Here are the top chocolate brown hair dyes to color your hair like a professional at home! These include both permanent and temporary hair dyes!
I have to say that the color chocolate brown has always been one that appealed to me as a hair stylist, not only because of how beautiful and vibrant it makes the hair look but also because of how versatile this color is.
Dark chocolate brown, often also referred to as “mocha” brown, is a dark shaded color but lighter than cocoa and dark brown hair, while the lighter chocolate brown shade.
Here are my reviews on the top five best chocolate brown hair dyes.
| Best Chocolate Brown Hair Dyes | Best For | Shade |
| Naturigin Natural Permanent Hair Color Dye | Normal, wavy, curly or chemically treated hair | Light Chocolate Brown 5.0 |
| Schwarzkopf Simply Color Permanent Hair Color | All hair types, including porous hair | 3.65 Dark Chocolare |
| Surya Brasil Products Henna Cream | All hair types, including color-treated hair | Chocolate |
| Naturtint Permanent Hair Color | Normal hair | 6GM Chocolate Brown |
| Light Mountain Natural hair Color | All hair types | Dark Chocolate |
Top Chocolate Brown Hair Dyes 2024
Naturigin Natural Permanent Hair Color Dye
Dye type: Permanent
Since my hair is naturally dark brown, I decided to try out the light chocolate brown dye for a first try at chocolate colored dye and Naturigin promised dyeing even darker hair shades.
On using I found that it did dye my hair pretty well. My black hair looked a bit lighter and the chocolate brown hair came out really well.
This product is free from ammonia and parabens and that was definitely a plus for me. It wasn’t harsh or drying on my hair and in fact made my hair feel soft, smooth and silky.
The other two things that I liked about this product are that it didn’t have any harsh smell of chemicals and it didn’t stain my skin either.
So is this dye perfect? Not by any chance. The dye did begin to fade after around two weeks, but it faded very gradually over time.
I think you should go for it if you have damaged or dark hair and do not mind frequent touch-ups!
Pros:
- Makes the hair feel soft, smooth and silky as it comes with a deep conditioner
- Lightens darker hair shades by a reasonable extent thanks to the developer
- Gentle on the hair as it is free from ammonia and parabens.
- Doesn’t contain a harsh smell of chemicals.
- Doesn’t stain the skin on application
Cons:
- Begins to fade very gradually after around two weeks.
- Comes with a developer so it might not be for overly-processed hair
My Ratings:
- Dyeing effect of pigments: 4.2/5
- Ingredients: 5/5
- Staying power: 3.8/5
Schwarzkopf Simply Color Permanent Hair Color
Dye type: Permanent
I had previously tried Schwarzkopf hair dyes in other colors and really loved the way they worked on my hair.
So this time I decided to go in for the dark chocolate shade and I was really impressed how well it dyed my naturally dark brown hair (even without me having to lighten my hair beforehand).
There are many things I like about this product. It is reasonably priced, has a subtle smell, is gentle on the scalp as it is completely free from ammonia and it made my hair feel super vibrant and shiny once I dyed it.
For those with longer hair lengths, I would recommend using two packs in order to get complete hair coverage. Despite the low price, the dye has less quantity compared to products like Naturigin and Naturtint.
I liked how the product is easy to use and has simple instructions that are easy to follow.
The thing that I didn’t like about this product is that its shelf life isn’t too long as it contains no preservatives. So it is basically for a one time use.
Another thing I need to warn you about is the finished shade on hair. It has a lot of reddish undertones in it. And if you do not use a proper blue shampoo your hair might end up more auburn than chocolate. So beware.
Pros:
- Gentle on the hair as it is free from ammonia.
- Reasonably priced.
- Has a mild and subtle smell.
- Simple and easy instructions to follow.
Cons:
- Longer hair requires two packs.
- Can leave reddish tones on hair so you require a blue shampoo afterwards
My Ratings:
- Dyeing effect of pigments: 4.2/5
- Ingredients: 5/5
- Staying power: ⅘
Surya Brasil Henna Cream Review - (hair color for sensitive scalp)
Dye type: Permanent
I was quite surprised to see that henna came in different colors and since I had never tried henna before and was looking to try a good chocolate shade. So, I went in for it and I have to say that I simply loved it!
It gave my hair a lovely vibrant look and my hair felt so conditioned once I dyed it. Using this product was very easy as there was absolutely no mixing involved as it came in cream form.
It was also safe to use on color-treated hair, so that benefited me for sure. I also loved the fact that it had no strong smell of henna either.
Also, this product has a one year shelf life, so I kept it for my next use without a worry.
The catch? This is quite an expensive product. And you do not get a large quantity of dye for the price either.
So use it if you want the best for your hair and absolutely do not want to take chances with chemicals.
Pros:
- Product is ready to use and doesn’t involve any mixing.
- Makes the hair feel smooth and well conditioned as it’s a natural product
- Safe to use on color-treated hair as it doesn’t contain ammonia
- Has no strong smell of henna.
- Has a one year shelf-life so you can use it across multiple applications after opening
Cons:
- Expensive price
My Ratings:
- Dyeing effect of pigments: 4.5/5
- Ingredients: 5/5
- Staying power: 4.4/5
Naturtint Permanent Hair Color dark chocolate hair color dye
Dye type: Permanent
I always find it quite hard to find the right brand to settle with, but Naturtint solved this problem for me. Using this dye made my hair feel absolutely natural and vibrant, locking my hair in with the perfect shade.
I was also really happy that this product did not contain any ammonia, so it was safe to use on my hair and my hair felt conditioned once I used it.
Since my hair length is just below my shoulder, I had to use little more than one pack, but I was pleased to see that it had a shelf life of 5 years, so I could keep the remaining for a later use.
The color lasted for around 5 weeks on my hair before it began to fade and my roots required to be touched up.
It does contain PPD and can cause a certain amount of irritation, which was a huge bummer for me.
The presence of PPD means this dye is off-limits to pregnant women and people with really sensitive scalps.
Pros:
- Gentle on the hair as it is free from ammonia.
- Doesn’t fade quickly as color can last for months
- Has a long shelf life of 5 years.
Cons:
- Can cause a certain amount of irritation in people with PPD allergies and sensitive skin. (Mukkanna, Krishna Sumanth et al. “Para-phenylenediamine allergy: current perspectives on diagnosis and management.” Journal of asthma and allergy vol. 10 9-15. 18 Jan. 2017, doi:10.2147/JAA.S90265)
- Longer hair lengths will require two packs.
My Ratings:
- Dyeing effect of pigments: 4.3/5
- Ingredients: 4.1/5
- Staying power: 4.3/5
Light Mountain Natural Hair Color
Dye type: Permanent
Since this product was all-organic and free from ammonia, I was quite keen on trying it out, especially since it had the shade of my choice.
Since my hair had previously been dyed a darker blonde shade, I noticed that once I dyed my hair with this product, my hair had a slightly greenish tint which were visible on some strands.
Well, to my good luck it didn’t look too bad, so I let it go.
But apart from that aspect, the product was easy to use with simple instructions to follow. It also made my hair feel smooth and well conditioned once I dyed it.
Pros:
- Gentle on the hair as it contains all organic ingredients and is free from ammonia.
- Easy to use with simple instructions.
- Makes the hair feel smooth thanks to the conditioner
Cons:
- May give a slightly greenish tint to lighter colored hair.
My Ratings:
- Dyeing effect of pigments: 3.8/5
- Ingredients: 5/5
- Staying power: 3.9/5
How to select the best Chocolate Brown Hair Dyes?
Here are some tips to help you choose the right chocolate brown hair dye:
Determine your desired shade
Chocolate brown can encompass a range of tones, from lighter milk chocolate to deeper dark chocolate. Decide on the specific shade you want to achieve based on your skin tone, natural hair color, and personal preference. Consider whether you want warm or cool undertones in your chocolate brown hair color.
Consider your hair type and condition
Different hair dyes have varying formulations that may be better suited for certain hair types or conditions. For example, if you have damaged or dry hair, look for hair dyes that offer conditioning or moisturizing properties. If you have sensitive scalp, consider hair dyes that are labeled as gentle or formulated for sensitive skin.
Check for ammonia and peroxide content
Some hair dyes contain ammonia and peroxide, which are chemicals that help in color penetration and permanent color change. If you prefer a more natural or less damaging option, you may want to choose hair dyes that are ammonia-free or contain lower levels of ammonia and peroxide.
Patch test: Before applying any hair dye all over your hair, it's important to perform a patch test. Apply a small amount of the hair dye to a small section of your hair and monitor for any adverse reactions or allergies. Follow the instructions provided with the hair dye for the recommended patch test procedure.
Quick Comparison Table
| Top Chocolate Brown Hair Dye | Naturigin Natural Permanent Hair Color Dye |
Schwarzkopf Simply Color Permanent Hair Color |
Surya Brasil Products Henna Cream |
Naturtint Permanent Hair Color |
Light Mountain Natural hair Color |
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| Price | Slightly Expensive | Affordable | Very Expensive | Affordable | Affordable |
| Pigment | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Staying Power | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Gentleness | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Ingredients Quality | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Ammonia Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| PPD Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Will It Show Up on Dark Hair? | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Do I need to bleach hair before dyeing it chocolate brown?
In most cases, you do not need to bleach your hair before dyeing it chocolate brown. Chocolate brown hair dye is typically formulated to work on natural hair colors ranging from light to dark brown without the need for pre-lightening or bleaching.
However, there are a few exceptions to consider:
- Dark or previously colored hair: If your hair is naturally very dark or if you have previously colored your hair with a dark or intense color, you may need to lighten your hair slightly.
- Gray hair coverage: If you have a significant amount of gray or white hair, the chocolate brown color may not cover them effectively without pre-lightening. In such cases, you might need to use a hair dye with at least a strong developer.
- Desired color intensity: If you desire a very rich and intense chocolate brown color, you can light bleach or pre-lightening process to achieve the desired results. This step helps create a clean canvas and allows the chocolate brown dye to appear more vibrant.
It's important to keep in mind that bleach can be damaging to the hair, especially if not used correctly or if the hair is already damaged.
Why You Should Trust Haireveryday?
The author of this article, Leah Marie Priest has a degree in Cosmetology with years of experience in dealing with hair care, scalp care, and hairstyling. As someone who extensively deals with all kinds of hair textures, products, styling methods and more, hair Leah Marie knows what kind of products and procedures suit each hair type and person. We have also tested these hair products and processes ourselves to provide you an unbiased review about every product. Each of our articles are also reviewed by a team of medical professionals so that you get the most accurate and expert-reviewed information.
The final takeaway
Well, I hope that my review has helped you pick out the right brand for you to dye your hair with and if you still think that this color may not suit you, well, trust me – just go for it and I’m sure you will have no regrets!
Also, here’s a tip for those of you who like experimenting with different shades and colors.
There are other lesser known shades of chocolate brown that you can try like lilac chocolate brown and cherry chocolate brown.
All that these dyes require is a chocolate brown base colored hair and it will then beautifully blend the lilac or cherry shade into your chocolate brown hair color.
So well, maybe you could try that too!