Lana Del Rey Debuted “Brown Sugar Brunette” Hair at Stagecoach

It’s been over a year since Lana Del Rey announced that she’s going country, and we’re finally getting a taste of what that actually looks like. This April, she dropped two tracks from her upcoming country album The Right Person Will Stay (though she recently announced on Instagram she may be changing the name), the steel guitar-tinged “Henry Come On,” and the sweetly sad “Bluebird.” But the singer truly kicked off her country era on April 25 with her headlining set at Stagecoach.

Not only did Del Rey debut three new songs, she also revealed a brand-new hair color. For the occasion, celebrity hair colorist Tracey Cunningham transformed the singer’s locks with a rich “Brown Sugar Brunette” shade. Ahead, Cunningham gives us all the exclusive details on the gorgeous new color, and how to get the look yourself.

The Inspiration

Real fans know that Lana is a natural blonde, but she’s usually associated with a deep chocolate brunette shade. Over the past year, she’s been spotted with various lighter shades of brown since Cunningham took her “desert blonde” for her Coachella performance last April.

Cunningham says that the singer’s return to a classic brunette shade is not just an homage to her new music, but her new chapter of life post her surprise wedding in September.

“The Brown Sugar Brunette shade represents a new chapter for Lana—one that feels more grounded, soulful, and connected to who she is right now,” Cunningham tells Byrdie. “With Lana, everything is intentional, so this richer, moodier hue really captures the warmth of her new music and just happened to line up with her Stagecoach performance against the backdrop of the desert.”

“It channels that old Hollywood bombshell energy, but with Lana’s own twist—some softness and lightness through the ends that keeps it fresh and effortless,” she continues.

Cunningham carefully considered the new shade, and wanted it to feel perfectly suited to Del Rey. “There’s something regal about it, but still grounded and country—just like Lana. She’s got that timeless beauty, but also feels like the girl next door who loves to write and be in nature. This color really captures both sides of her.”

For the performance, Del Rey’s longtime hairstylist Anna Cofone coiffed the brunette strands into a faux-bob full of bouncy curls for a country meets beauty queen effect.

The Technique

This was no run of the mill brunette shade. In order to reflect Del Rey’s emotional sate—”she wanted the new color to feel grounding, something a little more raw and vulnerable”—Cunningham cooked up a shade with plenty of dimension and personality. “Going deeper with a twangy twist helped strip back the noise and let her connect more with this moment,” she explains. “She looks stunning in any shade, but rich brunette tones really bring out her features and coloring, so I love this change on her.

For the Brown Sugar Brunette shade, Cunningham wanted to create depth and richness, but also keep the tone soft and dimensional, never flat. Because Del Rey’s hair is naturally lighter, she started by filling in the singer’s hair to make sure the pigment would hold evenly and avoid any hollow spots. “It’s a crucial step a lot of people don’t realize is key not just for how the color looks, but for how long it lasts,” she explains. “From there, I used a mix of warm and neutral tones from Schwarzkopf Professional’s IGORA Vibrance range to create that creamy, dimensional brunette, keeping a bit of lightness through the ends for softness and movement.”

Cunningham wanted to make sure the color looked “lived-in and natural,” so she made sure to blend the color seamlessly. “We kept the ends slightly lighter and softer to give that sun-kissed feel, which plays beautifully against the deeper tones at the root and mid-lengths. It’s a sophisticated brunette, but still feels effortless.”

How to Get the Look

If you feel inspired to make a brunette change of your own, Cunningham told us exactly how to get the shade. “Ask your colorist for a dimensional brunette with cool-toned depth at the roots and a softer, lighter blend through the ends,” she instructs. “Let them know you’re going for a shade that feels natural, creamy, and low-maintenance—something that grows out gracefully without harsh lines.”

“This look was created using Schwarzkopf Professional’s IGORA Vibrance, a demi-permanent color known for its ability to deliver rich, multi-tonal results while keeping hair shiny, healthy, and soft,” she elaborates. “It’s the perfect choice for achieving that luxe, lived-in brunette Lana is wearing—and it gives your colorist flexibility to adjust and evolve your shade over time.”

Luckily, it’s a pretty easy shade to care for, should you want to give it a spin. Cunningham suggests washing your hair with cool water and using a sulfate-free shampoo to preserve the tone. She also says to try a weekly deep conditioning mask to maintain shine and softness, especially on the lighter ends. “I always recommend a toner refresh using Schwarzkopf Professional’s IGORA Vibrance 0-00. It’s a clear gloss that brings back depth and shine—perfect for maintaining that rich, healthy-looking color between appointments.”