Gourmand Hair Colors Are the Sweetest Hair Trend to Try

Gourmand fragrances have trained us to crave rich, indulgent notes—and now hair color is following suit. The perfect balance of luscious and luxe, these shades are all about rich dimension and glazed finishes. With fun, tempting names like caramel, coconut, chocolate and ice cream, they’re creating a category of their own. Ahead, we tapped five hair experts to share the gourmand hair colors they’re seeing everywhere right now.

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What Is a Gourmand Hair Color?

Gourmand notes in fragrance mimic sticky sweets like vanilla, caramel and chocolate. In hair color, that same inspiration shows up as rich, glossy, dessert-inspired shades, like chocolate cherry, honey blond, chantilly cream or caramel ribbon highlights.

Celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos says the naming also helps clarify the vision. “They also help clients better visualize the warmth, depth and tone they’re craving,” he adds. For colorists, those extra details are crucial to creating a dimensional result clients are happy with, but they can be hard to communicate during a consultation.

Why They’re Trending

When celebrity hairstylist and colorist Nicole Leal hears the phrase “gourmand hair,” she thinks of “super rich, blended color.” These indulgent hues, she explains, are “like pressing the reset button, adding shine and an all-over glaze to the hair.”

Beyond their visual impact, gourmand shades also tap into a sense of comfort. “These tones feel cozy, familiar and reassuring yet still look elevated,” says hairstylist and Redken artistic ambassador Johnny Ramirez.

The shades are also highly versatile, working across a wide range of hair types and tones. “There is truly a color for everyone,” says celebrity colorist Sierra Kener. “Icy vanilla will make blue eyes pop, while rich espresso is super flattering for someone with warmer undertones.”

Celebrity hairstylist Rogério Cavalcante agrees, stressing the importance of matching your hair color to your natural undertone. “The more harmonious choice will always be to follow your natural undertone and respect your natural contrast,” he explains. “That means that if a person has a cool undertone, they will look better with cool shades of hair color and if they have a warm undertone, they will look better with warm shades of hair color.”

Gourmand Hair Colors to Try

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Coconut Milk

Cool-toned hair colors are trending this season. Ranging from soft brunette to icy tones, this shade stands out for its washed finish and subtle highlights.

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Maple Syrup Hair

You don’t have to stray far from your natural color to try a gourmand-inspired shade. A mix of highlights and lowlights adds dimension to brunette hair while keeping the look soft and natural.

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Chocolate Hazelnut

According to Leal, gourmand hair colors are typically warm-toned and boast a high-gloss finish. This chocolate hazelnut hue, for example, blends toasted browns with creamy milk chocolate ribbons.

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Buttery Honey Blond

Think of this shade as the cozy cousin of old-money blond. “It’s just as expensive looking but doesn’t go overboard with yellow tones,” says Ramirez.

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Toasted Caramel

If you’re a natural brunette looking to lighten your color, toasted caramel is an easy entry point. It features melted highlights and rich golden-brown tones that channel “naturally sun-kissed locks,” says Ramirez.

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Caramel Flan

Luminous highlights are a great way to brighten your color during the colder months. Strategically placed, they frame the face and add depth to longer lengths.

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Almond Milk

Lindsay Lohan made headlines when she stepped out with this soft, creamy blond. Giannetos, who created the shade, says it’s become a popular hue thanks to its elevated, modern feel. If you’re leaning towards a lighter base, he recommends giving this milky color a try.