Does your brown hair suddenly look a little too… orange? You are not alone. Many people aim for a rich, cool brown, but instead end up with unwanted red or brassy undertones. It is frustrating when your dye job doesn’t match the picture on the box! Achieving the perfect shade of brown can feel like a guessing game, especially when underlying red pigments fight against your desired color.
Finding the right brown dye to truly neutralize those stubborn red tones is the key to success. If you pick the wrong shade, you might just make the problem worse! This guide cuts through the confusion. We will show you exactly which color theory rules to follow and which dye ingredients to look for. By the end of this post, you will know how to confidently choose a dye that promises a natural, deep brown—not a reddish-brown.
Ready to say goodbye to brassiness for good? Let’s dive into the secrets of selecting the perfect cool brown hair dye to finally cover those unwanted red tones.
Top Brown Hair Dye To Cover Red Tones Recommendations
- Clairol Nice'n Easy 5RB Medium Reddish Brown. Permanent natural looking color with 100% gray coverage
- THE SECRET TO NATURAL-LOOKING COLOR? 3 tones and highlights enhances your hair's natural highs and lows. Easy as can be
- Oil infused formula smooths hair for better color uptake
- Follow with Revitashine Intense Treatment for strenghtened hair bonds and longlasting color
- Available in 44 natural looking shades
- Feria Is Multi-Faceted Permanent Hair Color: Known for fashion-forward colors, Feria permanent hair dye kits transform your hair; Feria by L’Oreal Paris gives you multi-faceted, striking color vibrancy in 25 minutes
- Multi-Faceted Feria Hair Color: With 40+ bold shades ranging from deepest black, platinum blonde & smoky silver hair dye, our vegan hair dye is inspired by cutting-edge fashion, no appointment required. Every shade includes a vitamin-infused shine serum
- After Color Hair Conditioner: Bonding Care Complex Conditioner helps repair the strength of weak hair bonds, keeping hair strong & healthy-looking for color vibrancy. See up to 40% stronger hair vs hair not treated with Bonding Care Complex Conditioner
- L'Oreal Paris Hair Color: We offer permanent, semi-permanent, and temporary hair dye plus root cover up, anti-brass toners and lightening systems. Express yourself with striking, vibrant bolds or stunning platinum blondes
- L'Oreal Paris Innovation: We are a total beauty care company that combines the latest in technology with the highest in quality for the ultimate in hair color, hair care, hair style, skin care and cosmetics
- 415 Soft Mahogany Dark Brown (Raspberry Truffle) Permanent Hair Dye: Adds mahogany tones to your traditional dark brown results. Nourishes while it colors and adapts to all hair textures for radiant, long lasting, even color and 100% gray coverage
- Hair Dye Kit: The only hair color with a separate fruit oil ampoule that you snap & pour directly into the mix; Follow hair dye with our after color hair conditioner, infused with a blend of 5 fruit oils: avocado, olive, shea, argan & coconut oil
- 100% Gray Hair Coverage: Our hair color for gray hair coverage has been formulated with color boost technology, our permanent hair color delivers rich and long-lasting color
- Nourished Hair Means Better Color: Formulated with a blend of five fruit oils: Avocado, Olive, Coconut, Argan & Shea oils. Lock in moisture and color with our after color mask for hair that is smooth, silky and protected against dryness
- Discover Your Shade: For bold and lasting shades for all hair textures, Garnier Nutrisse Hair Color is available in over 60 cruelty-free and vegan hair dye shades - formulated without animal-derived ingredients
- BRILLIANT COLOR Zero Ammonia with Argan & Olive Oil gives you moisture-rich color that is key for maintaining curl definition and shine.
- MOISTURIZED HAIR Our Intensive Moisturizing Mask helps detangle and strenghten hair, for instant softness.
- DESIGNED WITH TEXTURED HAIR AND COLOR SPECIALISTS To create a system optimized to pamper textured hair types- natural or relaxed.
- Shade: Mocha Brown, inspired by the deep brown tones of the walnut tree
- GLOSSY COLOR: Enhances color with a range of glossy shades for multi-dimensional, natural looking results
- SHINY + STRONG: Leaves hair 2X shinier* and 4X stronger*
- INCLUDED SERUM: Hydrating Leave In Scalp & Hair Serum cares for your hair and scalp after coloring
- LOW COMMITMENT: Demi-permanent hair color, lasts up to 28 washes
- BLENDS GRAYS: Gives up to 60% gray coverage
- MULTIDIMENSIONAL COLOR WITH AHA helps reinforce hair structure and create sublimely multidimensional color.
- COLOR + BONDING SYSTEM WITH AHA IN EVERY STEP! First, Bonding Primer with AHA acts like a base coat to prepare hair for color. Once primed, reflective pigments + AHA fill hair with multidimensional tones. Lastly, Bonding Treatment with AHA seals color in like a top coat and gives final reinforcement to the hair structure.
- ZERO AMMONIA + 100% gray coverage. Formulated without parabens, PPD/PTD.* *Do not use this product if you have a known PPD/PTD allergy, as you may still experience a severe reaction.
- Find your dream hair destination with shade: Red Desert. Breathe in the natural beauty of the red rocks the moment the sun is about to set.
- One hair color application kit: Bonding Primer with AHA, Permanent Color Cream, Activator, Bonding Treatment with AHA, Pair of Gloves and Instruction Leaflet
- Find Your Superior Preference Signature: Our new and improved Superior Preference Permanent Hair Color creates rich, luminous, fade-defying hair color for gray hair coverage, radiance and conditioning for up to 9 weeks. Suitable for all hair types
- No-Drip Permanent Hair Dye Formula: Now with a no-drip texture, our gel formula offers better hair adherence and a more precise application. A concentration of long-lasting dyes combined with conditioning gel texture results in better hair fiber coating
- Hair Color Kit: Includes Color Gel, Developer Crème, Shine Protect Conditioner, 1 pair of gloves and instruction leaflet. Our UV Filter and Vitamin E-infused Shine Protect Conditioner helps keep first-day color vibrancy and provide silky, resilient hair
- L'Oreal Paris Hair Coloring Products: We offer permanent, semi-permanent, and temporary hair dye plus root cover up, anti-brass toners and lightening systems. Cover gray hair, highlight, go bold with bright color or even try an ombre hair color
- L'Oreal Paris Innovation: We are a total beauty care company that combines the latest in technology with the highest in quality for the ultimate in hair color, hair care, hair style, skin care and cosmetics
- Lasting Gray Coverage in 10 Minutes: Our 10 minute hair color kit is perfect for covering grays between salon appointments & at-home colorings. Magic Root Permanent matches any shade including professional salon colors from dark brown to light blonde
- Precision Brush: Low ammonia color gel with built in conditioning and an aromatic scent, Magic Root Permanent hair dye includes a quick precision brush that allows you to part hair and apply dye fast and easy. No uneven touch-ups, just beautiful color
- For The Ultimate Root Rescue: For best results and the most seamless color, Magic Root Permanent is recommended for root regrowth less than one inch in length. Please refer to package insert located inside hair color box
- L'Oreal Paris Hair Color: We offer permanent, semi-permanent, and temporary hair dye plus root cover up, anti-brass toners and lightening systems. Cover gray hair, highlight, or go bold with bright color
- L'Oreal Paris Innovation: We are a total beauty care company that combines the latest in technology with the highest in quality for the ultimate in hair color, hair care, hair style, skin care and cosmetics
Your Guide to Choosing the Best Brown Hair Dye to Fight Red Tones
Do you love brown hair but hate that unwanted reddish glow? You are not alone! Many people fight brassy red or orange tones when they try to go brown. This guide helps you pick the right dye to achieve a cool, natural brown. We look at what matters most when shopping.
Key Features to Look For in a Red-Taming Brown Dye
When you buy dye, check the box for these important features. These tell you if the dye can handle your red problem.
- Ash or Matte Base: These terms mean the dye has cool, blue, or green pigments inside. Blue and green cancel out red and orange. Look for numbers like .1 (Ash) or .2 (Matte/Iridescent) in the shade name.
- Level of Lightness: Decide how dark you want your brown. Levels 1 (Black) to 10 (Lightest Blonde) show darkness. If your hair is naturally dark, a Level 4 or 5 might work best. If your hair is lighter, you might need a Level 6 or 7.
- Permanent vs. Semi-Permanent: Permanent dye lasts a long time and completely changes your color. Semi-permanent fades over several washes. Permanent is usually better for fully covering stubborn red tones.
Important Materials and Ingredients
The ingredients list tells you what the dye does to your hair.
- Ammonia-Free Formulas: These are gentler on your hair. They lift the cuticle (outer layer) slower than traditional dyes. They are often better for sensitive scalps.
- Conditioning Agents: Look for ingredients like keratin, argan oil, or coconut oil. These help keep your hair soft after the chemical process.
- Developer Strength (if applicable): Developers (like hydrogen peroxide) open the hair shaft. Box dyes usually come with a 20 Volume developer, which is standard for gray coverage and lifting natural color slightly.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Dye Quality
Not all brown dyes work the same way. What makes one dye better than another for covering red?
Quality Boosters:
- High Pigment Load: Dyes that pack a lot of cool pigment (blue/green) will neutralize red tones faster and more completely.
- Professional Lines: Dyes made for salons often use higher quality, smaller color molecules that penetrate the hair better.
Quality Reducers:
- “Warm” Browns: Avoid shades labeled “Chocolate,” “Caramel,” or “Golden.” These shades contain yellow or red undertones, which will make your existing red even brighter.
- Dye Overlap: If you put a Level 5 Brown over hair that is already Level 5 with strong red, the red will likely show through because there is not enough cool pigment to fight it.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the dye matters as much as what you buy. Think about your hair history.
When to Use Specific Dyes:
- For Previously Dyed Red Hair: You need a color stripper first, or a dye specifically labeled as a “Color Corrector” or “Filler” before applying the brown. If you skip this, the red pigments will likely win.
- For Natural Red Highlights: A good quality Ash Brown (e.g., Level 5.1) usually works well. Apply evenly and process for the full recommended time.
- At-Home vs. Salon: At-home kits are convenient, but a professional can mix custom tones to perfectly counteract your specific red level.
Always strand test! This small test on a hidden section of hair shows you exactly how the brown will look before you commit to your whole head.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Brown Dye for Red Tones
Q: Why does my brown hair always look red?
A: Your natural underlying pigment is red or orange. When you lighten your hair to apply brown, this warm color naturally shows through unless the dye has strong blue/green (ash) tones to neutralize it.
Q: What color number should I look for to fight red?
A: Look for shades ending in .1 (Ash) or .2 (Iridescent/Matte). These contain the cool pigments you need to cancel out warmth.
Q: Can a semi-permanent dye cover strong red tones?
A: Semi-permanent dyes work best on hair that is already light or porous. For very strong red, you usually need a permanent dye with a developer to lift the hair slightly and deposit enough cool pigment.
Q: How long should I leave the dye on my hair?
A: Follow the box instructions exactly, usually 30 to 45 minutes. For stubborn red, many stylists recommend leaving it on for the full time, or even a few extra minutes if you strand tested successfully.
Q: Do I need to use a toner after dyeing?
A: If your brown looks too warm right after dyeing, a dedicated toner (like a violet or blue-based toner) can be used a few days later to push the color cooler.
Q: What is the difference between “Neutral Brown” and “Ash Brown”?
A: Neutral Brown has a balance of warm and cool tones. Ash Brown has more cool (blue/green) tones, making it the better choice for fighting red.
Q: Will bleach help me cover the red?
A: Bleach lifts color, revealing the red/orange underneath. You must apply the Ash Brown *after* bleaching to ensure the cool brown deposits correctly.
Q: Can I use box dye if my hair is dyed red already?
A: It is risky. The old red dye might block the new brown from taking properly. A color remover or professional consultation is often safer first.
Q: How often should I re-dye to keep the red away?
A: Permanent brown usually lasts 4 to 6 weeks. You only need to touch up the roots. Use a color-depositing shampoo or conditioner in between to keep the brown cool.
Q: Is it okay to mix two different brown dyes?
A: Mixing can be tricky. Only mix colors from the same brand and the same developer strength. If you are unsure, stick to one shade that is specifically formulated to be cool-toned.