6 Best Ash Brown Hair Dyes You’ll Love In 2024.

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Ash brown hair is super cool and such a hot trend right now. From dark to medium to light ash brown, there’s a shade to suit everyone. It’s no wonder you’re looking to find out more about the finest ash brown hair dye in town.

Finding the best hair dye for you can be hard.

There are so many brands and products on the market, it’s easy to get lost in all of them.

And with so many different opinions out there about which brand is best, you’re not sure who to trust.

Don’t worry! We’ve done some research for you and narrowed down your options into a shortlist of the top 6 hair dyes that will suit you perfectly.

In Ash Brown hair| How to get the cool brown look at home, we told you everything you needed to know about whether this cool, low maintenance hue is right for you.

Now we’re here to tell you more about the best ash brown hair dye you need to get the look at home.

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TOP PICK!

Revlon Colorsilk Beautiful Color, Light Ash Brown

Revlon ColorSilk Haircolor, Light Ash Brown (pack of 3)

Best for: Cool ash brown hues.

What we loved about this one was that it got rid of our red/brassy undertones. 

It was a sultry, rich color with cool hues and great coverage. Although it was quite dark ash brown to begin with, it gradually faded after a few washes to a lighter ashy color.

This is our favorite one on the list.

Pros

  • True light brown color that will help cover brassy roots
  • Can cancel out any red/orange without making your hair blue/green
  • Hair looks healthier after coloring and conditioner is great quality

Cons

  • Color may come out darker than the box indicated
  • May be a little warm for some

What color is ash brown hair color?

Ash brown is a cool blend of gray/silver and brown that creates a smokey, ashy color.

It’s a beautiful and modern hair color that has made its way onto the scene in recent years. This shade is similar to a light brown or “dirty blond” color, but with a cool-toned ash hue that gives it a unique twist.

Along with earthier mushroom brown, it’s the coolest of the brunette shades. So it best suits those with a cool or pale complexion.

We love it for being a multi dimensional natural look and a perfect color partner for blonde ombre, balayage and blonde highlights.

It can also be warmed up with caramel or chocolate lowlights to give texture, depth and richness that will suit people with warmer skin tones.

Check out the latest looks for ash brown hair color ideas and inspiration.

pinterest ash brown hair color ideas

Which are the best ash brown hair dyes?

When it comes to dyeing your hair this hue at home, there are loads to choose from! These are our fave box dye kits you can buy today!



#1 Clairol Nice’ n Easy Crème, Medium Ash Brown.

Clairol Nice 'n' Easy By Lasting Colour 77 Medium Ash Brown

Features & ingredients:

  • This is a great permanent and natural looking hair color.
  • There is a mix of three tones and conditioners.
  • It’s gentle on your hair and scalp as it’s oil-infused.

Reviewers say:

“This dye was really easy to use. The creme is thick and doesn’t drip like most dyes I’ve tried. My hair was so soft and shiny afterwards.”

“After using this, my hair is soft and shiny. It got rid of my pesky grey hairs that are the bane of my life!!”

“I thought there would not be enough to cover my whole head but there was even some left over in the bottle!”

Our experience:

This is a medium tone which we tried on lighter brown dyed hair. The dye was applied easily and the conditioner is very generous in size so there was was plenty for the next wash.

The result? This is one for warm skin tones as there was a little red to the dye, so it’s not a true ash color.

The result was more like mahogany but still a really deep, striking brown color with plenty of dimension. Go for this if you want warmer tones.

Best for: Warmer tones.

#2 Schwarzkopf Color Expert Omegaplex Permanent Hair Dye, Natural Light Brown

Schwarzkopf Color Expert Omegaplex Hair Dye

Features & ingredients:

  • Quality hair dye that’s loved by the professionals.
  • It has very strong, anti-breakage properties.
  • Protects and strengthens against hair breakage and damage.
  • Works by reinforcing inside your hair shaft and cuticle.

Reviewers say:

“This hair dye gave me completely even coverage with no gray hairs showing at all. The color has ashy brown multi tones that are lovely.”

“You can’t tell the difference between this at-home hair dye and what I had done at the hairdresser!”

Our experience:

This cool ash brown hair color is slightly warmer than ashy silver.

The reviews said it came out a lot darker so we tried it on light brown brunette base with a view to going a shade darker.

Reader, it worked! The result was a deep medium brown that will form a perfect base for blonde highlights or brunette balayage.

Go for this if you have lighter hair and want to go darker.

Best for: Deeper shades of dark ash brown.

#3 John Frieda Precision Foam Light Natural Brown.

John Frieda Precision Foam Colour, Light Natural Brown 6N

Features & ingredients:

  • A thick and saturating mousse-like, foam hair dye.
  • The non-drip foam sinks into your strands for deeper color saturation.
  • It’s applied easily from root to tip and even in hard-to-reach areas.
  • The after-color conditioner is really nourishing and helps to seal in the color for long-lasting results. 

Reviewers say:

“The hair dye itself is so easy to use and it smells lush. There’s no warmth to the color, it’s proper cool brown.”

“The dye is a beautiful ash brown color. Not too dark, and has covered up most of the gray hairs I was trying to get rid of! So happy!”

Our experience:

We love John Frieda Precision Foam. It’s easy to apply, doesn’t drip and really saturates your hair with color.

This is a medium ashy brown but it came out darker than the box on our medium brown, colored hair.

But brown dyes are notorious for producing results darker than the box so if in doubt, go for the lighter color.

What we loved about this one was that it got rid of our red/brassy tones. 

It was a sultry, rich color with cool hues and although it was quite dark to begin with, it gradually faded after a few washes to a lighter brown color.

Best for: Rich ash brown hues.

#4 Clairol Nice’ n Easy Crème, Light Ash Brown

Clairol Nice'n Easy Permanent Hair Dye, 6A Light Ash Brown Hair Color, Pack of 1

Features & ingredients:

  • Natural looking color for the win.
  • It will give you a mix of three salon tones and natural highlights in one go.
  • 100% gray coverage and long-lasting hair color.
  • Nice’n Easy Crème is gentle your scalp too thanks to its oil infused color. 

Reviewers say:

“My hair has come out a beautiful light ash brown with no annoying wispy grays!”

“I was hoping it would come out slightly darker but it is still a lovely light toned color.”

“My hair is a silver-gray brown and I love it. Using it left my hair feeling lovely and soft and easy to brush afterwards with no tangles!”

Our experience:

Another Nice n Easy on our list, this time light ash brown. We tried this one on dark blonde hair with a view to give it an ashy tone.

The effects were a silky, smooth and gorgeous ash brown. We love this for the subtle coolness that took the brassiness out of our dyed blonde hair.

It also blended well and look natural with brown balayage highlights. This one is great for a lighter base.

Best for: A subtle light ash brown color.

#5 Garnier Olia Light Brown Hair Dye Permanent

Garnier Hair Color Olia Ammonia-Free Brilliant Color Oil-Rich Permanent Hair Dye, 6.0 Light Brown, 1 Count (Packaging May Vary)

Features & ingredients:

  • A permanent hair color that promises vivid and long-lasting color.
  • Kind to your scalp thanks to the non-drip smooth velvety texture of the colorant cream.
  • No peroxide or harsh chemicals.
  • And oil-infuse hair dye that’s uber-conditioning and leaves no dryness.

Reviewers say:

“I have natural light brown hair color and had a full head of blond highlights when I used this dye. It’s now a lovely color with sprinkling of brown highlights. Love it!”

“This is a lovely cool natural brown color that looks a lot like the color on the box. It blends gray hair in with good coverage and an overall ashy look.”

“The final color is lovely and consistent all over. My hair is a definite ashy brown.”

Our experience:

This hair dye from Olia is a cooler, brunette wonder. We used this on pre-lightened hair that was super dry after the harsh lightening treatment.

We love all of the OIia dyes for the nourishing oils that sinks into our hair just like a deep conditioning treatment.

We left this in for 10 mins less than advised to try and achieve the lightest shade and it worked like a dream.

Not a hint of yellow. This is the dye with the most visible shimmering gray tones of all the dyes on this list. (Also this kit has the best gloves!)

Best for: Light Brown ashy hair.

#6 Revlon Colorsilk Beautiful Color,Light Ash Brown

Revlon ColorSilk Haircolor, Light Ash Brown (pack of 3)

Features & ingredients:

  • This one is a rich, multi-dimensional shade that’s natural looking and long lasting.
  • It’s fortified with keratin and silk amino acid.
  • The ammonia-free formula claims to leave your hair in better condition than before you colored it!

Reviewers say:

“This is the exact light ashy brown shade I was hoping for, and all my gray hair completely gone.”

“I bought this and I’m pleasantly surprised. My hair did look healthier after coloring and the conditioner smelt and felt amazing.”

 “Looked just as good as when I go to the salon!”

Our experience:

This hair color is a true light brown that will help cover brassy roots. We tried it on mid-brown hair and it does come out darker than the box, but as with all dyes, they fade.

This is a little the warm side but has just enough ash tone to it to cancel out any red/orange without making your hair blue/green. 

If your hair naturally draws red, this is the one for you.

Best for: Cooling down warmer tones.

Best ash brown hair dyes at a glance.

Hair dyeLooks likeBest forBuy now
Clairol Nice’ n Easy Crème, Medium Ash Brown.

Clairol Nice 'n' Easy By Lasting Colour 77 Medium Ash Brown

Warmer tones.
Schwarzkopf Colour Expert Omegaplex Hair Dye, Natural Light Brown

Schwarzkopf Color Expert Omegaplex Hair Dye

Deeper shades of ash brown.
John Frieda Precision Foam Light Natural Brown.

John Frieda Precision Foam Colour, Light Natural Brown 6N

Rich ash brown hues
Clairol Nice’ n Easy Crème, Light Ash Brown

Clairol Nice'n Easy Permanent Hair Dye, 6A Light Ash Brown Hair Color, Pack of 1

A subtle ash brown colour.
Garnier Olia Light Brown Hair Dye Permanent

Garnier Hair Color Olia Ammonia-Free Brilliant Color Oil-Rich Permanent Hair Dye, 6.0 Light Brown, 1 Count (Packaging May Vary)

Light brown ashy hair.
Revlon Colorsilk Beautiful Color,Light Ash Brown

Revlon ColorSilk Haircolor, Light Ash Brown (pack of 3)

Cooling down warmer tones.

Buyer’s Guide: How to choose the right box dye for you.

Dyeing your hair can be an intimidating process, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right tools and knowledge, you can find the perfect box dye to achieve your desired look.

To help make sure you choose the best box dye for you, here are a few simple tips that will make finding your perfect match a breeze.

Step 1: Consider your base color

Before you even think of grabbing a box dye, it’s important to begin by taking a look at your current base color.

This is handy because it helps narrow down which dyes are best suited for achieving your desired look.

If you have blonde hair, then using a dark brown or black box dye is likely not going to give you the desired outcome. Similarly, if you’re looking to go lighter, then using a golden brown box dye isn’t going to be very effective either.

It’s best to start with a color that’s already close enough to avoid any mishaps – we always recommend a shade or two from your base color.

Step 2: Know your hair type

The type of hair you have is also key in choosing the right dye for you.

If your hair texture is coarse and thick, then it’ll be strong enough to stand more drastic changes than finer hair types which require less processing time. Dyes like bubble hair dye are a good match for you.

For thicker strands that are harder to penetrate with color molecules, permanent hair dyes are better than semi-permanent dyes which won’t last as long on coarser hairs.

If you have fine or thinning hair, then semi-permanent dyes may be better suited for this type of hair as they don’t contain ammonia or peroxide and therefore won’t cause further damage or drying out of the strands like permanent dyes can do.

Hair porosity matters too – low porosity hair won’t absorb the dye as well whereas high porosity hair will. Knowing your hair type will help pick the right hair dye for you.

Step 3: Think about your skin tone

Your skin tone is a major factor in deciding which shade will work best for you when selecting a box dye and hair color.

Generally speaking, warm-toned people should opt for warmer shades such as golden blondes and reds while cool-toned people should opt for cooler shades such as ash blondes and browns.

However, there are many nuances that come into play depending on what kind of look you’re trying to achieve – skin tone, eye color and natural coloring are all things to think about in your quest for the perfect shade.     

Step 4: Take a strand test

It’s always important to perform a strand test before actually applying any new chemicals all over your head!

A stand test will let you know how your particular hair color reacts with the product and determine whether or not the end result will match what your heart desires.

Once you’ve done this and you’re happy with the results, you’re good to go!

How to dye your hair at home.


Ash brown hair dye FAQs

Can I dye my hair ash brown at home?

Good news! Ash brown is a super easy color to do yourself at home.

It’s an all over color with plenty of at-home hair dyes on the market that will you help you get the ashy brown look.

If your hair color is darker than light brown – Your hair will need to be lightened first with bleach to get the right starting base. You can’t lighten color with color!

If your hair is lighter than ash brown – you’re good to go. Make sure you read the advice on the box of hair dye you choose to match it to the color your hair is now.

What does ash color do to your hair?

Ash color on its own is a cool-toned color that can be used to counteract warm tones.

It’s superior toning capabilities will get rid of warmth in yellow or orange tones and neutralize unwanted brassiness.

It’s great for those with cool undertones who want to create depth without too much contrast in their hair while still looking sleek.

Warm tones reflect light and cool tones absorb it, so your hair will look darker if you use ash.

That’s why a professional colorist use ash toners to cool down red tones in blonde and brunette hair.

Does ash brown cancel out red?

Warm and cool tones are opposite each other on the hair color wheel which means they can be use to tone your hair and neutralize each other.

This means it CAN be used to cancel out red or brassy pigments. So if your natural coloring is warm, you can use ash brown to keep it cool.

What color does ash brown fade to?

This cool shade will typically fade to a more yellowy color. If your hair naturally draws red, it can become warm and lose its ashy tone.

A good blue or purple shampoo will work to neutralize unwanted brassiness and keep your cool brown hair looking cool and on point.

To keep the condition of your hair healthy, treat it to a deep conditioning treatment once a week. This will help to restore its elasticity and lock in your color.

And don’t forget to follow all of our top tips in How to look after colored hair and keep it luscious for longer.

Parting words

If you want to be seen with a head of beautifully dyed, glossy hair that’s perfect for this season, the ash brown hair dye you need is waiting for you!

What are you waiting for?

This article was written by:

  • Nicola Freeman, Creative Director & Content Lead
    Creative Director & Content Lead

    With over two decades of passionate hair dyeing experience, I've experimented with nearly every shade imaginable. My journey began long before blogging; as an award-winning copywriter in London and New York, I shaped narratives for iconic brands. However, when friends sought advice during lockdown for at-home hair dyeing, I realized my true calling. Beyond being your hair color expert, I'm a mom of two girls, wife to artist Tony, and an avid soccer player!