It’s been a popular look with celebrities for years. With lots of olive skin beauties like Jessica Alba and J Lo, sporting bronde hair. But, when you haven’t got a top hair colourist on speed dial it can be a pretty scary experience. Especially if you’ve ever tried to go lighter before and ended up with orange, brassy tones. We’ve all been there…

Whether at to the blonder end of the scale or the more brunette one, it’s seen a surge in popularity post-lockdown, with many wanting highlights not only to lift colour but their spirits too.

But does it really work for everyone with olive undertones? We spoke to colourist Jack Howard to get the lowdown.

Customise it for your colouring

Don’t think you have to colour to your roots to achieve bronde hair if you don’t want to. Jack suggests opting for some roots if you want to lift colour but without dramatically changing your hair colour: ‘the transition from darker to lighter with your base colour underneath gives it a softness and makes it feel more natural and easy to pull off.’

Focus on the front

For all the face-framing loveliness of a pop of bronde but without having to colour a lot, Jack thinks it’s worth asking for a ‘face frame of some lightness to get maximum impact without maximum maintenance.’

Don’t forget make-up

If you’re a make-up wearer, Jack emphasises that you can of course inject colour and fun into your face after your hair’s been done, so if you worry that lightening might make your pale olive or deep olive skin look sallow, remember that you can balance that with a little blush or bronzer.