Fall has arrived, so cue autumnal shades taking on all the pieces from our manicures to our garments. Whereas we at all times suppose a wealthy brunette shade is timeless, there’s one thing about autumn that makes us fall in love with the deep shade over again. As if the change of season weren’t sufficient, we’re continually being influenced by Anne Hathaway’s silky brown strands on the set of The Satan Wears Prada. Consultants predict shiny cocoa hair will probably be in all places this fall, and we’re excited to see all of the takes on the pattern.
Featured specialists What’s shiny cocoa hair?
The most typical adjective thrown round when discussing shiny cocoa hair is “depth,” with all of our specialists utilizing the adjective to explain this shade. Shiny cocoa “delivers depth with golden ribbons, making it a great transition from summer highlights. It’s perfect for brunettes wanting dimension without going too blonde,” says celeb colorist and co-founder of IGK Hair Care Chase Kusero.
“It’s deep, shiny and dimensional—like melted cocoa with a polished glow,” says skilled colorist Jada Santi. “The magic is in how healthy and radiant it looks, giving you that timeless yet modern ‘expensive hair’ vibe.” Skilled colorist and stylist Shaun Lewis calls the shade “a depthy brunette with undertones that should support your completion (cool, warm or neutral).” Professional tip: “I think cocoa tones look the most natural when your roots are a half a shade darker than your ends. It gives it a rich brunette finish rather than a solid all-over color that can devalue the finished look,” notes Lewis.
Courtesy of @jadahairandbalayage What to ask for on the salon
Kusero suggests, “When working with your colorist, ask for a chestnut base with hand-painted honey ribbons through the mid-lengths.” Naturally, Santi says the perfect place to begin for shiny cocoa is medium to darkish brown shade. “From there, we add just a touch of lighter tones—three to four shades brighter—to create soft dimension without harsh contrast. Think of it as layering tones so the color moves and reflects light beautifully.”
Lewis says you’ll additionally need to request a gloss or a root shadow and gloss appointment to get that signature shiny shine. The gloss therapy will assist lock in shine, “and makes the hair look silky, healthy and luxurious,” says Santi. She notes that “With the right care, you’ll keep that glossy finish glowing between salon visits.”
