If you’re looking for a hair color that’s rich, flattering, and effortlessly versatile, chocolate brown hair is hard to beat. This rich medium-to-dark brown shade infuses classic brunette strands with rich golden and red undertones, creating a dimensional hue that feels chic, elegant, and distinctly luxurious. It’s also incredibly versatile and can be made lighter or darker, depending on your personal preferences.
To help you find your perfect chocolate brown hair color, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite takes on the trend. Keep scrolling to find 27 ways to embrace chocolate brown hair.
For a classic take on chocolate, try a dark chocolate hair color. This rich, glossy hue exudes a sophisticated, sultry vibe and works on a variety of hair textures and skin tones. To get the look, you can head to the salon or try an at-home chocolate brown hair dye, like the L’Oreal Paris Excellence Creme Universal Nudes in Natural Dark Brown, which delivers deep, dimensional color and shine.
For a bold twist on chocolate brown hair, consider a purple-tinted chocolate. The subtle violet undertones add vibrancy while still keeping your look rooted in brunette territory, creating a fusion that is both edgy and refined. This variation of chocolate brown hair looks especially striking under different lighting, revealing hints of purple while maintaining a rich brunette base.
To DIY this unique hue, pick up a box of the L'Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Violet Noir.
Chocolate cherry blends rich chocolate brown hair with vibrant red undertones for a warm, eye-catching finish. This hue works beautifully on warm skin tones, enhancing natural radiance and creating a soft, youthful glow. The mixture of red and chocolate brown makes this shade perfect if you want a noticeable but wearable update.
Recreate the look at home with a reddish chocolate brown hair dye, such as theL’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Chocolate Cherry. The versatile formula works best on light brown to black hair, so you can achieve your dream hue without having to bleach your strands.
This light chocolate brown hair color is brighter and softer than most chocolate hues, making it especially flattering for those with fairer skin. Because it’s less intense than a dark chocolate hair color, this soft hue is a great transition shade if you’re moving from blonde or caramel tones into deeper brunette territory.
Many chocolate brown hair colors lean slightly red, but if you’d prefer something a bit more neutral in tone, try a golden chocolate brown. This variation on the look swaps the rich red undertones for a luxurious bronze tint, yielding a shade that’s dark and dimensional but still bright and sunny.
You can get the dimensional look at the salon, but if you’d prefer to DIY it, transform your tresses at home with the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Crème Permanent Triple Protection Hair Color in Dark Chocolate Brown.
Add honey highlights to warm chocolate brown hair color for a luminous, sunlit glow. This look enhances movement and shine, giving you a naturally radiant appearance without overwhelming your brunette base. Honey highlights are also a smart way to refresh your color between full dye jobs, keeping your hair vibrant and dimensional. It’s perfect for those wanting to try the expensive brunette trend while maintaining an approachable style.
For something unexpected, pair chocolate brown hair dye with indigo lowlights. The deep blue tones contrast beautifully against the warmth of chocolate, giving your mane a striking, high-fashion feel. This combination is subtle enough for everyday wear yet bold enough to turn heads. Indigo accents are especially flattering when woven through layers or curls for added movement.
Caramel ribbon highlights woven throughout chocolate brown hair color mimic the look of melted caramel. This technique adds dimension and softness while keeping your base rich and glossy. The contrast of warm caramel against rich chocolate brown hair creates a dessert-inspired finish that flatters nearly every skin tone. It’s a sweet way to elevate your brunette look. To get the look without the hassle of a salon visit, pick up the L’Oréal Paris Colorista At-Home Hair Bleach and Lightener.
Chestnut is a slightly lighter take on the classic chocolate hue, featuring a distinct bronzy overtone and subtle reddish undertones. This warm chocolate brown hair color strikes the perfect balance between soft and bright, and is particularly flattering for those with warmer complexions. To get the look at home, reach for the L'Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Medium Chestnut Brown.
Rose gold highlights bring metallic warmth to chocolate brown balayage or darker bases. This trendy shade blends rose, blonde, and brunette tones for a multidimensional effect that is modern yet wearable. The combination adds instant brightness to your complexion and can be customized to be bold or subtle. Ask your stylist to add rose streaks on top of a dark chocolate hair color base for a chic finish.
Caramel balayage offers a natural-looking, low-maintenance highlight that pairs beautifully with chocolate brown hair. This technique creates depth and shine without harsh regrowth lines, making it easy to wear for months. The warm caramel tones work especially well on medium to olive complexions, adding a healthy glow. This is one of the most popular ways to refresh a brunette base while keeping it glossy and dimensional.
If you want to maintain your chocolate brown roots but are curious about going lighter, consider asking your colorist for a dark bronde ombré. This technique involves gradually blending your base color with brighter ends (in this case, golden brondé ends), creating a seamless transition of color. The gradual fade keeps it low-maintenance while offering versatility.
For a slightly warmer take on your classic chocolate brown hue, opt for a shade with spiced cinnamon overtones. This playful hue pairs fine, reddish brown and golden highlights with a rich chocolate brown base, creating a color that’s full of dimension and shine. If you’re up for DIY-ing it, we recommend using the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Crème Permanent Triple Care Hair Color in Medium Reddish Brown.
Cool down your classic warm brunette by opting for a deep mocha chocolate brown hair color. This unique hue blends deep, cool espresso tones throughout a rich, chocolatey brown base for a sophisticated look perfect for those with cooler skin. To recreate the dimensional look at home, use the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Crème Permanent Triple Care Hair Color in Mocha Ash Brown.
Inspired by coffee shop favorites, melted cappuccino blends golden blonde with chocolate hair dye for a cozy, inviting finish. The soft blend creates dimension and texture that looks effortless. This hair color works beautifully across skin tones and adds brightness without sacrificing depth. It’s perfect if you want a shade that transitions seamlessly from season to season.
Chocolate fondue pairs a deep brunette base with lighter highlights for a glossy, dimensional effect. This rich chocolate brown hair look creates movement without the need for frequent upkeep. It’s an indulgent choice for those who want to enhance their natural brunette with subtle variation. The shine factor makes it ideal for anyone wanting a healthy, vibrant mane.
You don’t have to highlight your brunette base to update your strands—this indulgent look uses darker lowlights against a medium chocolate brown hair color base to create richness and depth. The contrast makes hair look fuller while enhancing shine. It’s a subtle yet eye-catching way to refresh your style without committing to all-over color. The lowlights are especially flattering on layered cuts.
Add a maroon money piece for face-framing vibrancy that pairs beautifully with warm chocolate brown hair color. This touch of red against brunette tones adds instant brightness and dimension to your look. It works well for anyone wanting to try bolder tones without committing to a full dye.
To DIY the unique look, bleach your front sections of hair (roughly a one-inch section on either side of your part), then dye both dark red. We love the rich burgundy tones of the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Red Velvet.
Cool silver streaks add an icy touch to chocolate brown hair bases. The contrast between warm and cool tones creates a unique, fashion-forward result. This look is versatile enough for everyday wear while still being bold enough for special occasions. That being said, if you’re unsure whether you’re ready to commit, you can test-drive the high-fashion look with a temporary hair dye.
Teal-dipped ends over dark chocolate hair color create a bold, mermaid-inspired effect. This playful shade combines blue and green tones with brunette roots for a striking gradient. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to experiment with color while still maintaining a brunette base. For a temporary transformation, snag the L’Oréal Paris Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Color in Teal.
Maple chocolate combines a deep brunette base with chestnut or mahogany highlights for a warm chocolate brown hair color variation. This shade reflects light beautifully and offers a seasonal twist that works year-round. The combination of deep tones with amber hints creates richness and dimension. It’s a chic choice for those wanting something different but still rooted in brunette tones. Ask your colorist for medium chocolate brown with rich reddish, amber, and auburn highlights, or get a similar look at home with a warm-toned chocolate hair dye, like L'Oréal Paris Excellence Crème Permanent Triple Care Hair Color in Medium Maple Brown.
Boost shine with a gloss treatment to maximize your chocolate brown balayage or all-over color. At-home gloss masks refresh tone and leave hair silky. The glossy finish makes your strands look healthier and enhances the depth of rich chocolate brown hair.
Try theL'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing 5-Min Lamination Hair Mask for intense glass shine that’s gentle on color-treated hair.
This soft sombré uses honey tones to lighten light chocolate brown hair while keeping roots deeper for contrast. It’s a low-risk way to experiment with color and delivers a noticeable boost of warmth. Honey shades blend beautifully with brunette undertones for a natural-looking finish. This option works especially well on medium to long hair.
Honey-dipped ends brighten warm chocolate brown hair color without overwhelming the rest of your strands. The golden tips catch light beautifully, making your hair look shinier and healthier. This technique is also a great option for those who want to test highlights without committing to full coverage.
One of the deepest variations of chocolate brown hair, deep cocoa brown sits between brown and black. The shade has slightly more warmth than a pure black but with all of the depth of an inkier hue, making it a flattering pick for a wide range of skin tones. TryL’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Cool Darkest Brown to achieve this sophisticated finish.
Chocolate comes in many varieties, and sometimes, milk chocolate is the only way to satisfy a chocolate craving. This sweet shade blends golden and light brown highlights into a rich chocolate brown hair base for a swirled, multi-tonal effect. The blend adds shine, depth, and movement that feels youthful and modern. It’s an excellent choice for brunettes who want a lighter look without fully transitioning to blonde. Plus, you can get the sunny look at home with the right hair dye kit. We love the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Universal Nudes in Natural Brown.
Add a playful twist to your chocolate hair dye with a pink sombré. The pastel hue softens brunette strands and creates a youthful, fashion-forward vibe. This look is customizable, ranging from soft blush tones to bolder pinks depending on your preference.
Once you’ve achieved your dream chocolate brown hair color, the key to keeping it glossy and fresh is maintenance. From sulfate-free shampoos to at-home glossing treatments, the right routine will help preserve your color and shine.
To extend the vibrancy of your chocolate brown hair, always wash with sulfate-free formulas. The L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free line offers a range of shampoos, conditioners, and treatments designed explicitly for color-treated hair. To help keep your chocolate brown tresses looking (and feeling) their best, consider reaching for the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Moisture Shampoo and coordinating L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Moisture Conditioner. The conditioning duo delivers intense hydration for soft, silky-looking strands.
If your chocolate brown hair begins to look brassy between coloring sessions, a toning shampoo can help restore your color’s brilliance. Reach for a blue shampoo if your brassiness reads orange, or a purple shampoo to help neutralize yellow tones and brighten golden highlights. For the latter, we love the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Purple Toning Shampoo. We suggest using it once or twice a week to help keep your chocolate and golden tones fresh.
Glossing treatments refresh faded tones while adding mirror-like shine to your chocolate brown hair color. For at-home care, try theL’Oréal Paris Elvive Glycolic Gloss Shine Boosting Shampoo,L’Oréal Paris Elvive Glycolic Gloss Shine Boosting Conditioner, andL’Oréal Paris Elvive Glycolic Gloss High Shine Leave-In Serum. This system will help you achieve next-level glass-like shine and up to 14x smoother hair, keeping your strands healthy and hydrated.
Some cool-toned variations of chocolate brown hair color need regular toning to prevent brassiness. Use theL'Oréal Paris Fèria Power Toner Long-Lasting Anti-Brass Iced Brunette Toner to refresh your shade and maintain balanced undertones. Regular toning can help keep your cool brunette tones looking salon-fresh between touch-ups.
Next Up: Brown Hair with Blonde Highlights: Balayage, Babylights, and More
Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris
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