Warm Brunettes Without Orange Undertones: 4 Tips You Must Know
How To Create Warm Brunettes Without Orange Undertones
Our brunette trend prediction is still going strong! Try out these color formulas and pro tips for clients wanting to add rich dimensions to their brunette base. Keep reading for full coverage application tricks, how to formulate warm (not orange!) tones and learn color-focused advice for any hair type.
1. Warm Brunette Shades For Level 6 & Above
Keep in mind, brunettes are not limited to Level 2 or 3. Lighter brunette shades like this beautiful beige tone from artist and educator Kendra Alia (@ken_lili) was formulated to complement her client’s skin tone.
If your client is hesitant to go several levels darker, keep this formula in mind for a mid-range warm brunette. You’ll notice the high Level of color combined with the undertone hues create a rich brunette that does not pull too warm.
Kendra’s formula: Schwarzkopf Professional tbh—true beautiful honest Permanent Color 7-16C + 8-04N
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Expand your brunette shade range! View this virtual swatch book to find some new go-to’s.
2. 2-Step Low Maintenance Warm Brunette Formula
Rich, dimensional color does not have to take three hours in the bowl. Lived-in color specialist Marina Sellecchia (@colorbymarina) shares her quick two-step formula for this gorgeous brunette.
Marina’s warm brunette formula:
- Base color: Schwarzkopf Professional tbh—true beautiful honest Permanent Color 5-06 + 4-64.
- Ends color: tbh—true beautiful honest Permanent Color 8-06 + 8-56.
“I really like using tbh® for a low-maintenance color on those clients looking for natural results. Plus, it extends time between salon visits,” says Marina.

3. Create Dimension Without Adding Blonde
Adding dimension to dark-haired clients without bleaching them out can be tricky. To achieve a tonal shift with just enough dimension, color specialist Carlos Rojas (@colorbycarlos) shares his tip to paint a caramel balayage with the perfect amount of lift.
“I be careful to just paint on the outside edges of each slice,” Carlos explains. This helps to create dimension throughout the hair without super blonde results. Once the lightener is rinsed, your toner formula will bring out the rich, warm hues to accentuate the lightened pieces to pop against dark hair.
Check out Carlos’s full demo here:
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Watch here for more in-depth brunette toning techniques from @colorbycarlos!
4. Fill In Blonde Pieces With This Formula
When you have clients wanting to get rid of their money pieces, be sure you fill their hair first! Skipping over the fill step and applying dark levels onto your client’s platinum hair will result in muddy, green tone shifts and patches after a few shampoos.
Try balayage specialist Jamie Park’s (@hairbyjpark) fill-in process:
- Prep Schwarzkopf Professional tbh—true beautiful honest Permanent Color in shade 3-16 with 5-volume developer.
- Apply to towel-dried hair, blending evenly.
- Let process for 15 minutes.
Notice the even coverage from root to end! Formulating the right shades and using high-coverage color will provide clients with lasting dark hues without splotches.

Products Used
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