Top 13 Natural Hair Shades Recommended by Professional Colorists

While bold shades like platinum blonde, vibrant lavender, or cherry red can be exciting, natural hair colors often feel more accessible and practical. These hues are simpler to achieve, appear more authentic, and generally require less upkeep.

To determine your natural hair color, consider revisiting childhood photos. “Children’s hair often displays softer, pastel-like tones with noticeable color variations,” says Paul Cucinello, a renowned celebrity hairstylist and co-founder of Cucinello Beauty. “Your skin tone and eye color can also guide you toward the right shade. Natural hues harmonize with your features, subtly enhancing your overall look in a way that garners compliments not just for your hair, but for your entire appearance.”

Although natural hair colors are generally easier to maintain than unconventional shades, they still demand care to prevent oxidation, which can lead to brassy or harsh tones. “Acidic glosses, toners, or glazes are ideal for maintaining a low hair pH, which softens the color, prevents oxidation, and enhances shine,” advises Cucinello.

Additional maintenance tips include using shampoos designed for color-treated hair and applying heat-protectant products before styling with hot tools. “Wearing a hat in the sun also makes a significant difference,” adds Natalia Rojas, Senior Colorist at NYC THE TEAM. Below, we’ve curated a list of the most natural hair colors to help you find the perfect shade.

13 Best Natural Hair Colors

1. Espresso

Espresso is an excellent choice for those with very light or very dark eye colors. Cucinello recommends avoiding overly saturated dark brown tones, as they can appear artificial and less flattering. “For those with naturally dark hair, this shade is low-maintenance and can be achieved with demi-permanent dye.” However, if you have significant gray hair, this dark shade will require frequent touch-ups, as roots can become visible in just two weeks, necessitating permanent dye for full coverage.

2. Dark Chocolate

This timeless, deep chocolate brown shade is versatile and complements a wide range of skin tones due to its neutral undertones. “It’s distinctly brown and never mistaken for black,” Cucinello explains. “Consider it an elevated natural hue—achievable with a demi-permanent gloss.” Opt for this color if your hair is a dull, muted brown and you want to add depth and richness without appearing artificial.

3. Milk Chocolate

Cucinello recommends this shade for those who desire a brunette look without an overly intense or saturated appearance. “Milk chocolate tones are achieved by incorporating micro-lights into a neutral brown base, creating a softer, more youthful pastel effect,” he explains.

4. Chestnut

“Chestnut is ideal for warmer complexions and evokes the rich, sun-kissed browns of late summer,” says Cucinello. “The ends are subtly lighter, but it never crosses into blonde territory.” This shade can be achieved with balayage, leaving the roots untouched for minimal upkeep. Regular gloss treatments are recommended to prevent the color from becoming too warm.

5. Caramel

Caramel sits delicately between brown and blonde, offering a perfect blend of both. Achieve this look by adding numerous babylights to dark brown hair and applying a rich caramel gloss to unify the tones. Cucinello notes that multiple salon visits may be needed to build saturation at the ends and maintain lighter foils around the hairline. “This shade is ideal for brunettes who want a touch of blonde without going overboard,” he adds.

6. Honey

Honey is an excellent option for blondes seeking a perpetual golden-hour glow. It complements neutral and peach skin tones but may not suit those with olive or blue undertones. Cucinello explains, “This shade can be achieved by glossing over pre-lightened blonde hair or by brightening a natural light brown base, preserving natural tonal variations while adding a subtle brightness around the face.”

7. Auburn

Auburn hair naturally blends medium brown and copper tones, creating a versatile shade that suits many skin tones. Surprisingly, it often looks stunning on brown-eyed individuals, as Cucinello points out. “While achieving auburn is straightforward, introducing red tones to dark brown hair can make it challenging to reverse if you change your mind,” he cautions. “The ideal method involves lightly pre-lightening brown hair (breaking the base) and applying a rich copper gloss for a seamless finish.”

8. Copper

Cucinello emphasizes that achieving the perfect copper shade involves maximizing the hair’s natural warmth while minimizing damage. “Copper hair should radiate richness and shine, which is best accomplished by gently lightening the base to uncover the underlying red pigments and then applying a vibrant copper gloss,” he explains. “The initial result might be striking, but when done correctly on someone with the right complexion, it will appear entirely natural.” Copper is most flattering on fair skin with light-colored eyes.

9. Strawberry Blonde

Strawberry blonde is notoriously tricky to perfect. “Many clients share horror stories of failed attempts—it’s not simply red hair with blonde highlights,” Cucinello clarifies. “True strawberry blonde is a delicate copper hue layered over blonde, creating a luminous shimmer that blondes often envy.” This shade complements fair skin with pink undertones and light eyes. Regular gloss treatments help maintain its enchanting glow and keep the compliments flowing.

10. Strawberry Crème Brulee

Lorena M. Valdes, a colorist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, describes strawberry crème brulee as a stunning choice for natural redheads seeking a slightly blonder look while maintaining warmth. “This shade emphasizes dimension and enhances the soft copper undertones naturally present in the hair,” she explains.

11. Golden Blonde

“Golden blonde is the result of dark blonde hair sun-kissed by the sun, radiating a captivating glow that suits the right individual perfectly,” says Cucinello. “I often refer to it as Hollywood blonde—top celebrities avoid platinum because it lacks natural shine and warmth.” This shade exudes richness and luminosity, complementing a wide range of skin tones. It can be blended into any base color or applied all over, with babylights adding delicate pastel accents for extra dimension.

12. Towhead Blonde

Ultra-light shades deliver a striking effect, but achieving a natural appearance requires depth and tonal variation. “If you were blonde as a child, revisiting that shade as an adult can feel incredibly refreshing,” Cucinello notes. “This look is best created by starting with a high-lift neutral blonde base and incorporating numerous babylights throughout, avoiding the roots.” A stark root can reveal the color’s artificiality, so a soft shadow or lightly smudged root is essential for a believable finish.

13. Midnight Onyx

Valdes describes this as the most luminous dark shade, capable of reflecting light beautifully when well-maintained. “It’s perfect for those with naturally dark hair who want to preserve its depth and shine without letting it fade into brown or red tones,” she explains.