What is a Sombre Hair Color?

Published February 05, 2024

In a girl’s world, a beautiful hair color seems to be the perfect fix for all life’s problems. We’ve tapped on everything, from complete bleaching to ombre and balayage. And now, a new hair color technique, sombre, comes into the scene. 

Sombre is acknowledged as a better solution for root regrowth. It is ombre’s coy little sister. We’ll dive into it later on. It is the perfect, easy, breezy look for summer or any season. 

Continue reading as we’ll discuss everything there is to know about this must-try hairstyle. We’ll talk about what it is, its difference from balayage, and its benefits. We’ll also give 15 sombre hair color ideas, as well as how to get a sombre hair and care. It’s going to be a rich discussion. Let’s start. 

What Is Sombre Hair?

Sombre is a soft type of ombre. It’s a highlighting technique that gradually transitions color from the mane’s roots to the tips. It adds dimension while seeming natural.

It is a softer version of the ombre because you need to shift two levels of colors to achieve a natural hair look. It has a stunning gentle gradience. It can make the hair appear shiny, voluminous, and bouncy. 

To nail sombre, highlights should begin from a couple of inches from the roots. It must maintain depth while connecting the roots. It should slowly brighten towards the end. 

What Is the Difference Between Sombre and Balayage?

Balayage is a freehand coloring technique. It blends your roots with the rest of your hair. It fixates its saturation from the mid-lengths to the ends of the hair. It also leaves more negative space between colors. Thus creating tons of dimension. Ombre hair color is a trend that makes a stark, intentional contrast between two shades. Sombre gradually lightens hair from roots to ends. It aims to have natural, sun-kissed results. 

The Benefits of Sombre Hair

1. Low maintenance 

Sombre hair is a low-maintenance style that does not demand frequent touch-ups. It gives your mane a colorful look without the strain and damage of all-over permanent dyes. 

It is perfect for those who just like to get their tresses only once or twice a year. It is convenient and customizable. 

2. Natural look 

The technique results in a softer, more natural look. It makes it an excellent option for those seeking a subtle change. It is especially great for dark blondes to go lighter. It doesn’t alter their natural color. 

3. Versatile 

Sombre suits all shades. Blondes, brunettes, and every shade in between can rock this trend. It is universally flattering. 

4. Less damage 

Sombre doesn’t bleach your hair. It is better than balayage as it hugely cuts potential damage. 

How Long Does Sombre Hair Color Last?

Sombre does not demand the constant upkeep that other hair colors require. It can serve you amazingly for a year. It is due to its soft gradient that masks any line of demarcation. In a nutshell, it brings the style without all the effort. 

How to Get Sombre Hair

Before your colorist starts your hair transformation, they’ll look at the work of the greats and get inspired. In the weeks leading up to your appointment, you can save social media photos of colors that encourage you. During the consultation, you can whip them out and ensure your stylist understands your sombre hair color vision. 

To make sombre hair color, your colorist will begin by laying on layers of bleach. It is done to lift your natural base color and make space for something new. Bleach will always cause damage. Yet, a great hair stylist will do their best to maintain the health of your mane as much as possible. 

From here, it’s all a game of customization. It will anchor on the final shade you and your colorist come into term. It may take dye or lightener to unlock your ultimate color. Be patient. It’ll pay off. 

How to Care for Sombre Hair

1. Reduce shampooing 

Overwashing your hair can cause your sombre color to fade. Cutting back on shampooing can help keep color for a more extended period. 

2. Use color-proof products 

Using color-proof hair products can help maintain the color of your somber hair. 

3. Deep conditioning 

A mane mask or deep conditioning treatment is a game changer. It can help keep tresses moisturized and healthy. It prevents damage from the coloring process. 

4. Minimize heat styling 

High heat can strip color from your hair. It also harms it. Try to limit the use of heat-styling tools.

5. Regular trims 

Regular trims every 8-10 weeks can help keep split ends at bay. 

6. Use glosses 

Glosses can add a healthy shine to your hair. It also helps close the cuticle of the hair. 

11 Amazing Sombre Hair Color Ideas You Need to Try

1. Golden sombre hair 

Golden sombre hair made it to the top because it will have you drooling. The soft shimmer of blonde accents on a medium brown base is unlike any other. It is a perfect transition look when you’re stuck between seasons. 

2. Dark blonde, sombre hair 

If you’re a blonde, you can hop on the somber trend with a laidback mix of dark blonde and sandy hues. It will have you loving summer and living in a climate with four seasons. It is super wearable in any shade. It also suits most skin tones. 

3. Coffee sombre hair 

Like a splash of cream poured into a fragrant black coffee. This sombre hair color will have you wide awake from happiness. Warm coffee sombre is a must when the weather starts to get colder. 

4. Copper sombre hair 

Red hair will entirely rule the world. Copper sombre hair’s reflective finish will have you itching to add a flash of shiny penny red. 

5. Ginger sombre hair 

If you want to introduce a punchier to an already red base, you will love ginger and a sombre hair color. The dimension of a darker ginger root is beautiful. It looks impressive as it goes lighter, stretching to the end. 

6. Milk chocolate sombre hair 

Milk chocolate sombre hair will have you loving it as much as you love its chocolate bar inspiration. It blends in notes of light brown throughout your mane from dimension. And it is all without the upkeep of a blonde. 

7. Icy gray sombre hair 

Silver hair is here to stay. Icy gray is a blue-leaning gray color wrapped throughout strands. It works incredibly beautifully on cool blondes. 

8. Cocoa brown to gray sombre hair 

Cool-toned cocoa brown is impressive for covering grays. It is even better if you’re looking to embrace your gray hairs with an ombre. This looks amazing; it mixes brunette tones with gray-kissed ends. 

9. Espresso sombre hair 

 If you dread the upkeep needed after lightening your jet black hair, take baby steps with an espresso sombre. It introduces the right amount of rightness throughout your locks. 

10. Blue black sombre hair 

Not afraid to make your black mane a little moodier. Pick blue-black. Your stylist will introduce a tint of dark blue throughout your black tresses. It will give a ton of depth. 

11. Mauve sombre hair 

If you want to dip into fashion colors without overdoing it, try mauve sombre hair color. It combines notes of purple and pink. It creates a fun, vibrant, dimensional color that looks pleasing on all skin tones.