The Expensive Brunette Routine

1. 1

   Wash less, rinse cooler

   Two to three washes a week max. Hot water lifts the cuticle and dulls brown tones faster than anything else in your routine.

2. 2

   Alternate a toning mask

   Once a week swap conditioner for a blue or brown-pigment mask to neutralise orange. Every other week, use a plain bond mask so hair doesn't go flat and over-toned.

   Sara's tip: Blue cancels orange. Purple is for blondes — using it on brunette does close to nothing.

3. 3

   Add dimension with heat, not colour

   A round brush at the ends and a 1-inch curl through the mid-lengths creates the light-catching movement that reads as expensive highlights.

4. 4

   Protect the ends nightly

   Silk pillowcase, loose low braid, two drops of oil. Brunette shows split ends more than any other shade because the contrast against light is higher.

5. 5

   Trim on schedule

   A dusting every ten weeks. Blunt, healthy ends are what make brown hair look thick and deliberately styled instead of grown-out.

Four cards, four jobs: gloss the brown, cover the greys, repair the bonds, then smooth it all glassy. Do them in this order and nothing fights each other.

1Gloss Day ♡

Brad Mondo · XMONDO Hair

XMONDO Glossing Treatment — Light Brown

Best for: Refreshing light brown tone + shine in one shower

1. 1.Shampoo, skip conditioner, towel-dry to damp.
2. 2.Wearing gloves, smooth through mid-lengths to ends, roots last.
3. 3.Wait 10–20 minutes (longer = deeper brown), rinse cool.

This is the one I reach for when my brown looks tired. It deposits soft light-brown pigment AND conditions, so hair comes out shiny instead of squeaky.

Lola says: gloves ON, bestie. Brown fingernails are not a look.

≈ $32Shop the find

2Grey Be Gone

Clairol

Nice'n Easy Permanent Colour — Light Brown (Grey Coverage)

Best for: 100% grey coverage in light brown, at the kitchen sink

1. 1.Apply to dry, unwashed hair — greys first, hairline and part.
2. 2.Pull through the rest for the last 10 minutes only.
3. 3.Rinse, condition with the included balm, wait 48h before glossing.

Gloss can't cover grey — pigment can't grab a white hair. Every 4–6 weeks I do light brown on the greys only, then gloss the rest for dimension.

Lola says: patch test behind your ear 48h before. She's serious about this one.

≈ $9Shop the find

3Best At-Home Treatment

Olaplex

No.3 Hair Perfector Bond Repair Treatment

Best for: Weekly rebuild after colour, gloss or hot tools

1. 1.Damp hair, generous layer from roots to ends.
2. 2.Comb through, leave 20–90 minutes (a bun + shower cap is perfect).
3. 3.Then shampoo and condition as normal — yes, after.

If you only buy one treatment, this. It repairs the bonds colour breaks, so brown stays glossy instead of going fuzzy at the ends.

Lola says: bun it up, snack break, rinse. Best 20 minutes of Sunday.

≈ $30Shop the find

4Glass Hair

Marc Anthony / Keratin Complex

Brazilian Keratin Smoothing Treatment Kit

Best for: Frizz-free, poker-straight shine for 6–10 weeks

1. 1.Clarify, blow-dry 80% — keratin needs an almost-dry canvas.
2. 2.Apply in thin sections, comb, blow-dry fully.
3. 3.Flat iron each section 5–7 passes at 400°F to seal.
4. 4.No washing, no ponytails, no clips for 72 hours.

Pick a formaldehyde-free formula, open a window, and use a fan. Done right, this is the closest at-home version of a salon smoothing treatment.

Lola says: 72 hours no ponytail. I'll be watching. 🐩

≈ $25Shop the find