Taupe brunette is the latest hair color taking the hair world by storm. This sophisticated and versatile shade offers a cool-toned take on brunette, adding elegance and dimension to any style.
While achieving this look requires a keen understanding of color formulation and application techniques, the results are stunning — and you can give your clients this color while keeping their hair healthy and vibrant. With the right professional hair color and hair care products, you can unlock the full potential of taupe brunette and give your clients a color that turns heads for all the right reasons.
Table of Contents
Understanding Taupe Brunette
At its core, taupe brunette is a cool-toned brown with a subtle hint of greige or ash. This unique blend steers away from the traditional warmth of brown, instead offering a refreshing and contemporary take. The magic lies in the balance.
This isn’t a one-size-fits-all shade, however. Taupe brunette offers a spectrum of variations to suit different preferences and skin tones. Here’s a closer look at some popular options:
- Ash Brunette: This variation leans heavily toward the cool side, incorporating a prominent amount of ash tones for a smoky, almost charcoal effect. Ash brown is perfect for clients with cool complexions and those seeking a truly dramatic statement.
- Mushroom Brunette: This dreamy twist on taupe brunette blends cool ash tones with beige or mushroom blonde. The result is a soft, ethereal look with a subtle hint of warmth that flatters a wider range of skin tones.
Achieving the Taupe Brunette Look: The Consultation
Creating the perfect taupe brunette for your clients is a multi-step journey, starting with a thorough consultation that sets the stage for success. Here, you’ll explore your client’s vision for their ideal shade, considering their skin tone and desired level of coolness to guide your recommendations.
Understanding their hair history — past coloring experiences, chemical relaxers or heat damage — is crucial for predicting the final outcome. Assessing their current hair color and underlying pigment is equally important, as it determines the level of lift required and ultimately guides your choice of hair color developer in the formulation.
Don’t forget to discuss maintenance expectations. Cool-toned brunettes require dedication. Emphasize the importance of professional hair care products and regular salon visits for touch-ups to keep the color looking its best.
Perfecting the Color
With a clear understanding of your client’s needs, it’s time to craft the perfect color formula. Here’s where your expertise in professional hair color lines shines. Select a high-quality line that offers a spectrum of cool-toned and neutral browns alongside ash or beige tones. Choosing the right developer strength is a delicate dance. Consider the desired level of lift and your client’s hair condition to make the most informed selection.
The magic happens when you skillfully combine cool-toned and neutral ash or greige tones within the formula. This masterful blend is what ultimately creates the coveted taupe brunette effect.
For clients with naturally warm hair tones, incorporating lowlights can be a strategic move to add richness and dimension. Choose a shade slightly darker than the base color to create a natural, multi-dimensional effect that complements the cool tones beautifully.
Color Application
The application technique you choose plays a vital role in achieving a seamless and multi-dimensional taupe brunette look. Balayage is ideal for creating a natural and lived-in effect with its freehand painting approach. Apply the color in sections, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends to mimic sun-kissed hair. For added depth and dimension, consider a combination of highlights and lowlights. Highlights further enhance the cool tones, while lowlights add richness and prevent the color from appearing flat.
Proper sectioning and application are paramount for even color distribution and optimal results. Ensure each section is saturated evenly to prevent banding or patchiness. Throughout this process, prioritize the health of your client’s hair. Utilize bond-building additives in the color formulation to minimize damage during the lightening process.
Maintaining Taupe Brunette Hair
Keeping your client’s stunning taupe brunette color vibrant and healthy requires a dedicated aftercare routine. This is where recommending professional hair care products specifically formulated for color-treated hair is crucial. These products gently cleanse, deeply nourish and prevent color fading.
Educate your clients on the importance of a regular hair care routine that protects their investment. Sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners are essential, as sulfates can strip color and leave hair feeling dry. Encourage your clients to incorporate weekly (at minimum) deep conditioning treatments to maintain hair hydration and prevent breakage. Recommend color-depositing conditioners specifically formulated for cool brunettes.
By providing your clients with the knowledge and supplies for proper aftercare, you ensure their taupe brunette hair continues to turn heads long after they leave the salon.
Addressing Challenges
Achieving a flawless taupe brunette isn’t without its challenges. Here are some common hurdles you might face and the solutions to overcome them:
Brassy Tones
For clients with naturally warm hair tones, neutralizing existing brassiness before applying the taupe brunette color is paramount. Pre-pigmentation with a cool-toned filler can help.
Previously Colored Hair
Previously color-treated hair can present a challenge when trying to achieve the desired level of lift. Strand tests are crucial to assess hair integrity and determine the safest and most effective lightening approach. Utilizing bond-building additives in the color formulation can further protect hair during this process.
Maintaining Cool Tones and Preventing Fading
Cool tones fade faster than warm tones. As mentioned earlier, recommend color-depositing conditioners to help maintain the cool taupe shade between salon visits. Educate clients on minimizing heat styling and using heat protectants when necessary to further extend the life of the color.
Conclusion
Taupe brunette offers a sophisticated and captivating twist on the classic brown. For stylists, achieving this coveted shade requires a blend of artistry and technical expertise. By prioritizing a thorough consultation, crafting a customized color formula and utilizing the right application techniques, you can create a multi-dimensional taupe brunette that perfectly complements your client’s unique style and unlocks taupe brunette’s full potential.