22 Light Brown Hair Color Ideas to Spruce Up Your Natural Shade

We predict that “Cinnamon Swirl” is going to be huge, as celebs like Zendaya and Priyanka Chopra are already rocking the hue. As Kim told us in a previous story, this shade embodies “the warm and cozy vibes of the season. Its rich, earthy tones evoke feelings of comfort and the changing colors of the leaves.” To achieve the color, a stylist uses the balayage method and mixes three tones together (i.e, cinnamon, copper and caramel).

Bronde will always be a tried-and-true shade, so adding balayage to the mix is a smart move, because it allows the color to grow out more seamlessly. As one stylist previously told us, the hair color is pretty customizable. “It allows natural brunettes to adjust the tone of their hair to be warmer or cooler, and it sits right in the middle of the hair color spectrum, so a variation of this shade works for most clients,” said Papnikolas.

From Kaia Gerber to Anne Hathaway, celebs are loving this light brown hair color. “Chestnut Brunette is luminous and reflective, which is a departure from the subdued, ash brown tones from seasons past,” said Perkins. To achieve the shade, a stylist will mix mahogany, golden and copper tones together before applying it directly to your strands.

When it comes to light brown hair, highlights are the best way to brighten up your look. As Pignatare explains, “When I paint on a brunette, I always stay on the surface, so I don’t expose too much warmth.” To maintain the shade, moisture is key, so invest in nourishing styling products to strengthen strands and safeguard your color.

Like we said, bronde will never go out of style—just look at supermodel Gisele Bündchen for proof. To get the timeless color, “a semi permanent rinse (with a mixture of dark blonde and light brown) is applied throughout the hair. It can easily be achieved if someone is already blonde and wants to darken their natural shade,” says Dorram.

If you’re interested in trying a honey brown hair color, just show your stylist any picture of Beyoncé. It’s been the singer’s staple hue for years and we definitely see the appeal. “The base of this look is a warm brown with honey highlights. Golden tones are placed on top to give the hair a goddess feel,” says Tang. To maintain the color, the expert recommends using a hydrating conditioner to reduce color fading and a heat protectant to minimize damage.

Ombré was all the rage in the mid-2000s and it continues to be a favorite in 2023. If you want to enjoy being both a brunette and a blonde, this technique blends the two hues together beautifully. As Tang explains, your stylist will begin with a solid color base before gradually lightening the hair, starting at the midpoint. “The ends should be the lightest color and everything should flow smoothly [throughout the hair],” he adds.

As mentioned, highlights can be a great addition to light brown hair. To recreate Jessica Alba’s signature look, Tang says it'll come down to the mixture. “Rich golden or cinnamon highlights on top of a brunette base will create the caramel hair color,” he says. The expert also mentioned this hair color works best for wavy to curly hair because it offers movement and shape, so raking a styling cream through will define your caramel curls.

“This neutral light brown is as close to a natural light brown as possible. Depending on one’s natural color, it may require [using a] permanent color to lighten locks or a semi-permanent color to tone down your old shade,” explains Dorram. “The look is rich and super natural—plus, hair will look healthy and shiny.”

This shade is similar to the honey-toned hue (see: #14), but it gets brighter over time. “This color is achieved naturally on a brown base when your hair is exposed to the elements like the sun, sea or wind over a long period of time,” says Dorram. “The ends of the hair will warm up slightly and the base shade will lift, giving it a glow.” To get the look in a salon, your stylist will weave in highlights that are two to three shades lighter than your natural base. She adds, “This color is pretty low-maintenance and can last for up to four months [without touch ups].”

“This is a universal light brown we see on lighter brunettes. It usually falls between light neutral brown and medium brown,” says Dorram. “This is a great color because you can lighten or deepen it, depending on the direction you want to go.” To prevent brassiness, Dorram suggests using a sulfate-free shampoo and a nourishing conditioner to maintain the shade's vibrancy and overall health of your hair.

“With light natural brown as the undertone, the cinnamon in this shade doesn’t get too orange. This color is perfect for the seasonal shift from fall into winter and looks fabulous on warm skin tones,” says Friedag. As Eva Mendez shows us, this tone isn't too intense—even for those who prefer a more natural look. Friedag recommends a demi-permanent hair color that leans more towards light auburn (or a rose gold hue if you want to go lighter). She also suggests that a hair gloss can keep your reddish brown color vibrant between appointments.

Additional Things to Know

What Is Considered Light Brown Hair? 

When it comes to the color wheel, you can think of light brown hair as being smack dab in the middle. As Tang explains, “Light brown hair has hints of gold and may even appear blonde in certain lighting. It’s a balanced mix of brunette and blonde tones, which is perfect for those who are indecisive.” 

How to Maintain Light Brown Hair

All of the experts we interviewed say your wash and styling products are crucial. Some key players to have in your routine include a heat protectant, a leave-in conditioner, and of course, a sulfate-free shampoo and a nourishing conditioner. “Light brown hair can easily fade when it's exposed to too much heat, so try to avoid overusing heat tools and always apply heat protectant when you do use them. It’s so important to maintain your color,” says Tang.

Another great tip from our stylists? Invest in a hair gloss treatment. As Perry notes, “Hair gloss treatments are great for enhancing hair color and maintaining natural shine.” Whether you try one at the salon or do one straight at home, this bi-weekly step can help refresh your color and improve the overall health of your hair. 

How to Find a Light Brown Hair Shade That Works for You

For starters, we recommend booking a consultation with your stylist. They can walk you through different options until you find your desired shade. They can also guide you through more specific questions that you may not have considered like whether you should get highlights or lowlights? Should you try a few face-framing pieces to brighten your look or do a complete overhaul with a trendy all-over shade like “Cowboy Copper?” Remember: Communication is key.

You might also want to find a hair color that complements your skin tone. If you have fair skin, try cool-toned shades like ash blonde and light cool brown. If you have tan or olive skin, or a darker complexion, consider warm-toned shades like chocolate brown with subtle blonde highlights and caramel brown. And with that, go forth and pick out a light brown hair color to try out.