Bronde hair is your favorite celeb’s favorite hair trend right now (and TBH, we can’t get enough either). From Jennifer Lopez to Katie Holmes to Kate Middleton (yes, even royalty is getting in on this), celebrities are betting big on this low-maintenance shade.
What is bronde, though? If you’ve misread it a couple times as “blonde,” you’re not alone. Bronde hair, however, is slightly different from blonde, with the special addition of brown (hence the name). “Bronde hair is the perfect mix between blonde and brunette hair,” says Rita Hazan, celebrity colorist and founder of Rita Hazan Salon in New York City, also referring to it as the “happy medium” between the two. “It gives such a sun-kissed, dimensional look, while at the same time being very low-maintenance and not resulting in a dramatic grow-out,” Hazan adds. If you need a visual, think of dirty blonde hair, which is what we used to call this popular current trend.
Ahead, Hazan shares everything you need to know about bronde hair, including how to achieve the look, how easy it is to maintain, and more. Plus, keep scrolling to the end for plenty of bronde hair ideas to try yourself.
How do you get bronde hair?
When you color your hair bronde, it is “a fantastic way to get a happy medium between blonde and brunette hair, giving a gorgeous, dimensional look while also being incredibly effortless,” says Hazan. The trending color, though a mix of brunette and blonde that gives a sun-kissed look, is more subdued than balayage on its own and offers a more gradual transition than highlights. The light brown (or dark blonde) color is “achieved with strategic placement of highlighting techniques to deliver a seamless blend between blonde and brunette hair,” says Hazan. “A balayage by itself tends to be a bit more dramatic.”
How do you get bronde hair at the salon? When asking your colorist for a bronde shade, make sure to bring inspiration photos so they can see exactly what you’re hoping for and deliver those natural-looking results that this hair look is known for. Once it’s time to start coloring, expect your stylist to “prioritize blending in the highlights and lowlights with the base color of a client’s hair,” explains Hazan.
How do you go from brunette to bronde?
If you’re currently a darker brunette and hoping to lighten things up a bit, it’s easy to make the transition happen. To go from brunette to bronde, head to the salon and ask your colorist “for a mix of highlights and lowlights throughout your hair that complement your natural hair color,” recommends Hazan. “This will ensure that your transition from brunette to bronde is seamless, even when your hair starts to grow out.” If you have blonde hair, your colorist will likely darken your hair to a light brunette (which may involve bleaching your strands first), then add the blonde highlights and lowlights Hazan explains above. Just make sure your colorist doesn’t make your highlights too light.