Brunette hair is a timeless classic that comes in so many shades, there’s a hue to suit everyone.
With shades ranging from ashy to caramel, it’s no wonder you want to know what is the best brunette hair dye out there!
In Light brown hair shades you need in your life right now we told you everything you need to know about having brunette hair and whether it’s the right look for you.
Now here we are with the brown box dyes money can buy!
To help you decide which is the best brown hair dye for your needs, we’ve reviewed some of the most popular brands on offer right now.
By comparing their features and taking a closer look at each brand’s pros and cons, we’ve come up with a list of recommendations that should make choosing your next box of dye a little easier. Let’s go!
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Table of Contents
- TOP PICK!
- Revlon Colorsilk Beautiful Color, Medium Ash Brown.
- What’s so great about brunette hair color?
- Which are the best brunette hair dyes?
- #1 Revlon Colorsilk Beautiful Color, Medium Ash Brown.
- #2 Garnier Olia Light Brown Hair dye Permanent.
- #3 Garnier Olia Medium Neutral Brown Permanent Hair Dye
- #4 Garnier Color Sensation Soft Mahogany Hair Dye.
- #5. L’Oreal Paris Excellence Creme Hair Color, Natural Golden Brown.
- #6 Schwarzkopf Color Ultime Hair Dye, Cinnamon Brown.
- #7 John Frieda Medium Natural Brown.
- #8 John Frieda Precision Foam Hair Dye, Medium Chocolate Brown.
- #9 Garnier Nutrisse Light Ash Brown Hair Dye, Mochaccino.
- #10 L’Oreal Paris Casting Creme Gloss Hair Colorant, Choc Brownie.
- TOP PICK!
- Revlon Colorsilk Beautiful Color, Light Ash Brown.
- Best brunette hair dye at a glance.
- Buyer’s Guide: How to choose the right brunette hair dye for you.
- Can I dye my hair brunette at home?
- How to dye your hair at home.
- Parting words.
- Our Research & Review Process
TOP PICK!
Revlon Colorsilk Beautiful Color, Medium Ash Brown.
Best brunette hair dye for: Cooling down warmer tones.
Ash brown is probably this year’s most popular hair dye color. This product is a true deep ash 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.
Pros
- Efficiently covers grey hair.
- Lasts through multiple shampoos without fading.
- Can provide a healthy look to the hair post-coloring.
- A true ash brown that effectively covers brassy roots.
- Good for hair that naturally draws a red tone.
- Ideal for cooling down warmer tones in hair.
- Contains ash tones sufficient to counteract red/orange hues without introducing blue/green.
Cons
- Might come out darker than the box color, especially on mid-brown hair.
- It might not be suitable for those seeking a very cool tone.
What’s so great about brunette hair color?
Brunette is a gorgeous natural color that frames faces, makes skin glow and eye colors pop. Did you know that there are more shades of brunette hair than any other hair color?
Brunette hair is loved for being a multi dimensional with an almost never ending hair color spectrum of shades, tones and hues.
It’s the perfect partner for blonde ombre, balayage and highlights. It suits warm or cool undertones so there really is a shade or two for everyone.
All of this means it can be hard to pick just one!
Whether you want the best brown hair dye for light brown or dark brown hair, there’s no need to worry because we’ve got them covered in this review!
Check out the latest brunette hair looks for ideas and inspiration.
Which are the best brunette hair dyes?
When it comes to dyeing your hair brunette, there are loads of off-the-shelf box dyes to choose from!
We have reviewed all the top brown hair dye brands out there and selected our favourites based on their performance and value for money.
Our reviews include tips on how each brand works best depending on your natural coloring plus any additional information about ingredients used in these products.
So whether you’re looking for permanent or semi-permanent options, we’ll help you find the perfect match! These are our fave tried and tested brunette hair shades that you need in your life today.
#1 Revlon Colorsilk Beautiful Color, Medium Ash Brown.
Features & ingredients:
- Delivers a rich, multi-dimensional shade that’s both natural looking and long lasting.
- Enriched with keratin and silk amino acid.
- ColorSilk’s ammonia-free formula leaves your hair in better condition than before you ever colored it!
Reviewers say:
“This is the exact light ashy brown shade I was hoping for, and all my grey hair is gone. It has lasted 3 shampoos, so far, without fading. Highly recommend.”
“I bought the Light Ash Brown and focused mainly on my roots. I used whatever was left for the rest of my hair and I’m pleasantly surprised. My hair looked healthier after coloring and the included conditioner was amazing.”
“Looked just as good as when I go to the salon!”
Our experience:
Ash brown is probably this year’s most popular hair dye color. This product is a true ash 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 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.
#2 Garnier Olia Light Brown Hair dye Permanent.
Features & ingredients:
- Maximum color performance for lavish, vivid and long-lasting color.
- Optimal scalp comfort with our non-drip smooth velvety texture of the colorant cream.
- Lavish, vivid and long-lasting color.
Reviewers say:
“My natural color is a light brown but I had a full head of blond highlights. I wanted to return to my natural color and this was perfect. All of my hair was the same color with subtle highlights. Love it!”
“This is a lovely cool natural light brown color and it blends grey hair in but with an ashy look. My hair is super soft and I’ve had loads of compliments!”
“The final color is lovely and uniform. The color doesn’t take up too much but my hair is a definite ashy light brown.”
Our experience:
This light brown hair dye from Olia is a cool, ashy 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 ash brown color. It worked like a dream. Not a hint of orange.
This is the dye with the most visible shimmering ashy tones of all the dyes on this list.
Best for: Light Brown ashy hair.
#3 Garnier Olia Medium Neutral Brown Permanent Hair Dye
Features & ingredients:
- Oil is concentrated at the heart of the Olia permanent hair dye formula.
- Oil maximises the color result.
Powered by 60% oils. - Visibly improves the quality of hair.
- Provide maximum color performance for lavish, vivid and long-lasting color.
Reviewers say:
“I’ve previously had ‘light brown’ dyes that have turned out dark brown. However, I could tell when I was putting it on that this would not be the case. My hair is a beautiful light brown and no stubborn grays can be seen!!
“Thanks for recommending this amazing quality hair dye! Has good color coverage and the conditioner is one of the best I have used even with high-end brands. 100% recommend this hair dye.”
“The color was vibrant and made my hair look very sleek and shiny. Lots of people complimented me on how this looked, and even had people write it down so they could buy it themselves!”
Our experience:
Olia is known for it’s oil-powered properties that really fortify and renew your hair’s condition.
This is a neutral shade so we used it on light brown hair to add depth. It’s all over coverage is fabulous and the result was a chocolate brown color with tons of shine.
Use this to soothe dry and damaged hair. And turn it into chocolatey heaven.
Best for: Warm and healthy chocolate brown hair.
#4 Garnier Color Sensation Soft Mahogany Hair Dye.
Features & ingredients:
- It’s a creamy textured hair colur with a scented flower oil fragrance.
- The hair color offers a powerful and non-drip formula with unique intense pigments.
- Delivers up to nine weeks of color and shine.
Reviewers say:
“It’s great value and has a lovely depth of color. It doesn’t damage hair at all and turned out quite well.”
“I use this color and it never lets me down. Easy to use, my hair feels amazing afterwards and the color lasts a fair while.”
“Normally brown colors go nearly black on my ends, I don’t like that. I find this covers gray very well and doesn’t leave an unsightly strip of intense color on the ends, which is a big plus!”
Our experience:
This is a soft brunette color that’s quite close to chestnut brown. It’s a great first color to test the water and see if brunette is hair really suits you.
The results of this easy to maintain color depend on your hair shade to begin with. But it’s a versatile and ‘safer’ brown to try with a mix of complexions and eye colors. Warning: It does come out dark!
Best for: Warm skin tones and dark hair.
#5. L’Oreal Paris Excellence Creme Hair Color, Natural Golden Brown.
Features & ingredients:
- Flattering, luminous color, full of natural highlights.
- Up to 100% grey coverage, less visible re-growth.
- Replenished hair, full of body & shine.
- Easy application brush.
Reviewers say:
“I have to say I am very happy with the color/feel/look of my hair. I think it works so well is because you get a brush with it which means you can much direct where the color goes.”
“It does leave it looking like you have highlights but in a subtle way. My hair feels and looks very shiny and full of life.”
“My hair felt in great condition and even better with the conditioner provided. I have received loads of compliments! The best thing was that the color still looked great after three weeks.”
Our experience:
Light Golden Brown is a shade between light chocolate and light caramel, and it’s perfect for the summer months.
With Golden brown as your base, your hair will be naturally sprinkled with highlights from the sun to give it a sunkissed glow.
In some lights it will look more blonde, in some light it’ll look more brown. In ALL lights, it will look fabulous!
Best for: Olive and warm skin tones.
#6 Schwarzkopf Color Ultime Hair Dye, Cinnamon Brown.
Features & ingredients:
- Permanent hair color rich, long lasting.
- Perfect grey coverage.
- Anti-breakage technology.
- Contains hylauronic acid which hydrates and nourishes your hair
- Protects hair from damage and cares for hair during and after coloring.
Reviewers say:
“Used this color a month ago and this is the first time ever I’ll be buying the same color again!”
“WOW! It leaves your hair in amazing condition, yes mine came up a bit darker, but the tone is true to the box.”
“I was a hairdresser so I know a thing or two about hair coloring and this stuff is seriously good! I’ve just used the follow up treatment and my hair is super soft and shiny. If anything it’s in better condition now.”
We say:
Cinnamon balayage, ombre and bronde styles are dominating hair color trends this year for good reason.
If you want to try all over cinnamon brown at home, this is a good color.
It’s a rich, dimensional brown with reddish tones. And an on-trend brunette color that knits well with dark roots for a grown-out look.
Best for: Warm, cinnamon tones.
#7 John Frieda Medium Natural Brown.
Features & ingredients:
- Lock in ash brown hair color with our thick, saturating foam hair dye.
- Non-drip foam penetrates strands for deep color saturation.
- Spreads easily into roots and hard-to-reach areas.
- Nourishing after-color conditioner seals in color for long-lasting, tonal richness.
Reviewers say:
“I cannot tell you have amazing it is!! It’s so easy to use and it smells so nice. You don’t get a ridiculous dark head line.”
“I have natural dark blonde/mousy brown hair. I was nervous about using this permanent foam dye at first as it is quite different to the semi-permanent crème dyes I’ve been using.”
“The dye is a beautiful ash brown color. Not too dark, cool, and has covered up most of the red! So happy!”
Our experience:
We love John Frieda Precision Foam. It’s easy to apply, doesn’t drip and really saturates your hair with dye.
This is a medium ash 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 light ash brown hair dye.
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 although it was quite dark to begin with, it gradually faded after a few washes to a lighter ash brown color.
Best for: Rich ash brown hues.
#8 John Frieda Precision Foam Hair Dye, Medium Chocolate Brown.
Features & ingredients:
- Lock in rich, salon-quality medium chocolate brown hair color.
- Thick, saturating Precision Foam
- Non-drip formula penetrates strands for deep color saturation.
- Spreads easily into roots and hard-to-reach areas.
- Complete coverage without patchiness.
Reviewers say:
“I love the color of this hair dye. It is darker on my hair than on the box but it isn’t too dark. It 100% covered some grey hairs I wanted to cover. I will definitely use this product again.”
“I’ve tried loads of brands but John Frieda foam is brilliant. Really easy to apply and doesn’t drip.”
“First time using this product and I liked the result so much, I’ve purchased four more!”
“The color was rich and vibrant and did a good job with covering the gray at the temples. Left my hair in good condition and looking fresh.”
Our experience:
This is another Join Frieda brown hair color on the list and we used it on dark hair. It gave a beautiful rich brown sheen to our hair and left it feeling silky and well-conditioned.
You’ll need two boxes if your hair is long as the foam really sinks into your hair, especially if it’s dyed hair that is more porous. Overall, this hair dye is the easiest to apply as the foam makes it simple and mess-free.
Best for: No mess dark chocolate brown.
#9 Garnier Nutrisse Light Ash Brown Hair Dye, Mochaccino.
Features & ingredients:
- Natural-looking rich and long lasting hair color performance.
- Intensely nourishes and protects for up to 8 weeks.
- The after color conditioner is enriched with 4 oils.
- For silky, shiny and stronger hair with less breakage.
Reviewers say:
“I love this hair dye, so easy and nice to use. It’s gentle on my skin and my hair, and doesn’t stain my forehead when it drips on my skin.”
“This is a great color with easy application. It has a bit of a smell when being applied but doesn’t last long. It also turns your hair a bit darker than it is. So I wouldn’t leave it on as long next time.”
“My hair is just below shoulder length and there was more than enough dye to cover it all evenly. I left on for the maximum time it said to cover my greys and it did the job.”
Our experience
This is a super lush color with gorgeous multi-dimensional tones. We tried it on mid brown hair to give it some richness. The color came out darker, but a lovely cool iced brown. Go for this for cool, dark tones.
Best for: Cool, dark brunette.
#10 L’Oreal Paris Casting Creme Gloss Hair Colorant, Choc Brownie.
Features & ingredients:
- Achieve natural-looking color with visible shimmering tones.
- The no-ammonia crème formula blends away grey hair.
- Has a luscious smell.
- The conditioner is enriched with goji extract.
Reviewers say:
“Very easy to use and easy to follow instructions. The products smelt nice, unlike other brands I’ve used before. After numerous washes my color still looks fresh, shiny and bright. Very happy!”
“Lovely color, easy to apply and left my hair looking healthy without any sign of dryness. Highly recommend.
“Loving this, it looks so natural and my hair is healthy. It looks completely different, it looks like it has so much more life now. All of my friends have noticed and complimented me :)”
Our experience:
This is a delicious sounding color that looks as good as it sounds. We used this hair dye on mid brunette hair with fading highlights to see if it could give us an even coverage.
And it did! It smells great going on and the results were a lovely warm chocolate shade with subtle undertones of red. This is a warm brown color that reveals the beautiful radiant red tones of your hair.
Best for: Warm, deep brown with hints of red.
TOP PICK!
Revlon Colorsilk Beautiful Color, Light Ash Brown.
Best brunette hair dye for: Cooling down warmer tones.
Ash brown is probably this year’s most popular hair dye color. This product is a true ash 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 brunette hair dye at a glance.
| Hair dye | Looks like | Best for | Buy it now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revlon Colorsilk Beautiful Color, Medium Ash Brown | Cooling down warmer tones. | ||
| Garnier Olia Light Brown Hair dye Permanent. | Light brown ashy hair. | ||
| Garnier Olia Medium Neutral Brown Permanent Hair Dye | Warm and healthy deep brown hair. | ||
| Garnier Color Sensation Precious Soft Mahogany Hair Dye. | Warm skin tones and dark hair. | ||
| L’Oreal Paris Excellence Creme Hair Colour, Natural Golden Brown | Olive and warm skin tones. | ||
| Schwarzkopf Color Expert Omegaplex Hair Dye, Light Caramel Brown | Warm, cinnamon tones. | ||
| John Frieda Dark Natural Brown | Rich, ash brown hues. | ||
| John Frieda Precision Foam Hair Dye, Medium Chocolate Brown. | No mess dark chocolate brown. | ||
| Garnier Nutrisse Light Ash Brown Hair Dye | Cool, dark brunette. | ||
| L’Oreal Paris Casting Creme Gloss, Choc Brownie. | Warm, deep brown with hints of red. |
Buyer’s Guide: How to choose the right brunette hair dye for you.
Ah, the wonders of hair dye. It has the power to transform a person’s look and boost their confidence like nothing else.
But with hundreds of hair dye options available in the market, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.
So, if you’re someone who’s looking to get the perfect shade of brunette and don’t know where to start, this guide is just what you need! We’re going to take a look at the factors you should consider to choose the right hair dye for your specific hair and skin type.
#1 Hair Type
The first factor to consider while choosing a hair color is your hair type.
If you have damaged hair, the hair dye can further damage your hair and make it brittle.
On the other hand, if you’ve relatively healthy hair, you can experiment with permanent hair dye formulas.
For people with dry hair, semi-permanent hair dye might be a better option. These dyes contain conditioning agents that can help replenish the hair’s moisture while adding color.
Additionally, those with thin hair should opt for a hair dye with low ammonia content to prevent the hair from further thinning.
#2 Skin Tone
Our skin tone plays a crucial role in determining the right shade.
You must pick a hair color that complements and enhances your skin tone instead of making it look dull.
Light-skinned brunettes can opt for warmer tones of brown, while darker skin tones look great with cooler brown shades.
Olive skin tones look stunning with a dark brown shade with hints of red or golden undertones. Remember to pick shades that complement your skin, or else it can make you look washed out.
#3 Permanent or Semi-Permanent Hair Dye?
Once you’ve figured out your hair type and skin tone, it’s time to consider whether to choose a permanent or semi-permanent dye.
Permanent dyes penetrate deep into the hair’s shaft and can last for up to two months. If you’re opting for a permanent dye, it’s vital to get a strand test done to check if the color suits you.
Semi-permanent dyes, on the other hand, last for only four to eight washes, making them an excellent option for people who want temporary hair color.
#4 Do a Strand Test!
As mentioned earlier, it’s crucial to conduct a strand test before applying hair dye to your entire head.
A strand test will help you figure out how much time you need to keep the hair dye before washing it off.
Additionally, it will give you a better idea of how the final hair color will look on your hair. A strand test is highly recommended for first-time hair dye users or those who’re trying a new hair color.
#5 Aftercare
Once you’ve colored your hair, taking care of it is the key to make it last.
Using sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners will help to prevent your hair color from fading.
Use lukewarm and not hot water, as it can make the color fade much faster.
If you’re someone who loves to swim, it’s recommended to use a swimming cap to protect your hair color.
Can I dye my hair brunette at home?
Oh yes! Brunette hair is an easy color to DIY at home. AS LONG AS you choose your shade carefully and always look at the hair color chart on the box dye to match your color up with the shade your hair is now.
If your hair color is dark– Your hair will need to be lightened first with bleach if you want to color is a lighter brunette color. You can’t lighten color with color! Check out our guide, How to bleach your hair at home, DIY style.
If your hair color is light – you’re good to go if you want to go darker. Although if you want to go a really dark brunette color like chocolate brown, you may need to use a couple of box dyes, or dye it more than once.
How to dye your hair at home.
Parting words.
You wanted to know what is the best brunette hair dye for you.
The truth is, there isn’t one perfect shade of brown hair dye that suits everyone. It’s more about finding a color that complements your skin tone and eye color. If you’re not sure where to start, it can be hard knowing which shades are right for you or if they’ll suit your complexion at all.
That’s why we’ve done the research so you don’t have to!
Whether your natural hair color is dark blonde or light brown, these are our favourite hair dye products that will give you gorgeous brunette locks in no time at all!
Found your perfect shade? We’d love to see it! Tag us on Instagram @colouredhaircare or Facebook and share your hair dye success stories. Looking for more hair care tips? Check out How to Look After Colored Hair: 11 Expert Secrets For Long-Lasting Color.
Our Research & Review Process
To ensure our recommendations are as comprehensive and reliable as possible, we’ve undertaken an extensive research effort.
We cite scientific evidence and journals, collect real user reviews and gather impartial perspectives from hair stylists, users, and experts in the field.
Additionally, we conduct hands-on testing by using products and applying hair dyes not only on our own locks but also on real human hair extensions and hair pieces of different hair type, textures and lengths.
This rigorous approach allows us to provide you with insights into which products genuinely live up to their promises.
As always – please consult with a professional hair colorist or stylist for advice on how to color your own hair at home. It’s different for everyone!
