Salon-Worthy Mahogany at Home? Yes, It’s Possible (We’ll Show You How)

Let me tell you about the time I went mahogany.

London Fashion Week, three years ago. I caught a glimpse of the most gorgeous, rich hair color I’d ever seen. It was mahogany, and I was in love.

Fast forward to now, and I’ve helped countless people (and myself!) rock this stunning shade. Ready to join the mahogany club? Let’s go!

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Why Mahogany? The Lowdown on This Luscious Shade

This deep, warm reddish-brown hue is like a cozy autumn day in a bottle.

On the hair color wheel, Mahogany falls on the “orange-red” side of the hair color wheel, making it one of those deliciously warm shades that can add instant richness to your look.

But who does it suit best? If you’ve got warm undertones (think golden, tan, or olive skin), mahogany will make you glow like a sunset.

But don’t fret, cool-toned beauties! With the right stylist (or box dye), you can adjust the tone to complement your skin too.

The best part? Mahogany is incredibly versatile. You can go bold and vibrant for a head-turning look, or opt for a more subtle, natural-looking shade for everyday chic.

Check out the latest looks over on our mahogany Pinterest board for ideas and inspiration.

What skin tone suits mahogany hair?

Matching your hair color to your skin tone is one of the most important parts of hair coloring.  

Choosing the right shade can be daunting, especially when you’re not sure what hue looks best on you!

If you’re unsure about whether mahogany would suit your skin tone, you can use our checklist to find out if you suit warm colors.

If you have cool undertones

• You have a light skin – pink or pale skin tone.
• You blush very easily.
• You’re drawn to jewel and pastel colors.
• The color yellow does not look good on you.
• You have blue not green veins in your wrist.
• Silver jewellery and pearls look awesome on you.

If you have warm undertones

• Your natural hair color draws gold or red tones.
• Your skin color is golden, tan or olive.
• You get freckles in the sun.
• You have green not blue veins in your wrist.
• You suit bright or rich shades and colors.
• Gold jewellery looks awesome on you.

Will this color suit me?

If you’re still unsure this is a color that will suit you, you can take our quiz! Just answer a few quick questions and we’ll tell you which hair colors best suit you.

Can I dye my hair mahogany at home?

Sure you can! But the color you’ll achieve will all depend on the color your hair is now.

If you have light brown to blonde hair – you have a light base so you may find this color erring on the side of red. If you’re planning on dyeing your own hair at home, you may need a couple of hair dye boxes to get the right coverage.

Go for a darker shade than you want your hair to be sure you get the right level of darkness and depth.

If you have brown to black hair – you have a good base for this tone. Think about adding colored low lights, streaks or even dark ombre to play with different depths and dimensions.

If you want a bright and more vivid shade of mahogany, you may need to visit your local colorist at a salon who can lighten your hair with bleach.

As always, we recommend doing a strand test at home before you start to check the color of your chosen hair dye will come out the color your heart really desires

Which are the best mahogany hair dyes to use at home?

Here are our top picks of mahogany box dyes you can buy in the local drugstore to get the mahogany look at home.

Best mahogany hair dyes

Hair dye	Looks like	Buy it now
Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Hair Color Creme, 415 Soft Mahogany Dark Brown		Check it out on Amazon
Clairol Nice’n Easy Crème, Medium Mahogany Brown		Check it out on Amazon
Revlon Colorsilk Permanent Hair Dye Dark Mahogany Brown		Check it out on Amazon
John Frieda Precision Foam Colour Number 5R, Medium Red Brown		Check it out on Amazon
Garnier Olia Deep Cherry		Check it out on Amazon
Clairol Nice’n Easy Crème, Dark Burgundy Brown		Check it out on Amazon

Prep Like a Pro: Getting Your Hair Ready

Before you get started with the box dye, let’s talk prep.

A week before D-day (that’s Dye Day), treat your locks to a deep conditioning mask. My secret weapon? A DIY blend of coconut oil and honey, left on for an hour under a shower cap. Your hair will thank you later.

And please, for the love of all things beauty, do a patch test with your chosen dye! I once skipped this step and ended up with an itchy scalp during a photoshoot. Not cute, trust me.

Dyeing Day: Your Step-by-Step Guide

Alright, it’s go time! Here’s how to get that mahogany magic:

1. Choose your hair dye: For at-home dye jobs, I swear by Nice’n Easy 5M Mahogany Hair Dye (it’s in the table above). It gives great coverage and the color payoff is chef’s kiss.
2. Section your hair into four parts: top, bottom, left, and right.
3. Start applying from the back, working your way forward. This ensures even coverage.
4. Leave on for the recommended time – usually around 30-45 minutes. Use this time to catch up on your favorite fashion mag or practice your selfie poses!
5. Rinse with cool water until it runs clear, then condition.

Pro tip! Wear an old t-shirt and use petroleum jelly around your hairline to avoid stains.

Watch and Learn: How To Dye Your Hair Mahogany At Home.

Here’s a great video tutorial that guides you through how to dye your hair with Nice’n Easy 5M Mahogany Hair Dye at Home.

Aftercare: Keeping Your Mahogany Marvelous

Congrats, you’re now a mahogany maven! But the work isn’t over.

To keep your color looking fresh:

• When heat styling, always use a protectant spray. Your color will thank you by staying vibrant longer.
• Use color-safe, sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner.
• Wash your hair less frequently – dry shampoo is your new BFF.

Does mahogany hair color fade?

This beautiful red-brown shade can be difficult to maintain due to its tendency for fading.

It’s really the condition of your hair and how often you wash it that will determine how long your new shade lasts.

It also depends on what type of dye you use when dyeing your locks – permanent or semi-permanent hair color.

If you decide to go with an ammonia-free product or a semi-permanent hair dye, then it will take less time for the color to fade, around 4- 6 weeks.

However, if you choose a traditional ammonia-based product or permanent hair dye, then it will likely last longer, around 6 to 8 weeks.

Parting Words

Trust me, loves, mahogany is more than just a hair color – it’s a mood, a vibe, a whole new you. So go on, give it a whirl. And remember, if you hit any snags, your resident hair color expert (that’s me!) is always here with more tips and tricks up her sequinned sleeve. Now go forth and be fabulous!

Remember, beauty is about expressing yourself and having fun. So whether your mahogany turns out picture-perfect or slightly quirky, wear it with confidence. After all, the best accessory is always a killer attitude!

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!