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25 Chestnut Hair Color Ideas to Inspire Your Next Salon Visit

 

The perfect shade awaits.

If you’re looking for a brown or brunette hair color with the warmth of a bold red, auburn, or blonde, chestnut just might be your new favorite shade.

As for what the chestnut hair color actually is? “Chestnut is a perfect combination of red and brown shades,” says Michelle Cleveland, celebrity hairstylist and owner of Hair Addict Salon & Extension Bar. “When combined, it takes on the look of a chestnut, which is where it gets its name from.”

But it’s not as simple as just combining two colors together; it’s a rich, multidimensional hue that falls within the brunette family with a twist, says Danielle Keasling, hairstylist and Ulta Beauty team member. “Infused with a subtle warm, reddish-golden undertone mostly seen in outside light, it’s brown hair with a luxurious, sunlit glow,” Keasling explains. “While brown or brunette shades can range from ashy to deep espresso, chestnut hair is defined by its subtle warmth, giving it an extremely healthy appearance and incredibly polished feel.”

Despite how chic the shade is, however, it’s surprisingly low-maintenance, and even as it grows out, it looks completely natural. “Chestnut hair is also universally flattering, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to add warmth and depth to their hair,” Keasling continues.

No matter your aesthetic or preference, or if you identify as a lazy girl when it comes to beauty, there’s at least one—or a few—chestnut hair color styles that are sure to suit your vibe and lifestyle. Here’s everything you need to know about the trending shade.

What is chestnut hair?

“Chesnut is a rich, warm shade of brown with subtle red and golden undertones, creating a natural and earthy appearance,” Christine Bellemare, cofounder, owner, and lead stylist at Maven A Collect, tells Glamour. “It often reflects light beautifully, showcasing a soft shimmer of warmth, and is versatile enough to complement a variety of skin tones.”

It’s also especially easy to embrace the shade if you already have dark blonde or brown hair. “All brown and brunette hair naturally has warm reddish undertones, making chestnut an effortlessly easy addition,” Bellemare continues. “It instantly elevates any shade of brunette and brings out the glow in any skin tone giving a warm, sun-kissed look.”

How to find the best shade of chestnut for your skin tone

“Anyone can pull off a chestnut glow by adjusting the intensity to complement their natural skin tone,” says Renée Valerie, director of R+Color Education and R+Color Collective member. “A comprehensive consultation with your colorist will ensure you find the ideal chestnut shade, considering your skin tone, complexion, eye color, and maintenance commitment, so you always look effortlessly polished.”

That said, to determine the best shade of chestnut for your skin tone in the meantime, Bellemare suggests you evaluate your skin tone to see whether it’s warm, cool, or neutral.

“From there, take into consideration your natural hair color to determine the best shade of chestnut,” says Bellemare. “For lighter hair, a lighter chestnut shade will add warmth and dimension without overwhelming your natural base. For darker hair, rich, deeper chestnut tones will blend more seamlessly while adding shine and vibrancy.”

How to maintain chestnut hair color at home

As is usually the case with dyed hair, you’ll want to use color-protection hair care. “For maintaining shine and ensuring long-lasting color, I highly recommend R+Co Bleu Primary Color Shampoo & Conditioner,” says Valerie.

Keasling agrees, recommending Matrix Instacure Build a Bond to preserve the warm tones. “Also, a daily heat-protection spray, such as Biolage thermal setting spray, for when you’re using hot tools is a must,” she says. “You want to preserve that richness and shine. Thermal sprays protect the color from fading with an added benefit of memory and hold.”

Bellamare suggests Wella Professionals Color Fresh Mask as well. “It’s a great choice for maintaining your color at home.”

Are you inspired yet? Ahead, see 25 of the best chestnut hair colors to try, according to stylists and colorists.

Classic Chestnut

If you need just one person to influence your chestnut hair color journey, let it be Olivia Culpo; almost every expert interviewed for this story cited her as prime chestnut hair inspo. “Classic chestnut brown offers a rich, allover shade that exudes timeless elegance,” Keasling says.

Sun-Kissed Chestnut

For something subtle but super flattering, consider a soft, golden, and sun-kissed take on chestnut. “It’s a soft fusion of golden blonde and light chestnut tones for a sun-kissed effect,” Keasling says. “Highlights in chestnut are perfect for those with darker hair looking to create a soft contrast without going overly blonde.” One great example is Halle Berry’s hair.

Warm Chestnut

“Chestnut instantly elevates any shade of brunette and brings out the glow in any skin tone, giving a warm sun kissed look,” adds Cleveland. One of her favorite examples? Chrissy Tiegen. “She wears her warm-toned chestnut so beautifully,” she says.

Rich Chestnut

“Chestnut tones suit a wide range of people but are especially flattering on those with warm or neutral undertones in their skin,” says Chase Kusero, celebrity hairstylist and cofounder of IGK Hair Care. “It’s an excellent option for brunettes looking to add richness and dimension to their hair.” One such example? This gorgeous, deep, classic, and rich shade of brunette.

Golden Chestnut

“The best candidate for a chestnut color is someone who already has a natural shade of brown hair—the chestnut can be either allover or put over existing highlights to give a more dimensional look,” says Bellemare, pointing to Hailey Bieber’s golden shade as a perfectly low-maintenance way to wear the look.

Honey Chestnut

Medium-brown hair lovers might want to consider honey-chestnut brown. “It’s a beautiful shade that ranges from deep reddish brown to light golden brown, and is very versatile color that suits many skin tones and can be both warm and cool in tone,” says Nicole Lucero, a colorist at Mahogany Grace Salon. “It is a low-maintenance hair color that requires minimal touch-ups.”

Dark Chestnut

“This luminous and reflective shade is a natural brown color with hints of caramel and golden undertones and loads of rich shine,” Shvonne Perkins, master colorist and lead educator at home-hair-color maker Madison Reed, says of dark chestnut. To get the look, Perkins advises being specific about wanting a burnished, golden-chestnut brunette without it becoming red. “The tones you want to add to your brunette are mahogany, golden, and copper mixes—not literal red tones.” Think: Laura Harrier’s glossy shade.

Chestnut Dimension

Another chestnut hair icon, according to pros? Jessica Alba, of course. Her signature chestnut highlights bring out her natural warmth and depth. But you don’t have to be famous to rock the look: Chestnut highlights create subtle ribbons of warmth through dark brown hair for added dimension.

Fire Chestnut

Want to try red? “Fire chestnut is an allover auburn brown with a red chestnut undertone,” says Lorena M. Valdes, a colorist at Chicago’s Maxine Salon, pointing to Camila Mendes’s fiery new shade as a great example of the look. “I would recommend doing an allover color to create this look. The maintenance will be every six to eight weeks for roots and as needed apply a gloss to refresh the ends.”

Deep Chestnut

Kusero also loves the deep chestnut shade. “It’s a rich, dark tone with red undertones, as seen on Priyanka Chopra Jonas,” he says. And despite how luxe it looks, it’s actually low-maintenance compared to cooler tones. “That’s because it blends seamlessly with brown bases,” he explains.

Chestnut Blonde

Want something on the lighter side? Add warm, reddish-brown highlights throughout sun-kissed blonde hair for what Kusero calls classic chestnut blonde. “Just be sure to use IGK More Life Color Extending Gloss Shampoo and Conditioner to protect the vibrancy of red tones,” he says. “IGK Color Depositing Masks can also refresh and enhance the warmth of your chestnut shade between appointments.”

Vibrant Chestnut

“Vibrant chestnut is a vivid brunette shade with subtle undertones, ranging from copper red to golden hues,” says Valerie. “While it is technically a brown, it stands out for its warmth and richness, making it distinctly different from more neutral traditional brunettes.” Sarah Hyland has been sporting one of our favorite takes on the vibrant hue.

Chestnut Balayage

Contrary to what some people may think, balayage is still one of the prettiest ways to wear chestnut hair color. “Chestnut balayage achieves a natural, sunlit gradient perfect for effortless chic and that lived-in look everyone’s loving,” says Keasling.

Auburn Chestnut

For something closer to auburn, simply combine the two: “Auburn chestnut pops in the sun,” says Valdes. “To get the look, make an appointment for an allover color to create this look. For maintenance, it will need a root touch-up every four to six weeks and when needed a gloss to freshen up the mids and ends.”

Blended Chestnut

According to Kusero, blended chestnut highlights are a great option for adding subtle warmth to a brunette base. “This adds depth and dimension to flat or monotone brown hair,” he says. While it’s low-maintenance, you should still use home hair care, he says: “Apply IGK Antisocial Time-Release Bond-Building Mask to keep hair hydrated and prevent fading.”

Chestnut Caramel

“Chestnut caramel brunette is a natural brown with hints of caramel and golden undertones, and loads of rich shine,” says Perkins, noting that the color is especially luminous and reflective. “It’s a departure from the subdued, ash tones featured in the trends from seasons past.”

To create the look, use Madison Reed Radiant Hair Color in Lucca Light Brown or Tuscany Brown at home or in a Madison Reed Hair Color Bar, she says.

Espresso Chestnut

Kusero also points to beautiful chestnut espresso with lots of shine as a prime shade for 2025. To get the look, Kusero says that a “beautiful chocolate shade in the IGK Permanent Color Kits is Hot Chestnut or Bold Brown. I would top it off with IGK Color Depositing Mask in shade Electric Bronze.”

Chestnut Highlights

Low-maintenance and natural-looking, it’s hard to go wrong with chestnut highlights. “Chestnut highlights create subtle ribbons of warmth through dark brown hair for added dimension,” says Keasling. “Dakota Johnson is a great example.”

Chestnut Lowlights

“Adding chestnut lowlights or undertones can elevate your overall look without a drastic color change by adding light reflection and dimension to flat, dark hair,” says Keasling. “It’s great to enhance natural curls, waves, and texture by creating a shimmering, multi-tonal effect.” Case in point: Chloe Bailey.

Chestnut Ribbons

Valdes also recommends what she calls chestnut ribbons, which you can achieve by asking for balayage with subtle gold and red undertones. “This shade is great on brunettes who want to warm things up,” she says. “Glossing in between balayage appointments will keep the color vibrant and shiny.” You’ll recognize the look on Daisy Edgar-Jones.

Butterscotch Chestnut

“Adding chestnut tones to your hair, whether as an allover color or delicate highlights, can boost shine, enhance luminosity, and breathe new life into dull strands,” Valerie explains.

“To create a gorgeous chestnut tone, I love using R+Color Omnipresent 5.3-G (Autumn) and 6.34-GC (Candlelight),” she says. “To protect your hair while styling, the R+Co Bleu Smooth & Seal Blow-Dry Mist is a must.”

Chestnut Contrast

Celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos recommends a chic, dark chestnut shade with high and low contrast hues of brown. “This adds depth, dimension, and shine to the hair,” he says, pointing to his client Amal Clooney as a prime example of the shade. “It’s a simple yet sleek look.”

Chestnut Undertones

For even more chestnut inspo, look at Hailee Steinfeld’s hair. “Hailee Steinfeld is often spotted with chestnut undertones in her brunette locks, adding softness to her bold features,” says Keasling.

Toasted Chestnut

We’re not done with the chestnut hair influencers. “Zendaya’s glossy chestnut waves highlight her glowing complexion,” says Keasling—and it’s true, her chestnut hair is indeed iconic.

Chestnut Blend

Valdes also recommends incorporating warm, reddish, chestnut, and caramel tones throughout your hair for a natural-looking warm aesthetic. “Baby-lights or balayage would mimic what the sun does to the hair naturally,” she says.