The old saying that blondes have more fun? Let’s leave that myth in the past. Over the past year, many of the most iconic and eye-catching hairstyles have been rocked by brunettes—both natural and experimental (we see you, temporary color queens). And why not? Brown hair offers incredible versatility and depth, making it one of the most exciting color choices in modern beauty.
From golden amber to jet-black raven, sombré gradients to deep espresso tones, a well-done brunette color transformation has the power to elevate any look. Brown hair isn’t just a single shade—it’s a spectrum, with something for everyone.
Chocolate Brown
It’s no surprise Zendaya, a natural hair advocate and style icon, became CHI’s first celebrity brand ambassador. Her luscious chocolate-brown locks embody timeless elegance and strength, proving that natural beauty is always in style. To replicate her glossy, rich strands, try using CHI Argan Oil Plus Moringa Oil Conditioner to nourish and enhance shine. Chocolate brown is perfect for anyone seeking a deep, versatile brunette shade that flatters virtually every skin tone and adds effortless sophistication.
Honey-Hued Bronde
Whether you call it bronde or dirty blonde, Sofía Vergara’s honey-toned locks are proof that this warm, glowing shade is a year-round winner. The seamless blend of blonde and brunette tones creates a soft, sunlit effect that flatters a variety of complexions. This color is especially great for anyone transitioning between lighter and darker shades, offering a playful, dimensional look. Pair it with loose waves to enhance the blend of tones and achieve a radiant, carefree vibe.
Ash Brown
Lily Rose-Depp’s ash brown hair strikes the perfect balance between light brown and bronde, delivering a cool, understated style. This all-over, tonal look skips traditional highlights in favor of a smooth, even finish. The ashy undertones create a muted elegance, making this shade ideal for those who prefer a subtle, natural vibe over bold color contrasts. For an ultra-sleek finish, use a smoothing serum to maintain the silky texture and refined appearance of this modern shade.
Medium Brown with Balayage Highlights
Lily Aldridge’s medium brown balayage is a work of art, blending soft highlights that mimic natural sun-kissed strands. This technique lightens brown hair without the intensity of full-blown highlights, creating a seamless, understated transition. Perfect for those who want to add dimension and brightness to their brunette locks, this look combines low-maintenance upkeep with high-impact style. Balayage works beautifully on wavy or straight hair, highlighting movement and depth.
Glossy Rich Espresso
Think of this shade as the ultimate in brunette luxury. With voluminous waves and an enviable high-gloss finish, a rich espresso color brings depth and shine to any look. This shade is perfect for those who love a natural yet elevated appearance. The deep brown tones flatter a wide range of skin tones, making it a versatile choice for both everyday wear and special occasions. For that ultra-glossy finish, use a shine-enhancing serum or a gloss treatment to keep your strands looking radiant and healthy.
Light Chestnut Brown
Jessica Alba’s light chestnut locks prove that a lived-in, slightly messy style can be effortlessly stunning. This warm, earthy tone enhances her natural complexion while showcasing subtle dimension. The messy-on-purpose strands make the look feel relaxed and approachable, ideal for those who embrace low-maintenance, natural hair. Pair this shade with loose waves or a tousled texture to highlight its warm chestnut undertones. For maintenance, try a color-safe shampoo to keep the tone vibrant and fresh.
Brunette-Meets-Bronde
This brunette-meets-bronde look blends darker roots with soft blonde highlights, creating a stunning contrast that’s subtle yet impactful. The highlights seamlessly integrate into the darker base without harsh lines, offering a natural, sunlit effect. This color is perfect for anyone looking for a low-maintenance option that grows out gracefully. The combination of brunette depth and blonde brightness creates a soft, dimensional style guaranteed to turn heads.
Dark Brown with Caramel Undertones
Gemma Chan’s dark brown locks, subtly enhanced with caramel undertones, showcase how a touch of lightness can elevate a classic brunette shade. The mid-section’s slightly lighter tones create a soft, multi-dimensional effect without the stark contrast of traditional balayage. This understated blend is ideal for those seeking a natural, polished look with added depth. Pair it with soft waves to bring out the caramel accents, creating a sophisticated and timeless hairstyle.
Natural Dark Brown with Subtle Highlights
Adding delicate highlights throughout a dark brown base creates dimension and enhances natural waves. This understated style brings warmth and richness to the hair without dramatic contrast. Stylist Shalee Blatz explains, “Most brunettes want to be warm and rich, so golden tones are frequently mixed.” The subtle highlights also add depth, making this look perfect for those who prefer a low-key yet polished aesthetic. Pair it with loose waves to emphasize the interplay of light and dark tones.
Subtle Ombré
Shay Mitchell’s lengthy, flowing locks are the epitome of subtle ombré perfection. Starting at the very bottom of the hair, the gradient effect transitions seamlessly, offering just a touch of lightness without overwhelming the natural base. A few faint highlights are worked in to soften the look further, creating a natural, sun-kissed finish. This style is ideal for those who want an elegant, low-maintenance color that grows out gracefully.
Rich Brunette
Olivia Munn’s rich brunette shade is beautifully complemented by her haircut, featuring blunt ends and long layers toward the bottom. This combination allows for natural movement, preventing the color from appearing flat or one-dimensional. The deep brown tones exude elegance and versatility, making it a great option for any season. Add a smoothing serum for a sleek finish or soft waves for added texture and dimension.
Medium Brown
Falling perfectly between dark and light tones, medium brown is a universally flattering shade that suits a variety of skin tones. Paired with waves instead of straight locks, the natural highlights in the color catch the light beautifully, adding depth and dimension. This is a go-to option for those looking for a balanced, natural style that’s easy to maintain yet incredibly chic.
Honeyed Amber Curls
Khadijha Red Thunder’s honeyed amber curls are a masterclass in color dimension. These rich, bouncy ringlets blend light amber tones with chocolate brown hues, creating a vibrant, radiant look. The multi-dimensional layers of color enhance the texture of the curls, making them appear even more dynamic. Use a curl cream or defining gel to maintain the shape and ensure the color stays glossy and fresh. This style is ideal for curly-haired beauties looking to showcase their hair’s natural texture while adding a touch of warmth.
Medium Chestnut Brown
Kate Middleton’s signature bouncy blowout is the ultimate showcase for medium chestnut brown hair. This shade, with its subtle auburn undertones, adds warmth and brightness, perfectly complementing her complexion. The combination of warm and bright brunette tones creates an effortless, undone look that’s polished yet approachable. To achieve similar shine and dimension, use a high-gloss product for a reflective finish that keeps your hair looking salon-fresh.
Classic Balayage
Olivia Wilde’s classic balayage features perfectly blended streaks that highlight her facial features without overwhelming her natural brunette base. By starting the balayage mid-length instead of at the roots, the result mimics natural sun-kissed highlights, avoiding the harsh stripe effect. This technique is ideal for creating depth and movement while keeping maintenance low. Pair this look with soft waves to bring out the dimension and make the highlights pop.
Light Brown with Face-Framing Highlights
Halle Berry’s brunette hair shines with understated elegance thanks to light brown, face-framing highlights. These subtle additions brighten her complexion, giving her an effortless, lit-from-within glow. This look proves that small adjustments can make a significant impact. Stylist Kandasamy recommends visiting a salon for such delicate work, as achieving a seamless blend at home can be tricky. For a polished finish, style with a heat protectant and a touch of lightweight hair oil for extra gloss.
Light Chestnut
Naomi Campbell’s light chestnut base paired with honey-hued highlights creates a radiant, dimensional effect. Concentrating the lighter tones around the face enhances her features, adding warmth and brightness without overpowering the base color. This versatile look suits a variety of skin tones and works well with both sleek and wavy hairstyles. To maintain the vibrancy of this color, opt for a sulfate-free, color-protecting shampoo and conditioner.
Bronde
Kate Beckinsale’s bronde hair is a masterclass in balance. Combining her natural brunette base with lighter, face-framing highlights, this look offers dimension and warmth without leaning too far into blonde territory. The highlights mimic natural lowlights, creating a softer, more organic effect. Ideal for those who want to brighten their hair while keeping it natural, this color works beautifully with tousled waves or sleek, straight styles.
Coppery Light Brown
Alexa Chung’s coppery strands prove that brunettes don’t have to stick to traditional shades of brown. This color transitions from a brunette base at the roots to warm, coppery tones throughout the length, adding depth and vibrancy. Stylist Shalee Blatz recommends adding ash tones to balance the warmth if you prefer a more neutral brown. This shade is perfect for those who want a bold yet wearable color with a unique twist. Style it with soft waves to enhance the copper highlights for a radiant finish.
Solid Medium Brown
Maia Michelle’s sleek medium brown bob is proof that elegance doesn’t have to be complicated. With its clean, solid color and minimalist cut, this look is timeless and undeniably chic. The medium brown shade complements most skin tones, offering a balanced and versatile option for anyone who wants a polished, no-fuss style. Pair this look with straightened locks for a sleek finish or soft curls for added movement.
Golden Copper
Halsey’s golden copper-toned hair breathes new life into the traditional brunette palette. The warm, fiery hues radiate warmth, while berry-stained lips and bold red eye makeup amplify the dramatic effect. This look is perfect for those who love to make a statement with their hair. To maintain this vibrant shade, use color-protecting products and limit exposure to heat styling.
Honeyed Highlights
Jessica Alba’s honeyed highlights offer a subtle, dimensional touch that’s perfect for low-maintenance styles. These sun-kissed streaks blend seamlessly with her brunette base, creating a natural, radiant effect. This style is especially great for anyone transitioning into lighter shades, as the highlights grow out softly without harsh lines. Use a lightweight gloss treatment to enhance the brightness and keep the highlights looking fresh.
Painted-On Toffee
Add depth and light to chestnut locks with painted-on toffee streaks. This soft, light brown shade brings understated brightness, perfect for those who want a touch of dimension without a dramatic transformation. Ideal for complementing facial features, the toffee streaks give the hair a refreshed and vibrant appearance. Style with loose curls or waves to make the highlights stand out and create a playful, textured effect.
Dark Brown Sugar
Eiza González’s sleek middle-parted hair is a masterclass in elegance. The caramel mocha tones add warmth and shine, while the subtle face-framing highlights toward the ends create a soft, brightening effect. This style enhances cheekbones and pairs beautifully with flawless makeup. Perfect for those who want a polished yet approachable look, this color radiates sophistication. Use a gloss serum to maintain shine and emphasize the multi-tonal effect.
Medium Brown
Jessica Biel’s medium brown hair is proof that simplicity can be stunning. This natural-looking hue is versatile and perfect for anyone seeking a balanced, low-maintenance brunette shade. It complements a variety of skin tones while offering a healthy, understated glow. Pair this shade with soft waves to enhance its natural dimension.
Caramel
Taraji P. Henson’s caramel curls create a striking contrast against her darker roots, adding depth and a playful brightness to her look. This warm, rich tone is perfect for curly or textured hair, as the caramel hues highlight each curl’s movement. Use a curl-defining cream to keep your curls looking bouncy and vibrant while showcasing the caramel’s luminous warmth.
Cool Brown
Jamie Chung’s cool brown shade borders on blonde, creating a unique, dimensional look. The darker roots and thick brunette sections maintain its place in the brown spectrum, while the lighter hues add a modern, edgy touch. This color is perfect for those who love understated boldness. For added shine and smoothness, incorporate a lightweight smoothing serum into your routine.
Smoked Cherry
Smoked cherry is the perfect color for anyone curious about red but hesitant to fully commit. This subtle, cherry-toned brown is only visible under certain lighting, creating a mysterious, playful effect. It’s an excellent choice for brunettes looking to experiment with warmer tones. Use a color-depositing conditioner to keep the red undertones vibrant while maintaining the rich brunette base.
Sandy Brown
Natalie Portman’s sandy brown shade combines natural brunette tones with large swaths of highlights, creating a summery, sunlit effect. Concentrating the lighter color near the face brightens her features, giving her a fresh, youthful glow. This versatile color works well year-round but shines brightest in warmer months. For maintenance, opt for a purple-toning shampoo to prevent brassiness and keep the highlights luminous.
Midnight Brown
Vanessa Hudgens’ signature midnight brown locks are a striking example of how dark hair can make a bold statement. This deep, nearly-black shade is sleek, sultry, and perfect for those who prefer a monochromatic look. This all-over shade is versatile and works beautifully with both sleek straight hair and voluminous waves.
FAQs
1. How do I choose the right brown shade for my skin tone?
Fair skin suits light chestnut or honey brown, olive skin works well with espresso or chocolate tones, and warm skin pairs best with golden or caramel highlights.
2. How can I maintain the vibrancy of my brown hair color?
Use sulfate-free shampoo, limit heat styling, apply gloss treatments, and avoid daily washing to prevent fading.
3. Can I add highlights to brown hair without making it too dramatic?
Yes, try subtle balayage, face-framing highlights, or caramel tones for natural-looking dimension.
