Listen, I had plans. Good, responsible, hair-healthy plans. After years of playing hair color roulette and paying the price with crispy, over-processed strands, I swore off dye jobs. I even went full Marie Kondo and chopped off a whole foot of damage last year, promising my traumatized hair follicles that I would never betray them again.
And then—because life loves to test my willpower—Katie Holmes had to show up at Paris Fashion Week with the most breathtaking, multi-tonal brunette highlights I’ve ever seen. Cue internal turmoil. One moment I’m a devoted disciple of the “let your natural hair live” movement, the next, I’m frantically pulling up my colorist’s number, ready to risk it all.
The Hair That Launched a Thousand Salon Appointments
Let’s be honest—Holmes has always had incredible hair. It’s like she was born with the perfect balance of effortless tousled waves and silky smooth strands that look expensive even when she’s just out grabbing a coffee. But at the Zimmermann runway show? She outdid herself. The hair? Flawless. The outfit? A dreamy, pale yellow wide-leg trousers and trench coat combo that I’ll never be able to afford but will absolutely attempt to replicate in spirit.
But the hair? Oh, I might just have a shot.
What Makes This Color So Darn Irresistible?
According to Luis Perez, color designer at Julien Farel Restore Salon & Spa in New York City, Holmes’s latest look is a masterclass in rich, dimensional brunette hair color. “Her shade typically falls within a deep chocolate brown or warm chestnut spectrum, often enhanced with subtle highlights for depth and movement,” he explains.
Translation? This is not your average, one-tone brown. It’s layered, blended, and lifted in all the right places, creating a creamy brightness that adds instant glow to her face. And guess what? You (and I) can absolutely get in on this magic.
How to Ask Your Colorist for Katie Holmes’s Paris Fashion Week Highlights
If, like me, you’re ready to cheat on your natural hair color (sorry, I’ll repent later), here’s what Perez suggests asking your colorist for:
- A deep brunette base shade with neutral or warm undertones.
- Soft, face-framing caramel or chestnut highlights for dimension.
- A demi-permanent gloss to keep it looking ultra-shiny and rich.
And the styling? Holmes proves that this color works whether you’re going for sleek and polished or effortless waves. So basically, it’s perfect for anyone who wants to look like they just walked off a movie set even if they’re just heading to Trader Joe’s.
Will This Look Bankrupt Me? Maybe. Will It Be Worth It? Absolutely.
Do I have the patience, budget, or length to fully maintain Holmes’s exact hair color? Not really. But when has practicality ever stopped me before? Armed with expert advice and a folder of Katie Holmes hair photos ready to be shoved in my colorist’s face, I think I just might make this work.
Wish me luck—and if you see me suddenly sporting rich, chocolatey locks with caramel-kissed highlights, just know that self-control was never really an option.
