Princess Kate Middleton recently showcased lighter tresses during a trip to Scotland, making Us wonder: Is bronde the new blonde?
Middleton, 43, is not the only celebrity to rock the buzzy shade. Hollywood royalty, from Ciara and Jessica Alba to Halle Berry and Hailey Bieber, have, too.
So naturally, we tapped an expert to find out if the hot hue is worth the hype. It turns out it is — and the reasoning goes beyond “the Kate effect.”
“The warm tonality naturally enhances the complexion [by] bringing a flush to the cheeks and a warmer tint to the lips,” celebrity hairstylist Adir Abergel said of the trending color, which is particularly an ideal choice for brunettes. The creative director of hair care brand Virtue further explained that the “sunkissed” tone “mixes bronze and honey tones with [brown] shades,” which is why it’s a perfect option for the warm-weather season.
Read on to see what else the pro had to dish on the blonde-meets-brunette shade, from how to get it at your hair salon to at-home tips for keeping its vibrancy:
Who’s the Best Candidate?
Hailey Bieber Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
“[The color] best complements people with deep brown, green or honey eyes,” the pro shared. “Blue-eyed individuals can still wear bronde but may need to adjust their makeup to avoid looking washed out.”
What To Ask Your Colorist:
Ciara Photo by Aeon/GC Images
“Bring plenty of pictures, [as] visuals always communicate best,” the mane-master noted. “[When] describing it verbally to your colorist, use terms like ‘bronze,’ ‘warm highlights,’ ‘minimal contrast’ and ‘sun-kissed,’ he added.
Why It’s Better Than Going Totally Blonde:
Jessica Alba Photo by Neil Mockford/GC Images
“Brunettes transitioning to bronde will have a significantly easier upkeep routine compared to going fully blonde. Touch-ups might be needed twice a year, whereas full blonde transformations often require salon visits every four weeks.”
How To Maintain It at Home:
Halle Berry Photo by Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images
“Virtue ColorKick Shampoo is excellent for brondes,” Abergel stated. “It brightens, tones and neutralizes brassiness. Virtue’s ColorKick Mask [also] has a hair-healing protein that provides intense hydration, maintains illumination and fights color fade.”
