Hair colour confidential: How to be your best brunette

The trend

Fall’s rich brunette tones have extra sparkle this season, thanks to thread-like highlights. Cool hues, such as ash, tobacco and dark chocolate, are perennial favourites for base colours.

Get the look

“Tone-on-tone” is your magic word, says Eric Del Monaco, official hair artist and colourist for L’Oréal Paris in Canada. That means asking for highlights just a shade or two lighter than your all-over colour. “It’s more discreet.”

The maintenance

Brunettes who see hair fading can ask for a gloss or glaze every six weeks to boost shine and colour. (There are also at-home versions.) For richer colour between trips (or instead of going) to the salon, try a demi-permanent colour, which lasts 20 washes.
Minimize fading by using a dry shampoo.

Colour Refreshing Gloss For Cool Brunettes, $13, John Frieda.

Pro Series ColorFinity Dry Shampoo in Rich Darks, $7, Vidal Sassoon. 

Root Touch-Up by Nice ‘n Easy in Dark Auburn, $9, Clairol.