Drew Barrymore - Photo: Chris Harvey/ShutterstockQ: I love Drew Barrymore's hair color where the top half stays dark and gradually transitions to lighter shades toward the bottom. I think I heard someone refer to this as "top-deck" hair coloring, though I'm not sure if that's the official term. How can I achieve this look? I'm naturally a brunette, so I'm assuming I'll need to get portions of my hair bleached to create that beautiful contrast. Is this the right approach?
A: You're on the right track with your thinking about bleaching, and what you're describing is commonly known as an ombré or balayage technique rather than "top-deck" coloring, though the visual effect is exactly what you're after. Drew Barrymore's signature look, as shown in these images, features a beautiful gradient from her natural darker roots transitioning seamlessly into golden, sun-kissed lengths.
However, achieving Drew's exact look likely involves more than just coloring techniques. Based on the incredible volume and length visible in the photos, it's highly probable that her look incorporates
hair extensions to create that full, luxurious effect. If your natural hair already has this level of thickness and length, then you're perfectly positioned to recreate the look through coloring alone. But if you're working with finer or shorter hair, you might want to consider extensions as part of your hair transformation.
The coloring process itself will require professional lightening, and this isn't something you should attempt at home given the complexity involved. Creating that perfect gradient requires a skilled colorist who understands how to lift your natural brunette color to achieve those honey and blonde tones without causing damage. The process typically involves strategically placed highlights that become more concentrated and lighter as they move down the hair shaft.
Your colorist will likely recommend a multi-stage approach rather than trying to achieve the full effect in one session. This gentler method helps preserve your hair's health while gradually building up to that beautiful contrast you're after. The process might involve an initial round of highlights, followed by toning sessions to perfect the color, and possibly additional lightening appointments spaced several weeks apart.
Drew Barrymore - Photo: Tinseltown/Shutterstock
It's also crucial to consider the cut that complements this coloring technique. Drew's look works so beautifully because of her long, layered cut with subtle razor texturing that allows all those different tones to blend seamlessly and catch the light. The layers create movement that showcases the color transition, making it appear natural rather than stark or artificial.
