Caramelized Brunette Is Spring’s Sweetest Hair Color Trend

What Is Caramelized Brunette Hair?

Colorist Jess Gonzalez describes the hue as “a warm brown that’s perfect for the spring seasonal transition.” It’s typically achieved through a mix of subtle balayage or babylights, she says, followed by a custom gloss to melt everything together and create that seamless, dimensional finish. Just like a caramelized chocolate candy—like Rolos, for example—the rich brunette color comes with soft, blended ribbons of warm caramel and golden tones. “Nothing too streaky or high-contrast,” adds Gonzalez. 

Paired with a feathery cut, the color feels even more weightless, according to salon co-owner and founder Nicolas Flores. “Warm brunette tones have a natural softness and dimension, so cuts with movement—like long layers, soft face-framing pieces, or a textured lob—really enhance that richness,” he says. “Anything too blunt can feel heavy, while shape and flow help the color catch light and feel more dimensional. We’re growing out Sofia’s bob, so we added a soft, face-framing layer to the cut, complemented by fringe curtain bangs to keep the shape effortless as it evolves.” 

You might’ve already noticed a shift toward more natural, low-maintenance hair colors. That doesn’t mean losing that “elevated” feel, though: “Caramelized brunette strikes that balance perfectly,” says Gonzalez. “It enhances depth and shine without the upkeep of going lighter, which makes it especially appealing right now.”

Beyond just flashing a picture, you can get Sofia’s cut by asking for a “soft, polished shape with long layers and subtle face-framing that enhances natural movement,” says Flores. To make sure your own cut feels fluid and personal, ask your stylist to tailor the look to your hair texture and face shape—that way, the look feels more yours and less “copy-paste,” Flores adds. The bottom line: it’s brunette, but warmer, glossier, and way more dimensional.

What to Ask Your Colorist:

• Warm brunette base

• Subtle balayage or babylights

• Gloss for a seamless finish

• Low contrast, high shine

Ready to visualize your new look? Scroll on to see our favorite caramelized brunette hairstyles (and bookmark which ones you’ll be taking with you to the salon).

10 Caramelized Brunette Looks to Screenshot Now

1. Sofia Richie Grainge’s Reddish-Brown Bob

As the unofficial face of “quiet luxury,” it makes sense that Richie-Grainge would be one of the first to rock the elevated caramelized brunette color. Like Flores mentioned earlier, the softer feel of her cut enhances the movement of the look—and makes it easier to grow out. Try adding some fringey curtain bangs to your style to match the warmth of the reddish-brown color. 

2. Caramelized Brunette Curls

Unlike other trending hair colors like espresso and milk chocolate, caramelized brunette really works to highlight hair texture and flow. Its warm tones add subtle dimension, making your hair look like it’s been naturally altered by the sun. Give your curls the same leisurely feel with the fan-favorite MARC ANTHONY Strictly Curls Define & Hold Flex Gel, which keeps coils bouncy and soft without any crunch.  

3. Ryan Destiny’s Subtle Balayage Brunette

A softer hair shade doesn’t mean any less glam—just take a look at Ryan Destiny’s silky caramel locks. Warm and shiny, her hair’s rich color effortlessly catches the light (and our attention). To add the same glow to your look, make sure to ask for a neutral base with a barely-there golden balayage. It’ll add the same halo-like reflection to your hair. 

4. Hailey Bieber’s Effortless Caramelized Lob

Leave it to Hailey Bieber to make any hair color look effortless. Her woke-up-like-this lob is more than just bedhead though—it’s about accentuating your hair’s natural texture to make it look casually cool. For a similar effect, scrunch a texturizing mousse like the IGK HAIR Beach Club High-Shine Texture Foam into damp hair, working your way up to the roots. To make sure your texture holds throughout the day, top it off with the ultra-lightweight VOIR Rainforest Mist: Waves Texturizing Hairspray. 

5. Barbie Ferriera’s Old Hollywood Blowout

Want a more upscale feel? Go for this classic Old Hollywood hairstyle as seen on Barbie Ferreira. The look delivers all the drama without feeling heavy or high-contrast. A deep, glossy side part softens up the style while big-barrel curls amp up the volume. Curl your hair away from your face to keep your look sweet and open. 

6. Diffused Balayage Brunette

Lean into the warmth of the caramelized brunette color with some balayage. The reddish-brown tones will help your look feel more sunlit—perfect for warmer weather. Keep your color vibrant with the R+CO Gemstone Color Protect Masque, a nourishing pre-wash treatment that seals the cuticle of your hair to maintain color and deliver a soft shine. 

7. Camila Morrone’s Long Layers

Strike the ideal balance between effortless and elevated with Camila Morrone’s silky layers. According to Flores, the cut helps highlight (no pun intended) balayage and dimensional colors. Keep the look soft and romantic with a smoothing hair serum like the DEW OF THE GODS Amalfi Gold Hair Serum. Made with olive and argan oils, the serum will give you a glossy shine without weighing it down. 

8. Kaia Gerber’s Deep Caramel Babylights

If you’re craving caramel swirls with a darker chocolate base, look no further than Kaia Gerber’s glossy strands. Her super-subtle babylights help give the darker shade more dimension, while face-framing layers complement the movement of the color. To make the most of this look, try adding a hair gloss to really show off and reflect those caramel tones. 

9. Beachy Brunette Waves

Caramelized brunette tones pair perfectly with beachy waves. The color complements the style’s relaxed movement, and it’ll seamlessly blend into the rest of your strands. Add more volume to your hair by scrunching the PACIFICA BEAUTY Vanilla Oat Milk Volumizing Mousse into damp curls, then parting your hair at the crown into a zig-zag shape. If you really want to commit to the beachy look, add in some curtain bangs, which beautifully flatter every face shape. 

10. Lola Tung’s Sleek Strands

Caramelized brunette is an ideal color for growing your hair out, since its soft golden tones add a sunlit halo effect that looks super natural. Still, you’ll also need a strong hair care routine to reach the same length as Lola Tung’s locks. Grab a product that will feed your hair all the goodness it needs, like the PACIFICA BEAUTY Turmeric Guava Thick and Smooth Hair Serum. The advanced formula is packed with peptides for long-term hair fullness and vitality, so you don’t have to sacrifice hair health for length.