9 Chestnut Brown Color Ideas and Formulas for Shiny Hair

09.03.2020

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collage of images of models with long, brown hair and photo of chestnuts

If natural hair color is more of your vibe then you should make chestnut brown your new go-to shade. Not only there are various chestnut brown shades to suit everyone, it’s also a low maintenance color that gives the hair a high-power shine. If you’re not ready to commit to a complete color transformation you can start with some glossy lowlights or try a chestnut brown balayage.

What is chestnut brown hair?

Part of the brunette family tree, chestnut brown is a natural-looking color mixing the warmth of reds and the earthy tones of browns. It’s great for adding extra warmth to natural brown hair and creating a richer look, but also for blondes wanting to go darker, or brunettes looking to spice up their look. This rich, chocolate-like shade also adds shine and dimension to the hair, no matter the hair texture. Opposites attract so for complexions with cool undertones go for a richer chestnut shade, and a cool chestnut for warmer skin tones.

Very dark hair, pre-colored hair, might require pre-lightening in order to get the right chestnut shade. Even if the hair just has a dark base, it helps to lift the cuticle slightly in order to get a warmer base.

This color is very versatile and can be applied all over if an even natural hair color is the desired result. Alternatively, you can create some drama with a chestnut ombre or highlights for a multidimensional look.

To maintain a glossy chestnut mane so remember to use heat protection when styling hair. Mist EIMI Thermal Image Heat Spray through the hair before blowdrying. You might need your sunnies with all that shine!

Chestnut brown ideas

back of woman’s head with long,cool chestnut brown hair, created using Wella Professionals

1. Cool chestnut

image credit: @laila.wella

Maintain your cool and say goodbye to old brassy balayage with this high-gloss chestnut shade created by Laila Petersen. She used the Koleston Perfect Balancing Service with the formula 1:1 6/97+7/18 with 1,9% pastel 1:2. To make the hair extra shiny and silky she used the ColorMotion+ care series and saved time by applying the Express Color Post Treatment.

Woman with shoulder-length, chestnut praline hair, created using Wella Professionals

2. Chestnut praline

image credit: @topknotbalayage

If you’re a bit of a sweet tooth, get inspired by this blended look of chestnut and chocolate brown tones created by @topknotbalayage. She painted panels of light for dimension and then glossed it all with Color Touch 8/0 + 9/97 + 7/97 + a line of 8/3. Delish!

back of woman’s head with long, golden brown hair, created using Wella Professionals

3. Golden chestnut

image credit: @badwolfstudio

We’re loving this multi-tonal golden chestnut brown look that blends shiny, caramel lowlights to create extra-depth. Style with soft waves to make those strands glow even more, and add some extra shine by using a bit of EIMI Glam Mist on the mid-lengths to the ends.

Woman with long, chestnut red brown hair, created with Wella Professionals

4.Chestnut Reddish Brown Hair

image credit: @laila.wella

For a low maintenance, high impact result look no further than this metallic chestnut shade with a red tint. To subdue an existing red, Laila applied Color Renew, and then finished with Opal-Essence Chrome Olive to achieve this supercool metallic chestnut red. Formula used: Roots Illumina Color equal parts 6/76 + 5/43 + 3%, Lengths: equal parts 5/02 + 7/81 + Chrome Olive + 6%.