13 Ash-Brown Hair Ideas That Are Low-Maintenance and Effortlessly Cool, According to Stylists

Have you noticed a sudden uptick in the number of stylish brunettes you've seen taking over your Explore and For You pages in 2025? TikTok's and Instagram's fashion people are flocking toward the specific shade that's set to be one of the year's biggest trending colors: ash brown. Since we spend more time than the average human scrolling for hair inspiration (and have some of the industry's top hairstylists and color experts just a text away), we thought it's about time to take a deep dive into the trend and make our predictions for what we hope to see more of.

While we can't tell the future, we Who What Wear beauty editors do have a knack for knowing the top hair colors you'll be considering for your next salon visit. We're finally sharing 13 of our favorite ash-brown hair looks spotted on celebrities recently and recommendations straight from a color expert to help you achieve the ash-brown tresses of your dreams.

What Is Ash Brown?

If you're as obsessed with trending hair shades as we are, you may have a good idea of what ash brown looks like, but describing it may pose more of a challenge. Luckily, hair color specialist Sue Tyrrell has an easy definition you can refer to as you search for style inspiration and holds the answers to any questions you may have on the effortlessly cool color trend, including which color combinations work best for the look. "Ash brown is a cool-toned brunette with smoky, silver undertones," she tells us. When you're requesting the shade from a colorist, Tyrrell advises asking for a neutral to cool brown with no red or orange warmth. It's also helpful to bring a photo reference if you have a particular vibrancy, texture, or tone in mind.

Is Ash Brown Easy to Maintain?

Now, for the million-dollar question: Just how much upkeep does this shade require to stay looking salon fresh after the initial application? Tyrrell tells us ash brown requires maintenance, especially if your natural undertones are warm. "Ash tones fade faster and can turn brassy without the right care," she warns. "The correct at home haircare is required." Take this as your sign to stock up on the best color-safe shampoos, conditioners, and styling aids if you want this chic shade to last, and don't forget to schedule your touch-ups from a trusted colorist to combat any fading before it starts.

Keep scrolling to discover the best editor- and colorist-beloved ways to wear ash-brown hair ideas, as proven by stylish celebrities and public figures, from Lily-Rose Depp to Daisy Edgar-Jones. Plus, shop a few of the best products to keep strands looking healthy and vibrant.

Golden Beige

Depp stepped onto the carpet of the 2019 Met Gala with this stunning shade created by colorist Cass Kaeding. It mixes butterscotch blonde with soft ash and brown, dark roots, and light ends.

Smoky Balayage

Emily in Paris's Ashley Park is frequently pictured with high-volume styles in ash brown. The one pictured above was created by Los Angeles–based celebrity hairstylist and wig master Clayton Hawkins by combining vivid shades of caramel brown, taupe, and gray sprinkled throughout her strands.

Money Pieces

For a soft ash-brown balayage, Tyrrell recommends complementing an ash-brown base with money pieces for added intrigue. We're taking notes from Ciara's look at the 2024 CFDA Fashion Awards at the American Museum of Natural History, where she wore a tousled bun with face-framing strands.

Shadow Roots

Tyrrell also recommends adding dimension to your ash-brown strands with shadow roots that "melt into a smoky brunette balayage." Hailey Bieber wore a bob with these touches to the Saint Laurent womenswear S/S 24 show, and it's lived rent-free in our minds ever since.

Brass Tones

If eye-catching brass tones are more your taste, consider copying this sleek style spotted on Emmy-winning news anchor Bianca Peters. Ensure you add ample heat protection to your strands before applying any heat and use a finishing spray for shine and hold.

Subtle Highlights

Adding subtle blonde highlights to a base of mushroom-brown hair offers the perfect amount of intrigue and edge to wavy tresses. This effortless look on Selena Gomez was created by Marissa Marino, celebrity hairstylist and Kristin Ess hair artist.

Gray Streaks

Light strands strategically positioned around the face can brighten skin tones and make eyes appear brighter, especially when set against shades of mousse brown, like in this timeless bob actress Hailee Steinfeld wore to the Sinners European premiere.

Mocha Ash

At the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival, Edgar-Jones stunned with this elegant mocha ash look. While it doesn't feature hints of blonde like a number of our other favorite ash-brown hairstyles, we're fans of how bright and glowy her skin looks against it.

Honey Dipped

Goddess braids are also having a moment right now, so why not try ash-brown braids with a balayage twist? Winnie Harlow wore these braids with honey-blonde tips to walk in Kate Barton's first show during last year's New York Fashion Week.

Toasted Taupe

We like to think of this shade as the hair-color equivalent to TikTok's toasted glam makeup. Striking the balance between mocha and taupe, the color is brought to life with hints of neutral blonde, as worn by actress and model Kaia Gerber in this selfie.

Bronde Tips

If you can't decide between finishing off your ash-brown hair with a hint of brown or blonde, why not try a shade that's the perfect blend of the two? Shay Mitchell shows us how to add a dash of blonde on the tips in this shot taken just before the actress headed out for a Louis Vuitton fashion show.

Low-Contrast Shades

Model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is the queen of blonde strands, but every now and then, we see her go a few shades darker than expected, like this chic low-contrast look with hues of brown melting into shades of butterscotch blonde.

Muted Brown

Combining highlights and lowlights can create a multidimensional blend that can go effortlessly from season to season. Zoë Kravitz created a similar look with her signature extra-small tree braids to watch the Saint Laurent menswear F/W 25 presentation.

Best Products to Preserve Ash Brown

Why Trust Us?

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We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they're affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how, and what we'd truly recommend to our closest friends and family members.