How to Do Ombré on Brown Hair

Ombré is a popular hair color trend that isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. That’s because these highlights are an easy way to add movement and dimension to your hair. Plus, ombré highlights look good on just about everyone—brunettes included. Think about it: You’ve probably seen this classic hair color on plenty of brown-haired celebs at some point. Ready to try it yourself? Follow our guide to going ombré when you have brown hair.

WHAT IS OMBRÉ—AND WHY IS IT A GOOD CHOICE FOR BRUNETTES?

Ombré gives your hair a lot of contrast from root to tip and can differ as much as seven shades. This hair color trend works with any shade, so you can get teal, purple, or even pink highlights! The options are truly endless. Blonde ombré highlights are a popular pick for those with brown hair. To get the look, stick to your regular brown shade at your roots and lighten the ends as much as you’d like. Since the highlights don’t start at your roots, the maintenance is very low-key, which is another major reason why ombré is so popular with brunettes.

HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT COLORIST FOR OMBRÉ HAIR

While ombré is totally doable at home (more on that later!), sometimes it’s best to see a colorist who specializes in the technique. Many hair colorists use a hand-painting technique to get the ombré look. They muss up the strands to evenly distribute the color and blend the lighter pieces. Do your research and find a hair colorist who specializes in ombré and who you feel most comfortable with—after all, the fate of your hair rests in their hands!

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT OMBRÉ SHADE

When going ombré, what color highlights do you want? Keep this in mind: Traditional ombré is supposed to make your hair look naturally sun-kissed. So, if you have really dark brown hair, opt for light brown highlights. If you have light brown hair, you can choose a lighter shade for the ends of your hair. Remember: The purpose of ombré is for the highlights to look natural. There should be no harsh line of demarcation where one color starts and the other begins. (If you have darker brown hair, you might need to have your locks bleached first, depending on what shade of highlights you settle on.)

HOW TO DYE YOUR HAIR OMBRÉ AT HOME

In the mood for a little DIY project? Try the L’Oréal Paris Colorista Bleach Ombré Kit. For best results, follow the instructions that come inside the box. Then, if you want to add a pop of color (like burgundy or teal) to your ombré, try the L’Oréal Paris Colorista Semi-Permanent Color.

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF OMBRÉ HIGHLIGHTS

As with any colored-treated hair, you may need to switch up your hair care routine to help preserve your color and keep your hair looking and feeling great. So, switch to a shampoo and conditioner designed for colored hair, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Repair & Defend Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Repair & Defend Conditioner, which are formulated with an antioxidant + UV filter and help preserve color and take care of damaged, processed hair fibers. Gently massage the shampoo into wet hair, then rinse out and follow with the conditioner. Leave the conditioner on for one to three minutes, then rinse.

You can also add a hair mask to your routine and use it once or twice a week. Try the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Repair Remedy Balm, which is also formulated with an antioxidant + UV filter and helps to protect and care for hair. After shampooing, apply the mask in place of your regular conditioner and leave it on for three to five minutes, then rinse. Another tip: Rinse your hair with lukewarm water instead of hot—although steamy showers can feel relaxing, the extra hot water can strip your hair of moisture, which is not cool if you want to keep your hair looking shiny and soft.

Now that you know how to lighten up your brown hair color with ombré, you might be curious about going light allover. If that’s the case, check out our article, Best Light Brown Hair Colors for Summer.