Want light after months of gray but without going back to platinum blonde? For brunettes, spring 2026 is clearly coming under the sign of golden brown, this warm and luminous shade which awakens a dark base without denying it.
Between the ultra glossy expensive brunette movement and the rise of sunny browns in the fashion shows, luxurious browns have replaced blonde as the desired color. Research around golden brown hair is exploding, described by *NewBeauty* as an ideal bridge shade between winter and sunny days. And there, we begin to understand why all the brunettes are talking about it.
Why golden brown is essential for brunettes in spring
Celebrity hairstylist Brendetta Ashley sums up the shade’s appeal: “” she tells *NewBeauty*. We are on a warm brown, studded with honey and caramel highlights, which remains chic and refined.
This blend of deep base and controlled light makes golden brown a natural bridge between denser winter browns and spring’s cravings for sunshine. In *Grazia*, celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos describes the “Golden Brunette” trend like this: “”, he explains to *Byrdie*. The same principle works wonderfully to smooth the transition to brighter days.
Golden brown hair: for whom and what result to request
The real asset of golden brown is its ability to flatter almost all skin tones by playing on the dose of warmth. On fair skin, opt for subtle golden-beige or honey highlights for a weekend-in-the-sun effect. On matte or golden complexions, more assertive caramel touches add a luxurious touch without hardening the features.
On the base side, a dark brunette can adopt a deep golden brown with a few very blended honey highlights around the face. A brown-haired person can be tempted by a lighter golden brown, like a luminous halo. Expensive brunette pros often work tone on tone, with a difference of only a few tones between the root and the highlights, to maintain a natural and sophisticated result.
Obtain a glossy golden brown and maintain it without any hassle
In the salon, the idea is to ask for a warm brown or chestnut base enhanced with very blended golden highlights, then a gloss for shine. Colorist Kadi Lee advises aiming for “,” she tells *NewBeauty*. On TikTok, creator @carogracesmith sums up the trend: “”, she writes on *TikTok*.
Maintenance remains much simpler than bleached blonde. Léa Michel’s article on recalls that this family of glossy browns requires fewer touch-ups while remaining very impactful. A few rules are enough: nourishing treatments, gentle shampoos, thermal protection, then a gloss or patina approximately every two months to revive the shine and readjust the golden reflections without weakening the fiber.
Does golden brown suit all skin tones?
Yes, provided you adjust the heat of the reflections. On fair skin, prefer a very soft honey gold or beige. On matte or golden complexions, more intense caramel reflections remain harmonious and luminous.
What is the difference between golden brown and honey balayage?
Golden brown is a warm overall color with built-in highlights. Honey balayage sometimes leaves a cooler base with only blonde highlights, therefore a more marked and less uniform contrast.
Can we go golden brown without fading?
For a chestnut or brown base, yes, the colorist can play with a warm color and a golden gloss. A light discoloration is especially useful if you start from a very dark or already colored color.
