‘Bambi brunette’ is autumn’s biggest hair colour trend for cosy girls

Summer is the time of year when we typically lighten up, but right now we’re seeing the hair colour pendulum swing in favour of ‘bambi brunette’ – the of-the-moment hue that hair colourist Mark Leeson describes as “a soft, warm, light-reflective take on brown hair.”

Right now you’ll see different iterations of this expensive-looking brunette trend on celebrities including Hailey Bieber, Kaia Gerber and Zendaya. But how exactly does it differ from a regular brunette shade?

Bambi brunette is essentially all about dimension. “It’s almost like you’ve had a summer of sun on your hair, but in a really understated, chic way,” Mark says. “Think gentle caramel and beige tones woven through a brunette base to give it a velvety, doe-eyed glow – hence the name. It feels more modern, glossy and multidimensional than a block brunette.”

This on-trend hue is also ideal for autumn when we naturally crave more warmth in our hair colour. “Bambi brunette brings softness and richness to the hair, but without tipping into overly dark or heavy territory,” says Mark. “It’s the perfect in-between – rich enough to feel seasonal, but with a lightness that keeps the face bright.”

What should you ask your hairstylist for?

The big thing to note is that placement is key. “Ask your colourist for a soft brunette base with lighter warm, caramel accents threaded throughout, particularly around the face and mid-lengths,” Mark advises. “These need to be fine and blended, so it feels seamless rather than stripy. The idea is to add dimension and glow without it looking like traditional highlights.”

How do you keep the shade looking vibrant?

Gloss and condition are everything with bambi brunette. “If the hair isn’t shiny, you lose the effect,” says Mark. Top-up glosses in salon will keep that light-reflective finish but, at home, he recommends using Goldwell’s Dualsenses Color Extra Rich 60 Sec Treatment to lock in luminosity. Also be sure to include a colour protective shampoo in your routine such as L’Oreal Elvive Colour Protect Colour Protecting Shampoo and add shine with a targeted serum or treatment.

More bambi brunette inspo

The best looks to add to your autumn hair mood board:

Side-swept bambi brunette

Old Hollywood bambi brunette

High-shine bambi brunette

Bambi brunette lob

Bambi brunette pixie

Wavy bambi brunette

Bambi brunette bob

For more from Fiona Embleton, GLAMOUR’s Associate Beauty Director, follow her on @fiembleton.