From mocha to caramel, L’Oréal Professionnel’s Iconic Browns are the hair color trend of 2025

In the world of beauty, trends come and go, but some colours transcend time. Browns, with their innate sophistication and versatility, have emerged as the definitive colour story of 2025. L’Oréal Professionnel is championing this shift with the iNOA Iconic Browns campaign, an ode to the earthy palette that celebrates individuality and redefines hair transformations.

Brown hues are experiencing a surge in popularity, trending both in salons and online searches for fashionable hair colours. Consumers are increasingly drawn to “fashion coverage"—a technique that provides effective coverage while simultaneously offering a subtle yet transformative aesthetic. This trend reflects a growing willingness to experiment with fashionable hair colours, and brown shades cater perfectly to this demand.

Following the vibrant red hair colour trend of 2024, L’Oréal Professionnel is poised to introduce iconic browns as the defining hair colour trend of 2025. This shift reflects a profound understanding of evolving beauty perceptions, particularly among women in India, who seek a harmonious balance between timeless elegance and personalised expression. With a diverse portfolio of shades across iNOA, Majirel, and Dia ranges—encompassing everything from warm caramels to rich mochas and deep cherry brunettes—L’Oréal Professionnel’s campaign showcases the versatility of brown, effortlessly bridging the gap between natural beauty and bold, individual style.

Why browns are having a moment

Browns occupy a unique space in the world of beauty. Universally flattering yet understated, the shade resonates deeply with a diverse audience. This is especially true in India, where beauty standards have historically been tied to notions of subtlety and tradition.

Mathilde Barthélemy-Vigier, General Manager of L’Oréal Professionnel India, notes, “Browns beautifully complement Indian skin tones, and our extensive portfolio is ideally suited to the diversity of Indian hair textures and complexions.” Commenting on the trend, she adds, “This 2025 hair colour trend, Iconic Browns, embodies versatility, sophistication, richness, and luminosity—everything a colour consumer desires. It's also the perfect entry point for those hesitant about colour, offering a reassuring transition from basic coverage to more fashionable shades in salons." 

“Achieving these stunning results while prioritising hair health is made possible by iNOA's exclusive ODS² (Oil Delivery System) technology. 

This innovative oil-based, ammonia-free formula maximises colour performance while minimising stress on the hair fibre, ensuring a luxurious, comfortable salon experience with radiant, long-lasting results. 

iNOA Iconic Browns seamlessly blends cutting-edge technology with the most coveted shades of the season.”

A star-studded celebration of browns

Empowering people looking to opt for this colour palette, L’Oréal Professionnel is offering a range of intriguing browns—Caramel, Beige, Mocha, and cherry brunette. Partnering with some of the most influential women from Bollywood and the digital world, the leading player in hair colours is showcasing the versatility of browns and how they can complement a range of Indian skin tones.

Keerthy Suresh, the celebrated South Indian actress with over 18 million Instagram followers, has embraced a rich cherry brunette hue, adding a bold yet natural pop to her signature style.

Kusha Kapila, Actor & Content Creator, has taken the trend a step further with a luxurious caramel brown shade that perfectly complements her playful yet sophisticated persona.

Actor and former Miss India, Sonal Chauhan, has transitioned into her soft girl era with a dreamy mocha that gives her a timeless yet fresh look. 

 

Meanwhile, Alizeh, the Gen Z rising star, has opted for a beige brown that speaks to her youthful, vibrant energy.

These transformations are a testament to the beauty of browns—how they can transcend fashion and embrace individuality, offering a personalised way of expression that ranges from bold and daring to soft and refined.

L’Oréal Professionnel Artistic Ambassador, Dhruv Abichandani, shares his enthusiasm for #IconicBrowns: “L’Oréal Professionnel has a remarkable approach to everything they do, from launching innovative products and colour trends to elevating the hairdressing industry as a whole. They truly are at the forefront of our field. I'm thrilled to be part of the Iconic Browns trend launch campaign and thoroughly enjoyed working with my muse, Sonal Chauhan. After a detailed consultation, we chose mocha—a shade perfectly suited to her personality and profession. She carries off the look with incredible chic. This is the beauty of the brown family—it's incredibly versatile and difficult to go wrong with. Whether you prefer bold or subtle, there's so much room for creativity. It's an exciting palette for hairdressers to explore and showcase their artistry.”

 

Priya Kasthuri Rangan, L’Oréal Professionnel Head of Education, comments on the trend: “At L’Oréal Professionnel, we recognise the uniqueness of every client's hair and needs. Our comprehensive portfolio, featuring the ammonia-free iNOA, vibrant Majirel, and gloss-enhancing Dia, empowers stylists to craft personalised looks that prioritise hair health while delivering exceptional colour. From cool to warm, light to deep, there's an iconic brown for every skin tone, hair texture, and season. That's why we believe brown is the ultimate expression of timeless beauty, perfectly suited to every individual and occasion. 

To elevate this trend, we've introduced innovative colouring techniques and creative placement of high- and lowlights, which adds unparalleled dimension and life to these shades. By combining modern sectioning with classic blending methods, we ensure seamlessly blended, beautiful colour. We're actively training stylists and colourists on these cutting-edge techniques, empowering them to leverage our comprehensive portfolio and create truly iconic looks.”

The science (and technology) behind the shade

What sets this campaign apart is its intersection of artistry and technology.  L’Oréal Professionnel’s iNOA hair colour range, powered by an ammonia-free, oil-based formula, delivers a gentle yet highly effective colouring experience. iNOA's innovative ODS² (Oil Delivery System) technology optimises color penetration for true-to-tone, long-lasting results, respecting the curl pattern, while hydrating the scalp. (This means not only beautiful color but also improved shine, smoothness, and overall hair health. With iNOA, clients can enjoy the best of both worlds: fashion-forward colour without compromise.

Integral to this experience is the My Hair [iD] app, an AI-powered tool that reimagines the way women approach hair colour. With its virtual try-on feature and personalised consultations, it removes the uncertainty often associated with hair transformations. 

Barthélemy-Vigier, General Manager of L’Oréal Professionnel India, notes, “In a market predominantly focused on grey coverage, the hesitation among younger women to experiment with hair colour often stems from uncertainty about the outcomes. The revolutionary, AI-powered My Hair ID app helps break this barrier, personalising beauty and empowering women with the freedom of self-expression.”

To get a hair color transformation visit your nearest L’Oréal Professionnel salon click here. 

Bold, beautiful, and unapologetically brown

Browns are more than a fleeting trend—they’re a statement of authenticity. In a world that often pushes extremes, the subtle yet striking power of brown is a reminder that beauty can be both bold and understated.

In 2025, browns are no longer just a safe option—they are the boldest choice you can make. They invite experimentation, celebrate diversity, and, most importantly, offer every woman a shade that feels uniquely hers.

So, whether you’re ready to embrace a mocha glow or test the waters with caramel, this is the year to explore the transformative power of brown with L’Oréal Professionnel. After all, some trends aren’t meant to fade—they’re meant to evolve with you.