Damson Brunette: Autumn’s Plum Brown

If cherry cola was last year’s brunette, damson is the grown-up sequel. Damson brunette is a deep, dark brown with plum and aubergine undertones that you only really notice when the light catches it. It looks rich and expensive without shouting about it, which is exactly why it is one of the autumn shades colourists are talking about right now.

What Is Damson Brunette?

Think of the skin of a ripe damson: dark, glossy and violet-tinged. On hair, that translates to a brunette base with cool red-violet depth running through it. It sits between the bright reds of a few seasons ago and a classic chocolate brown, so it feels warmer and more interesting than plain brunette without tipping into burgundy.

The big difference from cherry cola is temperature. Cherry cola leans red and sweet. Damson leans plum and moody, with less orange and more depth. If you loved the idea of a berry shade but wanted something quieter, this is the one. Our guide to berry hair colours shows how far that family stretches.

Who Does It Suit?

Damson works best on natural brunettes, from light brown through to dark, because the plum tones sit on top of a base you already have. That means a softer grow-out and less lifting than a blonde or copper would need. Darker bases give the richest, most glossy result. Lighter brown hair can still wear it, usually with a slightly more visible violet in the light.

It tends to flatter cool and neutral skin tones, and it can look especially striking against fair or olive skin. If you are not sure, a colour consultation is the best place to start. Your colourist can hold swatches up to your face and adjust how much plum goes in. If you are weighing it against other autumn browns, our post on truffle brunette is a good comparison.

How We Create It at Gusto

There is no single formula, because every base is different. In general, your colourist will apply a plum-toned gloss or permanent brunette shade over your natural colour, often with softer, slightly lighter pieces around the face so the colour moves rather than looking flat. The aim is depth with dimension, not a solid block.

If your hair is already lightened or highlighted, we will usually reset the tone first so the plum sits evenly rather than patchy. If you are going from a much lighter shade, it is worth booking a consultation before the colour appointment so we can plan it properly. And as with any colour, a patch test is needed at least 48 hours beforehand if you have not had colour with us before.

Keeping Damson Rich, Not Dull

Red and violet tones are the first to fade, so damson rewards a little aftercare:

• Use a sulphate-free shampoo and a colour-safe conditioner, and wash with lukewarm rather than hot water.
• Book a gloss every six to eight weeks to keep the plum looking fresh. Our guide to glossing treatments explains how it works.
• Rinse away hard water minerals where you can. Our hard water guide has simple fixes for London tap water.
• Keep heat styling moderate and use a heat protectant, because heat dulls dark colour quickly.

Want to know how it compares with other deep shades? Have a look at plum hair and burgundy hair.

Ready to try damson brunette? Book at Oxford Street | Book at Covent Garden and one of our London colourists will build the right depth of plum for you.