Starbucks defines blonde roast as “lightly roasted coffee that’s soft, mellow and flavorful.” Colorists on Instagram, however, are defining it as a gorgeous blend of blonde and brown that may be cool in tone but instantly calls to mind a hot cup of goes-down-smooth coffee. It’s the latest java-inspired take on highlights, following cold brew, iced caramel latte, and salted caramel mocha.
Blonde roast is a stunning way to combine shades of darker brown with shades of lighter blonde without an unnaturally stark contrast — think toasted coconut, but with more blending throughout the length of the hair. South Florida-based colorist Olivia Smalley says it’s dimensional and multi-tonal, calling it “an ashy bronde with a cool metallic finish.”
“Trending: #BlondeRoast A hybrid combo of cool metallic ash tones on brunette hair,” Smalley writes in a caption accompanying an Instagram photo of her client’s long, glossy hair. She reveals that she used Kenra Blonde Bronze Metallic to tone it and get the beautiful results.
As the hashtag starts to take off on Instagram, it’s clear that colorists are creating blonde roast looks that go nearly white-blonde for some clients’ strands while staying in a medium-brown realm for others, but one thing is clear: it’s a delicious approach to marrying the best of blonde and brunette shades for those who don’t necessarily want their hair color to be as warm as their coffee.