1. Introduction: Why Mushroom Brown Hair Is Taking Over
Mushroom brown hair is a cool-toned, neutral brunette shade inspired by the earthy hues of mushrooms. It blends ashy brown, taupe, and subtle gray undertones to create a multi-dimensional, soft brunette look that feels effortlessly natural. Unlike warm brown shades, mushroom brown offers a cooler alternative that works well for those who prefer low-maintenance yet sophisticated color.
Mushroom brown hair has become one of the most sought-after brunette shades because it offers a perfect balance between blonde and dark hair. It's a versatile, muted tone that works for every season and doesn’t require the constant upkeep of warmer highlights. Plus, the subtle blend of highlights and lowlights creates a natural, lived-in effect, making it a favorite among those who want effortless, chic hair color.
Mushroom brown is especially flattering on people with cool or neutral skin tones, as its ashy undertones enhance rosy and cool complexions. However, with the right customization, it can also suit warmer skin tones by adding slightly warmer highlights. This shade works best on light brown to dark blonde hair but can be achieved on darker hair with the right balayage or highlighting techniques.
If you're looking for a low-maintenance, effortlessly chic color that’s neither too dark nor too light, mushroom brown is the perfect trend to try!
2. What Makes Mushroom Brown Hair Unique?
Cool vs. Warm Brunettes – How Mushroom Brown Stands Out
Mushroom brown hair is a cool-toned brunette shade, making it distinct from traditional warm-toned browns that lean toward golden, caramel, or reddish hues. Unlike warm brunettes, which enhance golden undertones in the skin, mushroom brown offers a soft, neutral, and slightly smoky appearance. This makes it a perfect choice for those who prefer a more muted, ashy brunette without red or orange undertones. It’s especially flattering for people with cool or neutral skin tones who find that warm browns can look too brassy over time.
Natural-Looking Dimension with Ashy Tones
What sets mushroom brown apart is its multi-dimensional depth, achieved through a blend of cool brown, taupe, and ashy undertones. This color isn't a flat brown—it incorporates subtle highlights and lowlights, creating a natural sun-kissed effect. The beauty of mushroom brown is that it can be customized to be darker or lighter, depending on your base color and desired level of contrast. Lighter pieces woven throughout give it movement and a soft, blended finish, making it look effortlessly natural.
Inspired by Nature – Earthy & Soft Mushroom Shades
The inspiration behind mushroom brown hair comes from the earthy, muted hues of mushrooms, particularly the mix of cool beige, soft gray, and neutral brown found in mushroom caps. This shade reflects the calm, grounding tones of nature, making it an ideal option for those who want a subtle, sophisticated look rather than bold, dramatic color. Because it mimics natural tones, mushroom brown grows out gracefully, making it a low-maintenance option compared to high-contrast colors like platinum blonde or rich chocolate brown.
Overall, mushroom brown hair is unique because it offers a chic, understated take on brunette shades, perfect for those who love effortless, natural-looking color with an elegant twist.
3. How to Achieve the Perfect Mushroom Brown Hair Colour
Salon vs. DIY: What You Need to Know
When it comes to achieving the perfect mushroom brown hair color, one of the first decisions to make is whether to visit a professional salon or attempt the process at home. A salon is the best option if you’re starting with a dark base, previously colored hair, or uneven tones, as a colorist can custom blend shades and apply precise highlights and toners for a seamless look.
For those who prefer DIY coloring, it's important to choose an ashy brown or taupe-based dye and be prepared to pre-lighten darker sections for dimension. Using toners or purple shampoos is also crucial to maintain the cool, muted tones that define mushroom brown.
Best Hair Dye Techniques: Balayage, Ombre, and All-Over Colour
There are several ways to achieve mushroom brown, depending on the level of dimension and depth you want:
Balayage: A hand-painted technique that blends ashy brown and taupe highlights for a soft, natural gradient. This is perfect for low-maintenance hair that grows out beautifully.
Ombre: A bolder transition from dark roots to lighter mushroom brown ends, creating a more contrasted, edgy effect.
All-Over Colour: Ideal for those who want a uniform mushroom brown shade. However, this method may require regular toning to maintain its cool, earthy tones.
Toning & Ashy Highlights for a Multi-Dimensional Effect
To achieve the signature ashy, earthy tones of mushroom brown, proper toning is key. Many hair dyes naturally develop warm undertones (red, orange, or brassiness), especially on lighter hair. A purple or blue toner helps to neutralize warmth, keeping the color cool and taupe-like.
Adding ashy highlights and lowlights also enhances dimension, preventing the color from looking flat. Ask your stylist for a mix of cool brown, beige blonde, and smoky taupe shades for the most natural-looking finish.
How Long the Colouring Process Takes
The time required to achieve mushroom brown depends on your starting hair color and desired depth:
For dark hair (black or dark brown), the process may take several hours or multiple sessions since lightening is required before applying an ashy toner.
For medium brown or lighter hair, a single color session with toning can create the perfect shade.
For blonde hair, the process is faster but may need lowlights and deeper toners to achieve the cool brown depth of mushroom tones.
On average, a salon visit can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours, while a DIY approach may take longer if multiple dyeing steps are needed.
Ultimately, mushroom brown hair requires patience, strategic color placement, and toning for that perfect neutral-cool finish. Whether you opt for a salon or at-home process, proper maintenance with toning shampoos and deep conditioning will keep the color looking fresh and vibrant.
4. The Best Mushroom Brown Hair Colour Ideas for Every Hair Type
Mushroom brown hair is a versatile, neutral-toned brunette shade that works beautifully across different hair types and textures. Whether you prefer a soft, natural look or a bold, dimensional effect, there’s a mushroom brown variation that suits your style. Here are some of the best mushroom brown hair color ideas to try.
Light Mushroom Brown – Soft & Subtle for a Natural Look
For those who prefer a more natural brunette shade, light mushroom brown is a stunning choice. It features a mix of ashy light brown and taupe tones, creating a soft, earthy finish that looks especially flattering on those with fair to medium skin tones.
This shade works best for naturally lighter brunettes or dark blondes, as it doesn’t require excessive lifting. A balayage or subtle ombre effect can also enhance the softness of this color, giving the hair a more sun-kissed, dimensional look.
Dark Mushroom Brown – Deep & Rich for a Bold Statement
For those who love richer, bolder hues, dark mushroom brown is the perfect choice. This variation features deeper taupe and smoky brown shades, making it an excellent option for those with naturally dark hair who want to add cool-toned dimension without going too light.
Dark mushroom brown is particularly flattering on medium to deep skin tones, as its cool depth contrasts beautifully with warm or olive undertones. It can be achieved through a full color application or soft lowlights blended into the natural base.
Mushroom Brown with Highlights – Adding Contrast & Movement
If you love dimension and movement, adding cool-toned highlights to a mushroom brown base creates a stunning multi-dimensional effect. Ashy beige, taupe, and mushroom-toned highlights blend seamlessly into the darker brown base, creating a lived-in, effortless look.
This style works well with various highlighting techniques, including:
· Balayage for a soft, hand-painted effect
· Babylights for fine, natural-looking brightness
· Foil highlights for a more defined contrast
This color variation is great for all hair types but looks particularly striking on wavy and curly textures, as the highlights catch the light and create extra depth.
Mushroom Blonde – The Perfect Blend of Cool-Toned Brown & Blonde
For those who love cool blondes but want a deeper, more grounded tone, mushroom blonde is an ideal hybrid shade. It’s a fusion of ashy blonde and mushroom brown, creating an earthy, cool-toned blonde-brunette blend.
Mushroom blonde works best for naturally lighter brunettes or darker blondes and suits a variety of techniques, including:
· Ombre for a darker root fade into mushroom blonde ends
· Balayage for a blended, sun-kissed effect
· All-over color for a sophisticated, monochromatic finish
This shade is especially flattering on those with cool or neutral undertones, as it enhances the skin’s natural brightness while maintaining an ultra-modern aesthetic.
Mushroom brown hair offers endless variations that can be customized to different hair types, skin tones, and personal styles. Whether you go for a light, dark, highlighted, or blonde-infused version, this cool-toned brunette shade delivers a timeless, effortlessly chic look.
5. Celebrity Inspiration: Who’s Rocking Mushroom Brown Hair?
Mushroom brown hair has become a celebrity-favorite shade, offering a cool-toned, sophisticated brunette look that flatters a wide range of skin tones. From subtle highlights to full-on ashy brown transformations, these A-listers have embraced the trend, proving just how versatile and effortlessly chic this shade can be.
Hailey Bieber’s Effortless Mushroom Brunette
Hailey Bieber is known for her minimalist beauty aesthetic, and her take on mushroom brown hair is no exception. She often opts for a natural, lived-in brunette shade with ashy undertones, giving her hair a soft, dimensional look. The key to her effortless style lies in subtle highlights and lowlights, which create a cool, muted effect that perfectly complements her neutral complexion. Her go-to look pairs this shade with sleek, straight styles or loose waves, enhancing the natural movement in her hair.
Taylor Hill’s Cool-Toned, Dimensional Brunette Look
Victoria’s Secret model Taylor Hill has mastered the cool-toned brunette trend, making mushroom brown hair her signature shade. Her version features deep brown roots that gradually transition into an ashy taupe hue, adding depth and richness to her naturally thick locks. The secret to her flawless color? Strategic balayage highlights and a cool gloss treatment that keeps the tones looking fresh. Whether styled in voluminous curls or a sleek ponytail, Taylor’s mushroom brown hair exudes elegance and sophistication.
Gigi Hadid’s Subtle Ashy Brown Blend
Gigi Hadid is known for experimenting with different shades of blonde and brunette, but her ashy brown blend is one of her most stunning looks. Unlike traditional warm brunettes, Gigi’s mushroom brown shade incorporates smoky, muted tones, creating a soft, dimensional effect. Her secret to a seamless transition from blonde to brunette lies in well-blended, root-melting techniques that give her hair a naturally grown-out look. Whether she’s rocking effortless waves or a sleek bun, this subtle ashy brown shade enhances her glowing complexion and gives off an effortlessly cool vibe.
Lily Collins’ Classic Mushroom Brown Shade
Lily Collins has long been known for her timeless beauty and effortlessly chic hairstyles, and her classic mushroom brown shade is no exception. She often opts for a deep, rich brown base with cooler, ashy undertones, giving her hair a luxurious, multi-dimensional look. Unlike warmer brunettes, her mushroom brown shade offers a modern, sophisticated twist that works beautifully with her porcelain complexion and bold brows. She often pairs her signature hair color with sleek straight styles, soft curls, or elegant updos, proving that mushroom brown hair is both versatile and timeless.
From Hailey Bieber’s effortless balayage to Lily Collins’ deep, classic brunette, these celebrities prove that mushroom brown hair is the ultimate cool-toned brunette trend. Whether you prefer subtle highlights, a dimensional blend, or a full transformation, this shade is a timeless yet trendy choice that enhances natural beauty with its earthy, ashy tones.
6. The Best Hair Extensions for Mushroom Brown Hair
Mushroom brown hair is a unique, cool-toned brunette shade that requires careful color matching when choosing extensions. Whether you want to add volume, length, or subtle highlights, finding the perfect shade and type of extension is key to achieving a seamless, natural look.
How to Find the Perfect Shade Match for Extensions
Matching mushroom brown hair to extensions can be tricky because it features ashy undertones rather than warm hues. The best way to find a match is by:
· Comparing the mid-lengths and ends of your hair, not the roots, since that’s where extensions will blend.
· Looking for multi-tonal extensions that combine taupe, ash brown, and soft brunette hues to mimic the natural dimension of mushroom brown hair.
· Checking the shade in natural daylight to ensure it complements your hair’s tone without appearing too warm or brassy.
For those who can’t find an exact match, custom toning extensions with a purple or blue shampoo can help neutralize any unwanted warmth.
Best Extension Types for Mushroom Brown Hair – Clip-Ins, Tape-Ins, & Sew-Ins
The right type of extension depends on your desired look and lifestyle:
Clip-In Extensions: Perfect for temporary transformations, clip-ins allow you to add length and volume instantly. Choose silky straight or soft wavy textures to blend effortlessly with mushroom brown hair.
Tape-In Extensions: These offer a semi-permanent solution that lasts 6–8 weeks and blends well for a natural, lightweight feel. Opt for pre-toned ashy brown shades to match the mushroom brown hue seamlessly.
Sew-In Wefts: Ideal for those looking for long-term wear and thicker volume, sew-in wefts provide a full-bodied, luxurious look. Choose 100% Remy human hair for the most natural texture and color match.
Blending Tips for a Natural & Seamless Look
To ensure mushroom brown extensions blend seamlessly with your hair:
· Layer and trim extensions to match your haircut’s natural flow, avoiding a blunt or artificial look.
· Style with waves or curls to mix the natural hair with the extensions, enhancing multi-dimensional tones.
· Use cool-toned styling products (like purple shampoos) to maintain the ashy, muted finish of mushroom brown hair.
· Consider balayage or highlight extensions to create soft depth and contrast, mimicking the natural movement of mushroom brown hair.
Choosing the right shade, type, and blending techniques is crucial for a flawless mushroom brown hair extension look. Whether you prefer clip-ins for flexibility, tape-ins for a lightweight feel, or sew-ins for maximum volume, ensuring the cool-toned, ashy hue is well-matched will make all the difference in achieving a natural and polished finish.
7. How to Maintain Mushroom Brown Hair Colour
Mushroom brown hair is a beautiful, cool-toned brunette shade that requires proper maintenance to keep its ashy, dimensional look fresh and vibrant. Since cool brunettes tend to fade into warmer tones over time, using the right products and techniques is essential for preserving the perfect mushroom brown hue.
To prevent warm, brassy tones from developing, opt for color-safe, sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners specifically designed for cool brunettes. Purple or blue shampoos help neutralize unwanted orange or yellow tones, keeping the color fresh, while moisturizing, color-protecting conditioners with UV protection help maintain shine and softness. Additionally, using a toning hair mask once a week can refresh ashy tones and keep the color looking natural and rich.
Mushroom brown hair relies on ashy undertones, so keeping brassiness at bay is crucial. A blue or purple toning shampoo used once a week can help prevent warm undertones from appearing. Opting for a gloss or toner every 4–6 weeks enhances multi-dimensional depth and refreshes the color. Avoiding excessive heat styling is also key, as high heat can strip cool tones—always use a heat protectant spray before using hot tools. Lastly, rinsing hair with cool water instead of hot water helps preserve the cool, earthy tones for longer, preventing premature fading. By following these simple maintenance tips, your mushroom brown hair will stay fresh, glossy, and beautifully ashy for weeks.
8. FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Mushroom Brown Hair
Will Mushroom Brown Hair Fade Quickly?
Like all cool-toned hair colors, mushroom brown can fade over time, especially if not properly maintained. Since it relies on ashy, neutral tones, warm undertones may start to appear after a few weeks. To prevent fading, use a sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo, wash with cool water, and incorporate a toning shampoo (blue or purple) once a week to keep brassiness at bay. Regular gloss or toner treatments can also help maintain the color’s depth.
Can I Achieve Mushroom Brown on Dark Hair?
Yes! If you have naturally dark hair (black or deep brown), you may need a lightening process before achieving the perfect mushroom brown shade. This is because the color requires a neutral or cool-toned base, which might not be naturally present in dark hair. Your stylist may use balayage, highlights, or an all-over lightening technique before applying the mushroom brown toner. If your hair is already medium to light brown, you can achieve the shade with a toner or semi-permanent dye without bleaching.
What’s the Difference Between Mushroom Brown and Ash Brown?
While both colors are cool-toned brunettes, mushroom brown has more earthy, beige, and neutral tones, resembling the natural hues of mushrooms. Ash brown, on the other hand, is slightly cooler and icier, with more gray or silver undertones. Mushroom brown offers a softer, more natural look, while ash brown tends to have a more striking and high-contrast effect.
Is This Colour High-Maintenance?
Mushroom brown is considered moderate-maintenance. Since it’s a multi-tonal, dimensional shade, it grows out more naturally than solid colors, meaning less frequent touch-ups are required. However, toning every few weeks and using color-protecting products are essential to prevent unwanted warmth. If you prefer a low-maintenance version, consider mushroom brown balayage, which blends naturally as it grows out.
9. Conclusion: Why You Should Try Mushroom Brown Hair
Mushroom brown hair has taken the beauty world by storm, and it’s easy to see why. This cool-toned, earthy brunette shade offers a modern, sophisticated look that flatters a wide range of skin tones and hair types. Whether you prefer light, dark, or highlighted variations, the multi-dimensional color provides a natural yet striking effect that sets it apart from traditional brown hues.
One of the biggest advantages of mushroom brown is its versatility. It can be customized with balayage, ombré, or subtle highlights to enhance depth and movement. For those who love experimenting, clip-in or tape-in extensions in mushroom brown tones can add instant volume and length while keeping the look seamless.
If you’re considering this color, proper maintenance is key. Since it relies on cool, ashy tones, regular toning treatments and color-safe haircare products will keep brassiness away. A good moisturizing routine will also ensure your hair stays soft, shiny, and healthy.
So, if you’re looking for a trendy yet low-maintenance brunette shade, mushroom brown is definitely worth trying. It’s a perfect balance of cool and neutral tones, giving you a timeless, elegant look with plenty of dimension. Embrace the trend, experiment with different variations, and enjoy a fresh, modern hair color that turns heads!