As a SEO writer assistant, here is a quick answer to the question posed in the title: For those with neutral skin tones, medium to dark brown hair shades often look most natural and flattering. Now let’s explore this topic in more detail.
What is a neutral skin tone?
Neutral skin tones fall somewhere in the middle of the color spectrum, neither too warm nor too cool. They tend to be more balanced, with hints of both golden/olive undertones and pinkish undertones. Celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Jessica Alba are examples of those with neutral skin tones.
Here are some common traits of neutral skin:
- Doesn’t visibly lean very warm or very cool
- May tan easily in the sun rather than burn
- Veins on wrist appear both blue/purple and green
- Jewelry in silver and gold metal tones generally both look nice
- Found often among those of Asian or Latino/Hispanic descent
Neutral skin benefits from being able to wear both warm and cool toned clothing and makeup shades. But hair color pairing can be trickier. Let’s look at how to find the most natural brown hair shades to complement neutral skin.
Best brown hair shades for neutral skin
Those with neutral undertones tend to look best with hair colors that are neither too ashy nor too golden. Medium to darker browns are flattering because they provide nice contrast against lighter skin without competing. Here are some top shades to consider:
- Chestnut brown – A rich, warm shade of brown with subtle red undertones. Provides vibrancy against neutral skin.
- Chocolate brown – A luscious cool brown that can pull either warm or cool. Deep but soft at the same time.
- Espresso – A very dark brown nearing black. Adds drama and accentuates paler neutral skin.
- Maple brown – A delicious medium brown with subtle golden blonde highlights. Not too warm or cool.
- Toffee brown – A neutral milk chocolate brown that flatters a wide range of complexions.
Browns in this shade range create an elegant, natural look. They contrast nicely against neutral skin without competing. Going too light or too dark with brown shades can look harsh. But medium level browns like these give a warm, complementary effect.
Best techniques for applying brown hair dye
When applying brown hair color for the first time or switching shades, it’s best to have it done professionally at a salon. A skilled colorist will evaluate your complexion and recommend shades that will look most natural. They can also expertly blend, add highlights and lowlights, and tone the color properly to suit your skin.
If maintaining color at home between salon visits, here are some tips:
- Always do a patch and strand test first to check the color result.
- Follow the timing instructions – leaving on too long or not long enough affects coloring.
- Use petroleum jelly on skin near the hairline to avoid staining.
- Rinse with cool water and use a sulfate-free shampoo to preserve the color.
- Gloss treatments keep brown shades looking rich between dye jobs.
It’s also a good idea to get a professional gloss or toner done about 4-6 weeks after initial coloring. This helps refresh the tones specifically to complement your complexion.
How to know if your brown shade looks good
The best way to check if your shade of brown is suitable for your neutral skin tone is to step outside in natural daylight and look in a mirror. Sunlight doesn’t lie. If the color looks too brassy or monotone under the sun, it’s likely not the best match.
You can also take some selfies in different lighting. Look critically at the pictures and see if the color seems off. Compare to inspiration photos of celebs with similar complexions to check if your shade measures up.
Here are some signs you may not have the right brown hue:
- Hair looks very flat and monotone, without dimension
- Appears too light and washed out against skin tone
- Looks very brassy, ashy or fake
- Face seems pallid and drained of color
- Overly warm or cool tones stand out as conflicting
The right brown shade will look soft, natural and complement your skin. You should feel like the best version of yourself. If the color seems off, don’t settle – adjust with toner or try a new brown that fits you better.
Celebrity hair inspiration
Looking at celebrities with similar neutral skin tones can provide lots of inspiration on finding your perfect shade of brown. Here are a few fabulous examples:
| Celebrity | Brown Hair Shade |
|---|---|
| Jessica Alba | Rich chocolate brown |
| Jennifer Aniston | Golden brown with honey highlights |
| Lucy Liu | Cool espresso brown |
| Eva Longoria | Dimensional chocolate brown with caramel highlights |
| Gabrielle Union | Dark chocolate brown |
Notice how these celebs with neutral skin tones tend to wear medium to darker browns that have dimension. Their colors aren’t flat or monotone. Adding in highlights and lowlights creates depth and keeps the shades from looking dull.
Caring for brown hair
Brown hair colors tend to fade faster than darker shades. Sun exposure, heat styling, and chemical treatments can all cause the tones to look brassy or lifeless over time. Here are some simple tips for keeping brown hair looking rich and luxurious:
- Wash with a sulfate-free or color-safe shampoo and use cool water
- Use a deep conditioning hair mask 1-2 times per week
- Rinse with apple cider vinegar to keep tones vibrant
- Apply leave-in conditioner and heat protectant before hot tools
- Get regular trims to prevent split ends and breakage
- Use gloss or toner treatments between dye jobs
- Avoid chlorine, salt water, and excessive sun exposure
It’s also a good idea to switch up your part every few weeks when styling. This ensures even fading of color as opposed to only one section growing out.
Dyeing your hair at home vs professionally
Should you color your brown hair at home or get it done at the salon? There are pros and cons to both options.
Benefits of professional hair coloring:
- Experienced colorists will expertly match and blend shades to your skin.
- Precision highlights/lowlights and toner can be added.
- The process is generally less messy.
- You can discuss options and get skilled recommendations.
- Often comes with a cut, style, and conditioning treatment.
Downsides of salon hair dyeing:
- It is more expensive, especially for long or thick hair.
- Needs to be scheduled well in advance.
- Roots grow out quickly requiring frequent touch-ups.
- May not get your preferred stylist.
- Less control over the final result.
Perks of DIY brown hair coloring:
- Much more affordable.
- Can do it whenever needed.
- Plenty of drugstore box kit options.
- Can control the shade and application.
- Easy to re-touch roots as needed.
Challenges of at-home dyeing:
- Harder to determine if the shade compliments skin tone.
- No professional guidance on best color options.
- More risk of mistakes and uneven results.
- Can be messy and time consuming.
- Color may fade faster.
For those new to brown hair color, starting professionally can ensure the best results. But DIY kits work well for maintaining when done carefully. It comes down to budget, time, and personal comfort level.
How to do a hair strand test
Before coloring your entire head, it’s wise to do a hair strand test first. This involves applying dye to a few discreet strands of hair and checking the results before fully committing.
Here is a step-by-step guide to patch strand testing:
- Choose 2-3 strands of hair near your nape or hairline.
- Separate the strands and cleanse with clarifying shampoo.
- Allow strands to fully air dry.
- Mix the color according to instructions.
- Use a clean brush or applicator for the test strands only.
- Saturate strands fully and leave on for time indicated.
- Rinse strands well and dry.
- Observe the color on the strands in natural light.
- Check again after 24-48 hours as color continues to settle.
- Determine if you like the shade and want to proceed.
This simple test can save you from a hair color disaster. Pay close attention to whether the test strands seem brassy, ashy, too light, too dark, or just not suited to your complexion. It’s better to realize that before committing to a full dye job.
Correcting brown hair color gone wrong
What if you dyed your hair brown and don’t like the results? Don’t panic – there are solutions for fixing brown hair mishaps.
If the color came out too light, using a darker brown dye soon after can help correct it. Just be sure to do a strand test first.
For brown hair that turned out too brassy or orangey, try using a brown shade with ash tones or blue pigment to counteract warmth. Purple shampoo can also reduce brassiness between dye jobs.
If your new brown is looking flat or monotone, lowlights and highlights can add dimension. See your colorist for a toner appointment to adjust the tones.
With professional help, undesirable brown shades can often be re-colored within a week or two of initial dyeing. Use temporary rinses or color-locking treatments in the meantime.
For those who are blonde or light brown going darker, reversal takes longer. Lightening dark brown damage-free requires patience. See your stylist for a game plan.
Temporary vs permanent brown dye
When choosing a new brown hair color, you’ll have to decide whether to use temporary or permanent dye. Here’s an overview of each:
| Temporary Color | Permanent Color | |
|---|---|---|
| Lasts for | 1-2 shampoos | 4-6 weeks |
| Application | No mixing required | Must mix developer |
| Color results | More subtle and natural | Bolder, opaque results |
| Maintenance | Reapply frequently | Touch up roots every 4-6 weeks |
| Damage risk | Very little | Higher risk of damage |
Temporary brown dyes are great for trying out a shade or covering roots between permanent touch-ups. Permanent color lasts longer but is harder to reverse. Choose wisely based on your hair health and color committment level.
Going from brown to blonde hair
Making the switch from brunette to blonde is a major color change. Here is an overview of what’s involved:
- Several sessions are needed – lifting dark hair to blonde cannot be done in one session. Expect multiple salon visits.
- Cuticle damage is likely – lightening brown hair opens cuticles and causes breakage. Olaplex can help.
- Use a toner – to avoid brassiness, blonde tones must be toned to suit your complexion.
- Maintenance is demanding – expect to spend time and money on toning sessions and roots.
- Go gradually – for the healthiest transition, have your colorist lift subtly over time.
Also, know it may not be possible to achieve platinum blonde from a dark brown base. A rich honey blonde may be the lightest shade achievable. Discuss realistic expectations with your stylist.
Does brown hair make you look older?
Some people believe brown hair can age you compared to blonde hair. But it truly depends on the shade and complexion:
- Drab, flat medium browns can wash some people out and emphasize fine lines.
- However, rich chocolate browns and chestnuts polishes and brightens neutral skin.
- Going too light can actually age those with fair cool skin, while dark espresso browns make them glow.
- Caramel and honey brown highlights around the face can give a vibrant lift.
The key is finding a multidimensional brown that provides contrast without dulling the complexion. When done right, brown hair gives a refined yet youthful look for women of all ages.
Should I go brown if I have pink undertones?
Those with fair skin and pink undertones can look gorgeous with certain shades of brown hair. But avoid shades that can clash with the pinkness in your skin. Here are some guidelines:
- Light ash browns like taupe can emphasize ruddiness.
- Orangey chestnuts and caramels bring out unwanted redness.
- The best shades are neutral to cool espresso and chocolate browns.
- Black-based shades of brown make pink skin glow.
- Add subtle ash brown highlights around the face.
Going with a dark neutral brown hair color is safest. But a skilled colorist can also customize cool-toned browns to complement and subdue pinkness in the skin while brightening.
Conclusion
Finding that perfect shade of brown hair comes down to choosing a color with the right tones and depth to naturally enhance your neutral skin. Aim for multidimensional medium to darker browns that don’t compete with the skin but provide lively contrast. Chestnuts, chocolates, and espressos are can’t-go-wrong options. Just be sure to do a strand test and maintain the color properly. When you find the ideal brown for you, it makes your skin glow and brings out your best features. So take your time exploring until you discover that shade that feels absolutely fabulous.