Summer is the time of year when we typically lighten up, but right now we’re seeing the hair color pendulum swing in favor of Bambi brunette—the of-the-moment hue that hair colorist Mark Leeson describes as “a soft, warm, light-reflective take on brown hair.”
Right now you’ll see different iterations of this expensive-looking brunette trend on celebrities including Hailey Bieber, Kaia Gerber and Zendaya. But how exactly does it differ from a regular brunette shade?
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Bambi brunette is essentially all about dimension. “It’s almost like you’ve had a summer of sun on your hair, but in a really understated, chic way,” Leeson says. “Think gentle caramel and beige tones woven through a brunette base to give it a velvety, doe-eyed glow—hence the name. It feels more modern, glossy, and multidimensional than a block brunette.”
This on-trend hue is also ideal for autumn, when we naturally crave more warmth in our hair color. “Bambi brunette brings softness and richness to the hair, but without tipping into overly dark or heavy territory,” says Leeson. “It’s the perfect in-between—rich enough to feel seasonal, but with a lightness that keeps the face bright.”
What should you ask your hairstylist for?
The big thing to note is that placement is key. “Ask your colorist for a soft brunette base with lighter warm, caramel accents threaded throughout, particularly around the face and mid-lengths,” Leeson advises. “These need to be fine and blended, so it feels seamless rather than stripy. The idea is to add dimension and glow without it looking like traditional highlights.”
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How do you keep the shade looking vibrant?
Gloss and condition are everything with Bambi brunette. “If the hair isn’t shiny, you lose the effect,” says Leeson. Top-up glosses in salon will keep that light-reflective finish, but for home, he recommends using Goldwell’s Dualsenses Color Extra Rich 60 Sec Treatment to lock in luminosity. Also be sure to include a color-protective shampoo in your routine, such as L’Oréal Elvive Colour Protect Colour Protecting Shampoo, and add shine with a targeted serum or treatment.
Goldwell Dualsenses Color Extra Rich 60Sec Treatment
L’Oréal Paris Elvive Colour Protect Shampoo for Coloured or Highlighted Hair
Aveda Colour Conserve Shampoo
Oribe Shampoo for Beautiful Colour
Kérastase Chroma Absolu Resurfacing High Shine Rinse Treatment
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day High-Shine Gloss
More Bambi brunette inspiration
The best looks to add to your fall hair mood board:
Sideswept Bambi brunette
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Old Hollywood Bambi brunette
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High-shine Bambi brunette
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Bambi brunette lob
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Bambi brunette pixie
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Wavy Bambi brunette
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Bambi brunette bob
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