The actor swaps her signature cool toned brunette for a richer, deeper shade that perfectly captures fall’s mood.
Dakota Johnson is no stranger to experimenting with her hair. While the actor is naturally blonde, she has explored everything from chestnut and caramel tones to her now-iconic cool-toned brunette. Paired with her signature brow-skimming bangs, the look has become a defining part of her style.
But as the season shifts toward fall, Johnson has made a dramatic change going noticeably darker with a luxurious new brunette shade.
Meet ‘Glossed Espresso’
Johnson recently stepped out in Los Angeles with deep, glossy brown hair styled sleek and straight, while her familiar bangs remained perfectly in place. Her understated outfit a white tank, black trousers, slouchy black bag and ballet flats—allowed the new hair colour to take center stage. 
Behind the transformation is celebrity colourist Tracey Cunningham, Schwarzkopf Professional US’s creative director of color and technique. Known for her work with stars including Emma Stone, Julia Garner, Madelyn Cline and Michelle Monaghan, Cunningham has also worked with Johnson before, creating her previous “dirty blonde” look.
This time, she took Johnson’s brunette in a richer direction, dubbing the new shade “glossed espresso.”
Dark, Rich and Anything But Flat
The goal wasn’t to create an almost black colour. Instead, Cunningham wanted a deep brown with visible dimension, richness and shine.
Multiple tones of Schwarzkopf Professional’s Igora Vibrance were blended throughout Johnson’s hair to create a seamless gradient. The colour was worked through different sections while the hair was wet, helping achieve an even saturation and an ultra-glossy finish.
The result is a brunette that looks sophisticated and expensive without appearing overly dark or one dimensional.
Dakota’s New Shade Is Perfect for Fall
Johnson’s transformation arrives at the perfect time. As summer’s lighter, brighter hair colours give way to fall, deeper shades are taking the spotlight from roasted caramel and rusty red to cherry cola and rich chocolate brown.
The appeal of the glossed espresso trend lies in its balance. It feels dramatically darker and moodier, yet still catches the light and maintains plenty of dimension. With her sleek styling and signature bangs, Dakota Johnson proves that sometimes the most striking beauty transformation is simply going a shade deeper.
