When choosing a new hair color, it’s important to consider how it will complement your skin tone. Chocolate brown hair is a rich, warm shade that can look beautiful on many different complexions. However, the right undertone of chocolate brown and method for applying it can make all the difference. Understanding your own skin’s undertones and best shades will help ensure your new chocolate brown hair flatters you.
What are undertones?
Undertones refer to the subtle hints of color that exist beneath the surface of your skin. While your skin may look beige, ivory, or tan at first glance, upon closer inspection you’ll notice yellow, olive, or pink hints. Your unique mix of undertones will interact with colors differently, causing some shades to harmonize and others to clash.
There are three primary types of undertones:
– Warm undertones: Yellow, peach, golden hints
– Cool undertones: Pink, red, blue hints
– Neutral undertones: No strong hints, a blend of warm and cool
To help determine your undertone, take a close look at the veins on your wrist in natural lighting. Veins that appear greenish indicate warm undertones. Bluish veins signal cool undertones. Hard to tell? Then you likely have a neutral skin tone.
You can also pay attention to how your skin reacts to jewelry metals. Warm complexions look best in yellow gold. Cool complexions shine in silver. Neutral skin wears both metals well.
Knowing your undertones will guide you in choosing shades of chocolate brown hair that complement you.
Best chocolate brown shades for warm undertones
Warm undertones contain hints of gold, so they pair beautifully with chocolate browns containing warm reddish or golden tones. Some flattering options include:
Golden brown
A mix of rich brown and gold, this shade adds warmth while remaining soft and natural-looking. The golden tones play up yellow undertones in skin for a harmonious glow.
Chestnut brown
Chestnut hair incorporates subtle red-orange hues into a chocolate base. This warm shade enlivens warm complexions with a lively pop of color. It’s richer than traditional auburns.
Honey brown
Honey brown hair integrates caramel and bronze for a sweet, sun-kissed look. The peachy tones flatter and illuminate golden skin. It’s a great way to add multi-dimensional warmth.
Maple brown
Maple browns incorporate red and copper tints for an autumnal vibe. This spicy shade brings out the rosiness in warm skin. It’s especially pretty on olive or tanned complexions.
Mocha brown
A mocha brown features hints of cream, caramel, and cocoa for extra richness. The mix of cool and warm tones flatters both yellow and olive undertones. It’s a versatile go-to chocolate shade.
When applying these warm chocolate browns, opt for all-over color as opposed to highlights. Highlights can create too much contrast on already warm skin. Rich saturation is best for harmonizing with warm undertones. Focus the deepest color near the roots to frame the face.
Best chocolate brown shades for cool undertones
Cool pink and red undertones require chocolate browns on the cooler end of the spectrum to complement the skin. Great options include:
Espresso brown
A deep chocolate brown with subtle cool blue undertones, espresso hair provides striking contrast against fair, cool-toned skin. The depth of color makes blue eyes pop as well.
Mocha brown
As mentioned earlier, mocha brown contains both warm and cool tones for versatility across undertones. The mix of cream, cocoa, and subtle ash makes it wearable for pink complexions.
Chestnut brown
While also flattering on warmer complexions, chestnut brown avoids too much red-orange when applied to cool skin. The chocolate base remains dominant on pinker tones. Red violet highlights can emphasize the coolness.
Chocolate mahogany
Chocolate mahogany introduces touches of deep red into a rich brown base. This amplifies the cool undertones of fair skin while still providing warmth. It’s ideal for those with dark brown or black hair seeking a lively change.
Mink brown
Incorporating cool ash and smoky tones, mink brown excels at neutralizing ruddiness in pale skin. The muted shade provides a fresh complement without overwhelming. Beige highlights help brighten the face.
For a harmonious look, focus cool chocolate brown shades around the mid-lengths and ends. Highlights near the face help brighten pale or ruddy complexions. Avoid pulling the deep color all the way to the root area.
Best chocolate brown shades for neutral undertones
With a blend of warm and cool undertones, neutral complexions can wear shades from either end of the chocolate brown spectrum. But shades with a mix of undertones create beautiful synergy. Ideal options include:
Brown sugar brown
Brown sugar brown artfully combines warm caramel and cool ash tones. This versatility flatters most neutral complexions that wear both gold and silver jewelry well. Adaptability makes it a great starter shade of chocolate brown.
Mocha brown
Again, mocha brown’s blend of cream, cocoa, and subtle ash undertones synergize with neutral skin’s combination of warm and cool tones. The multidimensional color provides depth without contrast.
Chestnut brown
Pulling back on the red-orange warmth makes chestnut brown wearable for neutral complexions as well as cool ones. Chocolate remains dominant in the balanced base that doesn’t overpower neutral skin.
Toffee brown
Subtly incorporating buttery warmth and cool taupe, toffee brown merges with neutral skin seamlessly. It provides soft contrast without skewing too warm or cool. Toffee brown boosts natural hair color beautifully.
Cappuccino brown
With hints of ash, caramel, and cocoa, cappuccino brown flows right into a neutral skin’s mix of undertones. It’s an adaptable shade that remains natural-looking. Frothy highlights can boost dimension.
On neutral skin, chocolate brown generally looks best applied all over. But highlights and lowlights can illuminate and contour the complexion if desired. Focus warm lowlights near the roots and cool highlights around the face.
Tips for applying chocolate brown
Once you’ve selected the ideal chocolate brown shade for your undertones, proper application is key to making it most flattering. Here are some tips:
Do a strand test. Before applying chocolate brown all over, do a strand test to confirm you like the color result as it interacts with your natural hair.
Start two shades lighter. When going dramatically darker, it’s best to start two shades lighter than your desired end result. This prevents the color from looking overly harsh.
Use a demi-permanent dye. For rich chocolate browns, a demi-permanent dye will deposit the most color while still allowing you to remove it gradually. Avoid permanent color.
Gloss every 4-6 weeks. To keep chocolate brown hair looking shiny and fresh, use a gloss or glazing treatment every 4-6 weeks. This replenishes moisture and vibrancy.
Use a clarifying shampoo. Clarifying shampoo helps remove buildup and keep dark brown tones clean. Use once a week or as needed if hair starts to look dull.
Rinse with cool water. Rinsing your freshly colored hair with cool water seals the cuticle to lock in chocolate brown pigment and increase shine.
Deep condition weekly. Hydration is essential to prevent dryness in darker dyed hair. Use a weekly deep conditioning mask or treatment.
| Undertone | Ideal Chocolate Brown Shades |
|---|---|
| Warm | Golden brown, chestnut brown, honey brown, maple brown, mocha brown |
| Cool | Espresso brown, mocha brown, chestnut brown, chocolate mahogany, mink brown |
| Neutral | Brown sugar brown, mocha brown, chestnut brown, toffee brown, cappuccino brown |
Choosing the right stylist
To get your ideal chocolate brown color that flatters your skin’s undertones, it’s essential to visit an experienced colorist. Avoid trying to color-match at home. A professional can tailor the shade and application method to your unique needs. Request to see the colorist’s portfolio to view examples of their chocolate brown work on your hair type and complexion. A skilled colorist will also take the time to consult with you about the look you want to achieve.
How to maintain chocolate brown hair
Once your ideal chocolate brown shade is freshly applied by a pro, maintaining that vibrancy involves dedication. Here are some at-home steps to extend time between salon visits:
– Shampoo less often, every 2-3 days. Over-shampooing fades color. Use dry shampoo to absorb oil between washes.
– Rinse with cold water and limiting time in hot showers to lock in color.
– Use a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to preserve color. Sulfates strip dye.
– Apply a weekly nourishing hair mask to boost moisture and shine.
– Use leave-in conditioner after every shampoo to prevent dryness.
– Let hair air dry instead of heat styling to minimize damage and fading.
– Apply hair oil to dry ends and avoid rubbing your hair with a towel. Reduce friction.
– Protect hair from sun exposure with a hat to prevent fading.
With the right shade, application, and maintenance, chocolate brown hair can look soft, dimensional, and healthy. Consult a skilled stylist and don’t be afraid to go a little deeper, warmer, or cooler than your natural color. When chocolate brown harmonizes with your skin’s undertones, it makes for a gorgeous look full of richness, depth, and warmth.
Conclusion
Chocolate brown hair can beautifully complement a wide range of skin tones when the right shade and application techniques are used. Warm complexions glow with golden browns containing hints of caramel, chestnut, and honey. Cooler pink and red undertones are flattered by chocolate shades with subtle ash or mahogany tones. Neutral and balanced skin wears shades like brown sugar or cappuccino brown seamlessly. Consulting a professional colorist is key to personalized placement and blending that flatters. When cared for properly, chocolate brown hair rewards you with luminous, multidimensional color. The key is choosing the variation that creates synergy with your unique skin undertones. With the perfect chocolate brown shade, you’ll feel more radiant than ever.
