It’s not just skin that looks more radiant with a subtle stroke of bronzer; hair can also capture that sun-kissed glow. The bronze hair trend is perfect for blondes who want to go darker, and brunettes craving a lift. Golden brown and bronzy tones are swept through the lengths for a metallic mane that glows. Here’s how to bronze your client’s hair to perfection, featuring tips, tricks, and formulas for high-shine locks that sparkle all summer long.
Achieving the perfect bronze hue requires a tailored approach based on the client's existing hair color. The process differs whether you're bronzing blonde or brown hair, so it's important to understand these nuances to deliver the best results.
When transitioning a blonde client to bronze, it’s crucial to consider the base you’re working with. Cool-toned, ashy blondes may clash with bronze tones, while warm, golden, or caramel blondes will match up flawlessly.
Warming Up Cool Blondes: If their locks are currently cool, consider toning their blonde with a richer hue. Options include:
Once the blonde has warmed up, add bronze lowlights throughout the hair. This can be achieved with a root-to-tip or reverse balayage technique, depending on the desired look.
Read also: Balayage Technique
Adding Extra Shine: For extra shine, complete the service with a zero-damage clear glaze. Mix Shinefinity Glaze in 00/00 at a 1:1 ratio with the activator. Apply from root to tip and let it develop on the hair for up to 20 minutes.
Any shade of dark brown serves as an ideal base for bronze. A warm hue adds extra luster to the metallic trend, while a cool canvas lends striking contrast. The key decision is how bold the bronze tones will be. The client should decide if they want chunky highlights, sun-drenched balayage, or subtle babylights.
Technique: Define the technique, then pre-lighten strands with BlondorPlex or Blondor Freelights, going around two to three shades lighter than the base. This helps the bronze tones pop. Then, tone highlights with a bronze hue, mixing a few hues to reach the perfect shade.
Favorite Formulas: Some popular choices include:
Here are a few bronze hair color ideas to inspire your next creation:
Read also: Clip-In Balayage Styles
Bronze ribbons bring this brunette mane to life in all its silky, shimmery glory, thanks to sweeps of Blondor Freelights, applied with a balayage technique.
A vibrant bronze that leans slightly red and oozes dimension can be achieved by mixing Shinefinity’s raspberry 07/75 with natural brown 06/07. This dynamic formula can be applied through the mid-lengths and ends for a copper bronze hue that softly shimmers with every curve.
Bronze is ideal for a money-piece, working flawlessly through face-framing layers and giving your client a gentle glow that flatters all skin tones. Lighten the front and a few extra ribbons with Blondor Freelights, then tone with Color Touch 8/41 + 10/34.
To create bronzed-out curls, start by adding chunky highlights with BlondorPlex + 4%. Then, apply Color Touch 9/73 + 7/97 + 1.9% as a toner, lending a subtle glistening effect that helps to define the shape of each coil.
This lighter take on bronze hair brings in accents of gold and caramel for a multi-tonal finish. Mix Color Touch 7/75 with 8/3 + 8/81 and apply it to virgin hair for a metallic sheen with a little natural root shadow on show.
Read also: Money Piece Highlights with Balayage
One of the most appealing aspects of bronze hair is its luminosity. However, like all hair colors, that glow can fade if it’s not properly cared for at home. Clients need a radiance-boosting, shade-shielding routine.
A must for every client with colored hair is a protective shampoo and conditioner. Suggest INVIGO Brilliance Color Protection Shampoo and Vibrant Color Conditioner. These come in Normal/Fine and Coarse/Thick formulas and provide a boost of shine with every wash.
Clients can top up their bronze tone at home with the Color Fresh Mask, which comes in Golden Gloss and Caramel Glaze shades. Recommend using it whenever their color needs a quick refresh. Apply to clean, damp hair, leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Bronze tones can quickly turn brassy, so introduce your client to EIMI Thermal Image; a heat protection spray that reduces the chance of their shade fading overly warm. Before blow-drying, straightening, or curling their hair, they should mist it from root to tip. It protects strands from heat up to 220 degrees Celsius, while imparting a dose of shine.
tags: #bronzed #balayage #technique
