Who ever thought that the look of a color grow-out would become the height of fashion?
Superstar celebrity colorist, Denis de Souza, sure did when he came up with this year’s brilliantly chill version of Ombré – the crazy-popular light-meets-dark ‘do that releases everyone from constant salon touch-ups. This softer, subtler version –which is universally flattering– actually lets natural blondes in on the fun, allowing them to go lighter without drastically changing their hair color. Denis reveals all the how-to’s about this news-making style right here…
1. Make it subtle. Sombré is ombré’s coy little sister –who also happens to be so much more low-maintenance–. De Souza says to forget the drastic contrast of dark roots and light ends, as sombré is a much softer version of the ombré.
2. Start higher. To nail the soft, subtle look, de Souza notes, “Highlights should start a couple of inches from the roots – maintaining the depth, while connecting the roots and slowly brightening towards the ends.”
3. Don’t forget that blondes can sombré too. “Unlike the ombré that worked best for brunettes in the past, sombré actually works for everyone,” affirms de Souza. It’s an especially great way for dark blondes to go lighter, without changing their natural color.
4. Gloss it. Sombré looks best on high-shine hair, so give it a little boost in between color appointments. “If you are going to the salon for a haircut or a blowout, ask your colorist to give you a 10-minute clear gloss prior to your service,” suggests de Souza. Glosses close the cuticle of the hair to add healthy shine.
5. Treat it right to maintain the color. To keep your sombré looking fresh all summer, de Souza says to cut back on shampooing, as frequent washing will fade any color. “When you do shampoo, choose a sulfate-free shampoo, and a great hydrating mask once a week is a must,” says de Souza. He recommends Joico’s K-PAK RevitaLuxe Bio-Advanced Restorative Treatment.
6. Keep your hair long. While this look suits almost everyone, de Souza especially loves it for long locks. “The longer the hair, the better the sombré,” he says. So if you’re looking to sombré this season, don’t go short just yet. According to de Souza, “Any length longer than the shoulders will look amazing in it.”
7. Embrace layers. To show off your highlights, opt for a cut with layers at the bottom. “This way, the brighter ends won’t fall on top of each other, causing them to look too heavy on the bottom,” de Souza says.