25 Dark Brown Hair Color Ideas We Can’t Get Enough Of
Welcome to the dark side.
March 14, 2024
Dark brown hair is hard to go wrong with—it’s classic, versatile, and flattering on just about everybody. And while you may think of one shade when you imagine the hue, there are countless brown hair color variations to experiment with. Whether you prefer the moodiness of a bold espresso shade or want to brighten up your deep golden brown mane with highlights, keep reading. Ahead, we’re showcasing 25 dark brown hair color ideas we can’t get enough of—and sharing tips on how to secure these sleek looks for yourself.
Classic Dark Brown Hair Colors
If you’re someone who likes to keep things simple, try one of these timeless brunette hair colors. They’re classic—like a perfect red lip.
1. Rich chocolate brown
Deep, luxurious chocolate brown hair is universally flattering, and as far as we’re concerned, everyone should try it at least once. This classy hue is simple to achieve at home with an expert formula like the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Universal Nudes in Natural Dark Brown.
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2. Espresso brown
Like a shot of caffeine for your complexion, a deep espresso brown hair color is a gorgeous way to wake up cool-toned fair skin. The shade usually is a well-blended mix of black and dark brown tones with a sleek, high-shine finish.
3. Walnut brown
If you love the look of dark hair but don’t want to deepen your hue too much, try walnut brown. This medium brown hair color has soft, neutral undertones, which makes it a great pick for a wide range of skin tones. Achieve this natural hue with the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Universal Nudes in Natural Light Brown.
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4. Mahogany brown
Mahogany hair color is a gorgeous blend of warm brown and reddish shades, like a subtle mix of chocolate and cherry. This color is full of richness and dimension and is a great pick for redheads looking to transition to brown (or vice versa).
5. Chestnut brown
If you’re looking for summer hair color ideas to try this year, consider chestnut brown. This blend of lighter brown and auburn tones paired with a darker base looks natural and sun-kissed, without leaning too light.
Warm Dark Brown Hair Colors
If your skin has a warm undertone, these toasty red and gold-toned dark brown hair colors will flatter you beautifully.
6. Dark brown hair with caramel highlights
Adding caramel brown highlights onto natural or colored dark brown hair can be an easy and beautiful way to brighten up a deeper hue, especially after winter. Consider opting for babylights—this highlighting technique creates tons of luster and dimension without making your hair appear obviously lightened.
7. Bronzed brown with red undertones
This fiery look is a warm, rich brown hair color infused with subtle reddish or auburn highlights. The result is a beautiful marriage of brunette and copper that shines beautifully in the sunlight.
8. Amber brown balayage
Balayage is often done in shades of blonde, but it can be adapted for darker hair, too. We’re especially fond of how a bright, syrupy amber balayage pairs with naturally warm-toned brunette hair colors.
9. Auburn brown
Maybe you’ve flirted with the idea of becoming a redhead but don’t want to give up the brunette life for good. If so, auburn brown hair might be for you. Try this vampy, in-between shade with L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Auburn Rose.
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10. Golden brown
Golden brown hair features a rich, deep brown base interwoven with shimmering golden strands. The effect is a warm, inviting color that looks especially gorgeous on those with tanned skin (either natural or faux).
Cool Dark Brown Hair Colors
Brown hair doesn’t have to lean warm. These cool-toned brown shades are versatile and gorgeous, especially on those with fair or cool-toned skin.
11. Ash brown
You can count on an ash brown hair color for a look void of red or golden undertones. Achieve the cool, almost silvery brown hue with L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Cool Supreme Permanent Gray Coverage Hair Color in Ultra Ash Dark Brown.
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12. Smoky brown
A smoky brown is typically a medium brown hair shade with subtle, grayish-brown highlights woven throughout. However, the ashy effect can be achieved on dark brown hair too for a moodier look with plenty of dimension.
13. Charcoal brown
Charcoal brown is a cool, deep shade that sits right on the cusp of black. However, the slight softness in this hue makes it more wearable than a true black, which can be overly-stark on some skin tones. Try this ultra-inky dark brown hue with L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Universal Nudes in Natural Soft Black.
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14. Mocha brown with ashy highlights
Mocha is already one of our favorite shades of brown hair, but with ashy highlights woven throughout, it’s downright stunning. Highlights can be tricky to achieve yourself at home, so we recommend visiting a colorist to nail this cool-toned color.
15. Slate brown
Slate brown is about as cool as brunette hair color gets, with bluish silver undertones that shine in the light. This is a great option if you have natural grays and are looking for a stylish way to really own the look.
Multi-Dimensional Dark Brown Hair Techniques
Sometimes, two is better than one—and that’s often the case where hair color is concerned. Here are some top-notch techniques to consider when you want to give your brown hair extra dimension and color.
16. Subtle red highlights
Adding red highlights to your dark brown hair is edgy, unexpected, and a fun way to switch up your look. Go to a pro if you want to go the permanent route, or experiment with the vivid hue sans commitment with L’Oréal Paris Colorista Hair Makeup Temporary 1-Day Hair Color Spray in Red.
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17. Ombré with honey ends
If you’re looking to flirt with blonde but don’t want to bleach your entire head, try an ombré with honey-colored ends. A professional stylist can ensure that the transition from your dark brown roots to the lightened ends is seamless (so your grow-out will be, too).
18. Dark brown hair with blonde highlights
Black hair with highlights has a ton of impact, but the contrast can sometimes be overpowering. For a more approachable take on this bold look, dark brown hair with highlights that have the same undertone as your base color (think: espresso and ash bronde or chocolate brown and honey).
19. Plum undertones
Plum undertones lend dark hair colors a sultry, almost vampy vibe. Add a wash of violet to your dark locks with L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Violet Noir.
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20. Copper balayage
Copper balayage on dark brown hair can create what Gen-Z recently dubbed as “cowboy copper” hair color—a leathery brown mixed with spicy burnt auburn. Consult your stylist to see how they can tweak this shade to compliment your skin tone.
Trendy Dark Brown Hair Colors
Yes, dark brown is timeless—but it can be trendy, too. These unique colors below are proof that just because something is classic doesn’t mean it can’t be cool.
21. Tortoiseshell
Like your favorite tortoiseshell frames, this multi-faceted hair color features warm caramel, honey, and gold tones woven throughout dark brown hair. Your stylist may use several techniques to achieve the dimensional color, including balayage, babylights, or shadow rooting (or even all three).
22. Tiger eye
The tiger eye brown hair trend starts with a deep base, which makes it a great option for those with naturally dark hair. Then, reflective light brown, red, and gold highlights are spun throughout for a timeless and eye-catching look.
23. Color melted
Color melting is a technique that involves blending your root color with highlights or balayage for a blended, “melted” gradient of color. This results in a softer look with much easier grow-out than traditional highlights. Because color melting is a technique, not a color, it can be adapted to any hue. Try keeping your dark brown roots intact and melting them with a bright amber balayage for a warm, sunny look.
24. Sombré
Meet sombré, a darker, moodier (and lower-maintenance) take on the classic ombré look. This subtler technique results in a more diffused, softer effect than a classic ombré where the shifts in shade are more apparent. Try it with two similar hues, like maple and mahogany.
25. Bronze babylights
If you are craving dark brown hair with highlights, consider bronze babylights. These soft, handpainted streaks help create brightness around the face without looking stripy or overly “done.”
How To Care For Your Dark Brown Hair Color
Once you’ve colored your hair, you’ll need to adjust your routine to ensure your new hue stays vibrant and fresh. Keep reading to learn how.
Protect your color
When rocking color-treated hair, it’s beyond important to choose products that are formulated to protect your color while keeping your hair looking and feeling healthy. Start with a color-safe shampoo like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing Shampoo, pH Balanced and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing Conditioner, pH Balanced. The anti-fade duo leaves color-treated hair intensely shiny, healthy-looking, and with a glossy finish that lasts.
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Schedule regular touch-ups
Even if you opt for a permanent hair color, it’s important to schedule regular appointments with your stylist for touch-ups, treatments, and trims to keep your hair looking (and feeling) its best. How often you’ll want to hit the salon varies depending on your hair type, color, and texture, so consult with your stylist to determine a schedule that works for you. Between visits, you can give your mane a boost with an at-home glossing system like L’Oréal Paris Le Color Gloss One Step In-Shower Toning Gloss, which enhances hair color and tone, deeply conditions, and boosts shine. Opt for one of the tinted shades if you want to bolster your color, or reach for the clear gloss for the conditioning and shine-enhancing benefits sans any added color.
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Protect against heat damage
Finally, remember that your daily habits can influence how well your color holds up. If you use a blowdryer, flatiron, or any other hot tools, protect your hair with a heat protectant like L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Heat Slayer Leave In, which helps shield hair against temperatures as high as 450oF.
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Next Up: What’s The Best Way to Cover Grays on Dark Hair?
Photo Courtesy of L'Oréal Paris
