Chestnut brown hair is a rich, warm brunette shade that looks beautiful on many different skin tones. The key to finding your perfect chestnut brown hair color match is determining your skin’s undertones. Cool skin tones tend to suit ashier chestnut browns, while warm undertones look best with redder chestnut shades. Medium and neutral skin tones can wear both types well. This article will help you identify your skin’s undertones and match you with flattering chestnut brown hair colors. We’ll also provide specific chestnut brown hair dye recommendations for different skin tones.
Determining Your Skin Undertones
The first step is figuring out whether your skin leans cool, warm, or neutral. Here are some ways to tell:
- Veins – If your veins appear blue or purple, you likely have cool undertones. Greenish veins indicate warm undertones.
- Jewelry – Does silver or white gold look better on you than yellow gold? If so, you probably have cool undertones. The reverse would mean warm undertones.
- Clothing – Do you look better in silver, gray and bluish-red? Then you likely have cool undertones. If orange, yellow and yellowish-greens are more flattering, you probably have warm undertones.
- Sunlight – Do you burn easily in the sun rather than tan? This often indicates cool undertones.
If you don’t clearly fall into the cool or warm camp, you likely have neutral undertones. This means you can wear both cool and warm shades nicely.
Best Chestnut Browns for Cool Undertones
People with fair or pinkish skin and blue/purple veins have cool undertones. Ashy chestnut brown shades that steer clear of red/orange will be most complimentary. Here are some flattering options:
- L’Oreal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying + Shine Permanent Hair Color in 6CB Light Chestnut Brown – A light ash brown with subtle chestnut tones.
- Clairol Natural Instincts in 29 Ashy Chestnut Brown – A medium neutral chestnut brown with ash tones to complement cool skin.
- Revlon Colorsilk in 54 Medium Ash Brown – A rich ash brown with strong chestnut hues.
- Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color Creme in 61 Light Ash Chestnut Brown – A lighter ash-based chestnut brown.
When trying chestnut browns with cool undertones, aim for shades labeled “ash,” “natural” or “neutral.” Avoid warm golds and reds.
Best Chestnut Browns for Warm Undertones
Those with peach, yellow or golden skin and greenish veins have warm undertones. For you, chestnut browns with subtle red, golden or caramel highlights will be most flattering. Great options include:
- Revlon Colorsilk in 56 Medium Auburn Brown – A chestnut brown with warm auburn tones.
- Clairol Natural Instincts in 26R Medium Golden Chestnut Brown – A medium chestnut brown with golden warmth.
- John Frieda Precision Foam Colour in 6BR Dark Chestnut Brown – A rich chestnut brown with red undertones.
- L’Oreal Paris Superior Preference in 6RB Light Reddish Chestnut Brown – A light copper chestnut brown.
When trying chestnut shades with warm undertones, look for ones described as “golden,” “auburn,” “caramel” or “reddish.”
Best Chestnut Browns for Neutral Undertones
Those with an even mix of warm and cool undertones have neutral skin. This makes you quite versatile – you can wear chestnut browns from either side of the spectrum. Some great in-between shades for neutral skins are:
- Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color Creme in 62 Medium Chestnut Brown – A straight-up chestnut brown with both warm and cool tones.
- Clairol Natural Instincts in 29N Medium Neutral Chestnut Brown – A neutral chestnut brown that flatters all skin tones.
- Revlon Colorsilk in 55 Medium Chestnut Brown – A classic, neutral medium chestnut.
- L’Oreal Paris Superior Preference in 6CBN Neutral Chestnut Brown – A neutral light chestnut brown.
When shopping for chestnut shades with neutral undertones, look for ones described as “natural” or “neutral.”
How to Dye Your Hair Chestnut Brown
Once you’ve selected the right chestnut brown shade for your skin tone, it’s time to dye your hair. Here are some tips for application:
- Protect clothing and skin with an old shirt and petroleum jelly on hairline.
- Mix the color crème developer according to instructions.
- Section clean, dry hair and use the applicator brush to apply dye evenly from roots to ends.
- Leave the dye on for the time indicated on the box.
- Rinse thoroughly until water runs clear.
- Apply included conditioner and let sit 1-3 minutes to lock in color.
- Style as usual.
To maintain your new chestnut brown color, use a sulfate-free shampoo and cool water washes. Also, consider a brown tinted conditioner or gloss treatment to keep tones vibrant between salon visits.
Complementary Makeup and Clothing for Chestnut Brown Hair
Once you’ve gone chestnut brown, finish the look by complementing your hair with makeup and clothing in harmonizing shades.
For cool chestnut browns, try:
- Berry or wine lipsticks
- Pink or mauve blushes
- Gunmetal or silver eye shadows
- Blue-based reds, purples, pinks and berries in clothing
For warm chestnut browns, go for:
- Peach, coral or rust lipsticks
- Apricot or bronze blushes
- Gold or copper eye shadows
- Orange, yellow and olive green clothing
With neutral chestnut browns, both cool and warm makeup/clothing pair nicely. Play around and see what you prefer!
Celebrity Inspiration for Chestnut Brown Hair
Some gorgeous celebrities rocking various chestnut brown hair shades include:
- Olivia Munn – Rich neutral chestnut brown
- Anne Hathaway – Cool ash chestnut brown
- Sarah Hyland – Warm coppery chestnut brown
- Khloe Kardashian – Light cool chestnut brown
- Kerry Washington – Dark neutral chestnut brown
Seeing these stars styling beautiful chestnut hair can provide inspiration as you make the brunette change.
Chestnut Brown Hair Care Tips
To keep your chestnut brown hair looking its best, be sure to:
- Use sulfate-free shampoo and cool water washes to prolong color.
- Apply a weekly nourishing hair mask to boost shine.
- Use a heat protectant before hot tool styling to prevent damage.
- Get regular trims every 6-8 weeks to prevent split ends.
- Use a tinted conditioner occasionally to refresh faded color.
With proper at-home care between salon visits, your chestnut hair color can stay vibrant for months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about chestnut brown hair:
What are the different shades of chestnut brown hair?
Chestnut brown hair ranges from light to dark. On the lighter end, there are soft shades like ash light chestnut brown. Darker options include rich neutral medium chestnut or deep chestnut with red undertones. There are many shades in between.
What skin tones does chestnut brown hair look best on?
Chestnut brown hair is versatile and can flatter many skin tones. Cool skins suit ashier chestnuts, while warm undertones look best with redder chestnuts. Neutral and medium skins can wear both.
What colors go well with chestnut brown hair?
Makeup and clothing in berry tones, pinks, purples and cool reds complement ashier chestnuts. Warm chestnuts look great with peach, coral, olive and gold colors.
How do you dye your hair chestnut brown at home?
Select a chestnut brown shade that flatters your skin tone. Mix the color crème, apply evenly from roots to ends, leave on for the directed time, rinse thoroughly. Apply included conditioner. Style as desired.
Conclusion
Chestnut brown hair is gorgeous on many different complexions. Determine your skin’s undertones to find the most flattering shades. Cool skins suit ashier chestnuts, warm tones look best in redder chestnuts, and neutral skins can wear both. Dye your hair at home with an on-tone chestnut brown, then complement it with harmonizing makeup and clothing. With proper care, your chestnut locks will look lovely for months. This versatile, wearable brunette color is sure to give you a beautiful boost.
