Mocha Bronde Is Having A Moment – Here Are 10 Ideas To Take To The Salon
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12 hours ago
This hair trend is royally approved – just ask Kate Middleton
Nothing is ever just black or white – or rather, blonde or brunette. That’s why bronde hair has its own pride of place in the salon. And this season, the style set are taking the hue for a coffee-fuelled spin. Here’s everything you need to know about the mocha bronde hue taking over salons right now (plus, seven ideas to show your stylist).
What Is Mocha Bronde?
‘Mocha bronde is a rich, multidimensional hair colour that seamlessly blends deep mocha brown tones with soft blonde highlights,’ explains Jason Collier, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Studio23. ‘It’s essentially a darker, smokier take on traditional bronde (a blend of brown and blonde), offering a glossy, low-maintenance look that feels both natural and elevated. Think of it as the perfect middle ground between brunette depth and blonde brightness.’
And, unlike the golden or honey bronde shades that aim for a sun-kissed effect, Jason tells us that mocha bronde is more muted, cool-toned and refined. ‘It doesn’t lean too warm or too light, instead it balances richness with softness, creating a more luxurious and wearable tone,’ he says. ‘Its smoky mocha base gives it a polished, expensive-looking finish that sets it apart from the beachy or bright aesthetic of traditional bronde.’
It might not be the flashiest hair trend in town, but that’s what makes it a standout in the salon. This classic colour is unlikely to get swept away in fads. ‘Mocha bronde fits perfectly into the growing beauty movement focused on “quiet luxury”, a shift away from overly bold transformations toward subtler enhancements that still feel chic,’ agrees Jason. ‘It’s a shade that works effortlessly across seasons and styles, with just enough contrast to add dimension without being too high-maintenance. Its flattering tones also look great in both natural and artificial lighting, which makes it a social media favourite.’
Kate Middleton recently adopted a warm, creamier bronde look (c) British Fashion Council
It’s this low-maintenance luxe look that has made mocha bronde a hit amongst today’s tastemakers. And the name leading the trend? None other than the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton. ‘Kate Middleton has gone for a lighter, honey-bronde interpretation this summer,’ highlights Jason. ‘Though Kate’s version leans warmer, it still reflects the adaptable nature of bronde and the way it can be customised to suit personal style and seasonal changes.’
Who Suits This Colour?
Lucky for us, this is an adaptable hue – one which can be tailored to pretty much anyone. ‘Mocha bronde is incredibly versatile and suits a wide range of skin tones,’ confirms Jason. ‘It works beautifully on olive and medium complexions thanks to its balanced warmth, but it also flatters fairer skin when paired with cooler blonde accents. On deeper skin tones, adding golden or caramel touches to the mocha base can create a radiant, dimensional effect. The key lies in customising the undertones to enhance the natural complexion.’
How To Ask For Mocha Bronde In The Salon
‘When visiting the salon, it’s best to ask for a deep mocha brown base with soft, natural blonde highlights that melt into the hair for a seamless finish,’ advises Jason. ‘Be clear that you’re looking for a low-contrast, dimensional colour that feels effortless yet polished. To prepare, bring reference images that reflect the tone and level of contrast you like. It also helps to know your skin’s undertone and how often you’re willing to maintain the look, as this will guide your colourist in creating something tailored to you.’
@kristina.hensen Lived In Mocha Bronde hair Inspo 🐻☁️✨ #livedinhair #hairinspo #teddybronde #mochahair #brondehair #brunetteinspo #dimensionalbrunette #wellacolortouch #hairtok #hairinspo ♬ More Than A Woman – SG’s Paradise Edit – Bee Gees & SG Lewis
How To Style It
To really showcase the depth and dimension of mocha bronde, Jason recommends sticking to styling techniques that enhance shine and movement. ‘Loose waves, soft curls or a sleek blowout will reflect the different tones in the hair and highlight its richness,’ he adds. ‘Using shine-enhancing serums or glossing sprays can take the finish to the next level, especially under natural light. Parting the hair off-centre or adding subtle face-framing pieces can also help bring out the contrast and create a flattering shape.’
How To Maintain Mocha Bronde Hair
‘Maintaining mocha bronde at home is all about preserving tone and shine,’ emphasises Jason. ‘Using a sulphate-free shampoo designed for coloured hair is essential to prevent fading. A blue or purple shampoo can help neutralise any unwanted warmth or brassiness, especially in the blonde areas. Gloss treatments or colour-depositing masks every couple of weeks can keep the tone fresh, while regular trims and UV-protecting products will help maintain overall hair health and vibrancy.’
What Next?
It might be popular now, but this is only the start for mocha bronde. ‘This is likely to become a staple shade in the world of timeless, wearable hair colour,’ says Jason. ‘As trends move toward more natural, understated finishes, this tone fits the bill perfectly. We’re likely to see cooler variations emerge during the winter months, possibly with mushroom or ash-blonde undertones, while warmer mocha bronde balayage might take centre stage in spring and summer. As glossing and toning treatments become more popular, this trend will continue evolving through subtle shifts in tone rather than dramatic changes, keeping it fresh and relevant year-round.’
10 Mocha Bronde Hair Ideas To Try Next
The OG Mocha Bronde
A classic mocha bronde teams up those coffee hues with soft, blended blonde highlights – and teams up perfectly with a glossy curl or waves.
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Loose Highlights
Hailey Bieber demonstrates a more lived-in look, with chunkier highlights at the front of her hair helping to frame her face. (No need to worry about growing out those layers here.)
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Honey Toned
The Princess of Wales levelled up her hair game by giving her usual brown locks a creamy, golden overlay.
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Smokey Mocha Bronde
Lily-Rose Depp has been spotted wearing a deeper mocha variation that complements her soft, romantic features.
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Blonde Spotlight
Leaning more into those blonde tones, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley gives the trend a brighter look that’s perfect for summer.
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Ash Mocha Bronde
Blackpink member and The White Lotus star Lisa gives her mop of mocha bronde curls a cooler dimension with this silvery bronde take.
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Creamy Bronde
Coffee curls give Rita Ora’s mocha bronde look extra shine and bounce.
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Sunkissed
Matilda Djerf gives her long bob a colour boost with her warm-toned take on mocha bronde.
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Hollywood Waves
Another case for the mocha bronde x glossy waves combo, Mia Goth looks elegant (and expensive) thanks to this luxe hue.
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Roasted Coffee
Jessica Alba’s bronde look edges deeper into the brunette realm, blending rich coffee tones with the barest (and softest) of blondes.
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