Which brunette shade suits you?
Brunettes run from soft beige and mushroom browns to warm chestnut, chocolate and deep espresso. Warm browns with gold or red in them bring out brown and hazel eyes and warm skin. Cooler, beige browns can look elegant against fair or pink-toned skin.
Esther mixes every shade for your skin, eyes and hair, so your brown has the right depth and the right warmth. Bring photos you love, and say what you don't want, such as "too red" or "too dark." Those words help as much as the pictures.
How do you make brown hair look glossy, not flat?
Shine comes from even tone and a smooth surface. Esther finishes color with a glaze for mirror shine, which helps dark hair reflect light. A glaze with color is $30 on the 2026 menu, and you can read more on the gloss and toner page.
Dimension helps too. A few deeper lowlights or lighter ribbons keep brunette hair from looking like one solid block, especially in bright Florida sun where flat color shows quickly.
What are caramel ribbons and brunette balayage?
Caramel ribbons are soft, warm, lighter strands painted through brown hair. They catch the light when you move and frame the face without a big change. This look is often done with balayage, which grows out softly because the color stays gentler near the root.
The real client in the photo shows the look: a brunette balayage with caramel ribbons. Balayage is $275+ and partial balayage is $200+. For a brighter, more even result through the whole head, foil highlights are another good option.
Is copper or auburn a good choice for brunettes?
A touch of copper can warm up brown hair beautifully. Think cinnamon, burnished amber or a soft auburn glow rather than bright orange. It works best when the warmth matches your skin. Copper also looks lovely as a few ribbons instead of all over, if you want to try it without a full change.
Red and copper tones tend to fade faster than browns, so a glaze between visits helps keep them rich. If you are unsure, start subtle. It is easier to add warmth later than to take it away.
Color first, then highlights for brunettes
Many brunettes begin to see gray but still want brightness. That is where her clients' favorite combination comes in: color first, then highlights. The all-over color gives a rich, even brown and blends the gray. Then highlights or caramel pieces add light around the face.
Single process is $100 and L'Oréal INOA ammonia-free color is $125. Partial hi/lo lights are $175+ and full hi/lo lights $250+. Length, thickness and color history change the final price, so the free consultation gives your exact quote. Text Esther at 561-631-6462 to book one, and see the color services overview for every option.
Questions clients ask
Can I go darker without my hair looking flat?
Yes. Going darker works best with a shade mixed for your skin, plus a little dimension so it doesn't look like a solid helmet of color. A glaze finish adds shine that keeps dark hair lively. Esther will suggest the right depth at your free consultation.
How do I keep brunette color from turning brassy?
Brown hair has warm undertones that show as color fades, especially in sun and salt water. Wash with cool water and a color-safe shampoo, wear a hat at the beach, and book a glaze between visits to refresh tone and bring back shine.
Will caramel highlights look stripy?
Not when they are placed with care. Caramel ribbons are painted or placed softly, in a shade close enough to your base to blend. Esther chooses how bright and how wide they should be for your hair, your face and the way you style it every day.
Can brunette balayage cover gray?
Balayage softens the look of scattered gray, but it is not full coverage. If you have more gray, an all-over color first, then caramel pieces on top, gives rich coverage and brightness together. Esther will suggest the best mix for your hair at your free consultation.