The weather’s cooling down, and as you start transitioning your wardrobe from summer dresses to cozy sweaters, don’t forget to give your hair a seasonal update! One of Fall 2024’s standout hair color trends? Ash Brown Hair. This cool-toned hue is the perfect contrast to the warm shades we’ve seen in spring and summer. As celebrity colorist Nina Rubel of Rob Peetoom in NYC explains, “Warm brunette shades appear lighter and richer, while ash brown offers a deeper, smoky finish that has a matte-like effect.”
Embrace the Ash Brown Trend Your Way
The beauty of ash brown hair is its versatility; you can opt for a full transformation or incorporate just a touch of it into your existing hair color. A growing trend right now? Baby highlights! These subtle highlights give you a fresh change without committing to a full-color overhaul. Considering trying ash brown? Keep reading for essential tips before you book your appointment (this one definitely requires a professional’s touch) and check out 18 gorgeous ash brown looks to spark some inspo.
Soft Highlights for a Delicate Ash Brown
For those who want a soft introduction to ash brown, subtle face-framing highlights provide a delicate, approachable look. These gentle touches add brightness without overpowering your natural color. It’s an easy-to-maintain style that flatters all hair types and face shapes, making it universally appealing.
Textured Ash Brown with Piece-y Highlights
Dark roots paired with lighter ash tones bring a gorgeous contrast to the hair. Piece-y highlights add an element of texture, enhancing the natural movement of your locks. This look offers a modern vibe and gives your hair a fresh, multi-dimensional appearance. The highlights also add volume, making this style perfect for those looking to boost body and texture in their hair.
Beige Ash Brown: A Balanced Blend
This beige ash brown hue sits perfectly between warm and cool tones, making it ideal for those easing into the trend. It adds a sophisticated touch without being too bold, offering a seamless transition from warmer summer colors. This shade works wonderfully with a range of skin tones, subtly enhancing your natural features.
The Classic Ash Brown Hair
A balayage technique is ideal for brunettes looking to explore ashy tones. This style offers a natural, sun-kissed look with cooler ends that blend seamlessly into darker roots. It adds depth and dimension while being low-maintenance, growing out beautifully without harsh lines. The cooler ends and rich base create a striking contrast, giving your hair that lived-in, effortless chic vibe.
Ash Brown with Silver Ends
Ash brown with silver tips offers a sleek, modern finish. This style shines particularly well on long bobs or asymmetrical cuts. To achieve this look, straighten the ends for a polished, sophisticated texture that accentuates the cool contrast between the ash and silver tones.
Mushroom Ash Brown
“Mushroom” ash brown is the earthier cousin of traditional ash tones, offering a more natural, grounded look. Styled with voluminous blowouts, the cool undertones add sophistication and edge. This shade creates a balanced, lived-in vibe while maintaining a subtle sheen that catches the light beautifully, especially in curls.
Dimensional Ash Brown Hair
Incorporating various shades of brown creates a dynamic, multi-dimensional effect. This style adds richness and depth to the hair, enhancing its natural beauty. The interplay of dark and light tones offers a sophisticated, high-shine look that reflects light beautifully, giving your hair an ultra-glossy finish.
Smooth and Creamy Ash Brown
For those who aren’t fans of highlighted styles, an all-over ash brown offers a smooth, creamy finish. This monochromatic color softly frames the face and adds subtle depth, making it ideal for those who want a classic, sophisticated look without the hassle of regular touch-ups.
Light Ash Brown with Silver Highlights
Ash brown doesn’t have to mean dark; a light ash brown with silver highlights adds an airy, ethereal touch. This style blends a medium-brown base with cool, silver-toned strands, creating a delicate shimmer. It’s perfect for adding a soft edge to your hair while still keeping things light and fresh.
Face-Framing Ash Brown Highlights
Face-framing highlights can elevate any ash brown look. Strategically placed to brighten your face, these highlights give a subtle lift to your overall appearance. They work well with various face shapes, accentuating your features and adding a natural glow, making your skin appear more radiant.
Gray-Toned Ash Brown
A more gray-leaning ash brown gives off an edgy, cool vibe. This color suits those who want an extra-cool tone that makes a statement. The gray undertones give the hair a striking sheen, complementing sleek hairstyles and adding an effortless, fashion-forward edge.
Classic Ash Brown Balayage
Balayage, a hand-painted highlighting technique, allows for a natural-looking blend of ash brown shades. The result is a soft, sun-kissed effect that grows out seamlessly. The dark roots paired with ashy mid-lengths create a multi-dimensional look that’s both trendy and low-maintenance, perfect for busy lifestyles.
3. Subtle “Whisper” Ash Brown Accents
If you’re not ready for a full ash brown, try whisper highlights to gently introduce the color. These soft, barely-there touches elevate deep brunette tones, adding a cool edge without a drastic change. Perfect for layered haircuts, these highlights subtly complement the natural flow of layers, enhancing dimension and bringing the overall look to life.
Long Ash Brown Layers for Extra Dimension
Long hair beautifully showcases the depth of ash brown hues. The extended length provides a canvas for the cool undertones to blend and reflect light, creating a stunning, multi-dimensional effect. Soft waves further enhance this look, highlighting the natural movement and texture of the color.
Glossy Ash Brown with Dark Roots
Glossy ash brown hair with dark roots provides a sleek, polished finish. This style radiates shine and sophistication, emphasizing the depth of the color. To maintain its vibrancy, use heat protectants before styling and limit sun exposure. The glossy finish makes your hair look healthy and full of life.
Mauve-Tinted Ash Brown
Adding a hint of mauve to ash brown introduces a unique twist to the traditional shade. This slightly purple hue is especially striking when styled in loose beach waves, revealing a playful yet sophisticated dimension that changes with the light. It’s perfect for those seeking a modern, unconventional color.
Smoky Matte Ash Brown
For an edgier twist, go for a smoky, matte-like finish with a lighter base. The matte texture gives a bold, modern feel while the lighter base adds a soft contrast. This look is perfect for those wanting to make a statement with their hair without being overly dramatic.
Things to Consider Before Going Ash Brown
1. Your Skin Tone
“When picking a hair color, always consider your skin tone,” advises Rubel. Cooler tones, like ash brown, generally complement cool skin tones best. However, if you have a warmer complexion, you can still rock ash brown by incorporating some golden highlights to create a balanced look.
2. Your Starting Hair Color
If you have dark hair and aim for ash brown, pre-lightening might be necessary. Always consult with your colorist beforehand and bring reference photos to ensure you both share the same vision.
FAQs
Q: Can I try ash brown at home, or should I see a professional?
It’s best to see a professional colorist for ash brown hair, especially if your hair is dark or if you want a specific look. Professionals can achieve the right blend of tones and ensure minimal damage.
Q: How do I maintain the ash brown shade?
Use color-safe shampoos and conditioners to prolong the cool tones. Additionally, minimize heat styling and sun exposure to keep your color looking fresh.
Q: Will ash brown hair suit my warmer skin tone?
Yes! While cooler skin tones traditionally complement ash brown best, those with warmer skin tones can still rock it by adding warmer highlights around the face for balance.
