Unlike the warm undertones of honey or caramel that are often seen with variations of brown hair, the smoky brunette color hinges on those cool ashy undertones. This gives off a sultry yet complex vibe that's perfect for a new look.

While it's ideal for your natural hair color to range between dirty blonde to a middle shade of brown, your hairdresser can always adjust your base color before focusing on the tone. Since this smoky brunette color can be created using various techniques, knowing the specifics of the results you want will help your colorist narrow down their approach.

For example, you may want one overall color or a more subtle look with added dimension. Understanding the real difference between highlights and lowlights can help you achieve your ideal cool-toned shade. Many of these choices depend on your current hair color and how much time and money you can afford to spend on the dying process. Since most people are unfamiliar with all the techniques that hairdressers can use to achieve certain colors, bringing in multiple photos of the hair trend you want is always advised.