Ash brown hair color is a light brown shade with subtle cool undertones. It gets its name from the light ash tones that come through, creating a cool brunette look. Ash brown hair can look beautiful on many different skin tones when done correctly. The key is finding the right depth and tone of ash brown to complement your complexion. In this article, we’ll break down which skin tones pair best with ash brown hair.
Cool Skin Tones
Those with cool undertones to their skin will look gorgeous with ash brown hair. The cool ash tones will accentuate your skin’s natural coolness. Pale complexions with pink or red undertones are flattered by light ash brown shades. This enhances your fair skin in a soft, natural way. Porcelain and ivory skin tones should opt for platinum or sandy ash brown hues. This brings out the blue undertones in fair cool complexions. Light ash brown with subtle beigy tones is perfect for those with fair skin and neutral-cool undertones.
Medium cool skin tones work well with medium to dark ash brown shades. Those with alabaster or fair beige skin can go for milk chocolate ash brown colors. For light beige to olive skin, try a rich taupe ash brown. This creates a harmonious contrast between the hair and skin. Neutral-cool medium complexions also suit chestnut and espresso ash brown shades nicely. The depth is flattering while the cool ash tones sync together.
Warm Skin Tones
Warm skin tones need to avoid ash brown shades that are too icy. The right balance of warmth and coolness is essential. Fair skin with golden peach undertones can pull off sandy light ash brown. For fair warm complexions, honey ash brown with subtle warmth is a good match. Light beige and peach-toned medium skin looks great with caramel or ginger ash brown. This retains some warmth while still having an ashy tone.
Neutral-warm medium complexions work well with brown sugar and hazelnut ash brown. Look for shades advertised as “warm ash brown” or “golden ash brown.” Tan to deep warm skin tones can rock a milk chocolate ash brown. Focus on neutral-cool ash browns rather than icy ones. The depth is perfect for darker warm skin while avoiding clashing tones.
Neutral Skin Tones
Those with more neutral balanced skin tones have lots of versatility with ash brown hair. Light neutral skin can handle platinum and cool sandy ash browns. Just avoid ultra-icy shades. For light beige to tan neutral complexions, try a balanced chestnut ash brown. This has subtle coolness without going too far into icy territory. Espresso and dark chocolate ash browns also work well on these skin tones.
Avoid Ash Brown on Very Warm Skin Tones
Those with distinctly golden, olive, or deep bronze skin need to be careful with ash brown shades. The stark contrast between cool hair and warm skin can seem off. Ultra-cool ash browns can make the skin look sallow and washed out. Stick with neutral browns, caramels, and chestnuts instead. If you want to try ash brown, go for a touch of ashy tones mixed with warmth. Candy brown and mocha shades can work on dark warm skin. Just ensure the ash isn’t too overpowering.
Best Ash Brown Shades for Skin Tones
| Skin Tone | Best Ash Brown Shades |
|---|---|
| Fair, Pink | Platinum, Light Ash Brown |
| Fair, Neutral Cool | Sandy Ash Brown |
| Light, Pink/Red | Light Ash Brown |
| Light Beige, Neutral Cool | Milk Chocolate Ash Brown |
| Medium, Neutral Cool | Chestnut Ash Brown |
| Olive, Neutral | Espresso Ash Brown |
| Medium Tan, Neutral Warm | Brown Sugar Ash Brown |
| Tan, Neutral | Chestnut Ash Brown |
| Dark Tan, Olive | Neutral Browns |
| Deep, Golden | Avoid Ash Browns |
This table provides guidance on selecting the most flattering ash brown shades based on your specific skin tone and undertone. Use it as a guide and adjust to find your perfect match.
How Lighting Affects Ash Brown Hair
It’s important to consider different lighting conditions when choosing an ash brown color. Ash brown can take on slightly different shades depending on the lighting.
In natural lighting, ash brown comes across closest to how it really looks. You see the nuances of how the cool and warm tones interact. Inside under warm artificial light, ash brown may skew slightly warmer. The ash tones diminish while the subtle warmth comes out more.
Under cool fluorescent lighting, ash brown can look extra icy. The ash tones are amplified and may appear more silvery. This is something to keep in mind if you’ll be indoors a lot. Try to view your hair in both warm sunlight and cool indoor lighting before finalizing the color.
Enhancing Your Skin Tone with Makeup
You can also use makeup to enhance your complexion with ash brown hair. Fair skin looks great with neutral or pink-toned foundation and blush. Play up the coolness in your skin. Bronzer adds warmth and dimension for medium skin tones. Opt for neutral brown shades rather than orange undertones.
On warm skin, avoid going too heavy on the foundation and powder. This prevents the ash brown looking too stark against paler makeup. Use bronzer and blush to liven up the complexion. Contour slightly to add depth.
Ash Brown Hair Color Tips
Here are some tips for choosing and maintaining ash brown hair:
– Focus on finding the right depth and tone of ash brown for your skin. You want balance between coolness and warmth.
– View hair swatches in natural lighting if possible to see the true color.
– Use conditioning and anti-brass toners to reduce unwanted red or gold tones.
– Touch up roots regularly as they grow in to keep the ash brown fresh.
– Use a purple shampoo once a week to prevent brassiness and preserve the ash tones.
– When refreshing color, don’t overlap too much to avoid excessive buildup.
– Protect hair from fading with UV filters and minimal washing.
Finding an Ash Brown Colorist
An experienced colorist is instrumental in helping you find that perfect ash brown shade. Describe the depth and tone you want. Show them pictures of inspiration shades. An expert can mix custom ash browns tailored to your skin tone. They also know techniques like balayage and babylights to apply the color.
Beauty supply stores are another option for finding ash brown hair dye. But without a skilled colorist, it’s hit or miss matching the right product to your skin. Box kits make it harder to customize the tone and depth. Go gradually when using at-home dyes to avoid surprises.
Conclusion
Ash brown hair can be gorgeous on a wide range of skin tones when customized appropriately. Cool skin with pink and red undertones tends to look best with light to medium ash browns. Neutral and lightly warm medium complexions suit darker chestnut and espresso ash shades. Extremely fair or dark warm skin needs to take extra care to avoid unflattering contrasts. With the right coloring techniques and maintenance, ash brown hair lets you rock a stylish cool-toned brunette look.