Fall has arrived, so cue autumnal shades taking over everything from our manicures to our clothes. While we always think a rich brunette shade is timeless, there’s something about autumn that makes us fall in love with the deep shade all over again. As if the change of season weren’t enough, we’re constantly being influenced by Anne Hathaway’s silky brown strands on the set of The Devil Wears Prada. Experts predict glossy cocoa hair will be everywhere this fall, and we’re excited to see all the takes on the trend.
Featured experts
- Chase Kusero is a celebrity colorist and co-founder of IGK Hair Care
- Jada Santi is a professional colorist
- Shaun Lewis is a professional colorist and stylist
What is glossy cocoa hair?
The most common adjective thrown around when discussing glossy cocoa hair is “depth,” with all of our experts using the adjective to describe this shade. Glossy cocoa “delivers depth with golden ribbons, making it a great transition from summer highlights. It’s perfect for brunettes wanting dimension without going too blonde,” says celebrity colorist and co-founder of IGK Hair Care Chase Kusero.
“It’s deep, shiny and dimensional—like melted cocoa with a polished glow,” says professional colorist Jada Santi. “The magic is in how healthy and radiant it looks, giving you that timeless yet modern ‘expensive hair’ vibe.” Professional colorist and stylist Shaun Lewis calls the shade “a depthy brunette with undertones that should support your completion (cool, warm or neutral).” Pro tip: “I think cocoa tones look the most natural when your roots are a half a shade darker than your ends. It gives it a rich brunette finish rather than a solid all-over color that can devalue the finished look,” notes Lewis.
What to ask for at the salon
Kusero suggests, “When working with your colorist, ask for a chestnut base with hand-painted honey ribbons through the mid-lengths.” Naturally, Santi says the best starting point for glossy cocoa is medium to dark brown color. “From there, we add just a touch of lighter tones—three to four shades brighter—to create soft dimension without harsh contrast. Think of it as layering tones so the color moves and reflects light beautifully.”
Lewis says you’ll also want to request a gloss or a root shadow and gloss appointment to get that signature glossy shine. The gloss treatment will help lock in shine, “and makes the hair look silky, healthy and luxurious,” says Santi. She notes that “With the right care, you’ll keep that glossy finish glowing between salon visits.”
