Have you noticed a sudden uptick in the amount of stylish brunettes you’ve seen taking over your Explore and For Your Pages in 2025? TikTok’s and Instagram’s fashion people are flocking towards one 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 ave 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, us Who What Wear beauty editors do have a knack for knowing the top hair colors you’ll be considering for your next salon visit. So, we’re finally sharing 13 of our favorite ash brown hair looks celebrities have been spotted wearing 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 shades look like but describing it may pose more of a challenge. Luckily, hair color specialists like Sue Tyrrell have an easy definition you can refer to as you search for some style inspiration and hold the answers to any question you may have on the effortlessly cool color trend (including which color combinations work best for creating the look). “Ash brown is a cool-toned brunette with smoky, silver, undertones,” she tells us. When 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 hair care 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 brown 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 hair 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, a few of the best products to keep strands looking healthy and vibrant.
Golden Beige
(Image credit: Karwai Tang/Getty Images)
Model and actress Lily-Rose Depp stepped onto the carpet of the 2019 Met Gala with this stunning shade created by colorist, Cass Kaeding. It mixes butterscotch blonde hues with soft ash and brown shades, dark roots, and light ends.
Smoky Balayage
Emily in Paris’ Ashley Park is frequently pictured with high-volume styles in ash brown shades. 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 grey sprinkled throughout her strands.
Money Pieces
(Image credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
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 2024 CFDA Awards at American Museum of Natural History, where she wore a tousled bun with face-framing strands.
Shadow Roots
(Image credit: Marc Piasecki/Getty Images)
Tyrrell also recommends adding dimension to your ash brown shade with shadow roots that, “melt into a smoky brunette balayage.” Hailey Bieber wore a bob with these touches she wore to the Saint Laurent Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024 show, and its lived rent free in our minds ever since.
Brass Tones
If eye-catching brass tones are more your taste, consider copying this sleek style as spotted on Emmy-winning news anchor Bianca Peters. Ensure you add ample heat protection to your strands before applying any heat, before using a finishing spray for shine and hold.
Subtle Highlights
Adding subtle blond highlight 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 celebrity hairstylist and Kristin Ess hair Artist Marissa Marino.
Gray Streaks
(Image credit: Mike Marsland/Getty Images)
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 Hailey Steinfeld wore to the Sinners European premiere.
Mocha Ash
(Image credit: Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Getty Images)
At the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival, actress Daisy Edgar-Jones stunned with this elegant mocha ash look. While it doesn’t feature hints of blond 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 an ash brown shade 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 a 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 that expected like with this chic low-contrast look with hues of brown melting into shades of butterscotch blonde.
Muted Browns
(Image credit: Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Getty Images)
Combining highlights and lowlights can create a multi-dimensional blend that can go effortlessly from season-to-season. Zoe Kravitz created a similar look with her signature, extra small tree braids to watch the Saint Laurent Menswear fall-Winter 2025/2026 presentation.
Best Products To Preserve Ash Brown
Color Wow
Cult Favorite Firm + Flexible Hairspray
Christophe Robin
Colour Shield Mask
Kérastase
Chrome Absolu Anti-Frizz Leave-In Treatment
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.
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