Hair Care Tips for Brunettes

Brunette with long straight hair — Photo: Istockphoto

Do blondes really have more fun? The days of the blondes may be coming to an end, but who will take their place? Brunettes! Finally, us "brunnies" will get a chance to be noticed as we walk down the street. No longer will we have to fight the stereotype of the "smart friend" to the "hot blonde". All of this is thanks to some of Hollywood's elite actresses.

Mandy Moore, Renée Zellweger, Christina Aguilera, and Reese Witherspoon are just a few of the mainstream actresses and singers who have changed their natural hair color with the help of a box of hair color or a high-priced colorist. So, how do you know if you can pull off the "it" color of the season? Just look in the mirror!

Okay, here is the first step: Turn on the light in the bathroom or whatever room the mirror is in. Now, look in the mirror. Do you have hair? If so, you can go for brown. It is true that, regardless of whether you have very pale skin or very dark skin, there is a shade of brown that is right for you. Let's start with the pale or melanin-challenged; think of opposites. The lighter your skin tone, the richer your brown shade should be. I know that doesn't sound like it should be that way, but consider the contrast.

If you have light skin and go for a light brown shade for your locks, it may make you appear washed out, even tired-looking. Most of us are busy and lack the proper sleep as it is. We don't need help that is counterproductive from our new shade. Try a dark chocolate color, and while you are waiting for it to be processed, try eating some dark chocolate!

Now, if you are not as melatonin-challenged as others, try a lighter shade, such as chestnut brown. Once again, think of contrast. If you have olive-colored skin, try adding some beautiful, delicious honey tones in the form of highlights or tinted gloss on a base color not much darker than medium brown. If you have dark skin, try adding lots of gold and honey highlights all over.

There are new hair color products on the market made primarily for brunette hair, whether for the base color or for adding highlights. Also, there are special hair coloring kits with the base color and a highlighting step too. These are all at-home products costing around $20.00 or less, and can produce a very nice result. However, you may need to enlist the help of a friend, unless you're a contortionist, to reach some of those spots in the back for a more even result.

Different shades of brown hair — Images via Canva

In addition to hair color, there are also lines of hair care products made specifically for brunettes. Some may be more expensive than others, but I believe they likely work equally well. So now your neatly coiffed little head is wondering why in the world you need to go out and buy special shampoo just because your hair is a few shades, or more, darker. Well, the reason is as simple as this... SHINE!

Dark hair tends to look duller and flatter in intensity than lighter-colored hair. That is where these special suds do their work. They help to smooth each strand of hair, helping it to reflect more light and thereby increasing shine. There are even shampoos that you can get from your colorist, made specifically for you with a special color glaze mixed in. If you want a bit of a red tint to your new hairstyle without looking as though Kool-Aid was spilled on your head, try one with an auburn hue to it.

Now, last but not least, your makeup. Don't forget to update your face colors at the same time as you update your hair colors. You don't want to go around with a beautiful, new, dark, rich hair color and still be wearing the same blush and eye shadow from when you were a blonde. Try making things a little more vibrant. Instead of wearing pale pink on your cheeks, go with a berry liquid blush for a pinched cheek look. However, don't use too much; you don't want to look like a prizefighter the day after the big event. Try making your eye makeup darker as well. The big thing for lips this spring is berry-colored lip stain.

Come on, go out on a limb and let the world know that brunettes are the new blondes.

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See also: More Hair Care Tips