16 Reasons To Go Ash Brown This Fall - ELLE

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Brown hair gets a bad rap for being basic and lacking dimension. (We’re pretty sure a blonde made up that rumor.) But that’s so not the case. If you're looking to go darker this fall, try adding ashy, cool tones to your raven locks for the perfect fall hair upgrade.

According to brunette whisperer Jenna Perry, whose clients include Bella Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski, ash-brown hair is “a gray-based shade that works best on people with cool or neutral skin tones.” Not sure what your skin tone or undertone is? Click here. When it comes to upkeep, Perry says a toning product like Redken Color Extend Brownlights Shampoo and Conditioner is key. "To create an ashier tone and ban any yellow or warmth, you'll want to use a violet, blue, or green based toner."

Ash brown hair can be worn in subtle highlights or a full-on balayage if you’re looking for a full-on transformation. It’s also the perfect way to try out the silver hair trend without regrets or destroying naturally dark hair. Below, we have the ash-brown hair color inspiration you'll want to screenshot before your next salon appointment and the tips you'll need to pull off the trend.

Ariana Grande

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Has Ari ditched the high pony for two pigtails? Only time will tell, but we are loving the new gray-ish ombre look she debuted at the VMAs while performing “Rain on Me” with Lady Gaga. The pulled-through balayage is about as low maintenance as it gets when it comes to dyeing your hair.

Ciara

Untouched roots let you embrace your naturally dark base, creating a low maintenance transition that won’t land you in your stylist’s chair every week. Ciara’s biscuit beige-grey balayage blends with creamy ecru strokes, creating a cool tone that transcends seasons.

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Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift's borderline-blonde look is perfect for those trying to cover up gray strands. The cool undertones of this light shade and the variety of highlights and lowlights camouflages all traces of unruly gray, and makes upkeep a breeze.

Gigi Hadid

If your brown hair is on the lighter spectrum like Gigi Hadid, you can still keep your sun-kissed ends, while trying the ash trend. Your colorist will go with less warm tones and incorporate more silvers. However, it's your job to add a toning hair product into your regular hair routine to avoid brassiness.

Try: Balmain Paris Hair Couture Ash Toner, $45

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Lily-Rose Depp

Although the ash brown trend looks completely natural, don’t forget all color-treated hair requires a certain amount of upkeep to maintain a healthy-looking shine á la Lily-Rose Depp. Opt for products safe for color-treated hair like sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners. Treat yourself to a nourishing hair mask once per week. And, finally, a hair oil will give you an instant shine when your hair is lacking a certain luster.

Try: Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil, $28

Tyra Banks

In case you thought ash brown hair would wash you out, Tyra Banks' cool-toned 'do proves it can actually warm up even the most golden of skin tones. Keep in mind, if you have dark brown or black hair, you'll likely have to bleach your hair before going ash brown. If you're starting with a lighter shade, you can skip that step.

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Barbara Palvin

The model’s glossy locks are subtly lighter at the ends, a trick that’s reminiscent of summer since your hair is typically slightly lightened by the sun and makes hair look longer.

Jessica Alba

If your hair is already lighter at the ends like Jessica Alba’s, you can still keep your ombré, while getting in on the ash hair color trend. The best part is your already-low-maintenance dye job will just get even easier to maintain. Unlike coppers and caramels, cool tones last much longer and fade much slower. Just be sure to use a purple shampoo and conditioner every time you wash to keep the ash tones fresh.

Try: Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Shampoo, $20

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Blake Lively

Another fan-favorite bronde is none other than Blake Lively, and she knows just how to pull off ash tones. For fairer skin with cool undertones, try weaving in silver highlights and lowlights throughout to give your hair dimension without washing out your complexion.

Shay Mitchell

If you’re looking to dabble in the ash brown hair trend, but aren’t quite ready to commit, try this super subtle balayage á la Shay Mitchell. The color technique and cool undertones make it feel like a major refresh, but sticking to the ends and incorporating thin ribbons requires little upkeep and causes the least amount of damage.

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Jessica Biel

Jessica Biel proves that even dark-haired brunettes can get in on the ash brown hair color trend. A silvery-brown tint applied throughout will neutralize any caramel and yellow tones in your mane, giving it a cool, lived-in color. Once you’ve tinted your stands, consider laying off the heat-styling and embracing your natural texture to prevent further damage.

Try: Ouai Air Dry Foam, $28

Amanda Seyfried

On the other hand, if you decide to heat style your ash brown hair like Amanda Seyfried, take precautions. Your hair has likely been through a lot to achieve your cool new color; the last thing you want to do is damage it more with hot tools. Before firing up your curling iron (or straightener, or blow-dryer), apply a heat protectant spray to defend your strands.

Try: Living Proof Restore Instant Protectant Spray, $27

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Emily Ratajkowski

Painting your hair in a smokey grey hue with hints of mocha add depth and allow you to keep your dark shade. Plus, the cooler ash tones complements olive skin like a dream. See Emily Ratajkowski’s for proof.

Jennifer Lopez

Ash brown is a universally flattering shade the combines both warm brown and silvery grey, making it incredibly wearable. It works on cool and warm skin tones alike and gives hair tons of dimension. Layering hair shades ranging from cool to neutral browns, blondes, and greys like on Jennifer 'Lopez's mile-long pony is the secret to the perfect ash.

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Kim Kardashian

If you want to get in on the ash brown hair trend but refuse to ditch your complexion-warming honey highlights like Kim Kardashian, we have the solution for you: Keep a few golden streaks to frame the face and incorporate ash tones everywhere else. The contrast is surprisingly striking.

Alessandra Ambrosio

Perhaps the most subtle looks of all, Alessandra Ambrosio's ash brown highlights give her long hair depth and dimension, while still maintaining her naturally deep brown color. The ash brown streaks are dark enough to create a barely-there variation, but they extend from the roots to tips, so there's zero chance of you missing them.

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