A Colour Inspired by Your Morning Coffee
Some of the best hair transformations start with a simple feeling — and for one of our recent clients, that feeling was warmth. She came into Matthew Jonathan with a clear vision: a rich, multidimensional colour that blended espresso depth, cappuccino softness, and a hint of chocolatey red. Think of it as your favourite coffee order, reimagined as hair.
We absolutely loved this brief, and our talented stylist Becca was the perfect person to bring it to life.
The Vision: Espresso, Cappuccino & Chocolate Red
These three tones work so beautifully together because they each bring something different to the finish:
Espresso gives the hair its deep, grounding base — a dark brown with cool undertones that adds richness and shine. Cappuccino layers in a softer, warmer mid-tone, almost like a creamy caramel kissed with mocha, which keeps the colour from feeling flat. And the chocolate red weaves in subtle warmth, catching the light with hints of mahogany and ruby, especially in sunlight.
Together, they create a colour that looks effortless indoors but truly comes alive outside — exactly the kind of dimension we love creating at the salon.
Becca’s Approach
Achieving a tonal blend like this isn’t about a single colour from a tube — it’s about layering. Becca worked through the colour carefully, balancing depth at the root with warmth through the mid-lengths and ends. The result is a finish that feels expensive, lived-in, and beautifully suited to our client’s complexion and style.
It’s the kind of colour that looks great freshly done and continues to look beautiful as it softens between appointments — one of the big advantages of a well-blended tonal colour over a flat all-over dye.
Why Warm Browns and Reds Are Having a Moment
Espresso and chocolate-toned hair has been one of the most-requested looks of the season, and it’s easy to see why. After years of cooler, ashier shades dominating, clients are gravitating back towards warmth — colours that feel cosy, flattering, and rich. Adding a red undertone takes it a step further, giving the hair a glossy, almost glass-like finish in the light.
It’s also a wonderfully versatile palette. Whether you want something subtle and natural or a bolder cherry-cola moment, the espresso-to-chocolate-red family can be dialled up or down to suit you.
Caring for Your New Colour
To keep tones like these looking their richest for as long as possible, we always recommend:
- Washing with colour-safe, sulphate-free shampoo
- Using lukewarm (not hot) water to protect the cuticle
- Booking in for a gloss or toner refresh between full colour appointments
- Adding a weekly bond-building or hydrating mask to keep the shine
Ready for Your Own Colour Moment?
If you’ve been daydreaming about your own coffee-inspired colour — whether that’s a soft cappuccino, a deep espresso, or something with a chocolatey red twist — we’d love to chat through it with you.
You can book in with Becca or any of our team at Matthew Jonathan, and we’ll work with you to create a colour that feels uniquely yours.
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