If you're thinking of switching up your hair color for spring and summer, instead of opting for the usual blond highlights, why not have a bit of colorful fun? While vibrant hues in every color of the rainbow are still incredibly popular, there's something to be said about taking a more subdued route. One color scheme that's gaining steam on Instagram is a pale, peachy brunette — otherwise known as caramel rosé.
To learn more about the nontraditional take on warm-weather-ready hues, we turned to Instagram's queen of color, Shelley Gregory. Known for her masterful coloring techniques and imaginative hair color combos, we knew she'd be able to give us the 411 on this delicious new shade to hit the hair scene.
When scrolling through Instagram (and Google for that matter), you'll see many different takes on the caramel rosé hair color trend, which can make it pretty tricky to know what you're actually in for when heading to the salon to request the color. Where some Instagram users and hairstylists swear by dark brown manes scattered with rose gold highlights, Gregory prefers a warmer take on the trend, incorporating warm golden and copper blondes that lean ever so slightly brunette, paired with rosy hints. And, after looking at her take on the color, we can't help but agree.
"I like to mix a few variations of tones to achieve caramel rosé hair color on pre-lightened hair," Gregory says. Yes, you read that right: your hair must be pre-lightened in order for this pretty hue to show up. When it comes to the different tones, Gregory likes to play around with all levels of pink, rose gold, gold, copper and strawberry blond shades. By not sticking to just one color or level, it allows her to create a more dimensional caramel rosé end look.
Since this hair color trend requires so many different shades in unison, Gregory advises anyone who wants to embrace the look to enlist the help of a professional as it can get pretty messy. "Because this color can fade very fast or, if not done correctly, look flat or just plain brassy, you need a professional to consult with to pick the colors that are best suited for your skin tone and lifestyle," Gregory explains.
Even the queen of color understands that there are people out there who really value their hair color DIY skills, so she recommends starting out with ultra-blonde hair and relying on the power of a color-correction or color-depositing shampoo, like those from Bleach London, as opposed to semi-permanent or permanent hair color, which could end up creating damage or an end look you weren't expecting.
With its peach undertones, this caramel rosé is very rich and can be customized for most skin tones by adjusting the amount of pink or caramel accents. "This color can look great on anyone who doesn't have a ton of red in their skin," Gregory adds."The more yellow in your skin, the more you will want pink. The more olive in your skin, the more you will want caramel."
As with any vibrantly colored mane, caramel rosé hair color will require careful maintenance. Gregory recommends washing with a sulfate-free color care system, as well as washing as minimally as possible. When washing, she recommends using cold water, as hot water can cause color fall-out and, after washing, she recommends using the lowest heat settings on your blow-dryer.
