Variations of bronde, dip dye and balayage have been around for a good long while now, but that hasn't dulled the obsession when it comes to achieving a sunkissed brunette effect in the salon. It seems the dark haired amongst us are just as keen as ever on lightening things up a little, just look at the masterpiece that is the Duchess of Cambridge's hair this season. She reeled in compliments from every angle when she debuted her lightened up do, that looked more born of a few weeks in Mustique than a colour appointment.
When it comes to actually sitting in the salon chair and trying to convey what you're after though, achieving your dream do can be a dicey business. The colour could end up warm when you want it ashy, or vice versa. You might end up with lightened up ends, when you wanted the lighter shade pulled through the lengths too. All in all, a visual example of what you're after is everything, and we have just the ticket.
Over in Brazil, lightening up a dark brunette base colour is all the rage, even more so than back in Blighty would you believe? Add a shed load of stand out colourists into the mix, and you have the recipe for a veritable gallery of images on social media, all showing off the results of some pretty darned amazing salon appointments. Your one route to seeking out these images to shove in the face of your unassuming colourist?
This simple hashtag...#morenasiluminadas. It means illuminated brunette (a tad more romantic sounding than 'bronde' right?). Tap that bad boy into your Instagram search bar and watch as reams and reams of glossy hair imagery hits your screen. Scroll through and save a few of your favourites for that all-important appointment, there's no harm in being specific.
The phrase 'morenas iluminadas' works just as well when keyed into a Pinterest search bar, here are some of our favourites.
Our Favourite Pinterest Picks: 'Morenas Iluminadas'
Our Favourite Pinterest Picks: 'Morenas Iluminadas'
1 of 10We love this the glint of this caramel shade through the ends.
2 of 10Would you check out that gloss?
3 of 10Here's how a warmer shade of blonde works wonders on dark hair.
4 of 10We're all about these honeyed hues.
5 of 10Got a blunt bob? Take the lighter shades through the lengths to lift your look.
6 of 10There's no need to go for all out blonde, a subtle hint of lightness like this works wonders.
7 of 10Darker toffee shades add depth and give the illusion of more thickness in dark hair.
8 of 10If your hair errs on the auburn side of things, embrace the warmth with a brighter lighter shade.
9 of 10Taking the lighter tones where your hair would organically brighten in the sun makes for a natural look.
10 of 10Keeping your roots colour free makes for greater shine.
READ MORE: In Breaking Hair News Of The Week, Kate Middleton Has Gone Blonde