22 Surprising Mahogany Hair Color Ideas You Will Love To Try

Take cues from our suggestions to give your hair a glossy look and stunning hue.

Reviewed by Sergio R. Cardona Perez, Certified Trichologist
Written by Arshiya Syeda, BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma
Edited by Madhumati Chowdhury, MA (English Literature)
Fact-checked by Joyce Joyson, MA (Mass Communication & Journalism)  • 

When you think of the word mahogany, you think of pure, rich luxury. A popular wood shade, famous for its reddish-brown hue – it is no surprise that hair colorists figured out a way to mimic this color onto our tresses. The mahogany brown hair color is well-known for its elegant and vibrant shade. It adds depth and dimension to your hair while making it look oh-so-glossy. Its deep rich shade lets you experiment with color without being too loud. And it is one of the few hair colors that suits all occasions and seasons. So, whether you are heading out to a business meeting, chill with friends, ice skating in the winter, or laying on the beach, your mahogany hair is on point! To help you achieve your mahogany hair dreams, we have listed 20 incredible ideas to help color your hair mahogany.

Here’s a tutorial to teach you how to color your tresses in this lovely shade. Keep reading!

protip_icon Quick Hair Color Guide: Mahogany

How To Choose A Shade: Go for a brown or cool mahogany red if you have a warm skin tone and plum, chestnut, or copper mahogany red if you have a cool skin tone.

Level Of Maintenance: Medium to high

Suitable For: All hair types and lengths

Looks Best With: Nude brown eyeshadow and red or burnt orange lipstick

How To Dye Your Hair Mahogany

What You Need
  • Box of mahogany hair color
  • Old t-shirt/old towel
  • Hair brush
  • Sectioning clips
  • Vaseline
  • Bowl
  • Rubber/plastic gloves
  • Applicator bottle/brush
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
How To Color Your Hair
  1. Put on an old t-shirt or wrap an old towel around your shoulder so that you don’t get dye on your good clothes.
  2. Brush out all the knots and tangles from your hair.
  3. Divide all your hair – first horizontally, then vertically – to divide it into 4 sections.
  4. Roll and clip 3 sections of your hair, leaving loose the one you want to start dyeing first.
  5. Apply Vaseline all along your hairline and on your ears so that you don’t stain your skin.
  6. Put on your rubber/plastic gloves.
  7. Follow the instructions given on the box and mix the hair dye in a bowl.
  8. Picking up half-inch sections of hair at a time, start applying the hair dye with the help of either a dyeing brush or an applicator bottle from about 1 inch below your roots.
  9. Use your fingers to work the dye into and all along the length of your hair.
  10. Repeat this process until you have applied the mahogany brown hair color on all four sections of your hair.
  11. Leave the dye in for the duration of time indicated on the box.
  12. Wash off the dye with warm water.
  13. Wait for about an hour before shampooing and conditioning your hair.

protip_icon Quick Tip
Mahogany dye has a warmer tone when a more pronounced brown hue is mixed in. A cool undertone is present when the color tends to be on the red or plum side.

Well, now that you know how to dye your hair mahogany, let’s jump into all the ways you can style this gorgeous hair color!

22 Absolutely Magnificent Mahogany Hair Color Ideas

1. Mahogany Dream

Mahogany dream hair color
Image: Instagram @jordannoelle10

I get it. I get that coloring your hair could seem extremely daunting to you. So why don’t you start off with a more natural color, huh? You could retain the naturally dark brown color of your roots and go for a subtle mahogany ombre towards your ends to create an absolutely dreamy hair look.

2. Mahogany On Fire

Mahogany on fire hair color
Image: Instagram

When it comes to matters of the hair (and the heart), sometimes it’s best to go all in. A good way to do that is to go for this lustrous mahogany look. While the deep shade of mahogany acts as a base, bright streaks of copper accent it to create a fiery effect.

protip_icon Trivia
Demi Lovato, Sydney Sweeney, Emma Stone, and Sofia Vergara are some of the leading ladies that have sported mahogany hair.

3. Grapevine Mahogany

Grapevine mahogany hair color
Image: Instagram @me_hairdesign

Ahh… is there anything better than kicking back and relaxing with a glass of red wine at the end of a long day? I think not. So, show some love for your favorite end-of-the-day activity by trying out this hair look that is a stunning melange of mahogany and purple.

4. Mahogany Sunset

Mahogany sunset hair color
Image: Instagram @salon1919

Aren’t you in awe of the beautiful colors that light up the sky at sunset? Paint your hair in those very colors by going for this gorgeous hair look. The gorgeous mahogany shade has been balayaged with a dusty pink in the middle to imitate the descent of the sun into darkness at dusk.

5. Dusty Rose Mahogany

Dusty rose mahogany hair color
Image: Instagram @shampoo_lounge

Wanna look like a bohemian desert princess dancing her heart out at Coachella? Then you have got to check out this gorgeous hair look. The beautiful mahogany hair here has been highlighted with a dusty brown shade and styled in texturized waves to create a soft and romantic hair look.

6. Peaches And Mahogany

Peaches and mahogany hair color
Image: Instagram @nerdymermaidhair

If there’s one color ruling the roost this season in hair color trends, it has got to be peach. And why wouldn’t it? This understated shade of orange goes perfectly with all skin complexions. This ombre look done with mahogany on top and peach on the bottom is a stunning blend of colors.

7. Rose Gold Mahogany

Rose gold mahogany hair color
Image: Instagram @daniellearrandale

Let’s be real. We all know metallic hue is rocking the hair fashion world right now. Rose gold, of course! This mahogany-based color job has been highlighted with streaks of gold at the bottom to create a beautiful balayage of woody and metallic shades.

8. Choco-Mahogany Swirl

Choco mahogany swirl hair color
Image: Instagram

What do you get when you swirl two rich shades of brown together? A thing of beauty. And that is exactly what you get when you have a dark chocolate shade as your base, highlighted by subtle mahogany streaks to create this sophisticated and understated look.

9. Mahogany Waterfall

Mahogany waterfall hair color
Image: Instagram @samanthabradshawhair

Who doesn’t want to look like a mystical being? A forest nymph, perhaps? Well, you can live that dream by trying out this gorgeous hair look. This rich mahogany single-toned look creates the effect of nothing less than a red-brown waterfall cascading down your back.

10. Copse Of Mahogany

Copse of mahogany hair color
Image: Instagram @elevationhair

There’s a reason why hair painting is the most popular hair coloring technique right now (and probably will be for a long time). It’s because it creates the most stunning dimension and movement in your hair. This mahogany painted look, for instance, recreates the rich dark brown shades found deep in the heart of a forest.

11. Mahogany Subtlety

Mahogany subtlety hair color
Image: Instagram @kylierhew

Subtlety is an art. And it’s even more so when creating stunning hair looks like this one. This mahogany balayage blends so beautifully into the dark brown base color that the effect it creates is very natural. The subtle blink-and-you-miss-it element of this look is what makes it so gorgeous.

12. Mahogany Decoction

Mahogany decoction hair color
Image: Instagram @wash_brushup

Have you ever noticed the stunning shades of orange and brown that swirl in your cup as soon as your teabag hits the hot water? Because that’s the inspiration behind this hair look. This mahogany-based style has been highlighted with popping shades of red and orange to create this quirky look.

13. Mahogany Sheen

Mahogany sheen hair color
Image: Instagram @willowbirchsalon

So you don’t want to color all your hair? That’s okay because I’ve got a lightweight solution for you. Just add a sheen of violet and mahogany over your naturally dark brown hair. When sunlight hits your hair, it will burst into a symphony of rich colors.

14. Mahogany Brunette

Mahogany brunette hair color
Image: Instagram @dollheadssalon

Wanna look totally sophisticated and classy with you next hair look? I’ve got your back! This mahogany hair look has been subtly highlighted with shades of ginger red and brown to create an elegant brunette look that still has a youthful vibe to it.

15. Fiery Red Mahogany

Fiery red mahogany hair color
Image: Instagram @kentuckyhairs

Girl, just because you want to get mahogany colored hair does not mean you have to kiss your bright hair dreams goodbye. Here’s a super pretty look you can try out. You could go for some red-toned mahogany painted over a dark brown base to create this gorgeously fiery look.

16. Mahogany Tortoiseshell

Mahogany tortoiseshell hair color
Image: Instagram @dollheadssalon

We all know tortoise shell is all the trend when it comes to sunglasses. But did you know this gorgeous color effect has transitioned into the hair coloring world as well? Yep, you heard me right! Check out this beautiful tortoiseshell effect created with shades of mahogany and caramel blonde.

17. Tricolor Mahogany

Tricolor mahogany hair color
Image: Instagram

You know, you don’t always have to stick to just one or two colors when going for an understated hair look. You could go for a third shade like chestnut or amber without going over the top. This tricolor mahogany hair look is a testament to just that. With a vivid mahogany shade at the roots and a blend of light and dark brown at the ends, this stunning look is one for the ages.

18. Ultraviolet Mahogany

Ultraviolet mahogany hair color
Image: Instagram @hair.by.alexa

Mix things up and experiment with different shades as undertones for your mahogany hair look. You could, for instance, try going for red and violet undertones to create a bit of vibrancy in your otherwise dark and subdued mahogany base color. It adds warmth and dimension to the whole look.

19. Desert Storm Mahogany

Desert storm mahogany hair color
Image: Instagram @becki_w_the_good_hair

Look up pictures of desert storms, and you’ll see what I mean when I say that they are an awe-inspiring sight to behold. This gorgeous light brown and mahogany balayage look has been inspired by just that natural phenomenon. The dusty brown highlights stand in stark contrast against the mahogany base to create this stunning look.

20. Cool Mahogany

Cool mahogany hair color
Image: Instagram @andyjohnsonhair

21. Mahogany With Rose Brown

Mahogany with rose brown hair color
Image: IStock

This hair color combines the delicate warmth of rose brown with the richness of mahogany making it a perfect choice for a look of depth and elegance. There are many ways you can combine these two shades to get a style that suits you. For example, you can frame your face with mahogany locks or get a balayage for an effortlessly charming look.

22. Mahogany Raspberry Hair Color

Mahogany raspberry hair color
Image: IStock

Mahogany raspberry hair color is a rich shade that combines deep mahogany tones with vibrant raspberry highlights or undertones. Typically, the base color is an intense reddish-brown that looks like mahogany wood, and the raspberry tones give your hair a flashy pink or red shade. This combination produces a dramatic look that is bound to turn some heads in public.

Infographic: Tips To Maintain Colored Hair

It is fascinating to discover all the delightful ways you can style colored hair to create unique and new hairstyles. However, one must remember that the haircare routine for colored hair is different from that of uncolored hair. Check out the infographic below to know some essential hair care tips to maintain dyed hair.

tips to maintain colored hair (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

Sergio Cardona, FWTS, Trichologist says, “We can all agree that mahogany hair colors are beautiful but you want it to last long and not fade. The key is to take proper care of color-treated hair by using the right combination of shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in conditioner. Make sure they are designed to help maintain color, also consider using hair care products that can add some extra pigment to keep your color vibrant.”

The best part about the mahogany hair color is that it suits most skin tones. You can always find a mahogany shade that suits your skin, be it cool or warm-toned. As mentioned above, you do not need to head out to the salon to attain this hair shade. Just follow the steps mentioned in the tutorial to color your tresses mahogany. After perusing through the best mahogany hair color ideas, we hope you have an idea of what shade you would like to try. Mahogany is such a rich color that adds shine to your tresses, it is sure to have received compliments left, right, and center. Not to mention making your eye color pop!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is mahogany warm or cool?

Mahogany is a reddish-brown hair color with both warm and cool undertones.

What is the difference between mahogany and burgundy hair color?

Although they look very similar, burgundy has hints of purple or pink undertones, while mahogany is more reddish in tone.

Is mahogany hair hard to maintain?

It depends on your natural hair color. If your hair color is light, like blonde or light brown, it will require more maintenance to keep the mahogany color looking fresh.

Does mahogany hair suit pale skin?

Cool-toned or mildly warm-toned mahogany shades suit pale skin.

What is the difference between mahogany and auburn hair color?

Auburn hair is a mix of orange, brown, and red. It has an intense orange tone. Mahogany hair is a mix of red and brown.

Key Takeaways

  •  Mahogany hair color is a mix of a beautiful blend of red, brown, and purple hues.
  • The color is best suited for cool and neutral skin tones and may also flatter warm skin tones if the undertones are right.
  • The intensity and shade of mahogany are adjusted with lowlights, highlights, and balayage techniques.
  • Sulfate-free and organic shampoos help maintain the vibrancy of your colored hair
mahogany hair color_illustration

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Want to transform your dark brown hair to a reddish brown? Follow this video for easy steps to get the perfect mahagony color!

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