24 Stunning Shades of Brown Hair for Every Skin Tone

On the surface, brown hair may not seem as exciting as a near-white platinum blonde mane or a fiery copper hue. But in our experience, that couldn’t be further from the truth. There are countless shades of brown hair, from beachy brondes to rich, luxurious-looking espressos. Whether you’re a natural brunette or a first-timer looking to go darker, finding the rightbrown shade can be downright transformative. The key to finding your perfect hue—as it so often is with hair color—is to consider your skin tone, undertone, and desired result. Ahead, we’ll explain what to consider before embracing a new brown hair color and share a look at 24 of our favorite shades for every skin tone and undertone. Read on—and get ready to prove that brunette is anything but boring.

How To Choose the Best Brown Hair Color for Your Skin

Two of the most important things to consider before picking up a brown hair dye are your skin tone and your undertone. The former refers to the intensity of your skin’s pigment and is usually characterized as fair, medium, or deep. If you’ve ever foundation-matched before, you likely already know where on the spectrum you fall. Undertones, however, are a bit different. Your undertone doesn’t refer to the overall color of your skin—it refers to the “temperature” of your skin (cool, warm, or neutral). Unlike your skin tone, which can fluctuate slightly with the seasons, your undertone remains constant throughout your life. There are a few different methods for determining your undertone—you can read about them all in our article How To Identify Your Skin’s Undertones.

Typically, when choosing a hair color, you’ll want to select a shade that matches your skin’s undertones. So if your skin is cool, you’ll want to select an ashy shade. Those with warm-toned skin typically do best with colors that have a reddish or golden tint. If your undertone is neutral, you don’t have to worry as much about the undertone of your hair color—you’ll look good in nearly any hue.

The Best Cool Brown Hair Colors

Cool brown hair can be incredibly flattering for those with cooler skin, and with the right at-home hair dye, achieving the look is quite simple. Ahead, discover some of our favorite cool brown hair colors to inspire your next makeover.

Mushroom brown

Mushroom brown is a cool, earthy hue inspired by—as you could probably guess—the color typically seen on your favorite fungi. Classically, it’s a medium-brown shade with a distinct silvery cast, but can be made darker or lighter depending on your preferences. For a true mushroom brown hue, snag the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Crème Permanent Triple Care Hair Color in Light Ash Brown.

Espresso brown

This coffee-inspired hue is just as dark and delicious as your morning cup of joe. This cool shade pairs beautifully with medium to dark skin tones and eye colors. You can use the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Cool Darkest Brown to get that rich dark brown shade you desire. 

Ash bronde

Ash bronde is an ashy hue that’s perfect for those who want to stick to a brunette mane but like the lightness that comes with blonde hair. This hair color can also help conceal gray hair, thanks to its silvery undertones. The L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Cool Light Brown will get your desired color and leave your hair silky and shiny without having to go to the salon. 

Cool chocolate brown

If you like chocolate brown hair but worry about it clashing with your skin, try a cooler take on the timeless hue. The L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Crème Permanent Triple Care Hair Color in Mocha Ash Brown is ideal for getting the look. Its dark brown color is rich, but lacks any overt warmth—making it the perfect pick for those with cool skin. 

Chocolate cherry

Chocolate cherry doesn’t sound like it would be cool-toned—cherry is a shade of red, after all—but the addition of purple tones helps tamper any warmth. The result is a deep, almost plummy brown hue that looks striking against both fair and deep skin tones. To get the look, snag the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Chocolate Cherry.

Ashy dark brown

Think of this shade as the darkest brown with the faintest of blue undertones—the presence of which beautifully illuminates cool skin. The rich, dimensional color looks great on everyone but is especially striking when paired with fair skin. To DIY the look, you’ll need the right hair dye kit. We recommend the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Dark Ash Brown.

Walnut brown

Walnut brown is neither dark nor light, but hovers somewhere in between. You can think of this cool-toned hue as a true medium brown—it’s versatile, classic, and flattering on an array of skin tones. If you’re hoping to DIY the look, we suggest using the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Medium Ash Brown.

The Best Warm Brown Hair Colors

If you have warm skin, you’ll typically want to opt for warm brown hair. These shades usually have reddish or golden undertones, though the intensity of these underlying pigments can vary from shade to shade. Here are a few of our favorite warm and rich brown hair colors to try.

Golden brown

If you love the look of beachy blondes but can’t find it in yourself to part ways with your brunette mane, simply switch up your hair with this warm brown hair color. While you’ll maintain your brown base, the faintest hints of gold will lend themselves to a sun-kissed look—even if you don’t plan on visiting the beach anytime soon. Try it with the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Crème Permanent Triple Care Hair Color in Light Golden Brown. Or, for a slightly deeper version of the summery hue, use the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Crème Permanent Triple Care Hair Color in Medium Golden Brown.

Butterscotch

A subtle hint of gold transforms a classic medium brown hair color into a warm, luxurious shade that complements warm-toned skin perfectly. To achieve the sweet look, pick up a medium brown hair dye, such as the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Downtown Brown.

Auburn brown

Red hair can be a great pick for those with warmer skin, but it also requires a good amount of upkeep. If you’re looking to experiment with a reddish shade but aren’t ready to go full steam ahead, try auburn brown. This flattering hue pairs a medium-brown base with reddish undertones for a subtly fiery look that suits fair, medium, and deep skin tones. See for yourself with the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Crème Permanent Triple Care Hair Color in Medium Reddish Brown.

Dark chocolate brown

If you want a dark brown hair color that flatters your skin, try chocolate brown. This timeless shade features a deep brown base with ultra-fine glimmers of gold and bronze for depth, dimension, and subtle warmth. To recreate the luxurious look, grab the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Crème Permanent Triple Care Hair Color in Dark Chocolate Brown.

Chestnut brown

This toasty hue always reminds us of warming up by the fireplace. Think of a rich, medium brown color with golden undertones. Because of its inherent depth, this sumptuous hue is the ideal brown color to switch up your hairstyle in the winter. Use the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Medium Chestnut Brown to get the look. 

Mahogany

If you can’t decide between red hair and brown hair, mahogany brown hair might be the perfect fit for you. This deep brown hue has the right amount of red undertones to satisfy your desires without going full-blown red. Create your perfect rich, reddish-brown hair color using the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Dark Mahogany Brown. 

Honey brown

A warm shade that walks the line between dark blonde and light brown hair, this sunny hue is perfect for adding brightness and warmth to your look. Give it a go with the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Lightest Golden Brown.

Amber brown

Boasting red and gold undertones in equal measure, amber brown is a striking hue that perfectly flatters warm-toned skin. It’s on the lighter end of the brunette spectrum, making it an excellent pick for those with fair and medium skin tones. To get the look, use the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Sparkling Amber.

Copper brown

Copper brown is about as close as you can get to red without fully committing to crimson. The hue boasts vibrant red and bronze undertones set throughout a medium-brown base, and works well for a wide range of skin tones. If you’re interested in trying the trendy hue out for yourself, DIY the look with the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Medium Copper Brown.

Maple brown

Your favorite pancake topper serves as the inspiration for this sweet hair color, which boasts a mix of amber, gold, auburn, and chocolate tones. The rich hue works well for fair skin, but we think it’s an especially flattering pick for those with deeper skin tones. Embrace the luxe look with the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Crème Permanent Triple Care Hair Color in Medium Maple Brown.

The Best Neutral Brown Hair Colors

Neutral shades lack any overt warmth or coolness. As a result, they flatter everyone well, making them a great option for those who aren’t certain about their undertones. Keep scrolling for a look at some of our favorite universally flattering brunette hues. 

Sandy brown

Of all of the different shades of brown hair out there, sandy brown may be the most versatile. The mid-toned brunette hue boasts an equal mix of sunny golden and cool ash-brown highlights, creating a dimensional hue that complements a vast array of complexions. See for yourself with L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Universal Nudes in Natural Light Brown.

Bronde

Bronde hair is neither distinctly brown nor blonde, but a shade that lies between the two. The effortless, sunkissed look can be made warmer or cooler, depending on your preferences, and works well as both an all-over color and as a base for balayage highlights. Because this color is so customizable, we suggest visiting a professional colorist to get the look—they can personalize the hue for your skin tone and preferences.

Cocoa

This rich, hot cocoa-inspired brown looks beautiful on all skin tones. Wear it long or short—no matter the length or your skin tone, this brown hair color is guaranteed to flatter. Indulge in the decadent hue with the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Dark Brown.

Milk chocolate

For a slightly lighter take on cocoa brown hair, try a milk chocolate hue. This medium brown shade is neither warm nor cool, but a pure neutral, making it a great pick for a variety of complexions. DIY the wearable look with L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Universal Nudes in Natural Brown.

Black-brown

Dark, blackish brown is great if you love the idea of black hair but aren’t quite ready to take the plunge into a midnight hue. Thanks to a mix of warm and cool tones, this dark brown hair color is flattering on just about every skin tone and undertone. To get the sultry look for yourself, snag L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Universal Nudes in Natural Soft Black.

Burgundy brown

Burgundy is a great shade for those who want to experiment with a slightly less conventional brown hair color. The unique shade features a blend of cool purple and warm red undertones woven throughout a chocolatey brown base. The result is a neutral-toned brunette hue with a subtle reddish cast. If you’re interested in trying the look for yourself, DIY it with the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Dark Soft Mahogany Brown.

Toasted almond

Toasted almond is the perfect middle-of-the-road shade for those who want a brown hair color that’s not too light, not too dark, and neither warm nor cool. To ensure the mid-toned hue looks vibrant rather than flat, use the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Crystal Brown—like the rest of the colors in this collection, it’s custom blended by master colorists and infused with shimmering highlights for a brilliant, dimensional color.

How To Maintain Brown Hair

After dyeing your hair, you may want to tweak your haircare routine to ensure your color remains vibrant and healthy-looking. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.

1. Use a color-safe shampoo and conditioner

One of the most important things to do after coloring your hair is to swap out your existing shampoo and conditioner for a pair designed for color-treated hair. Color-safe products are designed to help prolong the life of your color, so you don’t have to worry about premature fading. Try the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Bond Repair Shampoo With Citric Acid and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Bond Repair Conditioner With Citric Acid—when used as a system, the duo for color-treated hair helps strengthen hair .

2. Shower in lukewarm water

Frequent exposure to hot water can make hair dye fade faster, so if you want to prolong your color, shower in lukewarm (rather than ultra-hot) water. It might not be as relaxing, but this simple switch can help keep your color looking fresh and vibrant for longer.

3. Limit heat styling

Like hot water, the high temperatures of hot tools like blow dryers and flat irons can contribute to color fading. To help preserve your new brown hair color, it’s a good idea to avoid heat styling whenever possible. Skipping the blow dry doesn’t have to mean accepting a bad hair day—try overnight beach waves for a laid-back look or pull your hair into a sleek pony for a polished updo perfect for day and night. If you do reach for the hot tools, be sure to prep your mane with a heat protectant to help shield it from damage. We love the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Bond Repair Hair Oil-in-Serum, which boosts shine and helps protect against temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. 

4. Wash your hair less frequently

Unless you have very fine, thin, or oily hair, you probably don’t need to shampoo every day. Lathering up less frequently can help protect your hair color against premature fading—and it makes your shower routine even easier. If you usually lather up daily, try experimenting with washing your hair every two or three days instead. If your roots get greasy, use dry shampoo to absorb excess oil or make the oil work to your advantage with a sleek hairstyle.

5. Commit to regular touch-ups

Finally, know that coloring your hair isn’t a one-and-done deal: to keep your color looking its best, you’ll need to touch up your roots roughly every six to eight weeks. If you spot regrowth between touch-ups, use a root cover-up like the L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Cover Up to tide you over until it’s time for your next coloring session. It’s available in a range of shades, including light, medium, and dark brown, and applies easily with zero mess or mixing required.

Next Up: How To Use Creme Hair Color Dye for a Stunning At-Home Transformation

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris