Whether you’re looking to dye your hair a bit lighter or if you want to go darker, ash brown hair color is the perfect middle ground. Here are 15 fantastic colors that will make you want to get started right now.
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Best Ash Brown Hair Dye at a glace
| PRODUCT | LOOKS LIKE | BEST FOR | BUY FROM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garnier Olia - Ammonia-Free - Light Brown Hair Dye |  | Full coverage | AMAZON |
| Revlon ColorSilk Haircolor, Medium Ash Brown |  | Gray coverage | AMAZON |
| L'Oreal Paris Superior Preference Permanent Hair Color, Ultra Light Ash Brown |  | Anti-fade | AMAZON |
| Zotos Professional Agebeautiful Liqui-Creme 6A Light Ash Brown |  | Strengthening | AMAZON |
| Zotos Professional Agebeautiful Liqui-Creme 6A Light Ash Brown |  | Best semi-permanent color | AMAZON |
What to Consider when Buying Ash Brown Hair Dye
Before you jump ahead and dye your hair at home, you need to remember that not all hair dyes are created equally and not all shades will be suitable for your hair type.
Here’s what you need to consider first:
Your Desired Shade
The most important thing to consider is your current shade and what shade you want your hair to be.
You can’t lighten color with color, which means that if you have dark hair, you will most likely need to bleach it first.
There are some brands of hair dye designed to lighten dark or even black hair, but the results can vary.
Without bleach, it’s difficult to lighten the hair, so you might not notice a dramatic difference. Ash brown hair dye comes in a range of shades.
If you’re not willing to bleach your hair, you could consider medium to dark ash brown, which will give you cool undertones rather than significantly lighten the hair.
If you already have light-colored hair, bleaching won’t be necessary. You can browse the range of shades and pick one that is closer to your current shade.
Permanent Vs Semi
If you often like to change your hair dye or you’re unsure of the color you’ve chosen, a semi-permanent is the better option.
Most box dyes are also semi-permanent and are very easy to use. Permanent dyes require developer in order to work.
The Health Of Your Hair And Scalp
If you want to dye your hair, you must make sure it’s healthy enough to undergo chemical treatments.
This would mean reducing how often you use heat on your hair and giving your hair a break from all harsh chemicals, including shampoo and conditioner that contains drying alcohols and sulfates.
How Were The Products Reviewed
The ash brown hair dyes in this article have been carefully selected based on the following criteria:
- My personal experience
- Color coverage
- Longevity
- Value for money
- Customer reviews
As someone with very dark hair, I’ve often wanted to dye my hair a bit lighter but I’ve always been wary of bleach.
Therefore I’ve most often gone for a box dye that could lift my color one or two shades. The dyes below are suitable for both brunettes and blondes and are a mix of permanent and semi-permanent colors.
15 Best Ash Brown Hair Dyes in 2023
BEST OVERALL
1. Garnier Olia – Ammonia-Free – Light Brown Hair Dye
Price Range: $$$$$
Type: Permanent
Reviews: Out of 14699 reviews, 85% of customers gave it 4 stars and up
What I liked: Super affordable, fantastic coverage and nourishes the hair
What I Didn’t Like: Too many colors to choose from!
Now although this color isn’t exactly named ‘ash brown’, I promise that the color doesn’t dissapoint. Garnier Olia’s range is truly one of the best I’ve ever tried and leave me with silky soft, smooth hair every time.
This is because the dye is made with 60% oils and there’s no ammonia in the formula either. With a price point usually around $9.99, this light brown dye has perfect ash tones, which will give you those cool undertones that you’re looking for. The dye is a gentler alternative to harsher chemical dyes and so it won’t irritate the scalp.
With maximum color performance and an easy application process, this makes the hair dyeing process run smoothly.
Oh, and if you’re not sure about this ash brown color, you got over 30 other shades to choose from.
BEST FOR GRAY COVERAGE
2. Revlon ColorSilk Haircolor, Medium Ash Brown
Price Range: $$$$$
Type: Permanent
Reviews: Out of 38576 reviews, 88% of customers gave it 4 stars and up
What I liked: Ammonia free and protects against UV damage
What I Didn’t Like: You’ll need two boxes for very long hair
This beautiful medium ash brown dye has added silk proteins to nourish and protect the hair against damage during the dyeing process. It is ammonia-free and a gentler alternative for people with sensitive scalps.
BEST ANTI-FADE
3. L’Oreal Paris Superior Preference Permanent Hair Color, Ultra Light Ash Brown
Price Range: $$$$$
Type: Permanent
Reviews: Out of 16068 reviews, 87% of customers gave it 4 stars and up
What I liked: Lasts up to 8 weeks and comes with a shine serum
What I Didn’t Like: The smell can be a little strong but quickly goes away
The third spot goes to L’Oreal’s Superior Preference Ultra Light Ash Brown hair color. I have always had great success with L’Oreal’s colors and this was no different. This dye is super affordable, provides full coverage and you’ll be able to find it in any drugstore or supermarket. The ash-brown color is subtle and gives a natural appearance, lasting up to 8 weeks.
If you’re worried about damaging your hair, don’t be. This formula contains camelina oil, vitamin E and a UV filter which helps protect your hair and give it shine.
BEST FOR STRENGTHENING
4. Zotos Professional Agebeautiful Liqui-Creme 6A Light Ash Brown
Price Range: $$$$$
Type: Permanent
Reviews: Out of 2068 reviews, 85% of customers gave it 4 stars and up
AGEbeautiful’s line of hair dyes is uniquely created with biotin, melanin, keratin, and silk protein to strengthen the hair strand and replenish lost moisture caused by aging. This dye in the shade of light ash brown is designed to cover all grays, giving you full coverage and long-lasting results.
What I liked: Moisturizes dry and damaged hair
What I Didn’t Like: The tube was smaller than expected
BEST SEMI-PERMANENT HAIR COLOR
5. Clairol Professional Beautiful Collection, Semi-Perm Hair Color Medium Ash Brown
Price Range: $$$$$
Type: Semi-Permanent
Reviews: Out of 4832 reviews, 79% of customers gave it 4 stars and up
What I liked: Rich color and lasts up to 8 washes
What I Didn’t Like: Not the best for very dark hair
This semi-permanent medium ash brown shade is perfect for those looking for temporary vibrant color that will fade gradually and naturally. Enriched with jojoba oil, aloe vera, and vitamin C, this dye aims to keep your hair healthy and protected, with a color that looks truly natural. Results can last up to 8 washes.
BEST FOR DARKER HAIR
6. Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color Creme, Darkest Ash Brown
Price Range: $$$$$
Type: Permanent
Reviews: Out of 290 reviews, 88% of customers gave it 4 stars and up
What I liked: It’s easy to use and made of a no-drip formula
What I Didn’t Like: May be a bit red for those with lighter shades
This dark ash brown shade is best suited for people who have naturally dark hair and are looking for a subtle change. Containing a blend of nourishing fruit oils like avocado and shea, this formula provides amazing coverage while keeping your hair protected against damage.
BEST FOR DRY HAIR
7. Clairol Age Defy Hair Coloring Tools, 5a Medium Ash Brown
Price Range: $$$$$
Type: Permanent
Reviews: Out of 96 reviews, 82% of customers gave it 4 stars and up
What I liked: The Tri-Plex formula helps with hair breakage
What I Didn’t Like: Begins to fade after 6 weeks
Clairol’s range of hair dyes is simple to use at home and this particular shade can be used on dark brown hair to lighten it and provide a natural finish. This dye contains a Tri-Plex formula that helps to strengthen hair and prevent breakage; this is important when using dye on your hair.
BEST FOR BUDGET PROFESSIONAL LOOK
8. Schwarzkopf Professional Igora Royal Permanent Light Ash Brown
Price Range: $$$$$
Type: Permanent
Reviews: Out of 2251 reviews, 90% of customers gave it 4 stars and up
What I liked:
What I Didn’t Like:
This light ash brown dye from Schwarzkopf provides maximum coverage against white and grey hairs and gives a natural, even finish. This dye has to be mixed with developer before applying, but rest assured that the end result will look highly professional.
BEST FOR SHINE
9. Ion Medium Ash Brown Permanent Creme Hair Color
Price Range: $$$$$
Type: Permanent
Reviews: Out of 1696 reviews, 83% of customers gave it 4 stars and up
What I liked: Leaves a fantastic shine
What I Didn’t Like: Will be a bit too dark for blondes
Ion has a range of permanent hair colors designed to provide maximum coverage and keep hair looking strong and healthy. The use of ionic technology allows for pigments to penetrate deeper into the hair strands, resulting in a better color payoff. You will need to use developer, but this medium ash brown shade looks natural and provides 100% coverage against stubborn grays.
BEST FOR BLENDED TONES
10. Clairol Nice’n Easy Permanent Hair Dye, Light Ash Brown
Price Range: $$$$$
Type: Permanent
Reviews: Out of 9003 reviews, 89% of customers gave it 4 stars and up
What I liked: Gives a great blend of tones
What I Didn’t Like: Color is a bit darker than on the box
Clairol’s nice’n easy permanent hair dye will help you achieve a blend of natural-looking tones and highlights and give you 100% coverage. Clairol’s hair dyes intend to hydrate and condition the hair, leaving it visibly silky smooth after washing it out. This light ash brown color will give you incredible shine and softness, lasting for up to 8 weeks.
BEST FOR RED UNDERTONES
11. L’oreal Excellence Creme Permanent Hair Color, Medium Ash Brown
Price Range: $$$$$
Type: Permanent
Reviews: Out of 1771 reviews, 89% of customers gave it 4 stars and up
What I liked: Creamy consistency which stops the product from dripping
What I Didn’t Like: Has a strong smell to begin with but it quickly fades
This dye from L’oreal Excellence offers brilliant gray coverage as well as a creamy no-drip formula! This dye does require equal parts developer 20 but when the price is this affordable and the result close to salon-quality, who can really argue.
This shade is perfect for those with red undertones so if you want to avoid going orange, this is the one.
BEST AMMONIA-FREE
12. CoSaMo Love Your Color Hair Color 775 Light Ash Brown
Price Range: $$$$$
Type: Semi-Permanent
Reviews: Out of 24 reviews, 84% of customers gave it 3 stars and up
What I liked: Free from all chemicals which is a major plus
What I Didn’t Like: Doesn’t give as much coverage as chemical dyes but that is to be expected
If you’re looking for a hair dye that doesn’t contain ammonia, peroxide or PPD, this light ash blonde color from CoSaMo should be on your list. It is incredibly gentle on hair and includes a revitalising conditioner.
Perfect for those with damaged hair or if you’re trying to avoid chemical dyes. Each box lasts between 6-12 washes and the application only takes 20 minutes.
A great choice for fragile or weakend hair.
BEST NATURAL DYE
13. Colora Henna Powder Hair Color Ash Brown
Price Range: $$$$$
Type: Permanent
Reviews: Out of 662 reviews, 71% of customers gave it 4 stars and up
What I liked: Very affordable and natural ingredients
What I Didn’t Like: Can leave hair feeling a bit dry if left on for too long
This henna hair dye is for those who want to avoid chemical dyes and who may be suffering from dull and lifeless hair. This dye is a natural organic hair color that takes about 2 hours to process. It’s great for covering pesky grey hairs and you should expect to dye your hair again every 3-4 weeks. A super affordable, natural hair dye that doesn’t drip and provides full coverage.
BEST DRUGSTORE
14. Garnier Hair Color Nutrisse Nourishing Creme, 61 Light Ash Brown (Mochaccino)
Price Range: $$$$$
Type: Permanent
Reviews: Out of 14393 reviews, 87% of customers gave it 4 stars and up
What I liked: Affordable and available everywhere for easy top ups
What I Didn’t Like: The gloves are a bit tricky to use
Garnier is known for their shampoos, conditioners and hair colors and this ash-brown color is a great match for those seeking full coverage.
It contains nourishing avocado and olive oil which leaves your hair feeling nourished, silky and shiny.
Use to cover all greys or as a touch up. It’s very affordable and comes in many different shades of brown.
BEST FOR INTENSE COLOR
15. Pravana ChromaSilk Creme Hair Color – 5.11 Light Intense Ash Brown Unisex Hair Color
Price Range: $$$$$
Type: Permanent
Reviews: Out of 1481 reviews, 89% of customers gave it 4 stars and up
What I liked: Provides a vibrant, intense color
What I Didn’t Like: May not suit redheads
This intense ash-brown color from Pravana contains silk amino acids which helps to deepen the color while also strengthening your hair. The dye contains a high-level dye load which means excellent coverage and vibrant, long-lasting colours.
The dye was created using a low-level ammonia formula and as such, hair feels soft and silky after use.
A great dye which does need a developer – but it’s absolutely worth the money.
Who Shouldn’t Go For Ash Brown Hair Color?
Ash brown hair comes in varying shades from the lightest to the darkest, most subtle hues.
Most people will suit ash brown hair, but you still need to consider your current color and what you’re hoping to achieve.
If you have very dark hair, you will most likely need to bleach it if you want to reach a light ash brown shade.
People who are not willing to bleach their hair or maintain the shade should choose a color that is closest to their natural shade instead.
Another thing to consider is if you currently have dyed hair, the ash brown hair dye could interact with the pigments and not give you the results you’re looking for.
Speaking to a hairdresser will help you to make an informed decision. If necessary, you will have to use a color stripper before you dye your hair a different shade.
Can You Dye Your Hair Ash Brown at Home?
Ash brown is a good color to choose because it’s low maintenance compared to bolder, brighter colors like pink or red.
It can look very natural, depending on the type of dye you choose and how it’s applied. But just like any hair dyeing process, it can be difficult to get even coverage when it’s applied at home.
You can make the process easier by making sure that you have the essentials at home:
- Box hair dye
- Gloves
- Hair applicator brush
- Newspaper (to cover the floor and surfaces)
- Vaseline (to act as a barrier for the face)
- Blue shampoo (optional)
If you need to get your hair bleached beforehand, it might be worth visiting a hair salon. They can also advise on how to achieve the perfect ash brown shade that will suit you and your skin tone.
Care Tips for Ash Brown Hair
All colored hair requires some level of maintenance to keep it looking healthy and vibrant. Here are our top tips on caring for your ash brown hair:
Wash Hair Less Frequently
To preserve your color, you need to make sure you’re not washing your hair more than twice a week.
Washing your hair too often can make it dry and fragile, especially if you’re regularly dyeing your hair and using heat on it as well.
Your hair needs to relax in-between washes, but if you’re washing it daily or every other day, your hair could become too dry and the color will fade very quickly.
On days when your hair is greasy or needs added volume, opt for a good, natural dry shampoo that will give your roots some body and life.
Use A Blue Or Purple Shampoo
Ash brown hair is a mix of grey and brunette, which gives a cool-toned appearance. But over time, the hair can start to look brassy, which isn’t the look you’re hoping to achieve.
To correct this, you should add a blue or purple shampoo to your hair regime.
Both of these shampoos work well in reducing brassy tones, but blue shampoo is particularly beneficial for ash brown hair, as it banishes orange tones and keeps your hair looking cool and ashy.
You can experiment with both blue and purple shampoo and see which one works better for you.
Deep Condition Once A Week
Your ash brown hair is going to become dry if you don’t take good care of it, and that includes deep conditioning at least once a week.
Find a nourishing oil that works for your hair type and apply warm oil to the scalp and hair for 30 minutes to an hour.
Your ends will also be dry, so consider applying oil to the ends every other day to keep them hydrated and healthy. Remember – this is the key to growth!
Wash With Lukewarm Water
Washing your hair with hot water is one of the biggest mistakes that you can make.
Not only does it cause the hair to feel dry and weak, but it can also affect your hair color. The reason for this is hot water opens up the hair cuticle for longer, which can cause the color to rinse out and fade very quickly.
To keep your hair color looking fresh for longer, wash your hair in lukewarm water and finish with a cool rinse. This will lock in moisture and reduce the frequency of dyeing your hair.
References
Can I Lighten Hair After I’ve Already Colored It?https://www.esalon.eu.com/hair-color-mastery/colorist-tips/can-i-lighten-already-colored-hair
Is Dyeing Hair Harmful?
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/does-dye-damage-hair
How to Color Damaged Hair
https://www.wikihow.com/Color-Damaged-Hair
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