Chocolate brown hair color is never not on trend. It’s glossy, it’s rich and it’s as scrumptious as it sounds. But how do you get chocolate brown hair at home?
Everyone wants the shiny, rich chocolate brown head of color that’s so in right now.
It looks as good on brunettes as it does on blondes (and even redheads!). We all want the look at home but we’re afraid of messing up our locks!
Follow these easy steps for getting your own gorgeous chocolate tresses.
Here’s everything you need to know about how you can own the luxurious chocolate brown look at home.
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Table of Contents
- What’s so great about chocolate brown hair?
- Can I dye my hair chocolate brown at home?
- Do I need to bleach my hair to dye it chocolate brown?
- Which are the best chocolate brown hair dyes?
- Best Chocolate Brown Hair Dyes at a glance.
- TOP PICK!
- Garnier Olia Light Chocolate Permanent Hair Dye
- How to dye your hair chocolate brown.
- Who can wear chocolate brown hair?
- Is chocolate brown hair warm or cool?
- Will chocolate hair suit me?
- Which Hair Color Suits Me?
- What hair styles suit chocolate brown hair?
- Does chocolate brown hair have red in it?
- Does chocolate brown hair fade?
- Parting words
What’s so great about chocolate brown hair?
Chocolate hair color is deep brunette shade that is utterly flattering for women of all ages.
It’s loved by all because it makes your hair appear fuller, thicker and glossier whichever shade you choose.
From chocolate cherry to mocha to iced and milk chocolate brownie, the range of gorgeous tones and hues are enough to make your mouth and eyes water!
It’s simply one of the best colors to dye dark hair. It’s a shade that also works amazingly as a base for other on-trend styles like ombre, brown balayage and highlights.
Check out the latest looks for ideas and inspiration.
Can I dye my hair chocolate brown at home?
Of course! This warm brown is a great color for getting perfect results at home. The best advice is to choose a shade lighter than the color you are now – brown colors tend to come up darker.
Use the side of the box dye to choose the right shade for you based on the color you are now.
Remember you can’t lighten color with color, so if you want to go a lighter shade, you’ll need to use bleach beforehand to get the right base.
If you’re unsure, it’s best to have a consultation with your hairdresser. They’ll be happy to help.
Do I need to bleach my hair to dye it chocolate brown?
No, you won’t necessarily need to bleach your hair to dye it chocolate.
In fact, if your hair is already light brown or darker, you can simply use a chocolate hair dye.
However, if your hair is blonde or lighter, you may need to use a bleaching kit first to lighten it before you can achieve the rich chocolate color you’re looking for.
But don’t worry, bleaching your hair is not as scary as it sounds. There are plenty of at-home kits that come with easy-to-follow instructions.
Which are the best chocolate brown hair dyes?
If you’re ready to go for this lush look at home, here are the best box dyes your hard-earned cash can buy today! Find out more about each one in our Best chocolate brown hair dye reviews.
Best Chocolate Brown Hair Dyes at a glance.
| Hair dye | Looks like | Best for | Buy it now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garnier Nutrisse Brown Hair Dye, Iced Coffee. | Cool dark chocolate brown hair colour. | ||
| Preference Infinia, Caracas Iced Chocolate Hair Dye. | Shiny and glossy chocolate brown hair. | ||
| Schwarzkopf LIVE Intense Colour Permanent, Bitter Sweet Chocolate. | Darkest brown shades. | ||
| Garnier Olia Light Chocolate Brown Permanent Hair Dye | Warm and healthy chocolate brown hair. | ||
| L'Oreal Paris Casting Creme Gloss Hair Colourant, Choc Brownie. | Warm chocolate brown with hints of red. | ||
| John Frieda Precision Foam Colour Hair Dye, Medium Chocolate Brown. | No mess dark chocolate brown. |
TOP PICK!
Garnier Olia Light Chocolate Permanent Hair Dye
Best hair dye for: Warm and healthy chocolate hair color.
Olia is known for it’s oil-powered properties that really fortify and renew your hair’s condition.
This is a light shade so we used it on light brown hair to add depth. It’s all over coverage is fabulous and the result was a mid-chocolate brown color with tons of shine. Use this to soothe dry and damaged hair. And turn it into chocolatey heaven.
How to dye your hair chocolate brown.
Here’s a great video that shows to get it right at home, first time, every time.
Who can wear chocolate brown hair?
This deep, rich color is so attractive and suits all kinds of different hair styles and personalities.
You’re probably wondering, what skin tone looks best with this color?
Some people say that fair-skinned individuals have better luck with this color, but others insist on having more olive or dark tones for their complexion.
Chocolate hair color can veer on the side of warm as it has red and warm golden tones to it.
Some brunette shades can fade to red, especially if your natural coloring draws red too.
But the truth is, there are a load of warm AND cool chocolate browns out there today. So whether you have warm or cool skin tones, you’ll find a color for you.
Is chocolate brown hair warm or cool?
This is an extremely versatile colour and you’ll find shades to suit your skin tone whether you have warm or cool undertones.
If you have warm skin tones you can go for colors like:
Mahogany: This rich, reddish-brown shade is absolutely stunning. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to add a little bit of drama to their look.
Chocolate Cherry: This deep, dark shade is utterly irresistible. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to channel their inner vixen.
Hazelnut: This warm, golden-brown shade is absolutely beautiful. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to add a touch of elegance to their look.
Cinnamon: This vibrant, reddish-brown shade is absolutely fiery. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to make a statement with their hair color.
If you have cool skin tones, you can go for color such as:
Espresso: This rich, dark shade is perfect for anyone who wants to add a little bit of sophistication to their look. It’s also perfect for anyone who wants to embrace their natural hair color.
Iced chocolate: This shade of chocolate the one if you want to add a touch of cool to your look. Iced chocolate hair looks especially beautiful and shiny in the sunlight.
Mocha: Mocha is a rich, chocolate brown shade with hints of caramel. It’s a good choice for anyone who wants to experiment with highlights or lowlights.
Brown sugar: Brown sugar is a lighter chocolate brown shade that’s perfect for summertime. It’s perfect for those who want to add some dimension to their hair without going too dark.
Dark chocolate: As you might have guessed, dark chocolate is the darkest shade of chocolate brown. It’s perfect for anyone who’s looking for a dramatic change. Dark chocolate hair looks best when it’s sleek and straight.
If you’re not sure what skin tones you have, just use our handy checklist below!
If you have cool undertones:
- Your skin tone is pink or pale.
- You blush easily!
- Jewel and pastel colours are so your thing.
- The colour yellow washes you out and does not look good on you.
- You have blue not green veins in your wrist.
- Pearls and silver jewellery look awesome on you.
If you have warm undertones:
- You have red or golden tones in your natural hair.
- Your skin tone is golden, tan or olive.
- You might have freckles.
- You have green not blue veins in your wrist.
- You suit bright or rich shades better.
- Gold jewellery looks awesome on you.
Will chocolate hair suit me?
Just click on the image below to find out what hair colors suit you!
Which Hair Color Suits Me?
You can also try on some virtual hair colors with the Best hair color changing apps!
What hair styles suit chocolate brown hair?
Balayage, ombré, and highlights are all great hair styles for this hue.
Caramel highlights look especially beautiful against dark chocolate hair, while mocha highlights can add a touch of glamour to lighter brown hair.
Copper highlights are perfect for adding a bit of warmth to your look, while brown or dark brown highlights can help give your hair some depth and dimension.
If you want something a little more subtle, try babylights or lowlights – both of which will help create a beautiful contrast against your chocolate locks.
However you want to wear it, there’s a hair color idea for you.
Chocolate balayage
Balayage is a great option for chocolate hair because it adds dimension and depth. If you have dark chocolate hair, ask your stylist for balayage highlights that are a few shades lighter than your natural color.
This will help to brighten up your face and give you a sun-kissed look.
If you have milk chocolate hair, you can also go for balayage highlights. But, make sure that the highlights are not too light or they will look artificial.
Chocolate Ombré
Ombré is another great option for chocolate hair.
It’s a gradient color effect that is achieved by lightening the ends of your hair. This style looks best when the roots are dark and the ends are lighter.
If you have dark chocolate hair, you can ask your stylist to create an ombré that is a few shades lighter at the ends. For milk chocolate hair, you can go for an ombré that is a few shades darker at the ends.
Chocolate Caramel Highlights
Caramel highlights are a beautiful option for smooth brown hair. They add a touch of sweetness and can make your hair look shiny and healthy.
If you have dark chocolate hair, ask your stylist for caramel highlights that are a few shades lighter than your natural color.
If you have milk chocolate hair, you can go for caramel highlights that are a few shades darker than your natural color.
Copper chocolate balayage
Copper tones are a great way to add a pop of metallic shine.
They can also help to give your hair a warm and vibrant look. One of the best things about copper highlights is that they can be added to any hairstyle.
The best thing is, copper is a hue that can be customized to match your skin tone. If you have fair skin, then you may want to choose a lighter shade of copper. If you have dark skin, then you may want to choose a darker shade. Blend it with iced chocolate hair color for a shimmering effect.
Chocolate cherry
Cherry chocolate hair is a type of hair color that combines two shades: dark brown and red. This hair color is perfect for those who want to add a touch of glamour to their look. It is also a great way to make your hair look healthier and shinier.
If you have cherry chocolate hair, then you can style it in a number of different ways. You can wear it in a sleek and straight style, or you can curl it to add some volume. You can also add highlights or lowlights to give your hair a more dimensional look.
Does chocolate brown hair have red in it?
This is a warm brown that’s perfect for adding warmth and depth to your brunette locks.
It’s base color is made up of red and gold hues which give that super shiny, soft brown look.
It’s not as warm red as chestnut or mahogany, nor as golden as caramel brown or bronde – it’s a happy mix between the two.
It does that mean it can start to become red-orange as your hair color fades. But it depends if you have warm or cool skin tones too.
Does chocolate brown hair fade?
This shade is similar to red hair in that it’s a color that fades fast. This will especially happen if you choose colors with warmer undertones.
The best way to keep your color locked in and avoid brassiness is to use a brunette shampoo and conditioner.
Once a week, use a really nourishing deep conditioning mask to help remoisturise and repair your hair.
And don’t forget to always follow our most excellent advice in How to look after colored hair and keep it luscious for longer.
Parting words
This tasty color is never not on trend.
It’s a glossy, rich hue that is as scrumptious as it sounds and keeps us at the top of our hair game from one season to the next.
Now you know how to get chocolate brown hair, what are you waiting for?
