Brown Hair Dye NZ | Brunette Hair Colour | Zilion NZ
Brunette Hair Colour in New Zealand
Brown is the most-worn hair colour in the world, and also one of the most varied. A good brunette can be cool and ashy, warm and golden, rich with red or violet, or so dark it reads almost black. Getting it right is about choosing the correct depth for your natural base and the tone that suits your skin, then using a colour line that gives even coverage and lasting shine.
Zilion is an official NZ stockist of every brand in this collection, with more than 220 brown shades and brunette care products. You will find professional permanent and demi-permanent colour from Wella Professionals, Joico, FarmaVita, Natural Look and Color On, colour-depositing masks and creams from Wella and Brelil, Affinage gloss demis, plus root concealer sprays and hair fibres for quick cover between colours.
About Brunette Hair Colour
Professional colours are numbered. The first number is the depth or level, from 1 (black) to 10 (lightest blonde), and brunette shades sit roughly between levels 2 and 6. The numbers or letters after the dot or slash describe the tone: .0 or N for natural, .1 or A for ash, .3 or G for gold, .4 or C for copper, .5 for mahogany and .7 for brown. So Wella Color Touch 5/0 is a natural light brown, FarmaVita Life Color Plus 5.35 is a light chocolate brown, and Joico Lumishine 4NG is a natural golden medium brown.
Different types of colour do different jobs. Permanent colour, such as Wella Illumina Color, Joico Lumishine Permanent Creme Color, FarmaVita Life Color Plus, Natural Look Luminart and Color On, lifts and deposits for full grey coverage. Demi-permanent colour, such as Wella Color Touch, Wella Shinefinity, Joico Lumishine Liquid Demi and Affinage Gloss Liquid Demi, deposits tone and shine without lightening and fades gradually. Colour-depositing masks and creams refresh brown tones between salon visits.
Brunette Colour by Tone and Type
Natural browns. Wella Color Touch 5/0, Wella Illumina Color 4/ and 5/, Joico Lumishine 3N, 4N and 5N, FarmaVita Life Color Plus 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0, Natural Look Luminart 3/0, 4/0 and 5/0 and Color On 4.00 and 5.00.
Chocolate and espresso browns. Wella Shinefinity 04/07 Bitter Chocolate, 04/0 Natural Espresso, 05/3 Honey Chocolate and 05/37 Caramel Espresso, FarmaVita Life Color Plus 4.35 and 5.35, Color On 5.77 Light Chocolate Brown and Natural Look Luminart 4/85 Mocha.
Cool and ash browns. Wella Color Touch 5/1 and 4/19, Wella Illumina 5/81 and 5/02, Wella Shinefinity 04/12 Cool Chia, Joico Lumishine 5AA, 4AA and 5NA, FarmaVita 4.1 and 5.1, and Color On 4.1 and 5.1.
Warm, golden and caramel browns. Joico Lumishine 5NG, 4NG and 5NW, Wella Color Touch 5/3 and 5/73, FarmaVita 4.3 and 5.3, Natural Look Luminart 5/3 Maize and Brelil Caramel Chestnut CC Colour Cream.
Mahogany, red and violet browns. Wella Color Touch 4/5, 5/75 and 44/65, Joico Lumishine 5RR, 4RRV and 3VV, FarmaVita 4.5 and 5.52, Natural Look Luminart 5/52 Deep Cherry and 4/5 Kakadu Plum, Color On 5.55 and 5.66, and Brelil Extra Dark Mahogany.
Copper browns. Joico Lumishine 4NC and 5NC, FarmaVita 4.4 and 5.4, Color On 4.4 and 5.4 and Natural Look Luminart 5/4 Burn Sand.
Ammonia-free. The Natural Look Luminart Ammonia Free range, including 3/0, 4/0 and 5/0, for clients who prefer an ammonia-free permanent colour.
Colour care and quick fixes. Wella Color Fresh Mask Chocolate Touch and Cool Espresso, Brelil Chocolate CC Color Cream, L'Oreal Professionnel Hair Touch Up Root Concealer Spray in Brown, Light Brown and Mahogany, and L3VEL3 Hair Fibres Brown. See Root Touch Up Spray.
Brands in This Category
These are the brands with the most brunette shades at Zilion. Each link opens the brand's full range:
- Joico
- FarmaVita
- Natural Look
- Wella Professionals
- Color On
- Brelil
- L'Oreal Professionnel
- Affinage
- L3VEL3
Top 10 Brunette Products
- Wella Professionals Color Fresh Mask Cool Espresso 150ml: a colour-depositing conditioning mask that refreshes cool, dark brown tones at home.
- Wella Professionals Color Fresh Mask Chocolate Touch 150ml: adds warm chocolate tone and shine to brown hair, also sold in 500ml.
- Wella Professionals Shinefinity 04/07 Bitter Chocolate 60ml: a glossy demi-permanent shade for a rich, deep chocolate brown.
- Wella Professionals Color Touch 5/0 Light Brown 60ml: a natural light brown demi-permanent for tone, shine and blending.
- Wella Professionals Illumina Color 5/ Light Brown 60ml: a permanent light brown known for its luminous, natural-looking result.
- Joico Lumishine Permanent Creme Color 5N Natural Light Brown 74ml: a natural light brown permanent creme colour.
- Joico Lumishine Liquid Demi 5NG Natural Golden Light Brown 60ml: a liquid demi for warm, golden light brown tone.
- FarmaVita Life Color Plus 5.35 Light Chocolate Brown 100ml: a permanent cream colour for a soft chocolate brunette.
- Natural Look Luminart Ammonia Free 4/0 Medium Brown 100ml: an ammonia-free permanent cream colour in a natural medium brown.
- L’Oreal Professionnel Hair Touch Up Root Concealer Spray Brown: a temporary spray that hides regrowth and greys between colours.
Best Sellers at Zilion
- Wella Professionals Color Fresh Mask Cool Espresso 150ml ($34.50)
- Natural Look Luminart Ammonia Free 4/36 Medium Gold Red Brown 100ml ($31.41)
- Natural Look Luminart Ammonia Free 2/7 Ink Blue Black 100ml ($31.41)
- Natural Look Luminart Ammonia Free 5/53 Light Mahogany Gold Brown 100ml ($31.41)
- Natural Look Luminart Ammonia Free 4/0 Medium Brown 100ml ($31.41)
- Natural Look Luminart 5/35 Hazelnut Light Gold Mahogany Brown 100ml ($31.41)
- Natural Look Luminart 5/2 Lilac Sapphire Light Iridescent Brown 100ml ($31.41)
- Natural Look Luminart Ammonia Free 5/3 Light Gold Natural Blonde 100ml ($31.41)
- Natural Look Luminart 5/53 Chestnut Light Mahogany Gold Blonde 100ml ($31.41)
- Natural Look Luminart 5/00 Intense Light Brown 100ml ($31.41)
Benefits of Professional Brunette Colour
- Accurate shades. Professional numbering means a 5/0 or 5N gives the same depth and tone every time.
- Grey coverage. Permanent lines such as Illumina, Lumishine, Life Color Plus, Luminart and Color On are designed to cover grey.
- Rich shine. Demi-permanent glosses such as Shinefinity and Lumishine Liquid Demi add depth and gloss.
- Tone control. Ash shades counter unwanted warmth, while gold, copper and mahogany add warmth.
- Gentler options. Demi-permanent and ammonia-free colours suit clients who want less commitment.
- Easy upkeep. Colour masks, CC creams and root sprays keep brunette tones fresh between appointments.
Brunette Colour Buying Guide
Find your level. Match the first number to your natural or desired depth. Staying within one or two levels of your natural colour gives the most natural result.
Choose your tone. Ash browns suit cooler skin and neutralise brassiness. Golden, caramel and copper browns warm the complexion. Mahogany, red and violet browns give richness and dimension.
Permanent or demi. Choose permanent for grey coverage and a lasting change. Choose demi-permanent for shine, toning and a softer fade with no harsh regrowth line.
Use the right developer. Each colour line has its own mixing ratio and developer strength. Follow the brand's instructions and see Developer.
Maintain it. Use colour-safe shampoo and conditioner and refresh with a colour mask. Browse Coloured Hair Shampoo and Colour Depositing Shampoo.
How to Use Professional Hair Colour
Always do a patch test 48 hours before colouring and a strand test if you are unsure of the result. Mix colour and developer in a non-metallic bowl at the ratio stated by the brand, wearing gloves. Apply to dry, unwashed hair, starting at the roots for regrowth or where grey is most resistant, then work through the lengths for the final minutes if the ends need refreshing. Process for the full time recommended, emulsify with a little water, rinse until clear and finish with a colour-care conditioner. If you are going lighter or making a big change, see a professional colourist.
Why Shop Brunette Colour at Zilion
- Official NZ stockist. Every colour we sell is genuine stock from brands we are authorised to supply.
- Free shipping over $85. Orders under $85 ship for a flat $7.99 to metro and rural addresses.
- Afterpay and Zip. Spread the cost of a bigger order over interest-free instalments.
- Same-day dispatch. In-stock orders placed before 9am leave our warehouse the same business day.
- Colour accessories. Bowls, brushes, gloves and foils are in Hair Colour Accessories.
- Help when you need it. Email care@zilion.co.nz with your current colour and the shade you want, and we will help you choose.
Delivery Across New Zealand
We deliver hair colour right across the country, to Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown, and to rural addresses in every region. Metro orders usually arrive in 1 to 4 business days and rural orders in 3 to 7.
Brunette Hair Colour FAQs
What do the numbers on brown hair dye mean?
The first number is the depth, from 1 (black) to 10 (lightest blonde). The numbers or letters after it describe the tone, such as .0 natural, .1 ash, .3 gold, .4 copper, .5 mahogany and .7 brown.
Which levels are brunette?
Brunette shades usually sit between level 2 (darkest brown) and level 6 (dark blonde, which reads as light brown on many people).
What is the difference between 4/0 and 5/0?
Both are natural browns. 4/0 is a medium brown and 5/0 is a light brown, one level lighter.
What does N mean in Joico Lumishine?
N stands for natural. Joico uses letters for tone, such as N natural, A ash, G gold, C copper, RR red red and VV violet violet.
What is the difference between permanent and demi-permanent brown colour?
Permanent colour lifts and deposits for full grey coverage and lasts until it grows out. Demi-permanent deposits colour without lightening and fades gradually over several weeks.
Which brunette colour is best for grey coverage?
Permanent lines such as Wella Illumina Color, Joico Lumishine Permanent Creme Color, FarmaVita Life Color Plus, Natural Look Luminart and Color On are designed for grey coverage. Natural (.0 or N) shades usually cover best.
What is Wella Color Touch?
Color Touch is Wella Professionals' demi-permanent colour line, used for toning, shine and blending. Brown shades include 5/0, 5/1, 5/3, 4/5 and 55/07.
What is Wella Illumina Color?
Illumina Color is Wella Professionals' permanent colour known for a luminous, natural-looking result. We stock brown shades including 4/, 5/, 5/7 and 5/81.
What is Wella Shinefinity?
Shinefinity is Wella Professionals' zero-lift glaze for shine and tone. Brown shades include 04/07 Bitter Chocolate, 04/0 Natural Espresso, 05/3 Honey Chocolate and 05/37 Caramel Espresso.
What is Joico Lumishine?
Lumishine is Joico's colour line, available as Permanent Creme Color and Liquid Demi. We stock more than 50 Lumishine brown and black shades.
What is FarmaVita Life Color Plus?
Life Color Plus is FarmaVita's permanent cream colour. We stock over 40 brown and brown-toned shades, from 3.0 Dark Brown to chocolate, ash, copper and mahogany browns.
What is Natural Look Luminart?
Luminart is Natural Look's permanent cream colour line, with a standard range and an Ammonia Free range in brown shades such as 3/0, 4/0 and 5/0.
Do you sell ammonia-free brown hair colour?
Yes. The Natural Look Luminart Ammonia Free range includes natural, iridescent, copper, red and mahogany browns.
What is Color On hair colour?
Color On makes permanent hair colour in 100ml tubes. Brown shades include 2.00 Darkest Brown, 4.23 Tobacco Brown and 5.77 Light Chocolate Brown.
What is a chocolate brown?
Chocolate browns combine brown and slightly warm or neutral tones for a rich, deep result. Examples include FarmaVita 5.35, Color On 5.77 and Wella Shinefinity 04/07 Bitter Chocolate.
What is an ash brown?
Ash browns have cool, smoky tones that neutralise warmth and brassiness. Look for .1 or A in the shade name.
What is a mahogany brown?
Mahogany browns have a red-violet tone that adds richness. Look for .5 in the shade name, such as FarmaVita 4.5 or Wella Color Touch 4/5.
How do I stop brown hair going brassy?
Use an ash brown shade when colouring, wash with a colour-safe or blue-toned shampoo, and refresh with a cool mask such as Wella Color Fresh Mask Cool Espresso.
What is Wella Color Fresh Mask?
Color Fresh Mask is a colour-depositing conditioning mask from Wella Professionals. Chocolate Touch adds warm brown tone and Cool Espresso adds cool, dark brown tone.
What is a CC Color Cream?
Brelil CC Color Cream is a colour-depositing conditioning cream. Brown shades include Chocolate, Caramel Chestnut and Extra Dark Mahogany.
What is Affinage Gloss Liquid Demi?
It is a demi-permanent liquid gloss from Affinage. Brown shades include 4.0 Medium Brown, 5.023 Light Toffee Brown and 6.036 Dark Chocolate Blonde.
Can I cover grey roots between colours?
Yes. L'Oreal Professionnel Hair Touch Up Root Concealer Spray comes in Brown, Light Brown and Mahogany and washes out with shampoo.
What are hair fibres?
L3VEL3 Hair Fibres Brown are fine coloured fibres that cling to hair to make thinning areas look fuller. They wash out with shampoo.
Do I need developer with brown hair dye?
Permanent and most demi-permanent professional colours need a developer from the same brand. Check the mixing ratio on the product page.
Which developer strength should I use?
This depends on the brand and the result you want. 20 volume is common for grey coverage and one level of lift; demi lines often use a low-volume activator. Follow the brand's instructions.
Can I go from blonde to brown?
Yes, but very light or bleached hair may need a filler or pre-pigmentation step so the brown does not look flat or green. A colourist can advise.
Can I go from dark brown to light brown with box-style colour?
Colour cannot lift colour. If your hair has been coloured darker, you will usually need a colour remover or lightener first. See a colourist for big changes.
Should I colour my hair wet or dry?
Most permanent colours are applied to dry, unwashed hair. Some demi-permanent glosses are applied to damp hair. Follow the brand's directions.
How long should I leave brown hair colour on?
Processing time varies by brand, usually 20 to 45 minutes. Always follow the time on the product page or instructions.
Do I need a patch test?
Yes. Do a patch test 48 hours before each colour application, even with a brand you have used before.
How long does demi-permanent brown colour last?
Demi-permanent colour usually lasts around 4 to 6 weeks, fading gradually with each wash.
How can I make brown colour last longer?
Wash with cooler water, use sulfate-free or colour-safe shampoo, protect hair from heat and sun, and use a colour-depositing mask every week or two.
Will brown colour cover red or copper tones?
A natural or ash brown helps neutralise unwanted warmth. For strong copper, choose an ash or blue-ash shade.
Can I mix two brown shades?
Professionals often mix shades within the same brand and line to create a custom tone. Do not mix different brands.
How many tubes do I need?
One 60ml to 100ml tube usually covers regrowth or short hair. Medium to long hair may need two. Check each product's mixing guide.
Is brown hair colour suitable for men?
Yes. Natural and ash browns work well for blending grey in men's hair and beards. Demi-permanent shades give a softer, natural result.
Is this colour for professional use?
Many of these lines are professional salon colours. They can be bought by anyone, but follow the instructions carefully and see a colourist for complex work.
Why are there bright colours in the brunette collection?
A few Crazy Color fashion shades also appear in this collection. For bright colours, see our Crazy Color and Semi-Permanent Hair Colour collections.
What colour-care products suit brunettes?
Colour-safe shampoos and conditioners, Wella Color Fresh Masks and Brelil CC Creams help keep brown tones rich and glossy.
Which brunette products are best sellers at Zilion?
Wella Professionals Color Fresh Mask Cool Espresso is a top seller, along with Natural Look Luminart browns such as Ammonia Free 4/0 Medium Brown and 5/00 Intense Light Brown.
Is Zilion an official stockist of these hair colour brands?
Yes. Zilion is an official NZ stockist of every brand in this collection, from Wella Professionals and Joico to FarmaVita and Natural Look.
Are the hair colours you sell genuine?
Yes. As an official stockist we only sell genuine products.
How much does shipping cost?
Shipping is free on NZ orders over $85. Orders under $85 cost a flat $7.99 to metro and rural addresses.
How long does delivery take?
In-stock orders placed before 9am are dispatched the same business day. Metro deliveries take 1 to 4 business days and rural deliveries 3 to 7.
Can I pay with Afterpay or Zip?
Yes. Afterpay and Zip are both available at checkout.
Can I return a product I have opened?
No. For hygiene reasons, opened or used products cannot be returned unless they are faulty.
What is your returns policy for unopened items?
Unopened, unused items in original packaging can be returned within 30 days for a change of mind. Return postage and a restocking fee of $10 or 10% (whichever is less) apply.
What if my order arrives leaking or damaged?
Email care@zilion.co.nz within 5 days of delivery with your order number and photos. We will arrange a replacement or refund.
Do you deliver to PO Boxes or overseas?
No. Our couriers do not deliver cosmetics to PO Boxes, and we ship within New Zealand only.
Who can I ask for help choosing a brown shade?
Email care@zilion.co.nz with your current colour, any previous colouring and the shade you want, and our team will help you choose.
Browse all Hair Colour, compare Permanent Hair Colour and Semi-Permanent Hair Colour, or explore Copper Hair Colour and Black Hair Colour.