Fall has arrived, so cue autumnal shades taking on every part from our manicures to our garments. Whereas we all the time assume a wealthy brunette shade is timeless, there’s one thing about autumn that makes us fall in love with the deep shade yet again. As if the change of season weren’t sufficient, we’re consistently being influenced by Anne Hathaway’s silky brown strands on the set of The Satan Wears Prada. Consultants predict shiny cocoa hair shall be all over the place this fall, and we’re excited to see all of the takes on the pattern.
Featured specialists What’s shiny cocoa hair?
The commonest adjective thrown round when discussing shiny cocoa hair is “depth,” with all of our specialists utilizing the adjective to explain this shade. Shiny cocoa “delivers depth with golden ribbons, making it a great transition from summer highlights. It’s perfect for brunettes wanting dimension without going too blonde,” says movie star colorist and co-founder of IGK Hair Care Chase Kusero.
“It’s deep, shiny and dimensional—like melted cocoa with a polished glow,” says skilled colorist Jada Santi. “The magic is in how healthy and radiant it looks, giving you that timeless yet modern ‘expensive hair’ vibe.” Skilled colorist and stylist Shaun Lewis calls the shade “a depthy brunette with undertones that should support your completion (cool, warm or neutral).” Professional tip: “I think cocoa tones look the most natural when your roots are a half a shade darker than your ends. It gives it a rich brunette finish rather than a solid all-over color that can devalue the finished look,” notes Lewis.
Courtesy of @jadahairandbalayage What to ask for on the salon
Kusero suggests, “When working with your colorist, ask for a chestnut base with hand-painted honey ribbons through the mid-lengths.” Naturally, Santi says one of the best start line for shiny cocoa is medium to darkish brown coloration. “From there, we add just a touch of lighter tones—three to four shades brighter—to create soft dimension without harsh contrast. Think of it as layering tones so the color moves and reflects light beautifully.”
Lewis says you’ll additionally wish to request a gloss or a root shadow and gloss appointment to get that signature shiny shine. The gloss remedy will assist lock in shine, “and makes the hair look silky, healthy and luxurious,” says Santi. She notes that “With the right care, you’ll keep that glossy finish glowing between salon visits.”
