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30 Light Brown Hair Colors for Fall, From Brunette to Bronde and Beyond
Lighten up.
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@cwoodhair/Instagram
Blondes may have more fun (allegedly), but brunettes have way less maintenance to worry about. And less time spent in the salon chair equates to way more time for fun. So… who’s really winning after all?
Since effortless upkeep and versatility are at the top of our beauty requirement list these days, we looked into all the ways to wear a light brown hair color. Our findings? Light brown hair is pure magic. Whether it’s Beyoncé’s golden brown bob or Lily Collins’s sand-hued tresses, celebs are leading the way for the color.
“The most flattering shades tend to be within two shades of your natural color,” says colorist George Papanikolas. Below, discover 31 light brown hair colors to inspire your next look along with expert insight from Papanikolas and hairstylist Larisa Love.
Lit-From-Within Brown
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@zendaya/Instagram
There’s highlighted hair and then there’s Zendaya’s light brown, lit-from-within tresses. The gorgeous shade radiates with an internal glow courtesy of darker lowlights.
Honey Brown
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Starting with her raven roots and melding into a honey brown bob, Beyoncé’s undulating texture adds some flair to her already chic look. To get the perfect waves on short hair, try the T3 Single Pass Curling Iron.
Sun-Kissed Auburn
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@colorbymattrez/Instagram
Auburn walks a fine line between red and brown shades, making it an ideal candidate for those transitioning to lighter brown territory. This sun-kissed hue, created with hand-painted baby lights, is a stunning choice for anyone wanting to dial up the warmth without being to honeyed.
Luxe Brown
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@chrisappleton1/Instagram
If you want a light brown hue that just screams expensive, look no further than any J. Lo hair moment. The gloss! The dimension! Hair master, Chris Appleton’s perfected blend! What more can we say?
Light Brown Ombré
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Though Brit beauty Alexa Chung has gone darker with her hair, we’re still not over this perfect light brown color. Her dark-to-light brown ombré is subtle but showcases a bit of her signature edge.
Linen Brown
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@brycescarlett/Instagram
What do you get when you blend ashy tones with a light brown base? Linen brown. Lily-Rose Depp’s ultra-glossy waves showcase the color beautifully. Just remember, neutral taupe or beige undertones are the key to creating this look.
Neutral Brown
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Jessica Biel’s long, glossy waves are California beach girl meets Hollywood starlet. “Light brown can complement any skin tone, but the underlining pigment is what’s important,” Love says. “Skin tone is a key factor in choosing the right shade of brunette.”
Cherry Cola
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@shaymitchell/Instagram
The cherry cola hair trend tends to favor deeper, more vibrant hues of mahogany and plum. Shay Mitchell’s iteration, however, offers a lighter and far more approachable option for those who prefer light brown hues.
Light Brown With Blonde Highlights
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@priyankachopra/Instagram
Priyanka Chopra Jonas is giving us serious ’70s vibes and we’re all for it. This iteration of feathered hair favors blonde highlights that add dimension and brighten her complexion.
Gradient Brown
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Emily Blunt is known to oscillate between light and dark tresses, but this gradient brown number has us rooting for team brunette. Loose, face-framing tendrils add softness to this style while copper eyeshadow pairs perfectly with her baby blues.
Caramel Brown
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@joansmalls/Instagram
It’s always exciting to check in on model Joan Smalls, because you truly never know what hair color she’ll be trying next. While she’s prone to versatility, Smalls most often rocks dark brown hair, so the addition of caramel streaks seen here is a fun statement.
Warm-Toned Light Brown
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@ashleyparklady/Instagram
Ashley Park proves that light brown hair is glamorous. By wearing her tresses long and with a slight wave, she takes them from ordinary to extraordinary. For similar texture and undulating definition, try spritzing Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray from mid-lengths to ends.
Tiger’s Eye
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We can’t decide what we like more: Ciara’s soft feathery fringe or her tiger’s eye hair color with multidimensional hues. “Dark hair that is going lighter always pulls warm, so unless you want a coppery-brown, it’s important to use an ash tone to balance out and neutralize the unwanted orange tones,” says Papanikolas.
You can preserve color by washing hair less frequently and waiting a full 72 hours after a color treatment before shampooing and conditioning.
Light Brown Sombré
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Chrissy Teigen has been a pioneer of the light-brown hair trend, and it’s easy to see why. We love how the soft, sweeping waves in her long bob perfectly drape around her glowing skin.
Cinnamon Brown
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@haileybieber/Instagram
Hailey Bieber is the reigning queen of gourmand beauty trends. Glazed manicures took the nail space by storm, and her cinnamon cookie butter hair debut also deserves considerable recognition. To achieve the look, ask your colorist for a “gingery-brown” mix of deep golds, coppers, and lighter browns.
Mushroom Brown
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Laverne Cox’s cool-toned take on light brown has us swearing off shades with “honey” in the name for the foreseeable future. Her sleek, wet-look bob seriously elevates the color.
Brown Balayage
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Natalie Portman is one of Hollywood’s most consistent supporters of light brown hair. In this Oscar-worthy look, she adds dimension to her chic bob with brown balayage. Maintenance-wise, this color requires minimal upkeep.
Bronde
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Gisele Bündchen is always seen with hair that’s dyed varying shades of “bronde,” or a brown/blonde hybrid color. Here, it’s more brown than blonde, but her soft and subtle highlights could make you do a double-take.
Illuminated Brown
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Every photo taken of Sofia Vergara looks like it could be used for a luxury shampoo ad. Her long brown locks with subtle highlights are the picture of hair health. To get her next-level shine, invest in some hair oil.
Bronde Highlights
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We can’t get over Nina Agdal’s super soft blonde highlights. They meld into the rest of her brown hair so perfectly. To keep color in tip-top shape, at-home care is essential. Love’s product picks? Joico Defy Damage Shampoo and Conditioner and K-PAK Color Therapy Luster Lock Spray.
Cedar Brown
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@chrisappleton1/Instagram
When it comes to her hair, it’s no secret that Kim Kardashian likes to experiment with different colors and styles. But here, she wears her long cedar brown tresses straight for a classic look. It’s simple, yet statement-making.
Golden Brown
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While Cara Delevingne is known for her blonde hair and dark, thick eyebrows, we are loving this light-brown hair moment. The golden brown hue radiates warmth making her effortless waves just that more beach-y.
Chestnut Brown Melt
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Gemma Chan is pictured here sporting a long, brunette shade with nearly black roots and much lighter brown ends. The subtle color melt creates depth and looks especially great with a slight wave.
Sandy Brown
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@lilyjcollins/Instagram
We’re always in awe of Lily Collins, but this face-framing cut in a gorgeous pale brown color leaves us especially mesmerized. As for that red lip? So Emily in Paris.
Although there are natural ways to lighten your hair, in order to avoid damage and any unwanted surprises, you may want to ditch the DIY solution. “There are so many factors when choosing the right shade and type of color technology that it’s really recommended to see a professional to get the best result,” says Papanikolas.
Hazel Brown
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Whether she’s rocking long hair or this curly crop, Tyra Banks’s hair is always fierce. The combination of golden-flecked highlights and blown-out curls add dimension and interest to this understated cut—not to mention, the color seems to match perfectly with her hazel eyes.
Tawny Brown
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@khloekardashian/Instagram
Khloe Kardashian may be favoring brighter blonde hues at the moment, but this tawny mane was once an exquisite choice for her skin tone. Luminous highlights emit a sunkissed feel while long layers add some texture to the effortless style.
California Brown
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@kaiagerber/Instagram
Leave it to a California girl to serve the coolest rendition of light brown hair. The irony? All that cool factor comes from the subtle warmth achieved through highlights that only vary one to two shades from the deeper base tone.
Cafe Au Lait
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Lucy Hale’s bendy waves are visually effortless. And since the light brown shade is not too far off from her natural hair color, maintenance is a breeze. In fact, dark grown-out roots feel intentional and only add to this look’s casual-cool vibe.
Tortoiseshell
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Jessica Alba, to us, is basically the poster child for light brown tortoiseshell hair. She’s been rocking the color for years, and it always looks fresh, light, and youthful. Here, her soft brown and caramel tones beautifully complement her skin’s olive undertones.
Bronzed Brown
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Miranda Kerr’s light brown hair looks best when styled in a wavy, textured lob. The key to this look is volume, which Kerr has at the roots of her hair. Try using Ouai Thickening and Volume Spray for a similar boost.
Source URL: https://www.byrdie.com/light-brown-hair-color-ideas-11829467
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