How to Get Cream Soda Hair Just in Time for Fall

From succulent hair to pink lemonade locks, there are some pretty interesting hair color trends that are rising in popularity. Cream soda hair is the latest hair color trend to arrive on the scene—and just in time for fall. If you’ve ever been torn between blonde and brown locks, this hair color will give your mane the perfect balance of the two, allowing you to experience the best of both worlds. Here’s how to get the season’s latest hair color trend:

STEP 1: GET YOUR BASE COLOR

To begin your journey to obtaining a cream soda hair color, you need to have a caramel brown base. How you’ll proceed with this step is dependent on what your starting hair color is.

If you have dark hair…you’re going to have to bleach your locks in order to get them to your desired shade of brown. Use a hair color bleach, such as the L’Oréal Paris Colorista Bleach in All Over, to lighten your hair. Follow the directions included in the box. It’s possible, depending on the hair color you’re starting with, that after bleaching you may end up with the caramel brown shade you’re seeking. However, if you aren’t quite at that goal shade, you’ll have to follow up bleaching with using a permanent hair dye, like the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme in Light Golden Brown. Lightening your hair from a dark shade can be tricky, so if you’re unsure about doing it at home, go to a hair colorist that can ensure your locks don’t end up terribly damaged.

If you have medium hair…you may be able to skip this step. If your hair isn’t already the pretty caramel brown shade you need for this look, grab a hair dye like the L’Oréal Paris Féria in Light Golden Brown to create your base color.

If you have light hair…lucky you! You won’t have to worry about extra lightening. Instead, you can grab a boxed dye in the caramel brown shade of your choice, such as the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference in Light Amber Brown, and follow the included instructions to give your locks a luminous brown color.

STEP 2: LIGHTEN UP

Now that you have your desired base color, it’s time to lighten up your color with highlights. Use the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Glam Lights to add streaks of blonde into your hair. You’ll want to follow a hair painting technique, applying the hair color to both the top and bottom of each strand you’re lightening. Apply the color to the majority of your hair, still leaving strands of caramel brown to create a beautiful, cream soda color. Follow the directions included with the box and you’ll be left with trendy cream soda hair!

STEP 3: MAINTAIN YOUR HAIR COLOR

Now that you have a cream soda hair color, you want to be sure you take care of your locks so the color lasts as long as possible. After all, you don’t want your hard work to go to waste. Invest in a shampoo and conditioner that are safe for color treated hair, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Shampoo and the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Conditioner.

Another way to keep your hair healthy and your color vibrant is to take a break from heat styling and opt for heat free hair styling products, like the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle AIR DRY IT Wave Swept Spray. If you do use a styling tool on your locks, make sure you use a heat protectant to keep your strands from becoming damaged!

Editor’s tip: For more heat free hairstyle inspiration, read our article, 8 Adorable No-Heat Hairstyles.

Enjoyed learning how to get cream soda hair but want to keep your options open? If that’s the case, consider another shade that’s trending for fall: caramel rosé. For all the details on this striking shade, check out our article, How to Get Caramel Rosé Hair.