And no, we’re not talking about the mood.

Ombre hair was all the rage in 2014 and 2015, but this year welcomes a cool new update to the trend. Enter, the ‘Sombre’.

Remember the harsh contrast sometimes created with the Ombre look? Yeah, there was a slight gradient going on, but there was still a stark shade difference visible between the ends of the hair and the roots. The Sombre trend is here to change that. Forget having a ‘do that looks like you’ve tried to have a go at the colour blocking trend of last summer, and embrace a softer, subtler gradient from one shade into another.

“The Sombre look is all about a softer version of Ombre – the appearance of dark roots is less harsh than before and colour is seamlessly melted together”, says Bruno Elorrioroz, colour expert for Aveda.

Sombre goes beyond balayage, it works by the hairdresser taking a darker hue found at the roots of your hair, and subtly weaving that through your tresses to create less of an abrupt colour contrast from the roots to the ends.

2016’s top hair trend has already been flaunted by stars such as Kylie Jenner and Pretty Little Liars actress Lucy Hale, proving that this look can work for both short and long locks.

https://www.instagram.com/p/vMqsHTnGj3/?taken-by=kyliejenner&hl=en

Not only does Sombre look seriously cool, it also provides an optical illusion that your tresses are just that little bit thicker. With the dark shade starting at the roots, and very gradually changing to a lighter shade, the mid lengths and ends are left looking full and fabulous – it’s like an Instagram filter for you hair! There’ll definitely be #nofilter required on your post-salon selfie.

You had a good run, Ombre, but your cooler, chicer little sister just overtook you in the race for seriously awesome hair.