How to Get Chestnut Hair Color, Fall's Toastiest Hair Trend

Interested in changing up your look? Try a chestnut hair color. Here, we’ll show you 45 ways to rock the vibrant reddish-brown shade.

By Gillian Fuller & Powered By L’Oreal Professional Products Division

Update Date: 09 Jan 2025

What is chestnut hair?

Chestnut hair is a rich and dimensional shade of reddish-brown (like that of the delicious edible nut it’s named after). The red undertones can be quite subtle but become extra visible when under the sun. On the spectrum of browns, it’s typically considered a medium shade. But with that said, there are some chestnut hues that skew slightly darker.

Is chestnut hair warm or cool?

Generally speaking, chestnut hair has reddish, warm undertones. However, it’s a shade that can easily be tailored—so if you’re someone who prefers cool-toned hair, don’t be scared off.

What skin tone does chestnut hair look best on?

You’ll likely hear professionals say that chestnut hair best complements those with warm-toned skin due to its reddish undertones. The beauty of chestnut hair, however, is that it’s completely customizable and can be made cool. A professional colorist can work with you to create a custom shade that flatters your skin.

Is chestnut hair rare?

It’s surprisingly difficult to pinpoint how rare or common natural hair colors are: There’s no global hair color census to turn to for answers. Brown, however, is fairly common worldwide, whereas red is far less common. Given that chestnut hair is a mash-up between brown and red, we’d venture to guess that it’s on the rarer side of natural hair colors.

How do you care for your chestnut hair color?

Like any other shade concocted in the salon, chestnut hair requires regular maintenance—both at home and in the salon. However, because this hue is predominantly brown, it tends to be easier to maintain than other red hair colors.

As L'Oréal Professionnel brand ambassador Abbie Addotta explains, “the beauty of this tone is that it fades gracefully as long as you keep up with at-home maintenance with your stylist-recommended shampoo and conditioner.” We suggest opting for a color-protecting system, such as Biolage Professional Color Last Shampoo and Conditioner. The low-pH formulas gently cleanse and condition the hair while protecting against color stripping or fading.

If you find your chestnut hair is losing its vibrancy, consider treating your strands with a demi-permanent gloss like Pureology Color Fanatic Top Coat + Tone in the shade Copper. It adds shine and softness while helping to restore the vibrancy of red hair colors for up to six washes.

Remember to also protect your hair against unwanted fading. Whether you flat iron your mane daily or give yourself a bouncy blowout, always use a heat protectant like Pureology Color Fanatic Multi-Benefit Leave-in Spray when using hot tools. This lightweight mist primes, protects, and perfects while delivering 21 essential benefits for color-treated hair.

And when it’s time for a color refresh, we suggest touching up your chestnut hair color with Redken Shades EQ Hair Gloss. The demi-permanent color uses a mixture of direct and oxidative dyes to glaze, refresh, and correct your current color.

The Best Chestnut Hair Color Ideas to Try in 2025

Classic Chestnut

Classic chestnut is the perfect mash-up of red and brown. Neither light nor dark nor overly red, the understated yet stunning shade is an ideal way to infuse brown strands with a hint of warmth.

Warm Golden Chestnut

We like to think of warm golden chestnut as a sort of hybrid between bronde and red. The flattering hue has depth and dimension, without leaning too crimson.

Dark Chocolate Chesnut

Take yours to the next level by adding a touch of red for added dimension.

Cool Chestnut

Opt for a glossy, dark golden brown. The rich brunette shade will look stunning on those with cooler skin.

Subtle Chestnut

If you’ve been brunette your whole life, adding red to your mane for the first time can (understandably) be a bit nerve-wracking. But it doesn’t have to be. Instead of going full-force with a scarlet hue, ask your colorist to add a touch of warmth to your mane as a lowkey way to try the red-brown shade.

Rich Chestnut

Inky, sleek, and undeniably chic, rich chestnut hair screams luxury. Style yours with a shine-enhancing spray like Redken Shine Flash to get glossy, multi-dimensional color.

Bronzed Copper

For a shade that’s more red than brown, try bronzed copper hair. This slightly darker take on the vivid red hue is vibrant, eye-catching, and surprisingly wearable for natural blondes and brunettes alike.

Burgundy

Burgundy hair is a warm shade that works equally beautifully on light and dark skin tones. It also pairs beautifully with a smattering of slightly lighter, dimension-boosting highlights.

Light Chestnut

Opt for a lighter take on chestnut hair by asking your colorist for a deeper strawberry blonde—you’ll get the warmth of chestnut hair, without having to go to the dark side.

Caramel Chestnut

Add brightness to deep chestnut hair by asking your colorist for warm caramel highlights placed from your mid-lengths to ends. Not only does it look incredibly chic, but by starting your highlights further down your head, there’s no awkward grow-out phase to contend with. We call that a win-win.

Coffee

Channel your favorite morning beverage with a coffee chestnut hair color. Slightly cooler than classic chestnut but still with a hint of warmth, this inviting hue flatters a wide range of skin tones and undertones.

Ash

If cooler colors are more your speed, skip the red undertones and opt for a deep, ashy brown. This option offers all the depth of chestnut hair without any of the warmth.

Cinnamon

Autumn lovers, unite. Embrace the innate warmth of your favorite season by asking your colorist for vivid cinnamon brown hair.

Cherry Cola

Cherry cola hair has a special place in our hearts (and not just because the name is so nostalgic). With a delicious mix of chocolatey brown and toned-down cherry tones, this color is made to stand out.

Rooted Chestnut

For a low-maintenance take on chestnut hair, opt for rooted chestnut hair—let your dark roots grow naturally and add warm, reddish-brown accents below the crown. If you’re working with natural medium or deep brown roots, this brunette hair color idea is a must-try.

Milk Chocolate Chestnut

This chestnut hair color has soft golden undertones woven throughout a milk chocolate base. It’s a gorgeous combination that flatters all complexions.

Dimensional Balayage

Truthfully, we can’t get enough of balayage. This coloring technique produces the most effortlessly dimensional hair—and it grows out beautifully. Request a chestnut base from your colorist and inquire about adding multi-toned highlights in amber, honey, and copper to infuse a warm twist into this enduring trend.