Thinking about trying out Ombré hair? That means, for those of you just joining us, a deliberate graduation of colour from the roots (darkest) to ends (lightest). Which is quite handy, really, if you’re trying to cut down on trips to the salon to get your re-growth touched up. It can also be super-pretty in a sort of imperfect, beachy, Surfer Girl way, as Rachel Bilson demonstrates.
But while Rachel—along with fellow Ombré poster children Alexa Chung, Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Jessica Biel—no doubt had the help of a professional, I’m gonna show you how you can DIY the look in the comfort of your own home. Yes, really. And don’t worry. These instructions come straight from Luis Pacheco, Clairol consulting colourist and owner of Hair on the Avenue in Toronto. You’ve seen his work before, remember?
He’s very subtle, so don’t worry that you’re going to end up looking like this:
Provided you choose the right shade (more deets below), it’s should end up closer to this:
Or this:
(And yes, I realize I posted about Drew as an example of the more subtle Ombré 2.0 we’ve been seeing. Shortly after that she debuted the very high-contrast look above. NOT a fan.)
Anyway! Luis has actually given me TWO how-tos; one for hair that’s already been highlighted and the other for natural, virgin hair.
How to do Ombré colour on hair with existing highlights
Remember Kate from our Clairol Natural Instincts Makeover Challenge?
Her hair was already highlighted, so Luis added colour to darken the roots for an Ombré effect. Here’s a photo of the back of her hair:
Now here’s how to get it:
1. Use Clairol Natural Instincts. It’s a demi-permanent colour. (That means it fades gradually without leaving any harsh line at the roots.) Determine your natural hair colour level and choose a colour that either corresponds to your natural colour level or is one shade darker in a neutral to golden shade. If in doubt, go for the golden shade.
2. Apply the colour to your roots. Part your hair in four sections: from ear to ear and from the middle of your forehead to the middle of the nape of your neck, keeping each section close to your head. Let the colour sit for five minutes.
3. Take each section and run the colour through to mid-length of the hair, starting with the back sections finishing with the two front sections. Wait another five minutes.
4. Add water to dilute the colour and emulsify the ends (approximately the last third of the entire hair length). Let the colour sit for about one minute.
5. Wash hair. That’s it!
How to do Ombré colour on virgin (NOT coloured), natural brown hair
PLEASE listen to Luis when he says not to try this on already-coloured hair. Colour will not lift colour!
1. Use Clairol Nice ‘n Easy. It’s a permanent hair colour. Use a shade that is three or four levels lighter than your natural colour level in a neutral to ash shade.
2. Part your hair in four sections: from ear to ear and from the middle of your forehead to the middle of the nape of your neck, keeping each section close to your head. Using elastic bands, section off the last third of the hair length—the ends of the hair in each section.
3. Apply the colour to the sectioned off ends and let sit for approximately 20 minutes.
4. Remove the elastic bands.
5. Spread the colour about an inch above the pre-sectioned spot, where the elastic bands used to be. Let the colour sit for another 10 minutes.
6. Wash hair. You’re done!
Now tell me…
What do you think of the Ombré trend?
Do you think you might try this at home?
Or is this one trend you hope would hurry up and pass already? (I heard someone call it “the Emperor’s New Hair” and it gave me the LOLz. I definitely agree with that in the case of Drew’s ‘do.)
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If your hair is already dark (virgin hair), do you really need to do the first section?
This is a wonderful article! I am in love with ombre hair, and after reading this article, I decided I was brave enough to try it on my own hair, and got mixed results. My hair is naturally light brown with red undertones, so I selected a medium blonde shade. I did get a lovely gradient, but it TOO subtle – there’s only about a 1 shade difference between the roots and the tips. I would like it to be more dramatic, but at the same time, I am trying to avoid anything too orangey. Do you have any advice on products that would lighten my hair, without turning up the brass? Thanks!
Here what I suggest you do. First do the same thing again, but leave the dye on until the color lighten to a medium blonde. The dye has to turn orange into blonde.Remeber not to freak out when it get to an orange stage. it will become blonde. when it get to the color you want, wash it out then let it air dry. Blowdrying will make your hair drier. If the color look more golden blonde than a natural blonde to you then hit the beauty store and get ash blonde hair toner and shampoo. The toner will remove any existing red and yellow tone and leave you with beautiful blonde color. Get the “purple” shampoo. This is design to keep your hair from getting brass over time. Don’t use the shampoo on a daily basis. it is very drying. only use it to refresh the color and remove brass. John frieda and Matrix offer shampoo design to care for blonde hair and prevent brass.
I think step by step images would be easier to follow so you know you are getting the technique just right.
This post is really helpful and seems trustworthy (especially after reading all the great comments). I have medium brown hair with a few natural, summer highlights left. I’d like to ombre dye my hair a bright red for the fall; should I bleach my hair or use a very light blonde to achieve a more natural look?
Thanks for the great tips; I will be trying it out this weekend!
i went to the hair dressers 3 times in 3 days, the first one got it ALL wrong and i went DARK to dark drown.. and the second fixed what he did.. but there is alot of redy like ginger color below my brown and above my blonde from diying the dark blonde.. will it fade? or will i ahev to fix it.. and if i do how can i do it at home?
thanks ! x
This should be done at a professional salon, not at home. Unless you want lines in your hair and box color has metallic dyes and henna dyes that they don’t tell you about which will ruin your hair. Just FYI – Clairol won’t tell you that of course
iv liked this look for a long time and i LOVE dying my hair different colors, i did mine somewhat like this, i dyed my roots and half of my midsection of hair black then i bleached my ends and the other half of my midsection, i then proceeded to add pinkish purple color for the first month it looked dip dyed then the very tips faded to blonde so it looks ombre and its so pretty iv gotten many compliments ^.^so i suggest if you want to do this but slightly diffrent add color
Hi! This is really helpful! I’v been wanting to ombre dye my hair for a while but cant figure out how to make it look good withought having a distinct line in my hair…please help!!
I’m asian with thick black virgin hair……..my plan was to bleach the last thirds of my hair (to strip them of color) and to bleach them twice – one week apart to cause less damage…….I want to dye them peacock blue so i need them to be completely stripped(not orangeish) ..and dont want a distinct line in my hair either…………..Can you please give me advice… I really need it…….Thanx!!!!
How can I fix my “professionally” ombre colored hair? My hair was way over processed!
Hi, I love this style of ombre hair and this article is great. Im a natural red head and my hair is more on the darker copper side, Ive recently been thinking about dying my hair strawberry blonde and I’ve been told that i should get it professionally highlighted for more of a natural look. But I’ve seen a picture of a girl who already had naturally strawberry blonde hair and tried the ombre style and it turned out amazing, its exactly how I’m trying to achieve my hair. My problem is I’m not sure if you can do both? looking at the directions here i don’t think my stylist could do it at the same time or if she should get the strawberry blonde down and then ombre? please help!!
Honestly, I prefer Drew’s ombre. I love the bolder look! So cute!
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