Glossy, shiny and voluminous, dark brown hair is always a head-turner. But if you feel like you’re stuck in a rut with your current hairstyle, don’t worry – there are plenty of ways to switch up your look at home.
Dark brown hair or brunette is a shade that’s perfect for those who want to make a bold statement. It’s also amazingly versatile – it can be worn sleek, straight or messy and tousled. It looks incredible on short hair, long hair, wavy and curly hair too.
If you’re looking for some ideas, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got ten beautiful, glossy looks that you can do at home, without having to go to a salon.
So whether you’re looking for dark hair that’s straight and professional, or something more casual and laid-back, we’ve got you covered. So read on for inspiration!
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Table of Contents
- 10 On-trend Dark brown hair ideas
- #1: All-over Chocolate Brown
- #2: Dark Mocha Brown with Caramel Highlights
- #3: Dark Auburn Brown with Red Highlights
- #4: Dark Mushroom Brown Ombre
- #5: Dark Chestnut Brown Balayage
- #6: Dark Ash Brown with Ash Blonde Hair Highlights
- #7: Dark Chocolate Brown with Honey Highlights
- #8: All-over Dark Mahogany Brown
- #9: Dark Brown with Peek-a-Boo Highlights
- #10: Dark Caramel Brown Balayage
- How to find your perfect shade of dark brown.
- Can I dye my hair dark brown at home?
- Top Picks: The Best Dark Brown Hair Dyes
- Best dark brown hair dye at a glance.
- Watch and learn: How to dye your hair dark brown at home.
- On-trend dark brown hair colors
- What is dark brown hair called?
- What is the darkest brown hair color?
- Is dark brown a rare hair color?
- Is dark brown hair black or brown?
- Can I go darker than my natural hair color?
- Can I go lighter than my natural hair color?
- How long will dark brown hair dye last?
- How do I make my dark brown hair shinier?
- Parting words.
10 On-trend Dark brown hair ideas
#1: All-over Chocolate Brown
This rich, chocolatey shade is perfect for those with dark brown hair who want to add a little bit of dimension and depth to their mane.
How to get the look:
To get this look, simply apply a chocolate brown hair color all over your head, using either a brush or a bottle and following the box dye instructions carefully.
If you want to add even more depth, you can try doing some lowlights in a darker shade of brown. This dark brunette hair color is a timeless, classic look that’s always on-trend.
#2: Dark Mocha Brown with Caramel Highlights
For a truly show-stopping look, try pairing cool dark brown hair with warm caramel highlights.
The contrast between the two brown shades will add an incredible amount of dimension and interest to your hair, and it’s a look that anyone can rock.
How to get the look:
To get this look at home, start by selecting a dark chocolate brown base color. Then, using a highlighting kit or foils, highlight small sections of hair with a caramel blond shade.
Be sure to leave some of the dark brown base color showing through for a natural-looking result.
The golden highlights will add sun-kissed depth and glamour. Finally, use a large barrel curling iron to curl your hair for added curls with bounciness and body.
#3: Dark Auburn Brown with Red Highlights
If you’re looking for a way to really stand out from the crowd, try adding a pop of red highlights to your dark auburn brown hair.
The boldness of the red will complement the darkness of the brown perfectly, and give it a warm, rich look.
How to get the look:
This one isn’t easy, but it’s do-able with a bit of patience and the right kit.
Start by coloring your strands a dark auburn brown all over. This will be the base color for your new look.
Next, add some auburn highlights, red highlights or copper highlights throughout your hair. Be sure to concentrate the majority of the highlights around your face frame, as this will help to brighten up your complexion.
Finally, use a curling iron or flat iron to give your hair some gentle waves to give your fabulous new look some dimension and depth. For more brightness, try copper with its orangey-red tones.
#4: Dark Mushroom Brown Ombre
Ombre hair is still a huge hair color trend this year, and earthy mushroom brown or mushroom blonde shades are a great way to blend in some interest to dark brown or black hair.
How to get the look:
To get this look, start by coloring the top layer of your hair in a dark mushroom hue.
Then, gradually lighten the color to blonde as you move down towards the ends of your hair. You can either do this with a highlighting kit or by using a bleaching solution.
The effect is a glorious graduated transition of brunette color with hints of light brown highlights.
#5: Dark Chestnut Brown Balayage
Balayage is a signature technique that is similar to ombre, but instead of having a gradual lightening of color, the color is applied in random sections for a more natural look.
This is such a popular option if you’re looking for something that is low-maintenance but still looks chic and stylish.
How to get the look:
To get this look at home, start by applying a dark nutty chestnut brown hair color to the top layer of your hair.
Then, use a highlighting kit or bleaching solution to lighten sections of your hair where the sun would naturally hit.
Chocolate highlights also pair gorgeously with chestnut highlights for a warmer vibe.
#6: Dark Ash Brown with Ash Blonde Hair Highlights
If you want to add some contrast to your dark ash brown hair, try pairing it with ash blonde highlights.
The two cool colors will complement each other perfectly, and it’s a look that is sure to turn heads.
How to get the look:
To get the look, start by mixing two parts dark ash brown dye with one part ash blonde dye. Apply the mixture to your hair, starting at the roots and working your way down to the ends.
Then, use a highlighting brush to paint thin streaks of ash blonde throughout your hair from root to tip for more balayage highlights.
Or you can use foils to create a lighter look from root to tip. These are dark brown locks for cool undertones only.
#7: Dark Chocolate Brown with Honey Highlights
Honey highlights are a great way to add some warmth to medium brown or dark chocolate brown hair. The two colors will complement each other perfectly, and it’s a look that is sure to turn heads.
How to get the look:
To start, dye your hair with the dark brown hair dye according to the package instructions.
Once that’s done, apply the honey blonde hair dye to the top half of your hair, making sure to avoid the roots.
You can either use a paintbrush or foils to apply the color. Once you’re done, let the color sit for the recommended amount of time before rinsing it out.
Also looks fantastic with pops of cinnamon color and light brown hair with subtle highlights.
#8: All-over Dark Mahogany Brown
This rich, dark brown shade is perfect for those with dark brown hair who want to add a little bit of dimension and depth to their look.
How to get the look:
Here’s an easy one. To get this look, simply apply a mahogany brown hair color all over your head, using either a brush or a bottle.
If you want to add even more depth, you can try doing some lowlights in a darker shade of brown. This autumnal look will give you dark brown hues with warm tones.
#9: Dark Brown with Peek-a-Boo Highlights
The peekaboo look is a tricky one, but if you’re up for the challenge, it can definitely be done!
How to get the look:
First, you’ll need to dye your hair all over dark brown. Once that’s done, you can then bleach the under layers of your hair and apply a color on top, or leave it lightened.
If you’re not sure how to bleach your hair, don’t worry – there are plenty of tutorials online that can show you how.
Just make sure to take extra care when bleaching, as you don’t want to damage your hair. Once you’ve got the hang of it, go ahead and experiment with different colors to see what looks best on you.
It’s also easy to cheat this look using colored hair extensions. Have fun!
#10: Dark Caramel Brown Balayage
This is a great option for those with brunette locks who want to add some warmth and depth to dark brown hair.
How to get the look:
To get this look, start by applying a caramel brown hair color to the top layer of your hair.
Then, use a highlighting kit or bleaching solution to randomly lighten sections of your hair. This will create a warm, natural-looking caramel balayage that is perfect for summer.
How to find your perfect shade of dark brown.
Dark brown hair is the perfect canvas for a range of different colors. Whether you want to go for a deep, rich hue or something a little lighter, there are plenty of options to choose from.
The best one for you will depend on your skin tone. If you have a cool tones, you might want to try a dark ash brown or cool chestnut brown. If you have a warm skin tone, you might want to try a dark caramel brown or honey brown. And if you have a neutral skin tone, any shade of dark brown will look good on you.
If you’re not sure which skin tones you are, you can use our handy checklist below!
Can I dye my hair dark brown at home?
Yes, you can dye your hair dark brown at home. There are a variety of dark brown hair colors available at most drugstores and beauty supply stores.
If you’re not sure which color to choose, you can consult with a professional stylist or colorist. They will be able to help you choose the right shade of dark brown for your skin tone and hair type.
Top Picks: The Best Dark Brown Hair Dyes
The first thing to consider is whether you want to make a permanent change or just experiment for a while with a semi-permanent shade.
If you’re not sure, it’s always best to start with a temporary color so you can see how you feel about it before making a commitment.
Once you’ve decided on the right shade, the next step is to find a good quality hair dye that will give you the results you’re looking for. With so many products on the market, it can be tricky to know where to start.
However, dark brown hair dyes tend to be quite versatile, so you should be able to find one that suits your needs.
When applying the dye, make sure to follow the instructions carefully so that you don’t end up with any unwanted surprises. With a bit of care and attention, dying your hair dark brown can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
Trickier styles and techniques like balayage and ombre may be best left to the professionals, but basic dark brown hair color can easily be achieved at home.
Just be sure to follow the instructions on the hair color kit carefully, and always do a patch test beforehand to ensure that you’re not allergic to the hair color.
These are a few of our top tried and tested.
Best dark brown hair dye at a glance.
Watch and learn: How to dye your hair dark brown at home.
Here is a great video that shows you how to go from black to dark brown hair and how to balayage your own hair at home. You’ll need a friend to help!
On-trend dark brown hair colors
1. Dark Ash Brown
2. Cool Chestnut Brown
3. Dark Caramel Brown
4. Honey Brown
5. Chocolate Brown
6. Mocha Brown
7. Espresso Brown
8. Mahogany Brown
9. Auburn Brown
What is dark brown hair called?
Dark brown hair is like a rich, decadent chocolate cake; full of flavor and beauty!
This captivating brunette hue is often referred to as espresso or chocolate brown, evoking the snappy bitterness of freshly roasted espresso beans or the glossiness and the richness and sheen of dark chocolate.
Dark brown hair can also take on many other delightful -sounding names such as deep mahogany, chestnut and cola.
No matter what you call it, dark brown hair adds an intense deliciousness to any look!
What is the darkest brown hair color?
There are many dark brown hair colors to choose from.
If you want a truly dark brown, you can go for a color like espresso or chocolate. These colors are deep and rich, and they look great on people with warm skin tones.
If you have a cooler skin tone, you might want to try a darker brown with a bit of red or burgundy in it. This will give you a real depth of color that looks amazing.
Of course, if you just want the darkest brown possible, you can always go for black.
Black is the ultimate dark color, and it can really make your hair look stunning. Whichever dark brown hair color you choose, make sure to use a good quality shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair looking its best.
Is dark brown a rare hair color?
No, dark brown is not a rare hair color. In fact, it’s one of the most common hair colors in the world. According to a study conducted by Clairol, over 50% of women aged 18-34 have dark brown hair.
So if you’re thinking of dying your hair dark brown, you’re in good company! There are lots of different shades of dark brown to choose from, so you’re sure to find one that suits you.
And with so many celebrities and influencers rocking dark brown hair these days, it’s definitely a style that’s here to stay.
Is dark brown hair black or brown?
Technically, dark brown hair is black. Black is the darkest possible hair color, and dark brown hair is just a few shades lighter.
However, in common usage, the term “dark brown” is used to describe a range of different hair colors, from deep chocolate brown to almost black.
So if you’re looking for a color that’s somewhere between black and brown, dark brown is the perfect option.
Can I go darker than my natural hair color?
If you’re thinking of going darker than your natural hair color, the good news is that it’s generally pretty easy to do.
Unless your hair is already black, chances are you’ll be able to find a dark brown hair dye that will give you the look you want.
Just be sure to match the color of your hair to the chart on the side of the box, as most brown hair dyes will come up fairly dark.
And if you’re not sure whether you’re ready for such a big change, remember that hair color is always temporary and can always be changed back.
So go ahead and experiment! The worst that can happen is that you’ll end up with a new look that you might just love.
Can I go lighter than my natural hair color?
The thing is, color cannot lighten color. So if you want to go lighter than your natural hair color, you’ll likely need to be bleached before dyeing your hair dark brown.
Bleaching can be damaging to hair, so it’s important to use a gentle bleaching agent and to follow up with deep conditioning treatments to keep your hair healthy.
Once you’ve lightened your hair, you’ll have the perfect base to dye it the dark brown color of your choice. Hurrah!
How long will dark brown hair dye last?
The answer really depends on the quality of the hair dye and how well you take care of your hair.
Generally speaking, though, most dark brown hair dyes will last around 6-8 weeks before beginning to fade.
The good news is that dark brown hair fades out beautifully.
If you have blended styles like balayage, ombre or highlights, the darker color will usually fade first, leaving you with a beautiful gradient effect.
You might find warmth comes through and it fades to red – if this happens you can use a good blue toning shampoo once a week to keep the color cool.
How do I make my dark brown hair shinier?
If you want your dark brown hair to look its best, it’s important to use a good quality shampoo and conditioner. Look for products that are specifically designed for brunettes, as these will help to add shine and protect your hair from damage.
You can also try using a deep conditioning treatment once or twice a week to keep your hair looking healthy and shiny. And if you’re concerned about split ends, make sure to get them trimmed regularly.
With a bit of care and attention, you can keep your dark brown hair glossy and looking its best.
Parting words.
So there you have it! These are just a few things to keep in mind when dying your hair dark brown. With a bit of care and attention, you can achieve stunning results that will last for weeks.
To help your color last as long as possible, use a shampoo and conditioner for colored hair, avoid washing your hair too often, and limit your exposure to sunlight and other harsh elements.
With just a bit of care and attention, you can keep your dark brown hair looking amazing for weeks on end. So go ahead and experiment with different shades and colors until you find the perfect one for you. Thanks for reading!
Found your perfect dark brown hair 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.
