Buzz
Image: @theroslyn_hair/InstagramAs the seasons change, it’s time to refresh your wardrobe—and your hairstyle! If you’re a brunette or considering becoming one, why not try the cinder toffee brunette? Hairstylist and trend expert, Tom Smith—who also introduced us to cowboy copper—named this shade, calling it the 'softest and most wearable brunette' you can try.
Hairstylist Sierra Kener describes cinder toffee brunette as a warm, rich shade of brown with golden, caramel, and toffee-like undertones. The name comes from a honeycomb candy called ‘cinder toffee,’ which boasts a deep caramelized sugar color. This shade combines darker browns with warm highlights to create a multi-dimensional, glossy finish, often giving a sun-kissed glow due to the golden hues woven into the darker base.
Just like with other hair colors, you and your colorist have the freedom to make cinder toffee brunette your own. You can experiment by adding balayage, adjusting the tone to be warmer or cooler, or introducing highlights for added depth and dimension. We’ve compiled a range of hair inspiration below.
1. Sun-Kissed Cinder Toffee
Here’s a more subtle version of cinder toffee brunette—almost a bronde—with a warm, glowing effect. Celebrity stylist Cody Renegar explains, “I love how natural it looks, almost as if the sun has gently kissed it. It feels like fall, with a rich, yet understated tone.”
2. Bright Highlights
A warm, medium brown base sets the stage perfectly for bright highlights. Celebrity stylist Kener suggests, “Adding bold caramel or toffee highlights against the darker base creates a striking contrast. It enhances the shine and adds an incredible depth to the hair.”
3. Ashy Cinder Toffee Brunette
If cool and ashy tones enhance your complexion better than warm ones, you don’t have to abandon cinder toffee brunette. The secret lies in blending more ashy undertones with the warmth, creating a balanced or cooler effect. Katelyn Ellsworth, hairstylist and founder of The Roslyn, recommends this medium brown base with ashy hues.
4. Balayage Cinder Toffee Brunette
A balayage technique creates a smooth transition from dark brown at the roots to lighter shades of toffee or caramel at the tips,” says Kener. This approach not only allows for a more natural grow-out period but also beautifully blends light and dark tones.
5. Dark Cinder Toffee Brunette
For those who wish to maintain a darker tone (or darken their current shade), this stunning take on cinder toffee brunette is the perfect inspiration. “I love how subtly it blends, seamlessly integrating with her natural brunette locks,” Renegar says.
6. Copper Toffee Blend
Introducing copper or reddish hues is an excellent way to infuse warmth into your brunette hair, creating a more vibrant take on the toffee brunette look. “The richness of the toffee tones, combined with the strategic placement of highlights or balayage, makes it adaptable to various skin tones and styles,” says Kener.
