Gourmand hair colors have been taking over this year, with shades of caramel, cookie butter and coffee getting their moment in the spotlight. But it’s not just the dolce-themed hues that make these tones stand out—it’s all about achieving that glazed finish, too, not to mention customizing the color to your undertones. Ahead, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about the gourmand hair color trend, with expert insight to help you nail the look.
Featured Experts
- Rogério Cavalcante is a master stylist and owner of The Second Floor Salon
- Nicole Leal is a celebrity hairstylist and colorist
- Sierra Kener is a celebrity colorist and #mydentity color ambassador
What Is a Gourmand Hair Color?
IG: @mrsnicoleleal
IG: @georgepapanikolas
IG: @reecewalkerhair
A gourmand hair color is any shade inspired by food, particularly sweet treats. These hues are typically warm-toned and boast a high-gloss finish.
When celebrity hairstylist and colorist Nicole Leal hears the trendy phrase “gourmand hair,” she thinks of “super rich, blended color.” These indulgent hues, she explains, are “like pressing the reset button on highlights and adding shine with an all-over glaze” reminiscent of your favorite icing.
“Gourmand hair compares hair color to a typically sweet treat,” explains celebrity colorist and #mydentity color ambassador, Sierra Kener. “When you say ‘honey,’ ‘vanilla,’ or ‘caramel,’ it evokes a decadent feeling of treating yourself. Since it’s not always easy to describe color and people can see warm and cool differently when just talking about hair, comparing the color to a food clicks for you and your stylist.”
The trend has also sparked a collection of playful, food-inspired names for specific hues, often referenced by hairstylists and enthusiasts on social media. One example is gourmand blonde, which “refers to appealing shades reminiscent of comforting and trendy foods and delicacies,” says master stylist and owner of Second Floor Salon, Rogério Cavalcante. “Gourmand colors are rich, complex colors versus high-contrast colors. Cinnamon, buttery blonde, cappuccino blonde, Syrup blonde—they are all more dimensional and natural-looking, which has been the real trend this year.”
Will a Gourmand Hair Color Work for You?
The best thing about the gourmand hair color trend is that there is truly a color for everyone,” explains Kener. “Icy vanilla will make blue eyes pop, while rich espresso is super flattering for someone with warmer undertones.”
Celebrity hairstylist Rogério Cavalcante agrees, stressing the importance of matching your hair color to your natural undertone. “The more harmonious choice will always be to follow your natural undertone and respect your natural contrast,” he explains. “That means that if a person has a cool undertone, they will look better with cool shades of hair color and if they have a warm undertone, they will look better with warm shades of hair color.”
