You may choose to dye your hair for a number of reasons - maybe you're looking to cover up roots with brown hair dye, or maybe you just fancy a change from a lighter colour. Whatever the reason, though, if you're looking to dye your hair brown, you've come to the right place, as we've narrowed down the best hair dyes to buy right now.
From Garnier to Clairol, Schwarzkopf to L'Oreal, there is a range of brands that have excellent hair dye products if you're looking for a change and don't fancy paying salon prices. These brands have some of the best dyes for natural colours, so if you're keen on switching up your colour without going crazy, you should check out some of the best blonde hair dyes on the market, too.
If keeping it subtle isn't your style, there are a tonne of colours out there on the market and vibrant hair dyes that speak more your language. You just need to look to lavender hair dyes and baby pink colours for inspiration, with loads of influencers and celebs taking part in the trend.
In a rush? Here's our best brown hair dye at a glance:
Best easy-to-use hair dye (Editor's Choice): L'Oréal Paris Casting Crème Gloss - £9.99 on LOOKFANTASTIC
Best nourishing brown hair dye: Garnier Nutrisse Permanent Hair Dye - £8 on LOOKFANTASTIC
Best semi-permanent hair dye: BLEACH LONDON Super Cool Colour Hair Dye - £8 on LOOKFANTASTIC
Not all of us need to go too wild though - and if you're just looking for something simple, the best brown hair dye can be a perfect way to upgrade your hair 'do without signing up to too much. From Bleach London to Garnier, here are our favourite brown hair dyes...
SHOP: The best brown hair dye to buy right now
Best easy-to-use hair dye (Editor's Choice)
Lookfantasticwww.lookfantastic.com
L'Oreal are a game-changer when it comes to hair care and we can't get enough of the quality of their hair dye - especially their Casting Creme Gloss. So easy to use and gives a lovely chocolate glow if that's what you're looking for.
Customer review: "I have used Loreal Casting hair colours for years. So easy and effortless to use. The chocolate brownie does have some red colouring but overall I am pleased with the result!"
Pros
- Shimmering tones
- Comes with conditioner
Cons
- Not suitable for darker hair shades
Best nourishing brown hair dye
lookfantasticwww.lookfantastic.com
Garnier provides top-quality products without the high-end price tag, and we can't thank them enough for that. The Garnier Nutrisse permanent hair dye is perfect if you're looking for hair dye with calibre in mind.
Customer review: "Bought this and a bright red to make cherry cola hair for my daughter and it was fabulous!"
Pros
- Contains four oils
- High shine on hair
Cons
- Doesn't last as long as other permanent dyes
Best semi-permanent hair dye
lookfantasticwww.lookfantastic.com
A semi-permanent solution perfect for people who are new to the world of hair dye. Ideal if you're looking for a change of colour but aren't ready to commit, thanks to BLEACH LONDON's Super Cool Colour hair dye.
Customer review: "Was fab for my daughter's prom, and now her hair is back to its virgin colour after five washes. Brilliant solution, if you want only a temporary colour change without damaging your hair."
Pros
- Easy for a spontaneous hair change
- Can be used on toned hair
Cons
- Doesn't last as long
Best colour payoff brown hair dye
bootswww.boots.com
If you're looking for a good colour payoff, Schwarzkopf Live Urban Hair Dye is the ideal solution for you. With intense shine and vibrancy, you can't go wrong with this hair dye.
Customer review: "After taking the allergy test, I tried this product and am thrilled with the result. It is a stunning chestnut brown with red highlights. It left my hair soft and with an exquisite shine. I shall definitely use it again and also highly recommend it."
Pros
- For light brown to dark brown hair
- Fade-resistant
Cons
- Long and thick hair requires two packs
Best vegan brown hair dye
bootswww.boots.com
A new product to the hair dye market, Garnier's GOOD Permanent Hair Dye blends two things together beauty and an eco-friendly lifestyle. Perfect if you're looking for hair care that keeps the environment in mind.
Customer review: "First time trying it today. I had a few white hairs (I got very dark hair so you can notice the white ones)...Very easy to use and apply. No more white hairs. I've now got healthy hair and look great!"
Pros
- Enriched with shea butter
- Up to 100% grey coverage
Cons
- Too much product leaves a sticky residue
Best budget-friendly hair dye
bootswww.boots.com
OGs when it comes to hair dye, Clairol's Nice'N Easy hair dye works a treat for all your hair dye needs, whether that's covering up your pesky greys to taking a leap and going for a brand new hair colour.
Customer review: "Best value for money home hair dye. Been using this brand for 10 years plus and have no reason to use a different brand. Highly recommend."
Best brown hair dye for a quick touch-up
lookfantasticwww.lookfantastic.com
Want a quick fix that won't let you down? We think Josh Wood's Colour Kits are the perfect solution, especially if you want a colour that works quickly with no ammonia, 100% grey coverage and a lightweight feel.
Customer review: "Easy to use, great coverage and no horrid smell. If you haven’t tried this brand yet go ahead - you won’t be disappointed."
Which brown hair colour is best?
We awarded L'Oréal Paris Casting Crème Gloss as our Editor's Choice as it is inexpensive, but still provides hair with perfect coverage (especially for greys) and leaves hair looking glossy and shiny. There is no ammonia in this product either so it won't smell when applied to your hair. We'd also argue this is the best brown box dye out there too.
What is the best brown hair box dye?
We would suggest that if you're looking for a permanent brown hair box dye that is best for longevity, Garnier's GOOD Permanent Hair Dye is the box dye for you, lasting up to eight weeks.
What is the best cool brown hair dye?
If you're shopping for a cooler-toned brown hair dye, you may find that you have to look more meticulously. Garnier's Good Permanent Hair Colour hair dye offers a wide range of brown hair dyes, from cool to warm and everything in between. This is the best option if your hair is on the cooler side of the undertone spectrum.
What is the best colour to dye dark brown hair?
Typically, if you have dark brown hair, you are limited to what colour you can dye your hair without using bleach. However, you can still spice your hair up with brown box dye that incorporates burgundy or dark red tones.
How does hair dye work?
Hair dye works by coating the hair with colour or by penetrating each hair cuticle, entering the hair cortex and bonding with the hair, according to hair brand Wella. Since hair constantly grows, the colour you choose to dye it will ultimately grow out, so you will need to keep dying it if you want to maintain the colour you chose to dye it.
If you are curious about how to easily remove hair dye, you can check out our guide on how to remove semi-permanent hair dye.
Does hair dye ever fade completely?
Unfortunately, despite its name, permanent hair dye doesn't stay in your hair forever and will fade over time, much like semi-permanent hair dye. If you imagine your favourite fake tan, these things will fade over time. It's good to maintain your hair colour by making an effort to regularly dye your hair every six or eight weeks to ensure that your hairdo looks fresh and stays fresh.
Want to know how to make it last longer? You can check out our advice on how to keep hair dye from fading if you need some tips on hair maintenance.
What hair colour stays the longest?
Luckily, if you're thinking of colouring your hair brown, you'll be pleased to know that it is the most durable hair colour and will stay the longest. Similarly, if you're thinking of buying some red hair dye, auburn hair dye or red-brown toned hair dye is best and will stay in your hair for much longer.
Emma Richardson is a Beauty & Fashion Products Writer for heat, Closer and Grazia. She covers shopping, lifestyle, celebs and anything trending. She uses brown hair dye for her locks and has experience using a range from the market.