Mocha Mousse Hair Color: How to Try Pantone’s Delicious 2025 Hue

Pantone just revealed Mocha Mousse as its 2025 Color of the Year. Find out everything you need to know about how to try the trendy shade on your mane.

By Leann Garofolo

Update Date: 08 Jan 2025

What Is Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year?

Pantone revealed Mocha Mousse (Pantone 17-1230) as its 2025 color of the year, which the company calls “simple and comforting.” The actual shade is described as a soft and earthy brown imbued with sensorial richness and a harmonious mix of cool and warm tones. The color is intended to “nurture us with its suggestion of the delectable qualities of chocolate and coffee, answering our desire for comfort,” per the Pantone Color Institute.

“Underpinned by our desire for everyday pleasures, Mocha Mousse expresses a level of thoughtful indulgence,” says Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute. “Sophisticated and lush, yet at the same time an unpretentious classic, it extends our perceptions of the browns from being humble and grounded to embrace aspirational and luxe.”

Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute, adds that the mellow brown hue “extends further into our desire for comfort and the indulgence of simple pleasures that we can gift and share with others.”

What Is Mocha Mousse Hair Color?

Mocha Mousse hair color is a rich, warm brown punctuated by soft, coffee-inspired undertones. Depending on your desired look, the shade can range from a light, creamy caramel brown to a deeper, more intense chocolate or mocha. In its lighter form, Mocha Mousse offers a soft, sun-kissed glow with a golden warmth. When deepened, the color transforms into a rich, velvety brown that gives your strands shine and depth. Either way, this versatile hair color is a great pick for anyone seeking a natural yet luxurious look.

You can also rock the color any number of ways. Think: a full head of color, highlights, balayage, or ombré. (P.S. Ombré is back for 2025—see how to make it modern here.) We always recommend working with your stylist to come up with a color variation and application method that suits your hair type and budget.

Who Should Try Mocha Mousse Hair?

Mocha Mousse is ultra-customizable, making it a flattering option for most, if not all, skin tones. Softer, subtler variations of the hue can add warmth and brightness to fair complexions, while more vibrant takes on brown are well-suited to those with darker skin tones.

How Do You Get and Care for Mocha Mousse Hair Color?

To achieve a perfect Mocha Mousse hair color, your hair may need to be lightened to a medium to light brown base to ensure the warm, rich tones show up vividly. Because this process can be potentially damaging and time-consuming, we recommend visiting an expert colorist. They can tailor the process to your hair type and try to minimize damage from the bleaching and coloring process.

Editor’s Tip: Ask your stylist about mocha shades from the following L’Oréal professional hair coloring ranges:

• Redken: Shades EQ and Color Gels Oils
• L’Oréal Professionnel: Dia Color and Dia Light
• Matrix: Coil Color and SoColor Sync

How to Care for Mocha Mousse Hair Color

Once you have your Mocha Mousse hair color, you’ll want to properly care for it so that it lasts as long as possible. Here are some tips for maintaining this sweet shade:

• Use a color-preserving shampoo and conditioner: A color-safe haircare routine can help prevent your color from premature fading and shifting. We’re currently loving the L’Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox range. The six-piece collection helps offset the damaging effects of hard water and environmental aggressors to keep your color looking vibrant.
• Avoid heat styling as much as possible: Heat can damage your hair and strip your color. To combat this, try to air dry your hair more often and embrace heatless styling techniques. If you are picking up a blow dryer or flat iron, be sure to prep your strands with a heat protectant like Pureology Color Fanatic Multi-Tasking Leave-In Spray and lower the temperature of your hot tools.
• Get regular trims: Color-treated hair is more prone to becoming dry and brittle. As such, it’s a good idea to book a trim every 4-6 weeks to help prevent split ends and keep your hair looking healthy.