I have spent years standing behind the chair, brush in hand, watching people transform right before my eyes. And if there is one hair color that never, never gets old — it is chestnut. There is something about chestnut hair color that feels like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket on a cool autumn afternoon. It is rich, it is dimensional, it is timeless, and it works on almost everyone who walks through the door.
Growing up in Savannah, I was surrounded by warm earthy tones — the red clay soil, the amber light filtering through Spanish moss, the deep browns of old oak trees. When I first started working with hair color as a makeup artist collaborating closely with stylists, chestnut immediately became my favorite shade to complement. It catches light in the most gorgeous way, it pairs beautifully with so many skin tones, and it gives any look an instant warmth and sophistication that is genuinely hard to achieve with any other color family.
So today, I want to walk you through fifteen of my absolute favorite chestnut hair color styles. Whether you are thinking about making the switch, looking to refresh your current color, or just curious about what chestnut could do for you — this is your full, honest, loving guide. Let us dive in.
Classic Warm Chestnut
What is classic warm chestnut
Classic warm chestnut is the foundation of everything in this color family. It is a medium brown base with rich red and golden undertones woven throughout. Think of it as the most natural-looking version of chestnut — the shade that makes people stop and wonder if your hair color is natural even when it is not. It sits right in the middle of the spectrum, not too dark, not too light, with just enough warmth to give your complexion a gorgeous glow.
When I first started blending this shade onto clients, I realized very quickly that it has a universally flattering quality that is almost unfair. The warm undertones pull heat into the face, making complexions look more alive and luminous — which as a makeup artist, I completely adore because it means I need to do far less work to make someone look radiant.
Best for warm and neutral skin tones
Classic warm chestnut works best for people with warm or neutral undertones in their skin. If you have golden, peachy, or olive undertones, this shade will complement you beautifully. It brings out the warmth already present in your complexion without clashing or creating any strange contrasts. For neutral skin tones, it adds a dimension that feels both natural and intentional. Even some cool-toned individuals can pull it off beautifully when the formula is adjusted slightly to lean more auburn or golden — always consult with your colorist about your specific undertones.
How to achieve classic warm chestnut
Achieving classic warm chestnut at home starts with choosing a demi-permanent or permanent color that explicitly mentions warm or golden brown tones. Look for color descriptions that include words like copper, auburn, honey, or amber in the mix — these indicate the kind of warmth you want. Before applying, always do a strand test to see how your existing hair processes the color, especially if you have any previous color on your hair. Apply from roots to ends, follow the timing on the box carefully, and finish with a color-safe conditioner to seal in that beautiful warmth. If you are going to a salon, ask specifically for a gloss treatment over the chestnut base to amplify the shine and depth.
Rich Mahogany Chestnut
What is rich mahogany chestnut
Rich mahogany chestnut is chestnut with drama. It takes the classic warm base and deepens it significantly with a strong red-violet undertone that gives the hair an almost jewel-like quality. In certain lighting, it looks like a deep brown. In sunlight or bright indoor light, it suddenly blazes with deep red and burgundy tones that feel absolutely stunning. This is the shade I personally gravitate toward when a client tells me they want to feel powerful and beautiful and a little bit mysterious all at once.
Mahogany chestnut is bold without being loud. It is the kind of color that makes people do a double take and immediately ask “what color is your hair?” — and the answer is never quite simple, which is exactly what makes it so special. The depth of this shade also works extraordinarily well for evening looks, giving that editorial quality I learned to appreciate during my years working on fashion shoots.
Best for darker complexions and cool undertones
Rich mahogany chestnut is particularly gorgeous on deeper skin tones. The contrast between the rich, dark hair and warmer or deeper complexions creates a striking visual harmony. It also works beautifully on people with cool or neutral undertones, as the violet and red in the mahogany actually complement pink and cool beige complexions in the most unexpected and flattering way. If you have ever felt like warm browns looked muddy against your skin tone, mahogany chestnut might be your answer because that added red-violet dimension changes everything.
How to achieve rich mahogany chestnut
Getting mahogany chestnut right requires layering. At home, look for a color that specifically says mahogany brown or auburn-brown in the description. If your hair is very dark, you may need to do a lightening step first — or accept that the mahogany will show up more subtly as a tonal shift rather than a full color change. At the salon, a great colorist will often use a dark base with a mahogany gloss layered over it to achieve that incredible depth and shine. To maintain the vibrancy of the red tones, use a color-depositing conditioner in a reddish-brown or mahogany shade every two to three weeks.
Golden Chestnut Highlights
What is golden chestnut highlights
Golden chestnut highlights take the classic chestnut base and weave in strands of warm gold and honey throughout the hair. Rather than a single-process color, this technique creates dimension and movement that makes the hair look like it has been kissed by sunlight. The highlights are not blonde — they stay firmly in the warm, rich family of chestnut — but they lift the overall look significantly and give the hair a luminous, multi-tonal quality that single-process color simply cannot replicate.
I fell in love with this technique after watching a senior colorist use it to completely transform a client who felt stuck with flat, dull brown hair. The golden chestnut highlights added so much life and dimension that the client literally gasped when she turned to the mirror. That is the magic of this approach — it works with what you already have and enhances it rather than completely replacing it.
Best for those who want low-maintenance color
Golden chestnut highlights are a dream for anyone who does not want to be in the salon every four weeks. Because the highlights are blended into a chestnut base, the grow-out is incredibly natural. There are no harsh lines of demarcation as your roots come in — everything blends seamlessly, meaning you can comfortably go eight to twelve weeks between appointments. This makes it perfect for busy people, for those on a tighter budget, or for anyone who has committed to spending less time on maintenance while still looking polished and intentional.
How to achieve golden chestnut highlights
For golden chestnut highlights at home, balayage highlight kits work reasonably well for a subtle effect. Apply the lightener to the mid-lengths and ends of sections of hair, avoiding a perfectly uniform pattern — you want it to look natural, not striped. After lifting to a warm gold tone, apply a chestnut toner to blend everything together and ensure the highlights do not look too brassy or disconnected from the base. At the salon, ask your colorist for a balayage or foilyage technique in a warm golden-brown palette over a chestnut base. The result is dimensional, gorgeous, and extremely wearable.
Chestnut Balayage
What is chestnut balayage
Chestnut balayage is one of the most sought-after techniques in modern hair color, and for incredibly good reason. Balayage itself is a French painting technique where color is swept onto the hair freehand, creating a soft, graduated transition from darker roots to lighter ends. When applied within the chestnut color family, the result is hair that looks genuinely sun-kissed and naturally beautiful — as if you have been spending long days outdoors and your hair has simply responded to all that warmth and light.
The beauty of chestnut balayage is how organic it looks. There are no obvious stripes, no harsh lines, no geometric patterns. It is painterly and soft and incredibly flattering from every angle. I often recommend this technique to clients who are nervous about making a dramatic color change because it is so gentle and natural-looking that the transformation feels like a refinement rather than a revolution.
Best for natural-looking transformations
Chestnut balayage is genuinely best for anyone who wants to look effortlessly beautiful without looking overly done. If you want people to think you were born with gorgeous, dimensional hair rather than thinking “wow, great color job” — this is your technique. It also works beautifully for people transitioning from a single-process color back toward more natural tones, as balayage can be used to artfully blend out previous color while adding new dimension.
How to achieve chestnut balayage
The honest truth about balayage is that it is one of the techniques that really benefits from professional application, at least for the first time. A skilled colorist will identify which sections of your hair catch the most natural light and paint accordingly — this intuitive, personalized approach is what makes balayage so special and so hard to replicate with a kit at home. If you do want to attempt it yourself, section your hair into large panels, use a lightener on the mid-lengths to ends of each section using a sweeping upward motion, leave the roots completely natural, and tone afterward with a warm chestnut gloss. For maintenance, a clear or tinted gloss treatment every six to eight weeks will keep your balayage looking fresh and vibrant.
Dark Chestnut with Auburn Undertones
What is dark chestnut with auburn undertones
This shade is moody, rich, and absolutely magnetic. Dark chestnut with auburn undertones starts with a very deep chestnut base — almost approaching a dark brown — and then infuses it with copper and auburn tones that flash and glow in light. In dim lighting it appears as a beautifully deep brown. When sunlight hits it, those auburn tones come alive in a way that feels almost supernatural. It is a sophisticated, complex color that rewards close observation.
I worked with this shade extensively during my years doing editorial and film work, because it photographs incredibly beautifully. The depth of the base creates shadow and dimension, while the auburn undertones catch light and create those highlight moments that make a photograph pop. It is genuinely one of the most photogenic hair colors in existence.
Best for dramatic looks and editorial styling
Dark chestnut with auburn undertones is perfect for anyone who loves a more dramatic, intentional aesthetic. If your personal style leans toward sophisticated, classic, or editorial — this shade will align with that vision perfectly. It works especially well on people with medium to deep complexions, where the depth of the color creates a beautiful, harmonious contrast. It is also an excellent choice if you are growing out a very dark or black color, as it can serve as a beautiful transitional shade that feels intentional rather than half-finished.
How to achieve dark chestnut with auburn undertones
At the salon, ask your colorist for a dark brown base in the three or four range on the color scale with an auburn or copper gloss applied over the top. This layering technique is what creates that complex, multi-dimensional result. At home, look for a color in the dark auburn-brown family rather than a straight dark brown — the red-copper undertones in auburn shades will give you that beautiful depth with those signature flashes of warmth. Always follow with a warm-toned conditioner or mask to seal the color and maximize shine.
Light Chestnut with Caramel Ribbons
What is light chestnut with caramel ribbons
Light chestnut with caramel ribbons is the sunniest, most radiant member of the chestnut family. It takes a lighter chestnut base — somewhere between a medium brown and a light golden brown — and weaves in ribbons of caramel and butterscotch that catch light in the most spectacular way. The overall effect is luminous, warm, and absolutely glowing. This is the shade that makes people look like they just returned from a beautiful vacation somewhere warm and breezy.
As someone who spends a lot of time thinking about how color interacts with light and how it complements skin — this shade is genuinely remarkable. Those caramel ribbons create movement and dimension that make even fine hair look thicker and more voluminous. There is a reason this look is consistently one of the most requested at salons every single year.
Best for fair and light skin tones
Light chestnut with caramel ribbons is absolutely stunning on fair and light skin tones. The warm golden tones in the caramel complement peachy, ivory, and light neutral complexions beautifully, adding warmth without overpowering delicate coloring. It avoids the stark contrast that very dark shades can create on lighter skin, instead creating a harmonious, glowing, cohesive look from face to hair. If you have light skin and have been nervous about going too dark or too dramatic with your hair color, this is the perfect way to add warmth and dimension while staying firmly in your comfort zone.
How to achieve light chestnut with caramel ribbons
To achieve this look, work with a colorist to apply highlights in a caramel or warm butterscotch tone throughout a light chestnut base. The technique typically involves traditional foils placed throughout the hair for maximum brightness and lift, toned afterward with a golden or caramel gloss to ensure everything looks cohesive and warm rather than patchy or brassy. At home, a highlighting kit in caramel or honey tones used over a light brown base can approximate this look — just be sure to tone afterward, as untoned highlights often look too yellow or brassy to achieve that specific caramel quality.
Chestnut Ombre
What is chestnut ombre
Chestnut ombre is a gradient technique where hair transitions from a deeper chestnut or dark brown at the roots gradually to a lighter, warmer chestnut or even a warm blonde at the ends. Unlike balayage, which is painted throughout the hair in a naturalistic way, ombre is more structured — it follows a consistent line of transition that creates a clear visual shift from top to bottom. The chestnut version of this technique keeps everything warm and cohesive, so even as the hair lightens toward the ends, it never loses that signature chestnut warmth.
The ombre technique became iconic for a reason — it is dramatic and eye-catching while still being incredibly wearable. Within the chestnut family specifically, it has a beautiful richness because even the lightest sections stay warm rather than drifting into cold or ashy territory.
Best for adding length and dimension
Chestnut ombre is particularly effective for creating the visual illusion of length. The transition from dark to light draws the eye downward along the hair, making it appear longer and more voluminous. It is also fantastic for adding dimension to hair that tends to look flat or one-dimensional — the gradient naturally creates depth and movement. Long hair especially benefits from this technique, as the transition has more space to unfold and become truly dramatic and beautiful.
How to achieve chestnut ombre
For a chestnut ombre, the process begins by identifying where you want the color transition to start — typically somewhere between the mid-ear and the jaw — and applying lightener from that point down to the ends, using a sweeping motion to blur the line of transition. After lifting to the desired level, a warm chestnut or caramel toner is applied to the lightened sections to ensure warmth and cohesion. At home, there are ombre kits specifically designed for this technique, and they can work quite well on hair that is not chemically compromised. Following up every few weeks with a warm-toned gloss will keep the colors blended and vibrant.
Chestnut Brown Pixie Cut
What is the chestnut brown pixie cut
The chestnut brown pixie cut is short, sharp, and spectacularly chic. A pixie cut is characterized by very short layers close to the head, often with slightly more length on top for texture and styling options. When filled with a rich, warm chestnut brown color, a pixie cut transforms from simply edgy to genuinely sophisticated and beautiful. The chestnut tones add warmth to the face and prevent the short cut from feeling too stark or severe.
I remember the first time I did a full glam look on a client with a chestnut pixie — the way the color framed her face and caught the light from every angle was genuinely stunning. Short hair in a beautiful warm color has a graphic, almost sculptural quality that I find endlessly fascinating from an artistic standpoint. It forces you to work with the face shape and features in a very direct, uncompromising way — and when it works, it is breathtaking.
Best for those with strong facial features
The chestnut brown pixie cut is particularly gorgeous on people with strong, defined facial features — pronounced cheekbones, a defined jawline, large expressive eyes. Without the softening effect of longer hair, a pixie cut puts the face front and center, which is incredible when your features can carry that focus. The chestnut color helps by adding warmth and softness that prevents the look from feeling too harsh. Oval and heart-shaped faces typically wear pixie cuts most effortlessly, but with the right customization, almost any face shape can rock this style beautifully.
How to style the chestnut brown pixie cut
Styling a chestnut pixie is delightfully simple compared to longer hairstyles. Work a small amount of pomade or styling cream through damp hair and either slick it back for a sleek, polished look, push it forward and to the side for a romantic, tousled effect, or use your fingers to lift the top layers for volume and texture. A light-hold hairspray will keep everything in place without making the hair feel stiff or look unnatural. To maintain the color vibrancy in a pixie, regular glossing treatments are key — the color on short hair is fully visible from every angle, so keeping it fresh and shiny matters enormously.
Chestnut Lob with Layers
What is the chestnut lob with layers
The lob — or long bob — is one of the most universally flattering haircuts ever created, and when it is layered and filled with chestnut color, it becomes something truly special. A chestnut lob sits somewhere between the jaw and the shoulder, with layers that add movement, volume, and texture throughout. The chestnut color adds warmth and dimension that makes the layers even more visible and beautiful, as light plays differently across each layer depending on its depth of color.
This is honestly one of my favorite looks to complement with makeup because the chestnut lob frames the face in such a perfect way. It is long enough to look feminine and sophisticated but short enough to feel modern and low-maintenance. With the right layers and the right chestnut shade, it suits almost every face shape, hair texture, and lifestyle.
Best for those who want versatility
The chestnut lob with layers is absolutely perfect for people who want maximum versatility in their styling. It looks incredible worn straight and sleek for a polished daytime or professional look. Curl it loosely and it transforms into something romantic and effortless. Pull it half-up and it is casual and chic simultaneously. Tuck it behind your ears with a few pieces left out and you have a cool, editorial vibe. This adaptability makes it ideal for busy people who need their hair to work across multiple contexts without requiring a complete restyle for each one.
How to style the chestnut lob with layers
The beauty of the layered lob is that it styles beautifully with minimal effort. On wash days, rough dry with a round brush to add volume and movement, then finish with a flat iron or large-barrel curling iron for polish. On non-wash days, a bit of dry shampoo at the roots and a pass through with a curling iron to refresh any fallen waves is typically all you need. For a truly effortless look, simply add a small amount of hair oil to the mid-lengths and ends while your hair is damp, let it air dry, and enjoy the natural texture that emerges. The chestnut color, with its natural warmth and depth, will make even an unstyled lob look intentional and beautiful.
Chestnut Curtain Bangs
What is chestnut curtain bangs
Curtain bangs are the kind of fringe that parts in the middle and falls softly to either side of the face, framing it like — as the name suggests — a pair of opened curtains. They are softer and more romantic than blunt bangs, more intentional and styled than simply grown-out fringe. When combined with a chestnut hair color, curtain bangs take on an almost vintage, cinematic quality. There is something about the warm chestnut tones framing the face with that soft, feathered fringe that feels incredibly romantic and beautiful.
I started recommending this combination to clients a few years ago and the response has been overwhelming. Something about curtain bangs with chestnut hair just works — it softens features, adds a nostalgic charm, and photographs in the most flattering way imaginable.
Best for oval and heart-shaped faces
Curtain bangs work across many face shapes, but they are particularly transformative on oval and heart-shaped faces. For heart-shaped faces — where the forehead is wider than the jawline — curtain bangs help balance the proportions by drawing the eye to the center of the face rather than emphasizing the width of the forehead. For oval faces, they simply add a beautiful framing element that enhances already-balanced proportions. The chestnut color in the bangs catches light and creates a warm halo effect around the face that is genuinely stunning.
How to style chestnut curtain bangs
Styling curtain bangs correctly makes all the difference between looking intentional and looking like you have awkward grown-out fringe. The key is using a round brush and a blow dryer to dry the bangs while directing them to each side, away from the center part. A little smoothing serum on the bangs before drying helps control frizz and adds that silky, feathered quality. If your bangs lose their shape during the day, a tiny amount of styling cream warmed between your fingers and pressed through the bangs followed by a few seconds with a warm hair dryer pointed in the right direction will restore them instantly. For the chestnut color specifically, keeping the bangs looking freshly toned and shiny makes the whole look come together — a regular gloss treatment will do wonders.
Chestnut Braided Crown
What is the chestnut braided crown
The chestnut braided crown is a style where two braids are created on either side of the head and then wrapped over the top to create a crown effect. It is romantic, ethereal, and — with chestnut hair — genuinely breathtaking. The warmth and dimension of chestnut color becomes incredibly visible in a braid because each strand catches light slightly differently, creating a beautiful tapestry of warm browns, reds, and golds throughout the structure of the braid.
I have used this style on clients for weddings, editorial shoots, and special events, and it consistently draws gasps of appreciation. There is something deeply feminine and romantic about a braided crown, and the chestnut color enhances that quality significantly. It looks equally beautiful as a full formal style and as a casual, undone everyday look when you leave some face-framing pieces loose and allow the braid itself to look relaxed and imperfect.
Best for romantic and boho occasions
The chestnut braided crown is absolutely perfect for weddings — whether as a bride, a bridesmaid, or a guest. It is equally gorgeous for outdoor events, festivals, garden parties, and any occasion where you want to look effortlessly beautiful and romantic. The boho quality of the braided crown pairs particularly well with flowing fabrics, floral patterns, and natural settings — the chestnut tones connecting beautifully with earthy, warm color palettes in clothing and accessories.
How to achieve the chestnut braided crown
Start by parting your hair down the middle. Take a section on one side beginning from the temple and create a Dutch braid (an inside-out French braid) that follows the hairline toward the back of the head. Repeat on the other side. Then take each braid and wrap it across the crown of the head to the opposite side, pinning each one securely with bobby pins that match your chestnut hair color. Gently tug on the edges of each braid to loosen and expand it, which creates that beautiful, full, romantic look. Finish with a light-hold hairspray and pull a few soft pieces loose around the face for a softer, more effortless effect. The chestnut color will make every detail of the braid visible and gorgeous.
Chestnut Waves with Face-Framing Highlights
What is chestnut waves with face-framing highlights
This style combines the timeless beauty of loose, flowing waves with strategically placed highlights around the face that brighten the complexion and create a beautiful halo effect. The base is a rich chestnut, and the face-framing highlights — sometimes called money piece highlights — are a slightly lighter, warmer shade of chestnut, caramel, or honey that draws light toward the face. The waves then distribute that light throughout the hair, creating movement and dimension with every turn of the head.
Face-framing highlights are one of the most transformative techniques in the colorist’s toolkit because of how directly they affect the appearance of the face. They work like a natural contour for the hair, brightening the areas closest to the complexion and making the whole look feel more radiant and alive. Paired with chestnut waves, the effect is simply gorgeous.
Best for adding brightness to the complexion
If you feel like your current hair color is making your complexion look dull or washed out, chestnut waves with face-framing highlights may be exactly what you need. The strategic placement of lighter chestnut and caramel tones right around the face reflects light onto the skin and immediately adds vitality and brightness. As a makeup artist who has spent years working on complexion, I can tell you that this kind of warmth from the hair around the face does something incredibly similar to a well-placed highlight on the cheekbones — it lifts the whole appearance of radiance.
How to style chestnut waves
For the waves themselves, start with a heat protectant applied to dry hair. Wrap sections around a one and a quarter or one and a half inch curling iron or wand, alternating the direction of each curl for a natural, undone effect. Once all the curls are set, let them cool completely before running your fingers through them gently to break them apart into soft, flowing waves. Finish with a light shine spray or a drop of hair oil through the ends to enhance the warmth and glow of the chestnut color. The face-framing pieces should be styled last, left a little looser and more open than the rest of the waves to maximize their brightening effect.
Chestnut Bun Styles
What is the chestnut bun
The chestnut bun encompasses a range of updo styles — from a sleek, polished bun to a loose, romantic messy bun — all elevated by the richness of chestnut hair color. What makes a bun particularly beautiful in chestnut is the way the color creates visual texture and interest even in an updo. Where a single flat color can make a bun look one-dimensional, the multi-tonal warmth of chestnut creates shadow and light within the structure of the bun itself, making even a simple style look artfully dimensional.
I have always believed that updos deserve as much thoughtful color work as worn-down styles, because when you put your hair up, the color becomes even more visible in a certain way — you can see the overall tone and quality of the hair from a distance in a way that worn-down hair sometimes obscures.
Best for formal and professional settings
The chestnut bun is absolutely perfect for formal events, professional environments, and any occasion that calls for looking polished and put-together. A sleek chestnut bun with a few carefully placed highlights carries a sophisticated authority that suits boardrooms, formal dinners, and professional presentations beautifully. A slightly looser, more romantic chestnut bun works wonderfully for weddings, evening events, and celebrations. The warmth of the chestnut color prevents any bun from looking too severe or cold, keeping the overall effect approachable and beautiful rather than rigid.
How to create a perfect chestnut bun
For a sleek bun, apply a smoothing cream to your hair and brush it thoroughly back into a high or low ponytail, securing it with an elastic. Twist the ponytail around its base, wrap it into a bun shape, and secure with bobby pins. Smooth down any flyaways with a fine-tooth comb and a light mist of hairspray. For a romantic messy bun, do the same thing but loosely, pulling pieces out around the hairline and face intentionally, tugging the bun apart slightly to make it look effortlessly casual. The chestnut tones will shine in both versions — the sleek bun showing off the richness and depth of the color, the messy bun highlighting the warmth and dimension.
Chestnut Shag Haircut
What is the chestnut shag haircut
The shag haircut is a beautifully textured, layered cut with curtain bangs, lots of layers throughout the crown and mid-lengths, and often feathered or wispy ends. When done in chestnut, the shag takes on an almost vintage rock-and-roll quality while simultaneously feeling very modern and on-trend. The many layers of a shag cut catch chestnut color in different ways, creating incredible visual movement and texture that makes the hair look alive and dynamic from every angle.
This is a cut that I genuinely love because of how much character it has. It is not a quiet, subdued hairstyle — it makes a statement, it has attitude, and paired with a rich chestnut color, it becomes an entire aesthetic unto itself. Whether you wear it with bouncy, full waves or let it air dry into its natural texture, a chestnut shag is always interesting and always beautiful.
Best for thick or wavy hair textures
The chestnut shag is particularly magical on thick or naturally wavy hair because the layers remove bulk and weight in a way that allows the natural texture to spring to life. Thick hair that might feel heavy and shapeless in a blunt cut transforms into something bouncy, dynamic, and full of personality with the right shag layers. Wavy hair in a shag cut takes on an almost effortless perfection — the layers follow the natural wave pattern and create a result that looks intentionally styled even when it is completely air dried.
How to style the chestnut shag
Styling a chestnut shag starts in the shower with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to keep the hair healthy and defined. On wash days, apply a curl cream or mousse to damp hair, scrunch it gently to encourage your natural texture, and either diffuse with a hair dryer or let it air dry. For a smoother, more polished shag look, use a round brush and a blow dryer to dry the hair with volume, then use a straightener to smooth and bend the ends slightly outward. For the chestnut color specifically, a glossing treatment used regularly will keep the multiple tones within the shag looking vibrant and defined — the richer and shinier the color, the more the layering and texture of the shag will sing.
Chestnut Long Straight Hair
What is chestnut long straight hair
Chestnut long straight hair is the simplest, most timeless interpretation of this color family — and it is absolutely breathtaking. Long, straight hair has a mirror-like quality when it is healthy and well-conditioned, meaning it reflects light in a very clean, dramatic way. On chestnut hair, this reflective quality means that every tone in the color — the warm reds, the golden browns, the deep base — becomes fully visible, creating a stunning, high-gloss effect that is both sophisticated and wildly beautiful.
There is something I find genuinely powerful about long, straight chestnut hair. It has been iconic in so many contexts across so many eras and cultures, and I think that staying power exists precisely because of how chestnut works on straight hair — the warm, dimensional tones against a sleek, polished surface is simply one of the most beautiful things a human head of hair can do.
Best for showcasing color richness and depth
Long straight chestnut hair is the absolute best style for showing off the full depth and richness of your color. Every tone is fully visible, every dimension of the chestnut palette is on display, and the sleekness of straight hair means there is nothing competing with the color for attention. If you have invested in a beautiful, multi-dimensional chestnut color — whether through balayage, highlights, or a complex glossing treatment — straight, long hair is the ultimate showcase for all that effort and artistry.
How to style chestnut long straight hair
Achieving truly beautiful long straight hair starts with healthy, well-conditioned hair that has been protected from heat damage. Use a heat protectant before any flat iron work, and choose a flat iron with ceramic or tourmaline plates that will smooth the cuticle rather than rough it up. Work in small sections from bottom to top, pulling each section through the flat iron slowly and evenly. Once straightened, apply a few drops of hair oil or a shine serum to the mid-lengths and ends — this is the step that takes straight hair from merely straight to genuinely luminous. For chestnut specifically, that final shine product makes an enormous difference because it allows all those warm tones to refract light maximally, creating that gorgeous, glass-like finish that makes chestnut long straight hair so iconic.
Conclusion
If I could sit down with every single person reading this and have a real conversation, the first thing I would tell you is this — chestnut hair color is not just a trend. It is not something that will feel dated in two years and make you want to immediately change everything. Chestnut is a classic. It is rooted in nature, in warmth, in the genuine beauty of the earth’s own color palette, and that is why it has never stopped resonating with people across generations, cultures, and styles.
Growing up in Savannah, watching my mother get ready for special occasions, I first understood that beauty is about more than appearance. It is about how you feel when you look in the mirror. It is about the confidence that comes from knowing that what you see reflects who you actually are on the inside — vibrant, warm, dimensional, full of depth. Chestnut hair color, in every single one of its fifteen glorious expressions, does that for so many people. It adds warmth. It adds dimension. It adds a richness that simpler, flatter colors simply cannot achieve.
What I love most about chestnut, after years of working alongside talented colorists and watching the impact of great hair color on the overall look I am creating, is how generously it works with makeup. A warm chestnut creates the most beautiful canvas — it makes warm bronzer glow more, it makes deep berry lips look more dramatic, it makes nude and natural makeup look more luminous. It is an incredibly collaborative color, and that gives me endless joy as someone whose entire work is about creating cohesive, beautiful looks from head to toe.
Whatever version of chestnut calls to you — whether it is the rich drama of mahogany chestnut, the sunny joy of light chestnut with caramel ribbons, the romantic perfection of a braided crown, or the simple timeless elegance of long straight chestnut — I want you to know that you are making a genuinely beautiful choice. A choice that will warm your face, enhance your natural features, and give you that confidence that comes from feeling truly, genuinely like yourself.
As I always say to anyone sitting in my chair — makeup and hair color are not about hiding who you are. They are about amplifying it. They are about turning up the volume on your best, most beautiful, most authentic self. And chestnut? Chestnut does that better than almost anything else I know.
So embrace the warmth, enjoy the richness, and let your chestnut hair color be the beautiful, radiant, deeply personal expression of everything wonderful that you already are.