Mahogany Hair Color Ideas | POPSUGAR Beauty

If you’re in the mood to usher in new energy into your life, might we suggest a simple hair refresh? It’s guaranteed to make you feel like you’ve turned a new leaf. 2024 has seen no shortage of fun hair-color trends to try. Of course, there are subtle options, like espresso hair and milk tea” bronde, but if you’re looking to make a splash, how about mahogany hair? The shade has been seen on stars like Rihanna and Lala Anthony, and honestly, we might be next in line.

Ahead, experts break down everything to know about the mahogany hair-color trend, like who it works best on, how to ask for it in the salon, and how you can achieve the look at home.

What Is Mahogany Hair?

“Mahogany hair color is a reddish-brown shade with a slight violet cast,” Lauren Mildice, color specialist at Maxine Salon, tells POPSUGAR. “Think of a deep mahogany wood.”

This tone works well on all hair types and can be customized to suit your individual needs. “This color is very diverse, meaning it works on all textures, colors, and lengths,” Mildice says. “If you have layers, you may want to add stronger pigmented pieces or muted highlights that will build dimension.”

If you’re interested in trying out the look, it’s best to arrive at the salon with inspiration photos in hand. “If you’re looking for one solid tone of mahogany, tell your colorist that you want an all-over deep reddish brown shade with a violet cast,” Mildice says. Mahogany is a solid color, but if you’re looking to also add balayage, foil, or lowlights, an inspiration photo specifically for placement will be helpful to your colorist.

Also, because this is an all-over color, you can also opt to get the look at home without heading to a salon. For mahogany hair dye, Melissa Wade-Smith, hair artistry education manager at Zotos Professional, suggests using Better Natured’s Liqui-Creme Hair Color ($19) in shade 4NRV, which is a medium natural red-violet brown.

How to Maintain Mahogany Hair at Home

As with any color-treated hair, it’s important to use quality products that will help maintain the integrity of the hair and the longevity of the color. Opt for a shampoo and conditioner that are both color-safe, like the Kérastase Chroma Absolu Hair Care Set ($194). “These products will preserve your colors’ vibrancy,” Mildice says.

If you use hot tools to style your hair, you’ll also want to make sure you’re using a heat protectant when your hair is wet and dry. When it comes to maintenance, Mildice says you’ll need a touchup application done every four to six weeks to keep up with outgrowth. “If you’re adding dimensional pieces, you can get those done every other time,” she says.

If you opted to color at home, Wade-Smith says she recommends only coloring your new growth without “pulling” the color through the mid-lengths to ends since this could cause the color to become a muted shade of brown.

Mahogany Hair-Color Inspiration

If you’re ready to try the trend for yourself, keep scrolling for some inspiration you can bring with you to your next salon appointment.