Every brunette believes she’s the proud owner of the most beautiful shade to ever exist. Whether she’s naturally a dark chocolate with red throughout or a lighter ash, you only have to ask her about her color to get a full monologue.
There is one hue of brown hair that stands out above all the others, however: chestnut hair color. Unlike ash or chocolate, this roasty shade is unique blend of red and brown notes.
It’s not just our imagination that chestnut is popular, either. Abbie Adotta, L'Oréal Professionnel brand ambassador and stylist, sees many clients who request the color for its versatility.
It’s usually worn by women with light skin tones, but anything is possible if you have a talented colorist and photo inspiration. With a little tweaking, chestnut looks lovely on even the deepest and fairest skin colors.
Like any other shade, chestnut will require regular maintenance—both at home and in the salon.
"You could maintain anywhere from every eight to ten weeks with a demi-permanent color service, possibly with a few face-framing balayage pieces to make the chestnut color pop,” Addotta says. “The beauty of this tone is that is fades gracefully, as long as at home maintenance with your stylist recommended shampoo and conditioner.”
We love a low maintenance look—especially when it’s as beautiful as this one.
Want more inspiration for your chestnut style? Keep on scrolling.
Reddish Brown
Chestnut is a beautiful way to add a touch of red to your hair without totally overwhelming your complexion. Ask your stylist for natural-looking color if you’re looking to be right on-trend this fall.
Caramel
Caramel-influenced chestnut hair helps you maintain a lingering hint of summer long after your vacation days are over. On a blunt bob, it’s particularly gorgeous.
Cherry
Everybody loves the rich red touch of cherry, particularly when it comes to hair color. If you like deep reds but don’t want to fully commit, this is a great pick.
Cinnamon
Add a touch of spice to your chestnut shade with a cinnamon-inspired look. If you’re nervous about going too light, try it as a balayage.
Pomegranate
Just like our favorite fruit, this juicy shade satisfies our sweet tooth. Try it for a break from the typical blonde and brunette hues.
Ginger
Coppery shades look gorgeous on very fair skin. If you’re searching for a way to highlight your complexion, give ginger chestnut a go.
Golden
We love a subtle hair color change, so it only makes sense that we’d be obsessing over golden chestnut hair. Try golden influences for added dimension in your chosen hue.
Light Red
Light red hair color is so beautiful that you won’t be able to resist running your fingers through it. If you're nervous about making a color shift, talk to your stylist. He or she should be able to explain how to go from brown hair to red hair in a way that's not scary at all.
Cocoa
Like our favorite sweet drink, cocoa chestnut hair color satiates our craving for something luxurious.
Hazelnut
Who doesn’t adore a nutty take on light brown hair? Much like cinnamon, this approach to chestnut hair color is a great way to make your favorite shade even more warm weather-appropriate.
Chocolate
We’ve got a sweet tooth, but it isn’t just for chocolate bars. Chocolate chestnut is a melting, gorgeous color combination that will have all your friends booking salon appointments.
Warm
Cool-toned hair has had its time at the top of the trends list, so now it’s time for warm shades to rule.
Violet
Sass up your brown shade with violet-inspired chestnut shades.
Red
Your inner ginger will thank you for trying out a red-influenced chestnut shade, which never fails to cause a scene.
Amber
Attracted by the rose brown trend? Choose amber chestnut, a sophisticated, pink-influenced shade that is sure to set you apart.
Burgundy
Embrace your inner moody teenager with burgundy chestnut hair. If you’re looking for a way to winterize your usual brown, this is what you really need.
Black
If you’ve always wanted to color your hair black but haven’t worked up the courage, ask your stylist about a look that blend black with chestnut.
Orange
Feeling a little citrus? Orange-tinted chestnut hair can add zest to your look.
Mahogany
Mahogany hair color is chestnut at its most dramatic. Like any fiery redhead will tell you, red hair is all about making a visual impact.
Auburn Highlight
If you like the look of reddish brown shades but don’t want to go quite so dark, talk to your stylist about adding red accents throughout your hair.
Copper Highlight
Angling for a red that tinges on blonde? Try copper highlights to up the shimmery, jewel-toned aspects of your chestnut color. As a bonus, this shade is perfect for spring and summer.
Ash
In case you hadn’t heard yet, all the cool girls are embracing ashy brown manes. This beige-tinted shade looks effortless but flattering—kind of like “no makeup” makeup for your hair.
Maple
Maple is darker, moodier take on chestnut hair that has a dreaming of cashmere sweaters and chilly nights spent indoors. If you’re looking for a hint of vamp in your life, this is the way to go.
Caramel Highlight
It’s pretty much impossible to go wrong with caramel, particularly in highlight form. Chestnut and caramel are like peanut butter and jelly—once you’ve tried them together, you’ll never go back.
Honey
Like caramel, honey is a luscious color that’s easy to pull off. Whether you have fair or dark hair, you’ll be pleased at how beautifully this one turns out.
Sun Kissed
We all know what makes a sunny blonde, but that can be tougher to figure out the equivalent for brown hair. We like dark blonde highlights around the face to brighten your complexion.
Short Hair
Few things are as universally flattering as the lob, which has become the favorite cut of ladies young and old. What’s better than showing off your new color with a fresh cut?
Mocha
No one says chestnut has to be paired with blonde—we love the look of dark, chocolate-y locks on any length.
Cappuccino
Color names can mean different things to different colorists, which is why it’s so important to bring photo examples to any appointment. Cappuccino hair color, which blends ashy brown highlights with a darker base, is the perfect trend shade to try.
Espresso
Not a trend person? Step up your look with a classic shade like inky espresso.
Ombre
Ombre is the ideal choice for ladies who can’t decide between shades. Why not try them both?
Balayage
For an effect that’s even more subtle than traditional ombre, ask your colorist for balayage that mimics the appearance highlights created by the sun.
For customized chestnut hair color advice, use our salon locator to book an appointment with a stylist near you.
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