high-contrast shade? Ask your colorist to paint redder gingerbread highlights onto a dark brown base.
Good hair day by @leohairartist
Cinnamon Gingerbread
Give your brunette strands a subdued reddish glow by opting for a cinnamon gingerbread color. The subtle red tinge over your dark brown hair will make your skin look sunkissed regardless of the season.
Discover more professional products for color-treated hair on Hair.com.
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.
Acidic Bonding Concentrate Intensive Treatment
An intensive acidic rinse-off treatment that helps reinforce weak hair bonds and repair damaged hair.
25 Miracle Leave-In Cream
A Multi-Benefit Leave-In Conditioner For All Texture Types
True Textures Perfect Coil Oil Gel
A moisturizing hair gel that fights frizz and is flake- and crunch-free.
