Image Source: Getty / Edward Berthelot [1]
Over the last few months, we've seen everyone from celebrities to influencers change their hair color [2] in favor of a reddish hue. Whether it's Gigi Hadid's move from blond to dark auburn [3] or Kendall Jenner's new copper shade [4], it's safe to say that red is the It color of the season.
If you're a brunette who has been interested in trying out the trend but unsure of how it would look on top of a darker hair color, fall's latest obsession called "strawberry brown" might be perfect for you. Similar to the look of a chocolate-covered strawberry, the trend mixes a tint of red over a brunette base. Below, we asked Jason Lee [5], colorist and founder of Mela & Kera [6], to break down everything to know about the trending hue, from choosing the right shade to how to care for it at home.
What Is Strawberry-Brown Hair Color?
"In the same way that we understand strawberry blond is when we add reddish-golden tones to blond hair, strawberry brown is the latest trend that adds reddish tones to brunettes," Lee tells POPSUGAR. "While the term 'strawberry brunette' conveys the feeling of a 'pinky red' hue on brown hair, it's now more inclusive of a variety of red tones from burgundy to copper."
Although there are no hard-set rules when it comes to what shade will work best for your specific skin tone, there are a few guidelines to keep in mind. "One thought process is that deep reds like burgundy or mahogany are great on darker skin tones," Lee says. "Neutral skin tones that aren't overly warm can wear red hair colors that are both warm or cool." He adds that warmer skin tones typically work well with warmer red tones, like true reds and coppers, while fair skin tones often do better with cool, blue-toned reds.
However, ultimately, your shade of choice comes down to personal preference, and if you're having a hard time deciding on what color works best for your skin tone, you can always ask your stylist for recommendations based on your current hair color. Lee adds you might need to lighten your brunette tone depending on how vibrant you want your strawberry tones to appear. "The more vibrant the tone, the more you will need to lighten your hair," he says.
How to Ask For Strawberry-Brown Hair Color at the Salon
Since the idea behind strawberry-brown hair color is mixing your natural brunette base with red hues, you'll want to ask your colorist to incorporate balayage, hair painting, or highlighting techniques. Lee also suggests collaborating with your hairstylist on the placement of the color, because you have a few options, like going for a root shadow or lowlights.
Make sure you're also clear about the ratio of brunette to red to ensure you're not surprised by the end results. As always when switching up your hair color, you should arrive at the appointment with inspiration photos in hand to ensure everyone is on the same page when it comes to what you want.
How to Care For Strawberry-Brown Hair Color at Home
When caring for your new hair color, Lee says it's important to make sure you're using a sulfate-free shampoo to avoid fading. He suggests the Mela & Kera Balayage Exceptional Shampoo [7] ($36), and we also love the R+Co Television Perfect Hair Shampoo [8] ($32). If you use hot tools or do any heat styling, you'll need a heat-protection product like the Mela & Kera Balayage Exceptional Exquisite Blowout Creme [9] ($36) or the Living Proof Restore Perfecting Spray [10] ($32), which will protect your hair from thermal damage and in turn boost the longevity of your color.
You can also try a "red" shampoo or mousse product. "There are different products that have red tones that can deposit color into your hair in between salon visits," Lee says. (We like the MyIdentity Refresh Color Depositing Conditioner [11] ($24), but there are plenty on the market [12] to choose from.) However, you want to make sure you match the tone in the product to the tone in your hair, so ask your stylist before purchasing to be safe.
What to Know Before Trying the Strawberry-Brown Hair Color
The cost and upkeep are two things to keep in mind when considering the strawberry-brown hair color. Because the hue is essentially a balayage technique using a red tone, Lee says you can expect to spend anywhere from $300 to $500 depending on the stylist, the salon, and where you live.
As for maintenance, be prepared to put in a few hours in a professional's chair. "Red certainly tends to fade quicker than most colors, and strawberry brown is no different," Lee says. If you want to keep your hair color as fresh as possible, Lee suggests going into the salon for toners, which typically last around four weeks before they start to fade.
Then, it's worth noting that the process back to your natural brunette base can be a bit tedious. "As much as red tones tend to fade between salon visits, ironically, neutralizing red tones back to brunette can be tricky to do." Lee says that often, even after you've covered the hair with brown, the strawberry shade continues to peek through, so you may want to go a shade or two darker to fully disguise it.
Strawberry-Brown Hair-Color Inspiration
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