

For the better part of a decade, the ombré has been a hallmark of lived-in, cool-girl color. But as with anything that reaches its fever pitch, it can run the risk of feeling tired. And so we looked to Mèche Salon's Matt Rez to decode exactly how to make an ombré dye job feel fresh in 2017.
1. Make it a sombré. AKA a soft, subtle ombré. "There's still a gradient from the darkest to the lightest, but balayage highlights break it up so it's not solidly two-toned," explains Rez. "A graduated effect is way less intense."
A post shared by MATT REZ (@colorbymattrez)
A photo posted by on
2. Work with your natural base. To create a shadowed effect, your colorist should be using a gloss to root your color. The shade should fall within 2-3 levels of your natural color to ensure graceful grow out. "If it's done well, you won't have that third or fourth color coming in at the root," he says. "You'll be able to ride it out for 3-4 months in between color appointments."
3. Create vertical dimension. "Horizontal dimension is the darker root to the lighter ends, while the vertical is the highlights and lowlights that run next to each other," explains Rez. "The soft, vertical contrast, in conjunction with the horizontal sombré, will give you the most dimension." Which leads use to...
A post shared by Lauren Valenti (@lauren_valenti)
A photo posted by on
4. Frame the face with babylights. It's what will give you that face-brightening "pop" of color. "They should be 2-3 levels lighter than the highlights that run behind them, as well as shadowed at the root, so you don't have stark stripes."
5. Keep your hair healthy. Simply put: The healthier your hair is, the better your color is going to look at the salon—and in the months following. Plus, if you want to lighter for your next appointment, you can really push the blonde envelope. Give your processed strands TLC with Olaplex, which rebuilds broken hair bonds while preventing future damage, as well as hydrating mask treatments.
A post shared by MATT REZ (@colorbymattrez)
A photo posted by on
Follow Marie Claire on Facebook for the latest celeb news, beauty tips, fascinating reads, livestream video, and more.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.

Lauren is the former beauty editor at Marie Claire. She love to while away the hours at coffee shops, hunt for vintage clothes, and bask in the rough-and-tumble beauty of NYC. She firmly believes that solitude can be a luxury if you’ve got the right soundtrack—that being the Rolling Stones, of course.
-
Taylor Swift Says Her Career Was "Taken Away" by Kim and Kanye: "Make No Mistake"
She's finally ready to talk about it.
By Fleurine Tideman
-
Cult Docuseries Are Having a Moment—Here Are 10 to Watch Now
From 'The Vow' to 'Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God'
By Quinci LeGardye
-
Taylor Swift, Anna Wintour, Laura Dern, and Robert Patterson Made an All-Star Front Row at an NYC Premiere
Grab the popcorn.
By Fleurine Tideman
-
The 20 Best Hair Masks for Damaged Hair, According to Experts and Editors
Healthy strands, here we come!
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
How Often You Should Wash Your Hair, According To Experts
Keep it fresh, my friends.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
The 11 Best Magnetic Lashes of 2023
Go ahead and kiss your messy lash glue goodbye.
By Hana Hong
-
The 32 Best Hair Growth Shampoos of 2023, According to Experts
Rapunzel hair, coming right up.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
Beauty Advent Calendars Make the Perfect Holiday Gift
The gift that keeps on giving.
By Julia Marzovilla
-
The 18 Best Natural Hair Products in 2023
Remember: Your curls are your crown.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
The 9 Best Hot Rollers for the Curls of Your Dreams
This is how we roll.
By Samantha Holender
-
The 12 Best Cream Eyeshadows, According to Makeup Artists
The best part? They’re so easy to apply.
By Samantha Holender