Hair Color
Creativity is at the core of what we do. To help you stay inspired, we created a hub with all your haircolor needs. Our blog covers the latest trends, formulas, professional tips and inspiration.
08.26.2019
14 Ash Brown Hair Color Ideas and Formulas
Not just for blondes; ash brown hair color is the cool hue of the moment. Taking over our Instagram feeds one post at a time, this popular shade is adding a touch of silver to brunettes with mink-toned highlights, smoked-out ombre and ashy balayage. A fresh take on classic brown hair, this stunning color is about to become your mane-stay.
Whether you’re a hair colorist looking to perfect your technique, or simply searching for your latest hair inspiration for the new season, we’ve got everything you need to know right here.
What is Ash Brown Hair Color?
Think a cool, smoky shade with a rich, deep brunette base. Unlike warm brunettes, featuring hints of red or gold, ash brown hair is much cooler, toning things down with an almost silvery finish.
Who is it Best For?
Ash brown hair is versatile enough to be adapted to different skin tones and shades, adding elements of the look to build up the desired finish. Paired with cool skin tones, which typically feature pinkish undertones, an ash brown hair color works to balance and neutralize pink or red areas of the skin. But that doesn’t mean this shade will drain warm complexions. To build up this new hue on warm skin tones, start with a classic brunette base and smoke out your shade with an ash brown balayage or ash brown ombre for a more subtle take on the trend.
Ash Brown Hair Color Ideas
Scroll through our collection of the best ash brown looks and find your new fave.
1. Ash Brown Balayage
Here’s how to take classic, sun-kissed balayage next-level:
Smoke out a cool brunette base with a scattering of soft, ashy strands from mid-lengths to ends. To go even smokier with this Instagram-worthy color, apply Opal-Essence by Illumina Color in Silver Mauve onto lighter sections of hair.
Image Credit: @biancahdrs
2. Ash Brown Ombre Hair
Switch up contrasting color with a smoky twist on ombre hair.
Stretch ash brown roots through to the mid-lengths before transitioning into a cooler blonde shade; a grown-out effect to graduating color.
Image Credit: @tc2_hair
3. Light Ash Brown Hair
We’re all about this sepia-toned shade. Start with a dark blonde base before building light ash brown color from root to tip, ensuring your shade is completely seamless.
Image Credit: @ambiente_by_pablo
4. Ash Brown Hair with Highlights
Highlights on any hair color will instantly lift and lighten your shade. Add a scattering of cool blonde highlights through an ashy brown base, brightening your shade with a multi-tonal finish. To keep hair looking glossy add WellaPlex to color.
Image Credit: @ans0403
5. Dark Ash Brown Hair
Rich, deep, smoky;
This dark ash brown hair color adds depth to classic brunettes with a just a hint of coolness. Ideal for natural brunettes looking to take their shade up a notch, achieve a dusty, smoky finish by toning with Illumina Color, using one of the cooler shades.
Image Credit: @sonitabeauty
6. Medium Ash Brown Hair
You don’t have to go a shade warmer when lightening up block brunette color. Medium ash brown hair color is the best of both worlds; a seamless, cool brunette shade that’s a little lighter, without moving over to dark ash blonde. If you prefer one color to multi-tonal strands or highlights, this is the shade for you.
Apply EIMI Glam Mist to up the shine on this ice cool brunette look even more.
Image Credit: @jamiekeikohair
7. Smoky Ash Brown Hair
Ready to make more of a statement?
This smoky look weaves together a blend of silvery ribbons of color with hints of mauve, delivering a multi-tonal effect that oozes cool. To really show off every shade in this ash-inspired look, curl hair into loose waves and scrunch EIMI Ocean Spritz through mid-lengths to ends for color-enhancing texture.
Image Credit: @jamiekeikohair
8. Rose Ash Brown Hair
Not feeling a full-on pink pastel shade?
Add a different dimension to an ash brown base and achieve a cool hint of pink on hair. Opal-Essence by Illumina Color in Titanium Rose delivers the perfect amount of color while adding luminous shine and a glossy finish you’ll love.
Image Credit: @sergiu.cristea.f
To keep color fresh and cool, add a purple shampoo like Invigo Blonde Recharge Cool Blonde with violet hues to rid lighter sections of brassy tones. Alternatively, if you're salon guest went for a richer tone, recommend a shampoo to keep color protected and vibrant. If your client's hair is feeling a little dry post-color, recommend Nutri-Enrich Deep Nourishing Mask our five-minute wonder. Apply to damp hair through the mid-lengths to ends to lock in moisture and nourish stressed-out hair. Glossy shine and luminous color await.
STAY CONNECTED
Feeling inspired? Follow Wellastore (@wellastoreusa) for education, #ProTips and industry secrets. Learn from top salon professionals around the globe and tag us for a chance to be featured. Be the first to know about monthly sweepstakes and exclusive promos plus take a front seat to everything Wellastore. We can't wait to see what you create. Happy Coloring!
