How to Get Perfect Ash Brown Hair at Home: A Step-by-Step Guide.

If you’re anything like me, always on the lookout for that next hair adventure, then ash brown hair might just be your new obsession. This fabulous hue blends cool tones with natural vibes, adding dimension and depth to your locks.

Whether you’re looking to refresh your current style or try something completely new, ash brown is the way to go.

But, getting the perfect ash brown hair may seem intimidating, especially if you’re doing it at home.

Don’t worry, though, professional Hair Stylist & Color Consultant Enza Piazza is here to break down the process for you step-by-step so you can achieve fabulous ash brown hair in the comfort of your own home.

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Step #1 Prepare Your Hair

Enza says, “First things first, make sure your hair is in tip-top shape before you start. Trust me, you don’t want to dye over dry, brittle hair—it’s like trying to paint on a cracked canvas.”

Use a clarifying shampoo to get rid of any buildup (bye-bye, product gunk!), followed by a deep conditioning treatment to keep those tresses moisturized and healthy.

Step #2 Choose the Right Shade

Now, onto the fun part—picking your perfect ash brown shade!

Enza tells us it all comes down to skin tone:

• If you have warm undertones, deep ashy and cool shades will complement you beautifully.
• Cool undertones? Opt for a warmer ash hue.

Hot tip! Check out your favorite celebs with ash brown hair to see which shades match your vibe. Who doesn’t want to channel a bit of that star power?

Step #3 Pre-Lightening

Got naturally dark hair? You might need to lighten it up a bit before going ash brown.

Grab a hair bleach kit and carefully lift your hair to the desired level.

And remember, follow the instructions like your hair’s life depends on it—because it kind of does! Not sure if you should bleach? A quick chat with your local salon’s colorist can be a game-changer.

Expert Insights

“Pre-lightening can be tricky and damaging if not done correctly. Always do a strand test first to see how your hair reacts. If in doubt, consult a professional to avoid over-processing and damaging your hair.”

Enza Piazza, Hair stylist & color consultant

Step #4: Applying the Ash Brown Hair Color

Time to get that color on! Section your hair and apply the dye from roots to ends.

Make sure to coat every strand evenly (nobody wants patchy color!).

Enza advises, “Sectioning your hair is key to even application. Start from the roots and work your way down to ensure full coverage. Use clips to keep sections separate and manageable.”

And don’t forget to wear those gloves—unless you’re going for the stained-hand look!

Step #5 Processing and Rinse Out

Let the color sit for the recommended time, usually around 30 minutes.

Use this time to catch up on your favorite show or do a mini dance party (your choice!).

When time’s up, rinse your hair with cool water to seal the cuticle and reduce damage. Follow up with a conditioner or hair mask if your hair feels a bit thirsty.

Enza’s Tip: “Rinsing with cool water helps to seal the hair cuticle, locking in the color and adding shine. Always condition after dyeing to replenish moisture and keep your hair soft and manageable.”

Step #6 Maintenance

Now that you’ve achieved your an ash brown hair color that you love, it’s important to look after it.

Use shampoos and conditioners that are formulated for color-treated hair, and try to avoid washing your hair too frequently.

If your hair starts to show brassy tones, use a blue shampoo (not purple) once a week to keep unwanted orange away.

And invest in a heat protectant spray to prevent damage from styling tools.

Watch & Learn: How to dye your hair ash brown.

Here’s a great video that from hair guru Guy Tang that shows you how to get that perfect ash brown hair color for glossy, un-brassy locks.

Can you get ash brown hair without bleaching?

Good question! If you want to know how to get this color at home, you need to first look at your base hair color – the shade of ashy brown you’ll achieve all depends on the color your hair is now.

If your hair color now is darker than light brown

Your hair will need to be lightened first.

This also goes for any other on-trend hair colors your hair happens to be – and especially if you have black hair or naturally dark hair.

These will have to be removed before you start or your hair could turn black – you can’t lighten color with color!

Check out our advice in How to bleach your hair at home for top tips and products you can use to do this yourself at home.

If the thought of lightening your own hair makes you nervous, visit your local salon nad speak to a professional. You don’t want to get it wrong!

If your current color is any shade lighter than brown

Or even the same hue, you’re ok to dye your hair this shade yourself at home.

Make sure you read the advice on the hair dye you choose carefully to match it with the color your hair is now.

Remember that color can’t lighten color so you may end up a shade darker than your base, whichever hair dye you try.

If you know your hair takes to hair dye easily, you can opt for a shade or two lighter to avoid turning black.

Which are the best ash brown hair dyes to get the look at home?

When it comes to perfecting the look, you’ll find a variety of different brunette hair colors so choose wisely.

These are our best ashy brown box dyes you can buy today!

Read more about each one in our Best ash brown hair dye reviews.

Best ash brown hair dyes at a glance.

TOP PICK!

John Frieda Precision Foam Medium Ash Brown Hair Dye.

Features & ingredients

• A thick and saturating mousse-like, foam hair dye.
• The non-drip foam sinks into your strands for deeper color saturation.
• It’s applied easily from root to tip and even in hard-to-reach areas.
• The after-color conditioner is really nourishing and helps to seal in the color for long-lasting results. 

Reviewers say

“The hair dye itself is so easy to use and it smells lush. There’s no warmth to the color, it’s proper ashy brown.”

“The dye is a beautiful cool brunette color. Not too dark, and has covered up most of the warm tones I was trying to get rid of! So happy!”

“I used this just on my roots as I have light brown extensions in. It covered all my greys completely and has refreshed my style. So pleased.”

Our experience

We love John Frieda Precision Foam. It’s a permanent hair color that’s easier to apply than other formulas, doesn’t drip and really saturates your hair with color.

This is a medium brown shade but it came out darker than the box on our medium brown, already color-treated hair.

But brown dyes are notorious for producing results darker than the box so if in doubt, go one level up from your base color.

What we loved about this hair dye and shade was that it got rid of our red/brassy undertones. It’s a sultry, rich color with cool hues.

Although it was quite dark to begin with, it gradually faded after a few washes to a lighter shade.

Best for: Rich ashy brown hues.

ASH BROWN HAIR FAQs

Will ashy brown hair suit me?

This shade best suits cool skin tones so it’ll compliment you if you have cool tones too.

So it’s best for those with pale and ashy complexions and face frames lighter eye colors beautifully like grey, green and blue.

That’s not to say you can’t warm it up with ombre or balayage looks to suit darker and warmer skin tones and complexions.

You can blend it with caramel balayage, or subtle brown highlights on medium brown hair.

It also looks amazing as a smooth base for platinum blonde highlights and honey brown lowlights.

If it suits you, its silvery properties can cast a glossy glow. But be careful it doesn’t wash you out if your undertones aren’t a match for it.

What skin tone is best for ash brown hair?

Use our checklist below to find out your undertones and check that cool brunette hair will suit you.

If you have cool undertones:

• Your skin tone is pink or pale.
• You blush easily!
• Jewel and pastel colors are so your thing.
• The color yellow washes you out and does not look good on you.
• You have blue not green veins in your wrist.
• Pearls and silver jewellery look awesome on you.

If you have warm undertones:

• You have red or golden tones in your natural hair.
• Your skin tone is golden, tan or olive.
• You might have freckles.
• You have green not blue veins in your wrist.
• You suit bright or rich shades better.
• Gold jewellery looks awesome on you.

Which hair colors suit me?

You can also find out which hair color suits you by taking our quiz!

Just answer a few quick questions to find out what other hair colors most suit you!

You can also try on some virtual hair colors with the Best hair color changing apps you need to use this year!

Is ash brown good for gray hair?

Because of its ashy, smokey ash tones, it’s a great color for covering up grays.

The brunette tones blend well with gray and with the right ash brown hair dye, you can get a good gray coverage.

This color will wear well on gray hair too, casting a silvery wash as it fades and your natural color peeps through.

You may find yourself having to dye your hair more frequently if you are very gray.

Is ash brown a natural hair color?

Ash brown is a natural hair color, however it can be achieved through the use of dyes and bleaches.

There are many different shades of ash-brown colors, so it is important to find the right color for your skin tone and hair type.

You can use store-bought products, or you can mix your own colors to create the perfect shade for you.

Be sure to test the color on a small section of your hair before applying it all over, as some shades can be very light or dark depending on your base color.

Is ash brown the same color as mushroom?

Mushroom brown is a super on-trend version of light ash brown hair that blends cool blonde highlights and low lights to create that earthy mushroom color.

It’s a slightly warmer shade with its deep, rich hues and a fabulous alternative for those with warmer skin tones.

Is ash brown the same as chocolate brown?

Chocolate brown is another warmer, dark brown hair shade that has golden undertones that create a rich, luxurious color.

Chocolate definitely suits warmer or neutral skin tones and is the perfect brunette shade for those that will look washed out by ashy hair colors.

Chestnut brown is another light-brown, nutty color that blends beautifully as lowlights or balayage to create a warmer effect.

Check out the latest looks for ideas and inspiration.

How to tone brown hair to ash?

If you have brown hair, you may be looking for a way to give it a cool, ash-toned hair look. Here are some tips for how to tone brown hair to ash:

First, you need to cancel out any brassy warm red or orange tones in your brown hair. You can do this by using a purple shampoo or conditioner.

Be sure to use these products on damp hair, and leave them in for 5-10 minutes before rinsing out.

Next, you’ll need to select the right toner. Ash-toned toners typically have blue or green undertones. If you’re not sure which toner to choose, ask your colorist!

Once you’ve selected the right toner, apply it to damp hair and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Then, rinse it out with cool water. Avoid using hot water, as this can cause the toner to fade more quickly.

By following these tips, you can give your brown hair a cooler, ash-toned look without having to dye your hair.

What color does ash brown fade to?

Ashy hair has purple or blue tones within it but you might find it becomes warmer as it fades.

Particularly if you have warmer tones and your hair naturally draws red.

To take care of this, you’ll need a good blue shampoo to stop your color becoming too warm or brassy.

Blue shampoos will deposit a cool blue color pigment that neutralizes unwanted orange and keeps that brown nice and icy.

How long will ash brown hair last?

Assuming you are using a good quality hair dye, your color should last anywhere from 4-8 weeks, depending on how often you shampoo and how much sun exposure it receives.

What’s great about this shade is that it grows out really well.

If you want to lengthen time in between top ups, you can try darkening your roots with toner to create the on-trend root stretch look.

Can I use purple shampoo on ash brown hair?

Yes, you can use purple shampoo on ash brown hair.

Purple shampoo is designed to neutralize yellow tones in blond hair, but it can also be used on brunette colors to keep them from looking too warm.

It can sometimes look a bit orange or red, so using a purple shampoo can help to cool down the color and make it look more natural.

Just be sure to avoid using too much shampoo, as it can strip your hair of its natural oils and leave it feeling dry and brittle.

How do I care for my ashy brown hair?

Once you get beautiful brown tresses at home, you’ll need to maintain it to stop it fading away.

But luckily, it is a brunette color that can keep well with the right care.

Our top tips for making hair color last longer include protecting your hair against sunshine, heat damage and sea and pool water with the right products.

Also try washing your hair less frequently, ideally once a week if you can.

You can lengthen the time in between washes with a good root cover up and dry shampoo.

The good news about this shade is that it still looks good while it’s growing out.

So you can dye your hair less often. Darker root styles and root blurs are all the rage and blend well with this cool brown hue.

This will fortify and restore your hair bonds and help lock in the color. If it’s good enough for Kim K, it’s good enough for us.

And don’t forget you can check out all the best colored hair care tips How to look after colored hair and keep it luscious for longer for top tips.

Parting words.

So, if you’re ready to take the plunge into a whole new world of cool hair colors, what are you waiting for?

Now there’s nothing to stop you from rocking the ashy goodness. It’s time to say goodbye mousey and hello beautiful!

Good luck!

Found your perfect shade? We’d love to see it! Tag us on Instagram @coloredhaircare or Facebook and share your hair color stories. Looking for more hair care tips? Check out How to Look After Colored Hair: 11 Expert Secrets For Long-Lasting Color.

Our Research & Review Process

To ensure our recommendations are as comprehensive and reliable as possible, we’ve undertaken an extensive research effort.

We cite scientific evidence and journals, collect real user reviews and gather impartial perspectives from hair stylists, users, and experts in the field.

Additionally, we conduct hands-on testing by using products and applying hair dyes not only on our own locks but also on real human hair extensions and hair pieces of different hair type, textures and lengths.

This rigorous approach allows us to provide you with insights into which products genuinely live up to their promises.

As always – please consult with a professional hair colorist or stylist for advice on how to color your own hair at home. It’s different for everyone!