There are many ways to liven up a rich and luscious shade like a dark brunette, but nothing has a hold on our favorite celebs like this season’s hottest hair color trend. Meet tortoiseshell brunette.
Aptly named, experts say that tortoiseshell brunette mimics the tortoiseshell patterns we see in textiles and fashion pieces (yes, just like your favorite pair of tortoiseshell sunglasses). It’s a mixture of caramel and deep chocolate to give hair some added depth. “The pattern should have a slightly random feel that combines areas of visual highs and lows,” says master colorist at Madison Reed Shvonne Perkins.
“[It’s] a ‘mottled’ shade of browns and golds,” adds celebrity colorist Tracey Cunningham. “[It’s] soft hues of caramel and golden honey all woven together.”
To achieve this rich color combo, Perkins says that colorists will generally start with a deep chocolate for the base and add very light brown or dark blonde highlights. (“Think caramel or iced tea,” she says). It’s pretty customizable, with some colorists placing highlights up to the root for dimension or opting for a more ombré look by placing them at the mid-lengths and ends. As an added touch, she says that it is usually followed with a clear or golden tone gloss to get max shine.
Featured Experts
- Tracey Cunningham is a celebrity colorist based in Los Angeles
- Shvonne Perkins is a master colorist at Madison Reed
What to Ask Your Colorist
Perkins says to ask your colorist for a deep, golden warm hue that will highlight your hair’s tone. She adds that this trend looks best with deep caramel highlights with high shine.
Cunningham says you can describe it as a “polished, brighter brunette,” and to ask your colorist for ribbons or highlights so that you can see all the rich colors falling together. But for best results, she recommends bringing in a reference photo to make sure your colorist understands exactly what you’re envisioning.
Tortoiseshell Brunette Aftercare
Upkeep is pretty simple. Perkin recommends using a golden-toned gloss, like the Miele Color Reviving Gloss ($25), or a deep mahogany hue, like the Amaretto Color Reviving Gloss ($25), about once a month at home between appointments. To boost your hair’s shine, she likes using the Madison Reed Pro Boost ($20).
Cunningham agrees and likes to send her clients home with the Redken Acidic Color Gloss Activated Glass Gloss Treatment ($38) to extend shine in between appointments and keep color looking fresh. “It works just like a professional glossing treatment, without the need to go back into the salon every time you want a refresh,” she says. “The formula deeply conditions and seals the cuticle and gives a gorgeous, reflective shine to hair.” If you’re wanting to cover any grays, she recommends going in more frequently (about every six to eight weeks) for root maintenance.
To help you out in that department, we rounded up 15 tortoiseshell brunette looks worn by some of our favorite celebs. Be sure to save this for your next hair appointment.
Celebrities rocking toroiseshell brunette
Taylor Hill / Getty Images
Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty Images
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin / Getty Images
Kevin Mazur / Getty Images
Monica Schipper / Getty Images
Paul Morigi / Getty Images
Kevin Mazur / Getty Images
Max Cisotti / Dave Benett / Getty Images
Daniele Venturelli / WireImage
Rich Fury / Getty Images
Arturo Holmes / Getty Images
Jon Kopaloff / Getty Images
Taylor Hill / Getty Images
Daniele Venturelli / Getty Images
Lionel Hahn / Getty Images
