13 Low-Maintenance Ash-Brown Hair Ideas That Are Effortlessly Chic, According to Stylists

      Have you noticed an increase in stylish brunettes taking over your Explore and For You pages in 2025? Fashion influencers on TikTok and Instagram are gravitating toward a specific shade that is predicted to be one of the year's top colors: ash brown. Given our extensive time looking for hair inspiration (and having some of the industry's leading hairstylists and color experts just a message away), we decided it was time to explore this trend in-depth and share our predictions on what we hope to see more of. While we can't predict the future, the Who What Wear beauty editors have a talent for identifying the top hair colors you'll want to consider for your next salon appointment. We're excited to present 13 of our favorite ash-brown hair looks spotted on celebrities recently, along with advice from a color expert to help you achieve your ideal ash-brown hair.

      What Is Ash Brown?

      If you’re as passionate about trending hair colors as we are, you might have an idea of what ash brown looks like, though describing it can be tricky. Fortunately, hair color specialist Sue Tyrrell provides a straightforward definition to guide you as you seek style inspiration and answers to your queries about this effortlessly cool color trend, including the best color combinations for the look. "Ash brown is a cool-toned brunette with smoky, silver undertones," she explains. When requesting this shade from a colorist, Tyrrell recommends asking for a neutral to cool brown that avoids red or orange warmth. Bringing a photo reference can also be beneficial if you have a specific vibrancy, texture, or tone in mind.

      Is Ash Brown Easy to Maintain?

      Now for the big question: How much maintenance does this shade need to remain looking fresh after the initial application? Tyrrell notes that ash brown does require upkeep, particularly if your natural undertones are warm. "Ash tones fade quickly and can become brassy without proper care," she cautions. "The right at-home haircare is essential." Consider this your prompt to stock up on quality color-safe shampoos, conditioners, and styling products to maintain this chic hue and remember to schedule touch-ups with a trusted colorist to address any fading before it begins.

      Continue scrolling to discover the best ash-brown hair ideas beloved by editors and colorists, as demonstrated by fashionable celebrities and public figures, from Lily-Rose Depp to Daisy Edgar-Jones. Plus, check out a few top products to keep your hair looking healthy and vibrant.

      Golden Beige

      Depp graced the carpet at the 2019 Met Gala with this stunning shade, created by colorist Cass Kaeding. It combines butterscotch blonde with soft ash and brown, featuring dark roots and light ends.

      Smoky Balayage

      Ashley Park from Emily in Paris is often seen with voluminous styles in ash brown. The style shown above was crafted by celebrity hairstylist Clayton Hawkins by blending bright shades of caramel brown, taupe, and gray throughout her hair.

      Money Pieces

      For a gentle ash-brown balayage, Tyrrell suggests enhancing an ash-brown base with money pieces for additional intrigue. We’re taking notes from Ciara’s look at the 2024 CFDA Fashion Awards, where she sported a tousled bun with face-framing strands.

      Shadow Roots

      Tyrrell also encourages adding dimension to ash-brown hair with shadow roots that "melt into a smoky brunette balayage." Hailey Bieber showcased this styling in a bob at the Saint Laurent womenswear S/S 24 show, and it has stuck with us ever since.

      Brass Tones

      If you prefer striking brass tones, consider replicating the sleek style seen on Emmy-winning news anchor Bianca Peters. Be sure to use adequate heat protection before applying any heat and utilize a finishing spray for shine and hold.

      Subtle Highlights

      Incorporating subtle blonde highlights to a base of mushroom-brown hair creates a perfect blend of intrigue and edge in wavy hairstyles. This effortless look on Selena Gomez was designed by celebrity hairstylist Marissa Marino, who collaborates with Kristin Ess.

      Gray Streaks

      Strategically placed light strands around the face can illuminate skin tones and make eyes pop, especially against shades of mousse brown, as seen in this classic bob worn by actress Hailee Steinfeld at the Sinners European premiere.

      Mocha Ash

      At the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival, Edgar-Jones dazzled with this sophisticated mocha ash look. While it lacks the blonde hints found in some of our other favorite ash-brown styles, we love how radiant and luminous her skin appears against it.

      Honey Dipped

      Goddess braids are trending, so why not opt for ash-brown braids featuring a balayage twist? Winnie Harlow sported these braids with honey-blonde tips while walking in Kate Barton’s debut show during last year's New York Fashion Week.

      Toasted Taupe

      We think of this shade as the hair-color equivalent of TikTok's toasted glam