Spotlight On: BRONDE

COPIED

5 mins

COLOUR

Spotlight On: BRONDE

There’s a colour trend comeback that may tempt both your blonde and brunette clients. That’s right, bronde has officially returned

SALLY BROOKS

DANIEL SPILLER

HARINGTONS

EMMA SIMMONS

JASON COCKING & CHRIS BAKER

The hybrid shade of bronde, once dismissed as safe or boring, is now being reimagined with bolder dimension, richer undertones and a custom approach that flatters just about everyone. With TikTok tutorials, celebrity inspo and a growing appetite for low-maintenance colour, bronde is cementing its place as the transitional tone of the season.

“It’s all about that lived-in blonde vibe,” says OSMO Ambassador and freelance colourist Jake Nugent. “A multi-tonal, low-maintenance bronde is ideal for clients wanting a softer grow-out and healthier-looking hair. It’s effortless but elevated.”

With celebrities like Hailey Bieber, Gigi Hadid and Sofia Richie Grainge all embracing bronde in their own way, the trend is only gaining momentum. “Hailey Bieber is the poster girl for modern bronde,” says Jake, and with good reason.

The shade is versatile, chic, and surprisingly low-fuss.

The Why and the Why Now

“Bronde is gaining traction because it requires less upkeep than lighter blonde shades, has a natural-looking transition and can be less damaging to the hair,” explains Joana Merencio, Product Development & Technical Hair Trainer at Andreia Professional. “It grows out very naturally, with soft transitions and no harsh lines, making it ideal for anyone who wants a sophisticated look.”

TikTok and Instagram are also helping to fuel the trend, thanks to the way bronde catches the light on camera, giving that “expensive” finish without endless salon hours.

Terri Nadin, ASP UK Ambassador, puts it simply: “Everyone loves a trend that doesn’t make them pick sides! Bronde is that perfect ‘best of both worlds’ shade, it’s not too blonde or too brown.”

Bronde has always had its place, but right now it’s evolving. “It’s less about soft fusion and more about creating intentional contrast with a really clean finish,” shares Marney Lian at Gritt London for Revlon Professional. “Clients want that sun-touched depth, but with polish. The new take on bronde is dimensional, expensive-looking, and just a little bit undone in the right places.”

Who Can Wear Bronde?

Most stylists agree: bronde is incredibly versatile, but managing expectations is key. “Bronde is perfect for clients after a low-commitment colour with a subtle regrowth,” says Jake. “It works especially well for those with mid-to-light bases. For clients with very dark hair, it can take a few sessions to lift safely to the right tone.”

Joana believes bronde can work across the board: “Whether brunettes who want to lighten up or blondes looking to add depth, with the right technique, bronde can suit almost every hair colour and skin tone.”

Tracy Roche finds extensions helpful for colour-shy clients. “It’s great to add extra volume or length if perhaps the client is lacking in this area… or they want the colour without commitment,” shares the extensions specialist. Terri adds a word of caution for ultra-blonde lovers: “Bronde works beautifully for anyone who wants a softer, more natural dimensional look. But anyone who’s addicted to a super high-contrast look, bronde is best when subtle.”

Custom-Toned, Client-Led

Achieving a flattering bronde is all about personalisation. “A lot of clients have their own interpretation of what ‘bronde’ means, so managing expectations is vital,” says Jake.

“Always consider skin tone and natural base first: bronde isn’t one-size-fits-all.”

Terri agrees: “It’s all about undertones. For warmer skin, I’ll weave in honey, caramel, and golden ribbons. For cooler complexions, my go-to shades are pearl and beige blends to balance.”

Joana also adapts technique based on hair type: “On fine hair, micro slice for airy light; on curls and coils, panel paint in larger, ribbon like sections to respect the pattern, then add a root smudge to keep it seamless.”

Behind the Blend

From hand-painted ribbons to cleverly placed lowlights, today’s bronde is anything but flat. “I combine lowlights, freehand painting, and subtle highlights,” says Jake. “ “It’s about layering tones to create a seamless transition.”

Joana’s favourite technique is a hybrid approach: “I alternate an open-air technique made with the teeth board, with gentle teasing highlights using the multifunctional clippercomb. It’s brilliant for luminous, dimensional results packed with movement, without spending hours foiling.” Meanwhile, Holly Bullock, NXT Brand Ambassador, says her favourite technique depends on the client: “If I have a blonde client, a reverse balayage is always my go to; heavy lowlights and a lush root melt finished with a glossy toner. If I have a brunette client looking to add some dimension, a full head of finely woven teasy lights finished with a glossy tone is my fave!”

Similarly, Terri swears by teasylights and back-comb balayage.“The blend is everything, so softening everything with some back-combing and teasing really elevates the finish to create a truly seamless look,”she explains.

And when it comes to extensions? “I customise the bonds round the hairline into very small bonds and ensure I always mix the tones of the client’s own base colour into each and every strand,” says Tracy.

Bronde Through the Seasons

Though summer might be peak bronde season, the trend adapts beautifully into autumn. Jake leans into “warmer tones by adding a touch of copper or rich gold to enhance depth and give that autumnal glow.”

Joana likes to “weave in lowlights one level deeper and tone highlights to honey or sand,” while Terri sees autumn bronde getting “a little more spiced. I can see cinnamon, aubergine and copper toners glossing our brunettes – like adding a pumpkin-spice filter.”

JASON COCKING & CHRIS BAKER

RICK ROBERTS

Tracy also notes a subtle shift: “Some clients are going slightly copper to feel a bit more seasonal.”

Maintaining Low Maintenance

One of bronde’s biggest draws is its wearability between appointments. “It’s one of the most low-maintenance colour options,” says Jake. “There’s no harsh regrowth line, and clients can stretch out appointments without it looking unkempt.”

Terri echoes the sentiment: “Because bronde has a natural root shadow and soft blends, clients can stretch appointments to 12 weeks. It’s a trend for people who want gorgeous colour without the every six week maintenance.”

When it comes to keeping the tone fresh, a toner top-up and the right aftercare routine makes all the difference. “A toner can completely revive the tone, and a cut keeps the overall look polished,” says Jake. Terri encourages clients to always be gentle with their hair, but especially with bronde. “I tell them to turn down the heat when styling, don’t over-wash, and protect it from sun or chlorine.” When it comes to bronde, gently does it.