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@modernsalon
Much like the rose gold hue that we've been coveting for years, chocolate mauve lends an opalescent pastel color that elevates your natural hue—sans the use of bleach. And while the new color has yet to take off in the way that its predecessor did when Kylie Jenner debuted her look on Instagram in 2018, it was dubbed the new otherworldly shade for hair color experimentalists to try.
A bit of background: In December 2017, PopSugar (by way of Reddit) ID'd New York-based creative color specialist Hannah Edelman as the mastermind behind this growing trend. They note that her work is actually the result of experimentation and an expert eye, melting warm Pravana Vivids brown hues with iridescent pink tones to create a natural balayage effect.
From there, the trend gained traction, and there was an explosion of beautiful chocolate-mauve shades in all these mesmerizing variations. The look is subtle, but deceptively so; it actually requires five different tints, and is crafted from greens, reds, yellows, and oranges, if you can believe it.
"It's a way to have a color in your hair that is still not too vibrant or too bold for everyday life," Cherin Choi at Nova Arts Salon says, "It fades quickly and is low commitment for someone wanting to try something new and different without feeling super uncomfortable with it being vibrant."
Adding a subtle mauve tone gives hair a slight dimension to it without looking like all one color, salon owner Jessica Scott says. Though this depends on what technique a stylist uses.
This overall color scheme is perfect for people who want creative color but might have work environments or other constraints preventing them from making any significant changes to their hair. It gives what's normally a flatter look a little more intrigue, forcing people to look a second or maybe even third time to get the full effect. No matter what, it's guaranteed to keep eyes on you.
Edelman advises either seeking out a stylist with experience in pastels or creative color or asking for a full head of balayage with a mauve toner or color melt. And as with any pastel color, these pink hues will fade very quickly—keep them around for as long as possible with a solid color-saving shampoo like Davines Minu Shampoo ($29).
Chocolate Mauve Hair Fast Facts
Choosing a Shade: Everyone has different undertones. Choi recommends asking for a consultation before going in for a transformation like this.
Maintenance Level: In spite of all the work behind the scenes, this look is significantly more low-maintenance for brunettes who'd like to avoid hours upon hours of foil and bleach. Go in for a touch-up or glaze every 6 to 8 weeks.
Goes Great With: Bronze disco-inspired makeup or a berry lip and glossy eyes.
Similar Shades: Ash Brown, Illuminated Brunette, Medium Brown
Price: Depends on the salon but full highlights generally start at around $150.
A Pretty Purple Tint
When going chocolate mauve, make the grow-out process easy by keeping the base all-natural. "I recommend keeping your natural color with this color, it is high maintenance to keep up the tone and it will be easier to adjust if it is done with your natural hair color at the roots," Choi says.
Go in for regular toning appointments to maintain the pretty mauve color. Though, root touch-ups? Not even kind of necessary. Just refresh the end colors in the salon.
A Temporary Tint
If you don't want to go full out right now, try out a temporary color with Overtone's color conditioners in Espresso Brown and Extreme Purple Coloring Conditioner (both $30).
Long Shiny Waves
These professional waves are ultra-glamorous and look even better with interwoven pink strands. Notice it's not exactly a highlight, but hints of brighter color. This keeps things understated enough for work, but imagine the color in the sun? Gorgeous.
Avoid using cheap products from the grocery store, unless you trust the ingredients, as some are diluted with wax and bad oils. Also, avoid sulfates and always read the ingredient in the back. FYI: Sodium Laureth Sulfate is actually a stripping agent and can wreak havoc on your hair health and fresh color.
Chocolate Strawberry
This all-over mauve creation is utterly delectable. FYI: to keep hair this shiny, look into a hair gloss or everyday hair oil...Just make sure it doesn't weigh hair down.
Chocolate mauve seems to offer a hint of dynamic rosy color that's subtle but still so cool. It's trending for a reason, and while blended caramel highlights and chai-mocha inspired colors will always hold a place in our hearts, it's also evident that this chocolate-raspberry tinted look is just as worthy.