Mahogany hair color or auburn – which of the two hues should you go with? While the two colors might look the same, they’re not. They have subtle differences that each work incredibly well to bring your hair color to life.
Their rich, vibrant hues aren’t just versatile; they are remarkably flattering on most people. Here’s everything you need to know about picking the appropriate hair color for your skin tone.
Difference Between Mahogany and Auburn Hair Color
The best way to describe mahogany is – a deep, dark, reddish-brown shade. It has purple-based red undertones, which often occur in darker brunette hues.
One of our favorite things about mahogany is that it has both warm and cool undertones, making it one of the most versatile hair colors on the spectrum. If you’re looking to achieve a deep dramatic look, mahogany would be the way to go.
Auburn is also in the reddish-brown family of colors but gives off an orange-reddish tinge, making it appear brighter than mahogany.
One of the most outstanding features of auburn is its warmth. Its face-flattering hue complements a wide range of skin tones, all the while making your hair look glossy, bouncy, and healthy.
Who Should Go for Mahogany Hair?
Mahogany hair compliments all skin tones, from fair to dark. Even personalize the look for warm or cool undertones by adding highlights or lowlights.
People with naturally dark brown or chestnut-colored hair suit mahogany best. While mahogany suits everyone, people with blond hair may want to consider auburn for a more natural look.
How to Get Mahogany Hair
Blondes
When you turn blonde hair into a red hair color, getting that deep tone out is where things get tricky. You need to approach the color conversion process the same way you would any other light-to-dark shade transformation.
It all comes down to layering the color gradually to build up pigment and depth over time. Ensure you use a product that delivers the purest mahogany pigment.
Brunettes
The technique involved in transforming brown hair into a mahogany hue depends on how deep the base color of the underlying hair is. The conversion process is fairly easy. Apply the deep reddish-brown shade over the hair.
If the base color is a deep dark brown, you may have to lift a few levels off before color application. Ensure the toner you use after is tailored to the undertone of the base color.
Redhead
The rules for turning red hair mahogany are the same as those for brunettes. If you have a lighter base – like a strawberry blonde or copper blonde – apply the mahogany toner directly over the hair. To create a sufficient amount of depth and saturation, you’ll need to layer the red hues.
On the other hand, if the base red color is deeper than mahogany, you’ll have to lift a few levels off to allow the new shade to show up.
Who Should Go for Auburn Hair?
Auburn hair flatters a variety of skin tones and looks. Fair to medium skin tones may pull off the look better than others because these complexions unlock a wide range of complimentary red hues. If you have light skin with pink undertones, you may want to opt for a darker auburn color or panel in some mahogany so that your skin doesn’t look too pink.
Auburn works with both warm and cool undertones. This red shade, in particular, also pairs well with people with hazel, green, or blue eyes. The auburn color makes them pop.
How to Get Auburn Hair
Blondes
To get a brighter, lighter shade of auburn, you’ll need a blonde/brown hair color base to begin with. Alternatively, you can lift your existing hair color a few shades before you add the hair dye. Ginger-toned auburn works best for this category of hair.
Brunettes
If your current hair color is a medium to dark brunette hue, layering a warm, rich auburn color over your existing hair will likely take some work, and would possibly be considered a corrective color service depending on how much the hair needs to be lifted.
Redheads
If you’re already a redhead, apply the color over your hair. To achieve deeper saturation levels like auburn red hair, layering the hues gradually should do the trick.
Choosing mahogany hair color vs auburn hair color is all a matter of preference. They both belong to a complex color category, and that’s part of their charm. They are stunning and ultra-versatile – qualities that make them ideal for a wide range of skin tones. You can’t go wrong with them.