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Lived-in, low-maintenance hair started to gain momentum as a result of the pandemic, and the look is still gaining, allowing clients to embrace their natural color. For 2022, we’re predicting “expensive brunette” will be highly requested, providing an easy-care color solution but with depth and dimension only a professional could achieve.

“I feel like this will be the go-to request starting off 2022,” says Meghann Zarillo (@capellibymegs), stylist and owner of Capelli Salon in Spring Hill, FL. “I’m excited everyone is starting to really embrace warmer tones. This will help so much with longevity, and maybe everyone will take a break from the overuse of purple shampoo.”

Both Zarillo and Alex Mercedes (@alex.mercedesss), stylist and owner of Ethereal Designs in Tampa, FL, provide their Redken formulas and tips for these two knock-out expensive brunette looks below.

“When taking my blondies dark, I like to leave a face frame out so they still feel bright. For reverse balayage, I always start at the base of the neck and work my way up to the front—this way, I don’t have to worry about the darker formula leaving marks on what I leave dropped out. Misting down my lowlight sections with water before applying really helps to even porosity and makes for a seamless result, too.”

Expensive Brunette Hair Color Formulations:

  • Melt and lowlights: Equal parts Redken Shades EQ 6NB + 6N + 5N + 7M

  • Tone: Equal parts Redken Shades EQ 8N + 8NB + 9P

  • Redken Shades EQ Gloss To Gel Developer

“I foilayaged this client all over aside from the hairline, which I highlighted with thinner sections with a blur at the base for a balayaged look. This was to achieve more lift so she’d have a more sun-kissed look near her face.”

Expensive Brunette Hair Color Formulations:

  • Roots: Equal parts Redken Shades EQ 4NN + 5NGI

  • Foilayage: Redken Flash Lift Bonder Inside lightener

  • Gloss: Redken Shades EQ 18 grams 9RB, 12 grams 8GI, 15 grams 7NB, and 15 grams 9AA

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