30 Light Brown Hair Colors for Fall, From Brunette to Bronde and Beyond

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30 Light Brown Hair Colors for Fall, From Brunette to Bronde and Beyond

Lighten up.

Mia Goth with her light brown hair.Mia Goth with her light brown hair.

@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.

01of 30

Lit-From-Within Brown

Zendaya wears a bob hairstyle with dark brown roots and honey and caramel highlightsZendaya wears a bob hairstyle with dark brown roots and honey and caramel highlights

@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.

02of 30

Honey Brown

Beyonce with light honey brown bobBeyonce with light honey brown bob

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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.

03of 30

Sun-Kissed Auburn

Sun-kissed auburn hairSun-kissed auburn hair

@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.

04of 30

Luxe Brown

J Lo with bouncy light brown hair J Lo with bouncy light brown hair

@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?

05of 30

Light Brown Ombré

Alexa Chung with light brown ombreAlexa Chung with light brown ombre
Alexa Chung.

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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.

06of 30

Linen Brown

Lily-Rose Depp with mushroom blonde hairLily-Rose Depp with mushroom blonde hair

@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.

07of 30

Neutral Brown

Jessical Biel wavy light brown hair with headbandJessical Biel wavy light brown hair with headband

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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.”

08of 30

Cherry Cola

Shay Mitchell with cherry cola light brown hairShay Mitchell with cherry cola light brown hair

@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.

09of 30

Light Brown With Blonde Highlights

Priyanka Chopra with '70s feathered light brown hairPriyanka Chopra with '70s feathered light brown hair

@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.

10of 30

Gradient Brown

Emily Blunt with light brown hair updoEmily Blunt with light brown hair updo

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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.

11of 30

Caramel Brown

Joan Smalls with long, light brown hairJoan Smalls with long, light brown hair

@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.

12of 30

Warm-Toned Light Brown

Ashley Park with long light brown hairAshley Park with long light brown hair

@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.

13of 30

Tiger’s Eye

Ciara with Light Brown tigers-eye hairCiara with Light Brown tigers-eye hair

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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.

14of 30

Light Brown Sombré

Chrissy Teigen with light brown lobChrissy Teigen with light brown lob

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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.

15of 30

Cinnamon Brown

Hailey Bieber with short light brown cookie butter colored hairHailey Bieber with short light brown cookie butter colored hair

@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.

16of 30

Mushroom Brown

Laverne Xox with wet-look mushroom brown hairLaverne Xox with wet-look mushroom brown hair

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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.

17of 30

Brown Balayage

Natalie Portman with light Brown Hair in wavy bobNatalie Portman with light Brown Hair in wavy bob

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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.

18of 30

Bronde

Gisele Bundchen with light brown bronde hairGisele Bundchen with light brown bronde hair

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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.

19of 30

Illuminated Brown

Sofia Vergara with long, glossy light brown hairSofia Vergara with long, glossy light brown hair

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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.

20of 30

Bronde Highlights

Nina Agdal with light brown hairNina Agdal with light brown hair

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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.

21of 30

Cedar Brown

Kim Kardashian with long, straight light brown hairKim Kardashian with long, straight light brown hair

@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.

22of 30

Golden Brown

Cara Delevingne with gold light brown hairCara Delevingne with gold light brown hair

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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.

23of 30

Chestnut Brown Melt

Gemma Chan with light chestnut brown hairGemma Chan with light chestnut brown hair

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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.

24of 30

Sandy Brown

Lily Collins with glossy light brown hair with face-framing bangsLily Collins with glossy light brown hair with face-framing bangs

@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.

25of 30

Hazel Brown

Tyra Banks with hazel light brown hairTyra Banks with hazel light brown hair

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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.

26of 30

Tawny Brown

Khloe Kardashian with long honey brown hair and blunt bangs.Khloe Kardashian with long honey brown hair and blunt bangs.

@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.

27of 30

California Brown

Kaia Gerber with light brown hair and mussed textureKaia Gerber with light brown hair and mussed texture

@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.

28of 30

Cafe Au Lait

Lucy Hale with light brown textured lobLucy Hale with light brown textured lob

@bridgetbragerhair/Instagram

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.

29of 30

Tortoiseshell

Jessica Alba with light brown tortoiseshell blowoutJessica Alba with light brown tortoiseshell blowout

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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.

30of 30

Bronzed Brown

Miranda Kerr with light Brown HairMiranda Kerr with light Brown Hair

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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.

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Source URL: https://www.byrdie.com/light-brown-hair-color-ideas-11829467


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