Warm toned brown hair colors are rich, deep brunette shades that have subtle red or golden undertones. These warm shades complement skin with yellow, peach or olive undertones beautifully. Warm browns create a radiant, sunny look that flatters and illuminates. They are versatile hues that can be dressed up for evenings out or worn casually day-to-day. If you have been searching for a brown hair color that is dimensional, shiny and lively, a warm brunette tone is likely to be very flattering on you.
What are warm hair color tones?
Warm hair colors contain undertones of red, gold, copper or amber. These warm pigments make hair reflect light and appear shiny. Warm shades complement and flatter skin that leans peach, yellow or olive. If you have a warm complexion, wearing hair colors with warm undertones draws out the natural glow in your skin. Cooler hair shades can make warm complexions look washed out or sallow.
Some examples of warm hair color shades are:
– Golden brown
– Chestnut brown
– Copper brown
– Auburn brown
– Honey brown
– Caramel brown
Warm brown hair colors have dimension and visual interest. The warm undertones give the color depth and shine. These shades tend to suit people with medium to darker complexions best.
How to tell if you have warm undertones
If you are unsure whether your skin’s undertones are warm, cool or neutral, there are a few easy ways to tell:
– Veins – Look at the veins on the inside of your wrist. If they appear greenish, your skin is warm. Blueish veins indicate cool undertones.
– Jewelry – Does gold jewelry look better on you than silver? Warm skin undertones are flattered by the golden hues of gold jewelry. Cool undertones are complemented by silvery metals.
– Clothing – Which clothing colors make your complexion radiant? Warm undertones glow in warm, earthy shades like cream, mocha and terracotta. Cooler undertones shine in icy pastels like mint, sky blue and mauve.
– Foundation – Does your foundation tend to turn orange on your skin? This indicates that you have warm yellow undertones. Cool foundations with pink leanings are best for cool skin tones.
– Sun exposure – Does your skin tan easily in the sun? Warm complexions tan nicely. Cooler skin usually burns before tanning.
If still unsure, you can always visit a cosmetics counter and ask for some guidance on discerning your skin’s undertones. Once you know whether your complexion is warm, cool or neutral, it’s easier to choose flattering makeup and hair colors.
Warm brown hair color chart
Here is a chart of warm brown hair color shades from lightest to darkest:
| Shade Name | Level | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Brown | Light to Medium Brown | Has bright golden leanings with lots of lighter brown tones throughout. A lively, luminous brown. |
| Honey Brown | Medium Brown | A warmer version of medium brown with strong brassy gold highlights. |
| Chestnut Brown | Medium to Dark Brown | Deep brown base with subtle red hues throughout. A rich luxurious brown. |
| Copper Brown | Medium to Dark Brown | Cooler than other warm browns with more burgundy/copper notes. |
| Mocha Brown | Dark Brown | A creamy, decadent chocolate brown with warm reddish tones. |
| Espresso Brown | Very Dark Brown | A lush, deep coffee brown with warm caramel highlights. |
This covers the full spectrum of warm brown shades, from the lightest golden browns to darkest espresso hues. Choosing where your color falls within the warm brown family depends on your starting shade and how dramatic a change you want to make.
Best warm brown hair colors for fair skin
Those with fair or porcelain complexions look beautiful in lighter warm brown shades. The warm gold and red tones flatter fair skin while still providing enough contrast. Great options include:
– Golden Brown – This lively light brown has lots of creamy gold hues. It brightens up fair skin.
– Honey Brown – Slightly deeper than golden brown, this golden hue warms up fair skin.
– Light Chestnut Brown – A touch of red tints this light brown shade for a warm, dimensional look.
– Copper Brown – The cooler of warm browns has an autumnal feel on fair skin.
– Caramel Brown – Buttery and sweet, this tan-kissed brown color is ideal for pale skin.
Keep the depth to a light to medium brown to avoid looking overly harsh. And focus on warmer shades with gold rather than red tones to complement fair complexions.
Best warm brown hair colors for medium skin
Those with medium or olive skin tones can wear the full range of warm brown shades. From light golden browns to deeper espresso hues, these complexions complement the ruddy depths beautifully. Great shades for medium skin include:
– Golden Brown – This versatile golden shade flatters all year round.
– Chestnut Brown – The quintessential brunette shade with red undertones.
– Chocolate Brown – A decadent, creamy dark brown that radiates on olive skin.
– Auburn Brown – Spicy and reddish, this vibrant brown color pumps up medium complexions.
– Espresso Brown – A rich, dark coffee brown that makes medium skin glow.
Medium skin provides the perfect neutral base for any warm brown between golden and espresso. Focus on choosing a shade that pairs with your eye color and achieves your desired look.
Best warm brown hair colors for tan or dark skin
Women with darker complexions should stick with deeper, darker warm brown shades. Light golden browns won’t show enough contrast against tan or dark skin. Great shades for darker complexions include:
– Caramel Brown – Has enough depth to stand out against dark skin.
– Chestnut Brown – A classic deep brunette shade that flatters darker skin.
– Dark Chocolate Brown – A decadent near-black shade with warm red undertones.
– Espresso Brown – This luscious coffee shade adds dimension to dark skin.
– Black Coffee Brown – Almost black with a hint of ruby warmth. Stunning on darker skin.
Aim for warm browns at a level 6 or darker to make the color really pop. Dark skin provides the perfect backdrop for these dramatically dark, yet still dimensional brunette hues.
How to transition to warm brown hair
When transitioning your hair color to a warm brown shade, it’s best to start subtly and build up the intensity gradually for the most natural look. Here are some tips:
– Add warm brown highlights – For a subtle shift, ask your colorist for fine warm brown highlights woven through your current shade.
– Do a warm brown ombre – Gradually lighten your midlengths and ends to create an ombre effect. This eases into the new shade.
– Deepen your base incrementally – Have your colorist deepen your natural base shade little by little over successive appointments to subtly shift you warmer.
– Transition with balayage – Using a balayage technique keeps your roots darker for a seamless grow out. Warm pieces frame your face.
– Use temporary color – Try clip in extensions or semi-permanent rinses in warm brown shades to test out the tones before committing.
– Pick a demi-permanent color – Demi-permanent color washes out over time, allowing you to gradually transition to your new hue.
When going warmer, patience is key. Build up the color intensity slowly for the most believable results. Your colorist can advise you on the best method for your particular hair.
How to maintain warm brown hair
Once you’ve achieved the perfect warm brown shade, maintaining it requires some upkeep. Here are some tips:
– Use color depositing shampoo – Shampoo with brown color depositing formulas helps keep brassiness at bay between salon visits.
– Use a glossing treatment – Salons offer clear warm brown glossing treatments to refresh color and shine.
– Touch up your roots – Get your roots touched up promptly when regrowth appears to prevent demarcation lines.
– Use blue shampoo cautiously – Blue shampoo can neutralize warmth, so use minimally if you want to retain the warmth.
– Shampoo less frequently – Washing less, every 2-3 days, helps preserve color vibrancy for longer.
– Protect hair from sun – Sun exposure can dry out hair and fade warm tones. Wear a hat in strong sunlight.
– Use heat protectant spray – Heat styling can cause fading, so always apply a heat protectant product before using hot tools.
– Get trims regularly – Fresh trims every 6-8 weeks keep dry ends from becoming brassy and compromised.
With the right maintenance regimen, your warm brown color can stay rich, shiny and luminous for months on end.
How to fix brassiness in warm brown hair
Over time, warm brown hair can develop unwanted brassy or orange tones. To counteract this, try:
– Use a purple shampoo – Purple shampoo helps cancel out brassiness and keep hair cooler toned.
– Try a clarifying shampoo – Remove product buildup that can contribute to brassiness.
– Get a gloss treatment – Salons offer neutralizing glosses to tone down brassiness between color appointments.
– Have toner applied – Your colorist can apply a toner shade like ash or pale gold to neutralize orange tones.
– Use blue conditioner – Blue-pigmented conditioners help keep warm hair free of brassiness.
– Add highlights – Face-framing highlights around your hairline camouflage grown-out brassiness.
– Adjust your color – Consider adjusting your overall formula to a cooler brown with ash tones.
– Stay out of chlorine – Chlorine from pools and hot tubs can advance brassiness.
With some minor tweaks and adjustments, brassiness can be banished from warm brown hair for good.
How to go from warm to cool brown hair
To go from warm brown hair to a cooler shade, ask your colorist to adjust your formula. Here are some tips:
– Add ash tones – Ash browns cancel unwanted warmth and keep hair cooler. Request an ash brown formulation.
– Incorporate beige – Beige tones offset redness and make hair appear cooler and lighter.
– Use a toning gloss – A blue-violet gloss shifts warm hair to a more neutral brown.
– Lighten your base – Lifting your base to a lighter level eliminates unwanted warmth.
– Add cool lowlights – Lowlights in an ash brown or chestnut brown add cooler dimensions.
– Use a filler – Color fillers prep hair and allow cooler pigments to take accurately.
– Do a double process – Lifting warmth first then applying an all-over cool brown creates a seamless shift.
Consult with your colorist to determine the right technique and formulation to help you make the transition from warm to cool brown hair seamlessly.
Conclusion
Warm brown hair colors open up a world of dimensional, radiant brunette shades. When chosen correctly for your complexion and skin tone, warm browns come to life with shine, vibrancy and richness. Whether you opt for golden brown, chestnut, chocolate or espresso hues, warm browns make medium to deep complexions glow with light and warmth. With the right maintenance routine and occasional toning, these colors deliver natural-looking, salon-quality results until your next color appointment.
