Best light brown hair dye for dark hair

Leah LOVES hair. So much so, she dedicated an entire website to it! One of the founders of Hair Everyday and Chief Editor, Leah enjoys reviewing all the hair products and showcasing the best. She believes her most underrated articles are her hair care tips!

Here are some top ash brown hair dyes you can try. These smokey ash brown hair colors work well without bleach on dark hair as well.

If you are someone who loves experimenting with hair colors, then here’s the perfect shade to try next! Ash brown it is!

There are a lot of people out there who wonder if a certain hair color will match their skin tone, but I’m going to have to say that with the color ash brown and the multiple shades it comes in, you shouldn’t have to wonder any more.

Ash brown is a very versatile color and literally matches anyone!

So ladies, what are you waiting for? Go get your hair dyed ash brown today!

Related: How To Tone Brown Hair To Ash

What color is ash brown exactly?

Not convinced about the shade, ash brown? Here’s what it is! Well, ash brown color is a blended shade of the color gray or silver, combined with brown (either light or medium), that makes an ash like shade.

The best part about getting your hair dyed ash brown is that it can literally be mixed with other colors or other colored highlights, or even used on previously bleached hair to give you the perfect results!

Here are the Top 5 Ash Brown Dye Brands for you to try out!

 Best Ash Brown Dyes  Best For ShadeClairol Age Defy Hair Coloring Tool  Normal hair type 5A medium ash brownRevlon Colorsilk Permanent Hair Dye  All hair types 050 light ash brownWella Color Charm Permanent Hair Color  Chemically treated hair type 6A dark smokey ash blondeClairol Nice’n Easy Permanent Hair Dye  Normal hair type 6A light ash brown Revlon ColorSilk Haircolor  Normal hair type Medium ash brown

How I tested the top ash brown hair dyes?

Whenever I test and review products, I liked to set a few parameters to test and review them on so that the readers can have a better idea of the product they are buying.

I have chosen three parameters to review these ash brown hair dyes and then rate them on a scale of 1-5. 

Here are the parameters I chose to test these products on:

Dyeing effect of Pigments: Since my hair is a natural brown and on the darker side, I decided to try out some permanent hair dyes to see how well the ash brown color tainted my brown hair shade.

Ingredients: Most dyes contain ammonia and parabens. This is one of the reasons I often like to choose products that do not contain harsh chemicals, but can still work just as well.

See also  Loreal vs Matrix Comparison 2022 | The Better Salon Brand For Hair Care

Staying power: This parameter I used to test how long would the dye stay on my hair without fading too soon.

Top Ash Brown Hair Dye 2022

Here are some of the top ash brown hair dyes in the market today. Check out my reviews for each of the hair colors below.

Clairol Age Defy Hair Coloring Tool

Best light brown hair dye for dark hair

Best for: Normal hair type

Shade: 5A medium ash brown

Dye type: Permanent hair dye

If you are looking for a product free from ammonia and parabens, then this one’s for you! It made my hair feel so renewed and vibrant in color. 

I love that this product comes with a pre-treatment and also a revitalizing conditioner to restore the hair’s shine, once dyed.

Usually dyeing of hair can leave the hair dry and unmoisturized, but I didn’t have any such problem after using this product because of the conditioner that came along with it. 

It made my hair feel smooth and soft in texture which was a huge plus for me.

The dye lasted on my hair for around 7 to 8 weeks after which it started fading.

That being said, this product actually did a good job at dyeing my hair and I would definitely use it a second time. 

The only thing I would like to make a mention of is that it was so hard to find a second time and that’s one disadvantage of choosing this product to use.

The product isn’t too liquidy in texture, which makes it very easy to use and doesn’t make the dyeing process a messy affair. The smell of this dye is subtle and not very strong.

Pros:

  • Gentle on the hair as it contains no ammonia and parabens.
  • Very simple and easy to use.
  • Leaves the hair well-moisturized and soft in texture as it contain natural oils
  • Doesn’t have a strong chemically smell 
  • Renews hair shine and promotes a good color vibrancy as it comes with a post-dye conditioner

Cons:

  • Dye fades after 7 to 8 weeks.

My Ratings:

  • Dyeing effect: 4.5/5
  • Ingredients: 5/5
  • Holding power: 3.8/5

View on Amazon

Revlon Colorsilk Permanent Hair Dye

Best light brown hair dye for dark hair

Best for: All hair types

Shade: 050 light ash brown

Dye type: Permanent

Revlon has always been one of my favorite hair dye brands.

The very first time I tried dyeing my hair at home with this product, I found it super easy to use and have been a loyal customer ever since. 

So when I saw that Revlon had an ash brown hair color shade I definitely needed to try it. It most definitely can be a first timer’s go to product!

This dye is completely free from ammonia and that is a plus for me, any day! My hair looked so bright and full of life after I dyed it light ash brown. I must say it turned out well.

See also  Best Hair Removal Cream For Vag | 5 Products For Pubic Hair Removal 2022

While the box says that the dye is permanent, I have to put it out there that while the dye does a good job with coloring the hair, it isn’t as long lasting. 

I’d say it was around 4 weeks before it started to fade.

But since this product is fairly reasonable, I considered that aspect negligible because I loved the product overall – its dyeing power was good, the conditioner smelt good and also made my hair super soft.

So yes, this product was definitely in my sweet spot in terms of trial and usage.

Pros:

  • Easy to use especially for first timers.
  • Has no ammonia making it gentle on the hair.
  • Contains a conditioner that makes the hair feel soft, once dyed.

Cons:

  • Lasts around 4 weeks before fading away.

My Ratings:

  • Dyeing effect: 4.2/5
  • Ingredients: 5/5
  • Holding power: 3.9/5

View on Amazon

Clairol Nice’n Easy Permanent Hair Dye

Best light brown hair dye for dark hair

Best for: Normal hair type

Shade: 6A light ash brown

Dye type: Permanent

This hair dye made my hair get a lovely renewed hair shine and it did feel sufficiently conditioned, even though this product did contain ammonia.

It is known to be a permanent dye, but I would say it lasted me around 3 weeks before it began to fade.

Another aspect of this product that I didn’t like is the fact that it stains the skin. So, during application, you need to be careful while using it at the hairline. But in case it does stain, you could always use a color-remover to get rid of it.

Overall, I would say that the product did a good job at dyeing my hair and I got the color I desired with the perfect vibrancy.

Since my hair is chemically-treated, I was wondering whether it would work well and yes, that is another plus I’d give this product. It sure did work well!

Pros:

  • Suits those with chemically-treated hair as it doesn’t contain bleach 
  • Restores hair vibrancy as it contains moisturizing ingredients like aloe vera
  • Suits dark hair as it’s a high-lift hair dye that doesn’t require bleach to lighten hair

Cons:

  • Contains ammonia, so it can be slightly harsh on the hair.
  • Stains the skin very easily as the pigment is too strong
  • Begins to fade within 3 weeks of application

My Ratings:

  • Dyeing effect: 4/5
  • Ingredients: 3.5/5
  • Holding power: 3.8/5

View on Amazon

Wella Color Charm Permanent Hair Color

Best light brown hair dye for dark hair

Best for: Chemically treated hair type

Shade: 6A dark smokey ash blonde

Dye type: Permanent

Since this product was specifically for use on chemically treated hair, I was very keen on trying it out because it would suit my hair perfectly. 

Well, did it? Yes, it sure did! I simply loved the way it worked on my hair.

It was very easy to use and it also dyed my hair within just 45 minutes of application and then it was fairly permanent unlike some of the other dyes I have used in the past.

Best light brown hair dye for dark hair

The color did remain vibrant (until my hair started to grow out and I was required to do root touch ups) for a long enough time. 

See also  Biolage Color Last Shampoo vs. TRESemmé Revitalise Colour Shampoo Comparison 2022 | Which Is Better?

Its fragrance was floral, so that was a good thing, but it made no mention whether it did contain ammonia or not. So that’s something I didn’t like about this product.

Pros:

  • Makes hair look vibrant on first application itself due to the strong dye pigment
  • Dyes hair within 45 minutes of application as it doesn’t require bleaching

Cons:

  • Contains ammonia as it’s a high lift hair dye so it can be harsh on hair 

My Ratings:

  • Dyeing effect: 4.2/5
  • Ingredients: 3.7/5
  • Holding power: 4.2/5

View on Amazon

Revlon ColorSilk Haircolor

Best light brown hair dye for dark hair

Best for: Normal hair type

Shade: Medium ash brown

Dye type: Permanent

Since this dye is ammonia free, contains added keratin and a brand that I had used before, I decided not to think twice before buying it. 

Well, it was a good decision because I loved the way t

his dye worked on my hair.

This dye came in the form of a gel and this was the very first time I had ever used a gel-based dye and I must say it is something I definitely liked about this product.

Best light brown hair dye for dark hair

Another thing I liked about this product is that it lasted fairly long on my hair, around 6 weeks before it began to fade. 

When it did, it faded away gradually while my hair also grew out. So that’s an aspect I’d consider negligible for sure.

Pros:

  • Gel-based product which is easy to use.
  • Fades very gradually after 6 weeks of application.
  • Contains added keratin and no ammonia.

Cons:

  • None.

My Ratings:

  • Dyeing effect: 4.2/5
  • Ingredients: 4.8/5
  • Holding power: 4.3/5

View on Amazon

Here is a quick overview of the top ash brown hair colors!

Top Ash Brown Hair DyeClairol Age Defy Hair Coloring Tool


Revlon Colorsilk Permanent Hair Dye



Clairol Nice’n Easy Permanent Hair Dye

Wella Color Charm Permanent Hair Color

Revlon ColorSilk Haircolor
Images
Best light brown hair dye for dark hair
Best light brown hair dye for dark hair
Best light brown hair dye for dark hair
Best light brown hair dye for dark hair
Best light brown hair dye for dark hair
PriceAffordableAffordableExpensiveAffordableVery AffordableColor Pigment 5/54.5/54/55/54.5/5Long Lasting3.5/53.5/54.5/55/54.5/5Ingredients Quality4.5/54/54.5/53.5/53/5Ammonia-FreeYesYesNoNoYesVegan and Cruelty-FreeNoNoNoNoNo

The final takeaway

There are several ash brown hair dyes in the market. If you have bleached hair or naturally blonde hair, a regular hair dye like Revlon ColorSilk would be your best choice.

However, if you have dark hair and do not want to bleach your hair, then I would recommend a high-lift hair dye that both lightens and colors hair in go like the Wella Color Charm Permanent Hair dye.

I had a good overall experience with trying out ash brown hair dyes and I hope my review would help you make your choice! 

Feel free to experiment a little and maybe blend a couple of shades to switch up your look.

Also Read:

What Ratio Of Bleach To Developer Do I Use

How Many Ounces Of Hair Dye Do You Need

Clairol Age Defy Hair Coloring Tools, 5a Medium Ash Brown

Best light brown hair dye for dark hair

The top ash brown hair dyes give your hair a trendy ash color. The Clairol Age Defy Hair Coloring Tools, 5a Medium Ash Brown works well with dark hair.

Can I dye dark brown hair light brown?

Yes, but only if your natural (or current) hair color isn't too dark. If you have really dark or black hair, bleaching your hair before you dye it light brown will give you the best results.

What happens if you put light brown hair dye on black hair?

"Color will not remove color, meaning you cannot just put a brown color on top of [dyed] black and it will magically turn brown," Lee explains. "You have to use a color remover or lightener first to remove the black then layer on top of a brown color."

How do you lighten dark brown hair to light brown?

To lighten your dark strands to a lighter one and go from brown to blonde highlights, you'll need to lift your hair colour with bleach. Bleaching will help you lighten your hair colour down. Always remember that your hair does not get lifted more than two shades per session.

Can I dye my hair a lighter brown without bleaching it?

Depending on how light or dark your hair is, you could apply color without any lightening at all. Just know that if you're wanting to go lighter, generally hair dye both box and professional will only be able to lighten your hair 1-2 levels without the need for pre-lightening, aka bleaching.