Freshly Roasted: How to Get a Coffee Brown Hair Color

We’re living in a time where rainbow hair colors—everything from peach to denim—is becoming almost commonplace. In fact, you’ve probably seen your fave celebs as well as women walking down the street sporting seriously vibrant hair colors. So, one of the most daring hair choices you can make is opting for something a little more, well, subdued.

If you want to try a new hair color but aren’t interested in anything too bold, why not give a coffee brown hair color a try? Sure, it might not sound quite as exciting as succulent hair or unicorn hair, but when done correctly, coffee brown hair can have major depth and dimension. Below, we share how to find the right coffee brown hair hue for your skin tone, how to color your hair a coffee brown shade at home, and how to take care of your new ‘do.

How to Determine Your Ideal Coffee Hair Color

First things first: How do you like your coffee? If you’re a milk and sugar type of gal, consider opting for a creamy-looking color that has a slight golden tint to it. If you like your coffee black, a deep, espresso hue might be more up your alley. Once you have your shade in mind, you’ll want to make sure the color has undertones that pair well with your skin tone. For the most flattering coffee brown hair color, pair warm undertones with warm hair colors and cool undertones with cool hair colors.

How to Get a Coffee Brown Hair Color at Home

Unlike many dramatic rainbow hair colors, which require the skill of a professional colorist, coffee brown hair is one shade you can do on your own if you’d prefer. We rounded up our favorite at-home brown hair colors ranging in appearance from sweet creamy coffee to the most delectable espresso. Just keep in mind that if you’re opting for a lighter brown hue, you’ll need to bleach your hair first.

If you have cool skin and want a milk-and-sugar coffee color…try the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Crème in Dark Golden Brown.

If you have cool skin and want an espresso hair color…try the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference in Cool Darkest Brown.

If you have warm skin and want an espresso hair color…try the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference in Dark Golden Brown.

How to Care for Coffee Brown Hair

As with any color-treated hair, it’s best to switch up your hair care routine once you’ve dyed your mane. Follow our tips for taking care of coffee brown hair.

1. Wash your hair wisely. For starters, reach for a system of shampoo, conditioner, and hair mask formulated for color-treated hair, such as the L’Oréal Paris Hair Expert Color Vibrancy Intensive Shampoo, L’Oréal Paris Hair Expert Color Vibrancy Intensive Conditioner, and L’Oréal Paris Hair Expert Color Vibrancy Intensive Ultra Recovery Mask.

2. Prep your hair for heat styling. Coffee brown hair + smooth blowout = perfection, in our books. But before you pick up your blow-drying, straightener, or curling iron, spritz on a heat protectant first. Try the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle SLEEK IT Iron Straight HeatSpray or L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle BOOST IT Blow Out HeatSpray.

3. Give air drying a whirl. On those days when you’re rushing to get out the door but still want to look put-together, it’s all about using the right styling product after you hop out of the shower. Try the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle AIR DRY Ruffled Body Mousse, L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle AIR DRY IT Wave Swept Spray, or L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle AIR DRY IT Undone Style Cream on towel-dried hair to help add shape and texture to your strands.

And there you have it: You now know how to create a gorgeous coffee brown hair color. For more hair color inspiration, check out our article, Seeing Red: Your Guide to Dyeing Your Hair Crimson.