The Best Brown Hair Dyes

Garnier Nutrisse Nourhsing Color Creme

Made to keep your hair soft and smooth thanks to its avocado and shea oil-infused formula, this dye nourishes hair while giving you the color you want. From a full-head transformation to root touch-ups, this dye gives you natural results that will look just like the real thing. Plus, the no-drip foam formula makes the application super simple and mess-free.

Pros:

• The dye comes in a wide range of colors so that you can find the perfect hue
• It comes with an oil and conditioner to use after application to keep your hair soft and strong
• It’s an affordable way to get salon-quality results at home

Cons:

• It has a strong odor that can be a bit overpowering
• If you wash your hair often, it can fade quickly

L’Oreal Paris Excellence Creme Permanent Hair Color

This formula is made with a triple protection system to seal, replenish, and condition hair so that it ends up softer than it was when you started. Along with the permanent hair dye, you’ll get a weekly conditioning collagen treatment designed to protect hair and keep your color looking like new. Simply mix up the color, apply it with the easy-to-use bottle, and let it process before rinsing it out. You’ll have your brand new color in no time.

Pros:

• The box includes a comb, pre-color treatment, and post-dye conditioning treatment, so you have all the tools you need
• It’s available in nearly 20 different shades of brown, so you can find the exact right color
• It offers 100% gray coverage for uniform, all-over color

Cons:

• The colors in real life may look different than they do on the box
• It has a powerful chemical smell, so it’s best to use it in a room with ventilation

L’Oreal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color

Made to give you a multi-tonal, shimmering look, this hair color has over 50 shades from the blackest black to platinum blonde for ultimate variety. Inspired by the latest fashion trends, this permanent hair color gives you long-lasting results you can count on. The dye even comes with a conditioning treatment to seal in moisture for smoother strands and a color that won’t fade.

Pros:

• On-trend shades
• Choose from dozens of different colors to find the exact right one
• It’s formulated to deliver multi-faceted color for even more dimension

Cons:

• It may bleed for several days after you use the dye
• The dye will stain your skin, so it should be applied carefully around your hairline

Schwarzkopf Simply Color Permanent Hair Color

This dermatologist-tested formula is non-irritating for a stress-free dying experience. The dye gives you natural results and is gentle on the hair thanks to a formula infused with oat milk, soy protein, and argan oil and free of ammonia, alcohol, and silicone. That way, you can get the results you want without all of the harsh chemicals you don’t.

Pros:

• The addition of moisturizing ingredients will keep your hair soft and smooth
• Because it’s free of harsh chemicals, it has a pleasant and not overpowering smell
• Depicted colors tend to be true to life, so you’ll know what to expect

Cons:

• If you have long hair, you may need two boxes
• Some of the shades have pronounced red undertones

Revlon 3D Gel Technology & Keratin Hair Dye

Made to be as convenient as possible, this formula was developed with hair experts to give you the best results. The nourishing dye is ammonia-free and enriched with keratin for a silky smooth finish, leaving hair softer than when you started. It even gives you 100% coverage for your gray hairs for youthful and natural-looking results. Try it for yourself and pick from 41 different shades to find your perfect match.

Pros:

• It gives you natural, multi-tonal results so that your hair doesn’t look artificial
• The dye is gentle on your hair, thanks to the ammonia-free formula
• It’s available in over 40 different shades, so you have plenty of options

Cons:

• The color may turn out differently on gray hair
• It has a strong odor

Frequently Asked Questions

Is brown hair dye damaging?

Lightening your hair using bleach typically dries out hair and can lead to breakage. But dying your hair darker doesn’t have the same harsh impact. Darker hair dyes fill in the surface of each strand, making your hair look smoother and less damaged.

Does brown hair dye fade?

Both permanent and semi-permanent dyes fade to varying degrees over time. But permanent dye won’t wash out and must either be bleached or cut off. Semi-permanent dye is meant to fade out completely over time.