Brunette hair has gotten quite the glow-up in the past few seasons. While in the past everyone craved “blonde,” brunettes have always carried a certain quiet confidence alongside their timeless nature and versatile, effortlessly chic finish. But even the richest shade can fall a little flat without the right movement and depth. The difference between “just brown” and “brunette” is dimension.
This season, the key to enhancing brunette hair isn’t about going drastically lighter — it’s about adding contrast, reflection, and tonal layering. Using strategic glossing, subtle lowlights, and intentional styling, you can create a brunette that feels luxurious and tailored to the individual.
How To Add Dimension to Brunettes
Build on Your Base
Flat, one-dimensional brunettes can swallow the light — and that’s the opposite of what we want. Instead, brunette should be thought about in layers. A base that’s rich but not too dark, paired with slightly lighter or warmer tones woven in, creates an immediate sense of movement.
This is where demi-permanent color becomes essential. Shades EQ allows you to layer tone on tone, giving the hair a unique finish without locking it into a permanent change. This gives depth and shine that feel like they belong there naturally.
Gloss With Intention
Glossing isn’t just a “finishing touch” — it’s a design choice. By adjusting your gloss formula for different zones of the head, you can create the illusion of natural sunlight hitting the hair.
Think:
- A deeper neutral or mocha glaze at the root to create shadow and elongate time between touch-ups.
- Golden or caramel mid-lengths to catch light and give warmth where you want it.
- Cooler gloss tones around the face to balance and frame.
This subtle change in tone is what makes the eye linger — and what separates a professional finish from a one-note color.
Add Anchors
Highlights may be the attention-getters, but lowlights are what make them stand out. Adding a few strands two to three levels darker than the base creates anchors — the shadow pockets that give the surrounding lighter tones their impact.
This is especially valuable for clients who’ve spent a summer in the sun. Hair that’s been lightened naturally can start to look washed out or too uniform; lowlights restore depth and make blonded or lighter brunette pieces pop.
Style to Show It Off
Even the most beautifully layered tones can get lost if the hair isn’t styled to showcase them. Movement is your best bet, so try:
- Loose, polished waves let light catch the highs and lows in the color.
- A root-lift blowout prevents the base from looking heavy.
- Shine-enhancing products make every tonal shift more visible and luxe.
For those who prefer straight styles, a glassy blowout with subtle bends at the ends can still reveal the dimension without adding curl. And while styling makes your dimension pop in the moment, care keeps it luminous for the longer. That’s where Redken Acidic Color Gloss steps in — a shine-boosting, color-preserving system that seals the cuticle, locks in tone, and enhances light reflection. Its acidic pH rebalances hair after chemical services, so strands feel as smooth as they look, and its lightweight formula keeps hair touchable, never weighed down. Paired with your in-salon Shades EQ gloss service, it’s the ultimate way to maintain depth, tone, and vibrancy between visits.
Shop The Range:
Redken Acidic Color Gloss Sulfate Free Shampoo & Conditioner
Redken Acidic Color Gloss Activated Glass Gloss Treatment
Redken Acidic Color Gloss Heat Protection Treatment
Naked Gloss Lightweight Shine Oil
