The new year is here; you’ve probably set new goals, made lots of resolutions, and you plan to step into it with gorgeous brunette hair.
To pull off this hair look in a grand style, you need to know which shades go with your vibe. We're going to lay out options so you can make a choice!
Why Is Brown Classified As Warm, Cool and Neutral?
The colour brown is classified as warm, cool and neutral based on the more prominent underlying colours. Per the colour theory, brown is a mixture of orange (red and yellow) with grey, white, blue or black. The most dominant of these colours tells the extent of its warmth.
It works in the same pattern with brunette hair; warm brunettes lean towards more red, yellow and orange. The cool brunettes, also known as ashy or smoky brown, have more grey, blue and violet undertones. Neutral brown hair is the balanced combination of warm and cool brown.
When light interacts with the undertones in brown hair, a colour cast appears. Red, copper or gold casts appear when light reflects on warm brown hair; while ash, blue or silver is the aftermath for cool brown hair. Neutral has a balance of both, it doesn’t pick a side, yet works very well for a variety of skin complexions.
Is Warm Brown Hair Your Vibe?
Warm brunette is your go-to if you’re looking for a brown shade that adds warmth, vibrancy, and makes your skin look healthy and radiant, especially in light brown hair colour shades infused with gold or caramel undertones.
These browns are rich in red, gold and orange hues. Whoever wears any of these warm shades: honey brown, chestnut brown, irisee red, light brown, copper brown, or caramel brown gets the attention in a well-illuminated environment as the light hits the surface of their hair.
People with warm skin undertones look best in warm brunette. If you have warm undertones, your veins appear green, you wear gold-coated jewellery better than silver, and your skin looks yellow when placed close to a white paper.
Those with neutral skin undertones, olive skin tones, hazel, blue and green eyes also rock warm brunette colours elegantly, giving them a harmonious look and adding an exotic shine that turns heads.
Will You Rather Go With Cool Brown Shades?
Charcoal brown, ash brown, taupe brown, espresso brown and smoky brown are trendy examples of cool brunette shades. As the name implies, they have cool undertones like grey, blue, violet, which gives hair a smoky, sophisticated look.
If silver jewellery fits your skin better than gold, your veins appear blue, or your skin looks pinkish when placed side by side with a white paper, you've got cool skin undertones, and the ideal wearer of these brown shades.
These hues provide a dual functioning solution for people who flush easily by balancing the redness and providing sleek and subtle elegance. They also complement blue, green, and gray eyes, making them pop out their sockets in a calm and cool manner.
People with neutral skin undertones can dye their hair with cool brown shades, but should avoid using extra cool or ashy colours to avoid it clashing or washing with their complexion.
You don’t want your hair dyed all brown? Find out How to Get Subtle Brown Highlights That Blend Perfectly With Your Hair
Neutral Brown: The Balance of Both Warm and Cool
Non-picky shades with no favourite underlying pigments is what neutral brown represents. It’s a balanced mix of warm undertones and cool undertones. The same as neutral skin undertones.
These look natural, even-toned, and go with almost every undertone, eye colour and outfit. What an advantage! The best part is, if you’re unsure of your undertone, you can wear these shades, without repercussions for everyone to see.
First timers wanting to dye their hair can go for a neutral brown colour. It doesn't need lots of attention, time, and money to maintain. Mushroom brown, latte brown, soft walnut brown, and classic brown are examples of these brown shades.
GK Hair Juvexin Cream Colour gives you a variety of long lasting dyes to pick from that give you the results you want while protecting your hair.
How to Know If a Shade Will/Won’t Work for You
You walk into a world of uncalled compliments the moment you step out of your door. Your hair either attracts the right compliments or wrong adjectives from people.
We’re sure you prefer the former.
For Warm Brown
Warm browns work better with warm skin undertones. If you have cool skin undertones, they may not be a good choice for you. Because they enhance warmth, using them on cool undertones may make you look too yellow.
If you don’t have the luxury of time or you’re looking to dye your hair with minimal budget for aftercare, these shades fit. You’d just need a colour safe and sulphate-free hair washing kit such as GK Hair Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner. (Don’t wash too frequently, but deep condition weekly to prevent hair breakage). Also go for occasional toning to keep the glossy look and prevent fading.
For Cool Brown
Cool Browns such as ash brown hair colour, espresso brown, or taupe brown, neutralise warmth and are worn better by people with cool hair and skin undertones. Using a cool brown on warm hair and skin undertone, can make you look grey or green.
To dye your hair a cool brown, especially if you have a dark base, you may need to lift your hair, and underlying pigments are exposed. Because of this, it requires blue or purple toning products.
Even after the colouring process is completed, cool brown hair needs a high level of maintenance to prevent it from turning brassy or warm as it fades. If you’re obsessed with taking care of your hair, you’re more than safe to go for a cool brunette.
For Neutral Brown
Neutral Brown is a balanced blend of warm and cool undertones, making it suitable for a wide range of shades,from soft medium browns to dark brown colour options that appear rich without looking overly warm or ashy.
Dyeing your hair for the first time? A neutral dark brown hair colour offers a natural finish that’s easy to maintain and flattering on most skin tones.
Neutral brown creates a minimal contrast with your skin, so if you’re looking for a bold and vibrant look, this may not be your best bet. It requires minimal toning, less prone to brassiness or excessive ashiness, and it’s the lowest maintenance option between cool and warm brown shades.
Which Brunette Hair Are You Going for?
You deserve to walk through 2026 with gorgeous, perfectly fitting brunette hair. To choose between warm, cool or neutral browns, know which fits your hair and skin better, and what shades take you a step closer to the statement you’re looking to get.
