The ombre trend has had its day, and now it's time for its toned-down cousin: sombre hair. Due to its subtle color transitions, this look is more subdued but just as gorgeous. Ahead, find out all about sombre highlights, the new celebrity-approved hair trend that you'll be dying to try.
What Is Sombre?
Hair with sombre highlights gradually transitions from darker roots to lighter tips, and all the shades fall within the same color family. It creates a subdued rather than harsh contrast. Multiple shades are interwoven throughout the hair to create the gradual shift from dark to light.
Since sombre hair shades usually reflect your natural color family, you can allow a decent amount of time between touch-ups. That's good news because a sombre appointment can take three or four hours at the salon.
This gradual look is particularly effective for those with naturally blonde hair as they can't always pull off more dramatic highlights. That's not to say that it's not good for brunettes, though. Brown-tinted sombre locks can be absolutely stunning.
Who's Wearing Sombre?
You know that a look is in fashion when you start seeing it on all sorts of celebrities. Sombre is no exception, and Hollywood stars are all about this hair trend.
So who's sporting the look? Actresses Jessica Alba and Nikki Reed have been seen with sombre hair. So, too, have Jessica Biel and Olivia Wilde.
What Makes Sombre Different From Other Highlighting Techniques?
Sombre is closely related to ombre hair, but the latter makes a more obvious color transition from dark to light. With the ombre technique, there are areas where the hue progression is overt instead of subtle, which is the defining characteristic of the sombre style. Additionally, the color change in ombre is usually concentrated primarily near the ends of the hair instead of all along the shaft.
Another similar highlighting style is balayage, which is also used to create gradual changes in hair color. In this technique, the stylist hand-paints the color onto your locks. The goal is to create a very natural blend of tones.
Finally, there's flamboyage, which is basically the love child of ombre and balayage. The color is hand-painted, and it transitions significantly from dark to light as you move down the hair shaft.
How Does Sombre Look?
Blonde: This highlighting technique is ideal for blondes, and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley models the effects of a blonde sombre dye job beautifully.
Brown: Lea Michele is the epitome of the beauty of brown ombre. Her hair includes shades of warm caramel and gold.
Long: One of the best canvases for a sombre style is long, wavy locks, as Minka Kelly beautifully demonstrates.
Short: You don't need long locks to pull off sombre hair. Jessica Alba proves that this style also works on shoulder-length tresses.
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