If you’ve been scrolling through hair inspiration and wondering how to get that perfect in-between shade—not quite blonde, not quite brunette—you’ve landed in the right place. Welcome to the world of bronde hair, where the best of both worlds meets effortless style.

Key Takeaways

Bronde hair is a seamless blend of blonde and brunette shades that creates a natural looking hair color with sun kissed dimension—think Jennifer Lopez or Margot Robbie vibes
This versatile color works across a wide range of skin tones and hair types, including straight, wavy, and curly textures
Bronde is a low maintenance option compared to traditional highlights, with most clients stretching appointments to 8–12 weeks
Clementine’s Salon (Denver LoHi, Arvada, Aurora) specializes in custom bronde formulas, from sandy bronde to dark bronde balayage
This guide covers everything you need to know: what bronde is, how to achieve it, the best bronde hair ideas, maintenance tips, and how to book with a Clementine’s stylist

A woman with dimensional bronde hair color stands in natural sunlight, showcasing subtle highlights that create a sun-kissed look. Her hair features a seamless blend of darker roots and lighter golden blonde tones, enhancing her warm skin tone.

What Is a Bronde Hair Color?

Bronde hair color is the perfect fusion of brown hair and blonde tones—a subtle blend that reads like expensive, natural color rather than obvious highlights. The term itself is a portmanteau that was once known as dirty blonde, though modern bronde has evolved into something far more refined.

On the color chart, bronde sits between level 6 and level 8, blending soft brunettes, beiges, caramels, and lighter blondes into one cohesive look. The magic happens when these different shades work together to create depth and movement that catches the light in all the right ways.

Here’s what makes bronde so versatile:

Warm bronde leans toward honey toned highlights, caramel, and golden blonde—ideal for creating that naturally sun kissed look
Cool bronde features ash, beige, and muted tones without strong gold or red undertones
Neutral bronde mixes warm and cool elements for clients with neutral undertones

The modern bronde look focuses on depth at the root with lighter pieces through the mid-lengths and ends. This creates that lived in, sun kissed appearance that looks like you just returned from a beach vacation—even in the middle of a Colorado winter.

Celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Aniston, and Margot Robbie have made bronde their signature shade, proving this look translates across different complexions and face shapes. Whether you have fair skin with pink undertones, olive skin, or a deeper complexion, bronde can be customized to complement your natural coloring.

Is Bronde the Same as Balayage?

This is one of the most common questions we hear, and the answer is straightforward: bronde is a color family, while balayage is a painting technique. They’re related but not the same thing.

Bronde refers to the actual shade blend of brown and blonde, regardless of how that color gets applied to your hair. You can achieve bronde using foils, balayage, teasylights, babylights, or traditional highlights.

Balayage is a freehand painting approach where the stylist sweeps color onto the hair to create softer, diffused results with no harsh lines of demarcation. It’s one of the most popular techniques for achieving bronde because it produces that seamless blend and natural grow-out.

Here’s the quick breakdown:

Term	What It Is	What It Creates
Bronde	A color blend (brown + blonde)	The shade you see
Balayage	A painting technique	How the color is applied

Many bronde looks at Clementine’s are created using balayage or a balayage-plus-foils hybrid to maximize brightness while keeping the grow-out soft. But someone can have bronde hair without balayage (using foil highlights), and they can also have balayage in non-bronde shades like reds or deep brunettes.

The best approach? Bring your inspiration photos to your consultation and let your Clementine’s stylist determine whether balayage, foils, or a hybrid technique fits your hair history and goals.

Is Bronde Hair Low Maintenance?

Yes—and this is one of the biggest selling points of the bronde trend.

Most bronde looks are designed to be lower maintenance than solid platinum blonde or high-contrast color. The darker roots and softly blended highlights disguise regrowth, which means you can stretch salon visits to 8–12 weeks, sometimes longer depending on your specific look.

This makes bronde ideal for busy Denver and suburban clients who don’t want to be in the salon every four weeks for a root touch-up. The color grows out gracefully because there’s no harsh line where your natural color meets the lightened pieces.

Here’s why bronde is so forgiving:

Shadow roots and smudged roots can be customized to make maintenance even easier
The multidimensional color means small amounts of regrowth blend rather than stand out
Bronde only lightens certain pieces of hair rather than all of it, which is less damaging overall
The look is meant to appear lived in, so a little root growth actually enhances the style

To extend the life of your bronde between appointments, focus on color-safe shampoo and conditioner. A gloss or toner refresh every 6–8 weeks keeps your bronde tones balanced and shiny without requiring a full lightening session.

How to Achieve Bronde Hair Color

Getting your ideal bronde starts with a professional color consultation—especially if your hair has previous color, box dye, or any damage. This step is non-negotiable for achieving results that look salon-quality and protect your hair’s integrity.

During your consultation at Clementine’s, your stylist will assess:

Your natural level and current color
Hair porosity and texture
Scalp and skin tone undertones
Your lifestyle and maintenance preferences
Inspiration photos you bring in

For darker brunettes in the Denver area, reaching brighter bronde—especially sandy or pearl variations—may require more than one visit. Lifting dark hair safely takes time, and rushing the process leads to damage and brassy results.

Common techniques for achieving bronde include:

Balayage – Hand-painted color for a natural, sun kissed effect
Foilyage – Balayage placed in foils for extra lift on stubborn bases
Babylights – Ultra-fine highlights for subtle dimension
Teasylights – Backcombed sections for diffused, soft color
Root smudging – Blending the root area for seamless grow-out

After the lightening process, a gloss, glaze, or toner is applied to fine-tune the shade. This is where your stylist dials in the exact tone—whether you want warmer tones like honey bronde, neutral beige, or cooler ash bronde.

Bond-building treatments during and after lightening (like Olaplex or similar products) help maintain hair integrity. These treatments repair the bonds in your hair that get disrupted during the lightening process, keeping your strands strong and shiny.

When you book at Clementine’s LoHi, Arvada, or Aurora, bring 2–3 reference photos so your stylist can translate your inspiration into a realistic plan tailored to your hair.

A professional hairstylist is skillfully applying the balayage technique to a client's hair, creating a beautiful blend of bronde hair color with darker roots and honey-toned highlights. The result is a natural-looking, sun-kissed effect that enhances the client's complexion and embraces the trendy bronde balayage style.

Best Bronde Hair Color Ideas

Think of this section as your bronde inspiration gallery. Each variation below includes who it flatters best, what the tone looks like, and how a Clementine’s stylist might customize it for you.

Whether you prefer something subtle or want a bold transformation, these popular bronde hair ideas offer something for everyone—and they all work well with Denver’s climate and active outdoor lifestyle.

Sandy Bronde Hair Color

Sandy bronde is a soft, beachy blend of cooler beige blondes and light brown tones. Think Jennifer Aniston’s signature color—that golden, undone look that appears effortless but has serious dimension.

This shade works especially well on medium brown to dark blonde bases and light brunettes who want to lean lighter without committing to full blonde. The result is that sandy blonde, “spent the weekend in the mountains” vibe that feels fresh year-round.

At Clementine’s, stylists create sandy bronde using:

Balayage with fine, ribbon-like pieces
Neutral-to-cool toners to prevent the color from going too golden
Strategic face-framing to brighten the overall look

Sandy bronde pairs beautifully with shoulder-length lobs, long layers, and curtain bangs for a modern, polished feel. If you love undone waves and natural texture, this is your shade.

Pearl Bronde Hair

Pearl bronde is a slightly cooler, luminous take on the bronde trend. It features soft, pearly reflects that sit between beige and soft ash, creating a creamy, reflective finish that looks luxe in both straight and wavy styles.

This shade flatters cooler or neutral skin tones and works beautifully for clients who prefer a polished, refined look rather than beachy texture. At first glance, pearl bronde appears sophisticated and understated, but closer inspection reveals gorgeous dimension and shine.

Clementine’s stylists achieve pearl bronde through:

Fine, delicate highlights placed strategically
Pearlescent toners to avoid harsh brass
Maintained depth at the roots for dimension

If you gravitate toward tailored, minimal outfits and want your hair to feel like a subtle, high-end accessory, pearl bronde delivers that quiet luxury aesthetic.

Dark Bronde Balayage

Dark bronde balayage is a brunette hair-forward look with strategic ribbons of lighter caramel, toffee, or beige tones through the mid-lengths and ends. From a distance, it reads as rich dark brown. Up close, you see soft dimension and light-catching pieces that add movement and depth.

This is the perfect choice for natural brunettes who want subtle enhancement without a dramatic color change. The bronde dye job stays close to your natural color while adding just enough brightness to make your hair look healthier and more dimensional.

How Clementine’s colorists approach dark bronde balayage:

Keep the root at your natural level for minimal upkeep
Hand-paint lighter pieces around the face and on the surface
Focus on areas where light naturally catches the hair

Dark bronde balayage is ideal for first-time color clients or anyone who has felt “washed out” by traditional blonde highlights in the past. It’s also excellent for darker hair that would require significant lifting to achieve lighter bronde variations.

Ash Bronde Hair

Ash bronde is a cool-toned mix of soft brown and blonde with muted, smoky undertones. There’s no strong gold or red here—just modern, editorial cool tones that look polished and contemporary.

This look flatters cooler complexions and can help balance redness in sun kissed skin. If you dislike warm or brassy tones and prefer a more sophisticated, neutral palette, ash bronde is your match.

Creating ash bronde requires:

Toners with violet, blue, or soft green bases to counter warmth
Strategic placement that enhances your natural cool undertones
Regular maintenance with purple shampoo to keep brassiness at bay

One thing to note: ashier bronde typically needs a bit more at-home care to stay balanced, especially in sunny Colorado. Your Clementine’s stylist will recommend the right products to maintain that cool, smoky finish between appointments.

Curly Bronde Hair

Curly bronde is multi-dimensional color designed specifically to enhance coils, curls, and waves. The placement strategy differs from straight hair because curls need highlights on the outermost layers where they’ll catch the most light.

At Clementine’s, stylists working with curly textures place lighter pieces on:

The outermost curls that sit on top
Face-framing sections for brightness around your features
The ends where curls bounce and catch light

The result? That “the sun caught my curls” effect that adds even more dimension to your natural texture. Bronde on curls can range from warm caramel swirls to cooler beige ribbons, depending on your undertones and personal style.

Clients with naturally textured hair in Denver, Arvada, and Aurora should ask for a consultation that includes both curl-cut and color planning. This ensures your color placement works with your curl pattern rather than against it.

A woman with natural curly hair showcases a stunning bronde dye job, featuring a seamless blend of darker roots and golden blonde highlights that create a naturally sun-kissed look. Her hair reflects warm tones, emphasizing her radiant complexion.

How to Maintain Bronde Hair Color

Bronde is easier to maintain than high-lift blonde, but it still needs thoughtful at-home care—especially in Colorado’s dry climate.

Essential maintenance tips:

Care Step	Why It Matters
Sulfate-free shampoo	Prevents stripping pigment and drying out strands
Color-safe conditioner	Maintains tone and adds moisture
Heat protectant	Preserves color and prevents damage from hot tools
Weekly hydrating mask	Keeps hair smooth and less prone to breakage
Purple shampoo (as directed)	Controls brass in sandy, pearl, and ash bronde

For certain bronde shades—especially those leaning cooler—your stylist may recommend blue-toned shampoo instead of purple. Follow their specific guidance for your custom color formula.

Additional expert tips for Denver-area clients:

Book gloss or toner refresh appointments every 6–8 weeks to keep your bronde reflective and balanced
Protect your hair from UV exposure with a leave-in product containing SPF—the altitude means stronger sun
Rinse immediately after swimming in pools or hot tubs, as chlorine and minerals can shift your color
Limit hot tool use when possible; if you style daily, always use a heat protectant

These steps help you stretch the time between major color sessions while keeping your bronde looking fresh and dimensional.

Why Book Your Bronde at Clementine’s Salon

Clementine’s is a modern, approachable luxury salon with three convenient locations across the Denver metro area: LoHi (Denver), Arvada, and Aurora. The team specializes in dimensional color, including every type of bronde—balayage, lived in highlights, shadow roots, and high-shine glosses.

What sets Clementine’s apart: Discover our wedding portfolio.

Hair health comes first. Professional lighteners, bond builders, and premium color lines keep your hair strong and shiny throughout the bronde process
Stylists stay current. Ongoing education ensures the team knows the latest techniques, from “old money” bronde to subtle face-framing money pieces
Thorough consultations. New guests discuss lifestyle, budget, maintenance preferences, and inspiration photos before any color is mixed
Elevated but welcoming spaces. The salon experience feels curated rather than rushed, with service that matches the quality of the results

Whether you’re a first-time color client or a long-time blonde or brunette looking for an easier, more flattering in-between shade, Clementine’s stylists can create your perfect custom bronde.

Ready to Try Bronde? Book Your Appointment

Your bronde transformation starts with a simple step: booking your consultation at the Clementine’s location closest to you.

How to get started:

Online booking is available 24/7 for your convenience
Phone appointments can be made during salon hours if you prefer to talk through options
Bring 2–3 inspiration photos (sandy, pearl, dark balayage, ash, or curly bronde) so your stylist can create a custom plan

Find your nearest Clementine’s: check the company calendar for events at all locations.

LoHi (Denver)
Arvada
Aurora

Step into your new bronde era—our stylists will handle the details; you just show up and enjoy the glow.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bronde Hair

These FAQs cover the details that didn’t fit into the main sections above. If you still have questions after reading, bring them to your consultation—Clementine’s stylists love talking color.

How long does a bronde color appointment usually take?

Most first-time bronde appointments take about 2–4 hours, depending on your hair length, density, and starting color. If you have shorter hair and a lighter base color, you might be on the shorter end. Longer, thicker hair or significant transformations take more time.

For clients making a big change—like going from dark box-dyed brunette to lighter bronde—the process may be split into multiple sessions. This protects your hair’s integrity and ensures the best possible result. During your consultation, your stylist will give you a realistic time estimate so you can plan your day accordingly.

Will going bronde damage my hair?

Any lightening process changes the hair structure, but professional techniques and bond-building treatments at Clementine’s minimize damage significantly. The key is working with an experienced colorist who knows how to lift hair safely.

Your stylist will be honest about what’s achievable in one visit. If your hair is compromised from previous color or heat damage, they may recommend a slower, multi-step process. Pairing bronde services with in-salon treatments and quality at-home products keeps your hair soft, strong, and shiny throughout your color journey.

Can I go bronde if I have gray hair?

Bronde works well with gray coverage or blending. Instead of solid, opaque color, dimensional bronde highlights can help camouflage grays while adding movement and shine to your overall look.

Clementine’s stylists can either fully cover your grays or blend them into a dimensional bronde depending on your preference. Some clients prefer complete coverage; others embrace the dimension that gray blending creates. A consultation helps determine whether gray coverage, gray blending, or a combination approach is the best route for your goals.

Is bronde a good choice for my skin tone?

Bronde is one of the most versatile color families because it can be customized for warm, cool, and neutral undertones. There’s a bronde variation that suits nearly everyone.

Stylists at Clementine’s look at your eye color, skin undertone, and natural hair level to decide whether to lean sandy, pearl, ash, or warmer caramel bronde. Bringing makeup-free or natural-light photos to your consultation helps your stylist see your true skin tone and plan the most flattering color accordingly.

How often will I need to come back to maintain my bronde?

Most clients refresh their bronde lightening every 8–12 weeks, with optional gloss or toner services every 6–8 weeks to keep the tone fresh. This schedule works well for maintaining that polished, dimensional look without spending every month in the salon.

Darker bronde balayage and rooty, lived in styles can often be stretched even longer between lightening appointments because the grow-out is part of the aesthetic. Your Clementine’s stylist will create a personalized maintenance plan that fits your schedule, budget, and lifestyle—so you always know what to expect.

Bronde Hair: The Effortless Blonde–Brunette Blend You’ll Love