People may say that blondes have more fun, but brunettes and redheads know that’s not true: When it comes to low-maintenance but luxurious hues, dark brown hair color reigns supreme.
“Dark brown hair color is timeless; it has the capacity to be subtle yet extraordinary,” Jay Wesley Olson, colorist and R+COLOR collective member, tells Glamour. “Whether it be rich warm mocha, or a cool balanced smoke show, a dark brunette is a show stopper.”
It also suits a wide range of skin tones, adds Chase Kusero, co-founder of IGK Hair Care. “From fair to deep. It’s perfect for anyone looking to add depth and dimension to their hair,” he says, noting that there are countless reasons to love the shade.
“Dark brown hair is flattering and suits most occasions and styles, and it’s low-maintenance,” Kusero continues. “It blends well with darker natural roots, making it easy to grow out or touch up, and enhances shine.” That doesn’t sound too bad, does it? Ahead, see everything you need to know about embracing the dark side (of hair).
What is dark brown hair color?
“Dark brown hair is a timeless, versatile shade that suits a wide range of clients,” says Jennifer Korab, celebrity hairstylist, colorist, educator, and founder of Renaissance Salon & Spa. “It can complement various skin tones, with warm undertones thriving in rich chocolate or chestnut hues, while cooler undertones look stunning with ashier espresso or deep brown shades.”
And it has a whole lot of beauty benefits, adds Olson. “These shades, in the right tone, can illuminate every bit of the natural beauty,” he says. “Pairing these shades with skin tone and eye color creating the total package.”
Who is a good candidate for dark brown hair color?
According to Lorena M. Valdes, a colorist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, when it comes to maintenance, dark brown hair color is ideal for someone with naturally dark hair. “As far as natural medium to blonde hair, if your eye color and skin tone complement it can look beautiful,” she says. “Just note that this will require touch-ups every four to six weeks.”
Olsen says the same. “I believe the perfect candidate for a dark brown tone is someone who already has natural depth,” he says. “I love to take a natural brunette deeper for winter, taking the tone a couple levels darker and adding tones to capture the beauty of the skin. During summer, a bit of subtle contrast but still remaining at or around the natural level keeps the hair darker but still allows versatility with seasonal looks.”
How to find the best dark brown hair color for your skin tone
“You can find the best shade for your skin tone by looking at your natural features. If you have warmth in your skin, you’re most likely to look best with some gold or copper in your dark brunette,” says Olsen. “If your skin tone is on the cooler side, you will most likely want to go in the direction of a balanced ash.”
However, he says most likely because there are exceptions to these rules. “At times, skin tone can also be neutral to which they are able to try both sides, warm and cool, to see what they feel best in.” he continues.
Don’t know your undertones? “Compare warm tones to cool tones,” Valdes continues. “Also noting the wardrobe color palette you gravitate towards can be helpful to determine how much warmth you want in your hair.” One quick trick is to see how you feel in the color orange, since it’s always warm. If you like it, you likely lean warm, and if you don’t, probably cool.
How to maintain dark brown hair color
While there are countless benefits to dark brown hair color, there is one catch. “All brunettes fade warm, whether they start warm or not,” says Shvonne Perkins, master colorist and lead educator at Madison Reed. “As your dark brown begins to fade, you will begin to see reddish or orange undertones, a result of underlying pigment showing through.”
A great way to keep that from happening is to continually deposit micro-doses of cool tone in the form of a color-depositing conditioner like Color Therapy Mask in shade Caffe, Perkins continues. “You can also use a demi-or semi-permanent shade to keep the shade rich and balanced.”
Also be sure to use color-protecting shampoos and heat protectant: Our pros love R+Co BLEU’s Essential Shampoo and Condition, Pureology Strength Cure, and Madison Reed Color Protecting Shampoo. “IGK’s Good Behavior Spirulina Protein Smoothing Spray is great for enhancing shine and protecting color from heat-styling damage,” Kusero says.
Now that you’re an expert in all things dark brown hair color, it’s time for the fun part: Inspiration! Ahead, see 25 gorgeous dark hair color ideas to influence your next dye job, and get ready to screenshot and show your colorist.
