Color trends evolve and change quickly. Ombre, as soon as we got used to it, is already becoming a thing of the past, losing its relevance, and giving way to a new trend - “sombra”. We understand what it is and how it differs from its popular predecessor.
Sombre - what is it?
Such a phenomenon in coloring as “sombre” was born in Hollywood beauty salons, in which clients, fed up with the popularity of the degraded effect on their hair, asked their colorists to make them “soft, gentle“ ombre ”- “soft, subtle ombre”. So there was a new name, and a new trend.
Sombre is still the same transition from a darker shade at the roots to a lighter one at the ends of the hair. Although ombre staining helps to blur the border between the two colors (due to this, ombre is saving for girls who did not tint their roots in time), the transition still turns out to be noticeable, quite sharp. Sombre sort of stretches this transition along the entire length of the hair, so the result looks as natural as possible, as if the upper strands were slightly burned out in the sun, and then gradually grew back. Against the backdrop of a general craving for everything natural, this trend wins.
Sombre vs Ombre
- With an ombre, dark hair is at the roots, light hair is at the ends. In the middle - a fuzzy border between shades. Color contrast is maintained. Sombre smooths it out. "Sombre" is a barely noticeable glare on some strands, the effect of burnt hair. The roots can be darker than the main length by just a couple of tones.
- With an “ombre”, the transition from one shade to another begins, as a rule, in the middle of the hair length. When using the sombre staining technique, staining begins closer to the roots - about five centimeters recede from them. Not the entire mass of hair is subjected to clarification, but individual strands. They "connect" the roots to the main length of the hair.
- Unlike "ombre", hair coloring "sombre" can be tried not only by brunettes, but also by blondes. The strands are made a couple of tones lighter, and this transforms blond girls - the hair begins to seem burnt out under the sun. To do this, they do not need to dye all their hair completely.
- A sharper transition of colors is characteristic of the "ombre", and it is visible to the naked eye. "Sombre" looks best on those hair that shine. Sombre hair coloring will be noticeably best if you use hair shine products.
Coloring features
Sombre has many features compared to other types of staining:
- creates a natural image;
- the technique is characterized by gradual staining, based on the roots (the roots are not stained at all);
- a visible effect of burnt hair is obtained;
- makes hair beautiful, healthy and shiny;
- looks great on both long hair and short hair;
- easy to paint at home;
- allows you to make the hairstyle voluminous;
- emphasizes color depth and saturation;
- does not make hair brittle and unhealthy;
- creates a lasting effect;
- allows you to replace highlighting;
- refreshes the image;
- does not radically change the image of the girl;
- the effect of burnt hair does not become ugly, on the contrary, it gives a special charm to the girl.
Pros and cons of technique
Sombre staining technique has a number of advantages and disadvantages.
The pluses are:
- the ability to refresh the external image without radically changing the entire image;
- gives a natural appearance;
- coloring is suitable for women of all ages;
- corrects visually imperfections in the shape of the face;
- no need to tint the hair roots every time;
- it is possible to use any shades;
- you can easily get rid of this staining by cutting off unnecessary ends.
Cons of hair coloring:
- it is contraindicated to dye women with dry hair;
- if there is no confidence in obtaining a positive result, it is better to seek the help of professionals;
- the procedure is quite expensive;
- it is difficult to find a good master who can carry out such staining.
Who suits and does not suit sombre?
Sombre allows you to dye your hair in lighter shades, so this coloring is most suitable for girls with dark hair. Women with dark blond hair should choose muted and calm tones.
You can look at ashen, chestnut and other shades. Owners of brown hair will suit caramel, nutty and golden colors. Women with black hair are best off with charcoal ends, but it is very difficult for them to choose a shade that blends well with their natural color.
Sombre on blond hair looks less impressive, but you can still come up with a good look. Effectively staining will look on curly hair. Fair-haired girls should prefer beige blond and ashy shade.
Table of differences between sombre and other staining techniques
| Differences between sombre and ombre | Differences between sombre and balayage | Differences between sombre and shatush |
| After staining with the ombre method, the border of the transition from one color to another is visible, after sombre there is no such thing. | Sombre does not allow you to radically change a girl’s appearance; balayage does the opposite. | With the sombre technique, all strands are painted with different thicknesses, with shatush - different. |
| Ombre - dyeing is carried out from the middle of the hair, sombre only slightly retreating from the roots. | Balayazh creates sharp transitions from one color to another, sombre smooths out the transitions. | With shatush, the second shade can only be applied evenly, with sombra - arbitrarily. |
| When stained with sombre, the colors flow unevenly - this creates the effect of burnout. | Balayazh emphasizes the sharp forms of the face, sombre - smoothes. | Shatush is not done on short hair, sombra - on all types of hair. |
| Ombre is done on dark hair, sombra is done on any hair. | Balayazh is great for women in their 40s, and sombre is great for young girls. | Sombre implies a soft transition of colors, shatush - on the contrary. |
Choosing a shade of paint for dark hair
Representatives of dark hair should choose the right second shade for further coloring. So women are perfect walnut color, which has a beautiful golden tint. Light chestnut color will give the hair a reddish tint.
Chestnut - will create a natural image, chocolate - will give the external image a healthy look. Dark copper paints can give reddish hair, dark red colors go well with black.
Sombre (the photo on dark hair shows that the color of eggplant, graphite plums make the appearance more lively and stylish) is now undergoing many innovations. Stylists allow you to mix several colors at the same time to get more subtle and suitable shades.
Sombre on blonde hair
Stepped staining with a smooth gradient on a light background blurs the boundaries between the growing root zone and the main length. Coloring here manifests itself as an imitation of the sun's glare. If the hair is initially very light, the worked areas will be highlighted, and the accent strokes are distributed along the middle line of the strands. Sombre coloring is recommended for girls with bob haircuts in blond.
A faded light brown color can be interestingly beaten with the help of coloring in shades of caramel, cappuccino, hazelnut. Such combinations create sparkling overflows, add saturation. A light blond natural shade will become noble and dynamic when stained with a cold beige blond, ash blond or light alder.
Coloring a classic bright blond is possible only with the participation of bleached strands.
Required Tools
In order to dye your hair efficiently and beautifully, you will need a whole list of special tools:
- Brushes of different lengths (for permanent, semi-permanent and lightening dyes). It is important to look at the width, hardness and quality of the brush;
- comb with thorns;
- comb for highlighting thin strands;
- comb with fine teeth;
- a comb for applying a coloring agent;
- striper;
- foil for thorough staining;
- foil strips;
- relief effect foil;
- transparent thermo-foil;
- dyes with physical properties;
- chemical dyes.
Staining technique
The staining technique contains the following steps:
- apply paint on the upper part of the hair, without affecting the roots, you should step back from them 6 cm, hold the dye for 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water and dry your hair;
- apply the dye to the lower parts of the hair, without creating clear visible boundaries, hold the dye for about 30 minutes, then rinse with warm water and dry the hair;
- dye the ends of the hair in a different color, hold the dye for 45 minutes, rinse and dry the hair.
Features of hair coloring with bangs
There are some features when dyeing hair with sombre bangs:
- there is no need to paint over the roots - this is the main feature of the technique;
- when using light colors, a new hairstyle allows you to make a woman much younger;
- it is possible to hide gray hair even on bangs;
- coloring is relevant for brunettes who want to give their hair a light shade;
- does not require much time, because the strands are colored unevenly, the bangs are stained only slightly with one tone;
- universal type of staining.
How to make sombre at home?
It is not difficult to carry out hair coloring at home using the sombre technique. The main thing is to know the basic rules and recommendations of stylists, which must be followed.
Sombre can be obtained if you choose the right color scheme. The shade should go well with the natural color of the hair.
Brunettes are perfect chestnut, red and dark red. It is necessary to determine the place where the second shade will be applied. Before painting, you need to carefully comb your hair, put on old clothes or an apron, put on gloves so as not to stain your skin.
First, it is recommended to slightly lighten dark hair so that the sombre coloring is more effective.
Light hair dye is perfect for this. To lighten, divide the hair into strands, choose the tools for applying the clarifier. After all this, proceed to the process of lightening the hair. Wash off the dye after 20 minutes, dry the hair.
Make sure they are completely dry. Divide the hair into strands, put on gloves, prepare the dye, apply it to the top of the hair, stepping back from the roots by 6-7 cm. Paint the ends with a different paint, but not too different from the base. Let it work, rinse off after 45 minutes, dry and style your hair with a hairdryer.
Shampoo-stabilizer after coloring
Shampoo-stabilizer after staining is necessary in order to maintain the effect obtained for a long time. The product makes hair smoother and shiny, neutralizes alkali, cleans and rinses well, has a pleasant aroma. You can always buy a tool according to your budget.
How to care for hair after dyeing
Hair suffers from dyes, and if they are dyed often, then you should constantly care for them. After the next staining process, you must immediately neutralize all the alkali. This can be done with a balm or shampoo with a stabilizing effect. Wash your hair with a special shampoo 1 time in 4 days.
Dry your hair properly so that the hair does not become dry and brittle. It is recommended that you carefully consider the process of combing your hair, because very often they break from bad combs. It is better to purchase a comb with rounded teeth. You can also buy special hair masks so that they will soon acquire a healthy look.
Sombre, performed on dark hair, favorably affects them, does not create additional problems, the photo confirms this.
Sombre is a coloring technique that looks great on dark hair, before and after photos confirm this. Before dyeing, it is important to get acquainted with how to do it correctly at home, and how to care for your hair after the procedure.
Sombre hair coloring: examples of stars
There was no doubt that "sombre" was already a hit among celebrities. Check out the hair of Kate Mara and Rosy Huntington-Whiteley. It seems that these star blondes have not colorists to thank for their trendy hair color, but the California sun. In fact, it is thanks to the sombre technology, as we have already noted, that the natural effect of burnt hair is created.
Jessica Alba, one of the biggest ombre fans, is now opting for more subtle coloring as well. Hair looks much healthier.
Barely noticeable play of light and shades on the hair of Leighton Meester, Emma Stone and Anna Kendrick. This is not a merit of nature, but another advantage in the piggy bank of the new trend. By the way, it is worth noting that the sombre looks doubly impressive on wavy and curled hair.
By the way, "sombre", unlike its predecessor, is perfect not only for young beauties, but also for women who, due to age or a strict dress code, cannot afford contrasting coloring. A great example is Kate Beckinsale, Sarah Jessica Parker and Jane Fonda. Thanks to the "sombra" star actresses look much younger than their years. Also, "sombre" coloring for brunettes helps to make the appearance brighter and fresher.
