Brondes–The Newest Natural

Once tagged derisively as “dirty blonde,” this blonde/brown or “bronde” shade has emerged as the hottest color trend. No doubt it’s because it’s a welcome compromise for brunettes who want to lighten up without the impact and high maintenance of committing to full-blown blonde color. It’s also a way to calm down an over-done blonde, according to Wella Professionals.

Global Ambassador, Sonya Dove. “I love to gloss our double process and highlight clients with Wella Professionals ILLUMINA to change the tone,” she says. “For example, I may use ILLUMINA 9/7 and pastel toner developer to create a soft peach/cognac bronde. ILLUMINA glosses are ideal for virgin or previously lightened Levels 8 or above.”

Over the past few seasons, strident ombrés have evolved into softer, bronde sombré effects, notes Angela Alba, Master Colorist for the B Hive Organic Salon in New Jersey. “To update and blend the sombré, I recommend applying fine babylights to bridge the gap between the deep regrowth and midshaft area, and then lowlight through the bottom to break up the solid, blonde ends.”

Kim Vo calls this muted bronde “Ray of Lights.” Two highlight formulas—one warm and one cool—are placed across the top of the head in diagonal forward subsections.

Schwarzkopf Professional Color Formulas

Formula A (regrowth): BLONDME Coloring Sand + BLONDME Premium Care Developer 6% (20-volume) 1:1

Formula B (highlights): BLONDME Hi-Lighting Warm Gold + BLONDME Premium Care Developer 12% (40-volume) 1:1

Formula C (highlights: BLONDME Hi-Lighting Cool Rosé + BLONDME Premium Care Developer 12% (40-volume) 1:1

Sonya Dove converts too-blonde color to a peachy/cognac bronde with a glaze of Wella Professionals ILLUMINA 9/7 + Pastel Toner Developer.

To blend and update bronde sombré, Angela Alba, the stylist who colored Jessica Alba’s hair, recommends lowlighting, highlighting and glazing the hair.

Organic Colour Systems Formulas
Formula A (highlights): Organic Colour Systems Blue Powder Lightener + 10-volume crème developer

Formula B (lowlights): 1½ oz. 6N (dark neutral blonde) + ¼ oz. 6GD (dark golden blonde) + ¼ oz. 6TO (toffee) + 10-volume liquid developer

Formula C (glaze): equal parts 9GD + 9N + 8CA + 5-volume liquid developer