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HAIR COLOURS FOR NATURALLY DARK BROWN HAIR

How to choose your hair colour when you have naturally dark brown hair?
Is your natural hair colour dark brown? Thatโs a great starting point. Dark brown is one of the most common shades in the world, right after black. Itโs especially widespread in Central and Southern Europe and parts of Western Asia. Within the โbrownโ family, thereโs a wide range of shades from rich chocolate to soft hazelnut, golden, or ashy brown.
If youโre thinking about dyeing your hair, itโs essential to consider your natural colour. Thatโs the key to a natural, luminous, and flattering result. Let me walk you through the best choices.
The best hair dyes when you have naturally dark brown hair

1 Black 2 Dark Brown 3 Medium Brown 4 Light Brown
The closer you stay to your natural base, the easier the transition. If you have dark brown hair (level 2), you can go one level darker (black), or one to two levels lighter (medium or light brown). Itโs a subtle way to change your look while keeping harmony.
๐ Each colour corresponds to a specific dye code. To better understand how these codes work, see the hair dye colour chart and code meanings
To enhance your hair even more, try adding some undertones. These subtle reflections can make your hair shine and elevate your whole appearance. But they must suit your skin and eyes.
๐ Pick your skin tone to see the best hair colours
Youโll see my recommended shades to enhance your natural dark brown hair.
Which exact hair dye should you choose when you have dark brown hair?
To get started, there are two important steps:
- Choose your base colour: this is the first number in your hair dye code. For dark brown hair, thatโs usually 2 (dark brown), 3 (medium brown), or 4 (light brown).
- Add undertones or reflections: these are the second and third digits in the code. They determine if your final look will be golden, coppery, cool, or vibrant.
๐ฏ My tip: always factor in your skin tone and eye colour. They make all the difference when balancing your overall look.
๐ Want help decoding the colour codes? Check out the complete dye colour chart
Why your skin tone matters when you have dark brown hair
Believe me, itโs not just a detail. Iโve seen many beautiful dyes look disappointing on someone simply because they didnโt suit their skin tone. Even a small shift in shade or undertone can totally change the vibe. For example, a cool mahogany on very fair skin can look harsh. But golden chestnut on warm skin? Instant glow.
Want personalised tips for your complexion? Iโve created a guide just for that:
๐ See how to choose your hair colour based on your skin tone
And what about your eye colour?
You may not think of it right away, but your eyes are a powerful reference point when choosing a hair colour. A well-chosen tone can make them pop or, on the contrary, dull them down. A friend of mine with deep brown eyes once tried a reddish copper. Her face looked completely off. We switched to a cooler brown with golden undertones and suddenly, her features lit up.
If youโre unsure, Iโve got a dedicated page to help you make the right choice:
๐ Discover the ideal hair colours for your eye colour