Light brown hair color is a shade lighter than medium brown and the opposite of dark brown. It’s not too dark, not too light, but just right.
Below, I’ve put together pictures of the most popular pictures of light brown hair colors and various ways you can get them if you want something new. From highlights, ombres, balayage, lowlights, and color melts, you’ll find your light shade of light brown hair.
#1: Root Shadow and Blended Light Brown Hues
Are you tired of your roots coming in harshly after getting highlights? Are you looking for a seamless blend? Do you want your hair color light brown? Ask your stylist to try a root shadow. This color can match your current natural color while bringing more shine and depth. If you also dislike chunky or streaky highlights, ask your stylist for babylights. Light brown hair with highlights is much softer and will blend perfectly into your root shadow.
#2 Light Brown with Tan Undertones
This long, wavy hairstyle showcases light brown hair with tan undertones, creating a beautiful blend of warmth and depth. Ideal for medium to thick hair types, the subtle balayage highlights enhance the natural waves, adding dimension and movement. This color is perfect for those looking to achieve a sun-kissed look with a natural, effortless finish. Regular trims and moisturizing treatments are recommended to maintain the health and vibrancy of the hair.
#3: Light Ashy Brunette Hairstyle
If you want a new look, try a light ashy brunette hairstyle. It’s the perfect way to change your summer hair color for the fall and winter. The light, cool-toned hue provides an icy look, ideal for the season.
#4: Natural Loose Curls with Light Brown Accents
Adding light brown accents to your natural loose curls makes your hair’s texture pop. Adding highlights to your hair is beneficial if you have a natural curl. It will complement your waves, making them appear thicker and more dimensional. Choosing the tone of the highlights should be determined by your starting color. You will want to select a tone that is contrasting but still subtle.
#5: Light and Subtle Sun-Kissed Brown Hair
You can never go wrong with sun-kissed brown hair that is light and subtle. Adding lighter highlights will let you achieve this hair color regardless of your starting level of brown.
#6: Glossy Brown with Golden Tones
Go for a stunning brown that is glossy with golden tones. It’s such an elegant and sophisticated look. The transition from the darker tones to the lighter ends creates a polished finish to your hair. You will want to ask your stylist for a color melt to achieve this look. You will also want to use a hair oil like Moroccan oil to tame any frizz and add shine.
#7: Bright Autumn Balayage on Brown Hair
A bright balayage on brown hair is the total vibe this season. Pale hues of caramel and warmth pair perfectly with the chocolate brown base. I would stay away from these tones if you have black hair. But if you are adding highlights on light brown hair, then this would be ideal for you!
#8: Soft Brown Ombre Balayage Highlights
Ombré balayage highlights are a soft approach to adding some lightness to your brown hair. Keep the roots dark and feather up delicate pieces of lighter brown through the ends. You are creating a dimensional brunette without over-processing your hair.
#9: Blended Brunette Lowlights
Adding blended lowlights to your brunette hair color is a way to add depth and dimension to your ends. Especially after the summer sun has lightened them up too much. By doing this, you will maintain some natural-looking highlights throughout. And that will make your color movement and a sun-kissed feel.
#10: Voluminous Dimensional Brunette Hair
Try voluminous and dimensional brunette hair if you want to add some flair to your hair. Light brown hair and various tones give you that natural shine. Many people love the natural-looking vibes this color gives!
#11: Ombre on Caramel Light Brown Hair
Here’s a perfect way to change up the look and texture of your hair. By adding a caramel ombré, you’ll never have to compromise between light and dark. Plus, there’s a perfect tone for everyone. It allows for seamless growth, so you’ll always look good!
#12: Light Chocolate Brown Hair with Caramel Tones
Light chocolate brown hair with caramel tones is a gorgeous combo of warm tones. Choose a shade that complements your base color for a seamless grow-out. This style is soft and voluminous and perfect for those who want dimension!
#13: Subtle Ash Brown Highlights
If you’re looking to make your brown hair light ash brown, ask your stylist for babylights. These types of highlights are small in width, which will make the color more subtle and soft. To determine which shade of brown looks best on you, ask your stylist to match a swatch to your skin tone.
#14: Soft Autumn Brown Hair
Soft autumn brown hair is an attractive way to change your hair for the season. Sometimes simple is more, and this color is proof! You will love the earthiness this color brings to your complexion.
#15: Vivid Brown Balayage on Dark Layered Hair
Try a vivid brown balayage on dark-layered hair if you want some contrast in your hair! You will love styling your hair sleek or with waves. The dimension will shine through either way.
#16: Coffee Brown Hair Color
Warm up with this coffee brown hair color! This color is a beautiful combination of light brown tones. You will love the subtle dimension of this color.
#17: Chestnut Balayage on Light Golden Brown Hair Color
Doing a chestnut balayage on golden light brown hair is an ideal hair color. The light brown fades to warm tones of auburn and gold. This tone is the perfect fit for women with a fair complexion because it brings out the undertones in the skin. If you love warm tones, you can choose from various shades and play with the intensity of the reds. Please do this when consulting with your stylist on your balayage.
#18: Chestnut Brunette with Teasylights
A balayage is not just for blondes! It’s for ladies wanting a low-maintenance color while bringing dimension to their hair. This chestnut brown is the perfect combination of brown and copper. Great for any skin tone!
#19: Straight Brunette Balayage Hair
A sun-kissed brunette balayage on straighter hair is the best way to add dimension to your locks. This color will appear very natural and subtle when your hair is straight. However, if you curl your hair, you will see more contrast between tones. Finishing your straight hairstyle with a shine spray is the best way to achieve this sleek look.
#20: Soft Messy Brunette Bob with Highlights
Try a soft messy brunette bob with highlights if you want a cute, low-maintenance color and style. The depth and dimension of the combination of colors are sun-kissed and natural-looking. Many women love this trend!
#21: Chunky Blonde Highlights on Curly Brown Hair
Try chunky blonde highlights on curly brown hair if you want a more dimensional look. The highlights will look perfectly balanced and will add volume to your hair. Try and get your stylist to add some layers. The look will ultimately come together, and you will love it!
#22: Ashy Bronde Babylights on Long Hair
Consider ashy bronde babylights on your long hair if you want a cooler tone with your brunette. When looking at the color chart, look at some ash tones and colors. Once you have your perfect color, finish with slight waves and hairspray. You have a gorgeous balayage on bronde hair that will last all day!
#23: Warm Balayage on Brown Hair
Bring in the fall season with a warm balayage on dark brown hair. Keeping some of your hair dark adds depth throughout. Your skin tone and eye color will be a determining factor in whether or not a warm tone will work for you. Balayaged hair is a versatile color that can be dressed with curls or kept straight and casual.
#24: Cool-Toned Ash Beige Brown
Cool-toned ash beige brown is a perfect way to start experimenting with color. Beige blends with almost any natural color. Plus, it can be a color to go for if you want something more in the middle of ashy and warm-toned.
#25: Dark-Rooted Rose Gold and Light Brown Hues
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance color, consider a rose gold balayage. Balayage allows for a naturally rooty look, extending your time between salon visits. Rose gold is the perfect combination of blush pink and golden blonde. This color would look best if you have a warm or neutral skin tone.
#26: Natural Light Brown Color
Try a light brown if you want a sun-kissed look. This is a natural-looking color. It has a beautiful transition from dark to light brown throughout. You will learn quickly that this is the color for you!
#27: Mocha Brown Balayage Hair
Looking to lighten your hair but want something that looks natural? Ask your stylist for a mocha brown balayage. The warm undertones in this color will give a sun-kissed look while blending into your dark roots. For the best beach waves, style it with a 1-inch wand. Brush through the waves after they have cooled down for a softer look.
#28: Cocoa Brown with Highlights
You will fall in love with this cocoa brown with highlights. If you’re craving dimension, then look no further! This stunning color has a chocolate brown base with lighter brown highlights throughout.
#29: Melted Sandy Brown Wavy Hair
This melted sandy brown wavy hair is blended to perfection. Melting works by blending the base color into the mid-shaft of your hair. Go heavy on the blend so your hair will be a seamless blend!
#30: Light Brown Highlights on Dark Brunette
Light brown highlights look gorgeous on dark brunette hair. Keeping the highlights light brown is lower maintenance and complements darker features. Enjoy a more youthful appearance for any hair type. Ask your stylist to use a balayage technique to place your highlights.
#31: Subtle Brown to Blonde Color Melt
A subtle brown to blonde color melt is a color for you. Adding dimension with balayage can transform your look, no matter what color you choose.
#32: Soft Brown Balayage with Brighter Ends
A soft brown balayage with brighter ends is a beautiful lived-in color. Highlights add more texture and dimension to your hair. Be sure to ask your stylist what level of brightness works best for your complexion. This way, you don’t end up looking washed out.
#33: Pixie Bob with Honey Brown Hair Highlights
If you like to play with different hair colors, you should try a pixie bob with honey brown hair highlights.
#34: Melted Warm Brown Balayage
This melted, warm brown balayage is a stunning color that is perfect any time of year! The brown hue leaves beautiful dimensions throughout. The color melt process with a deep brunette base pulls the colors together.
#35: Gradient Ashy Ombre Hair
Go for ashy brown hair color. The color gradient is what makes light brown hair so perfect. To maintain this color, always use moisturizer cream. To keep your hair high quality, professional brands like Wella, Loreal Professional, and Schwarzkopf are very important. This style and color work with all hair types and dark skin tones.
#36: Long Light Mousy Brown Hair
Mousy brown color represents in this photo! Flattering for everyone, it never goes out of style and is guaranteed to bring elegance to your long hair with brown roots.
#37: Wavy Short Brown with Blended Highlights
I would call this look a beachy and textured look, using balayage to paint her sun-kissed pieces light brown. I love seeing the blended highlights and bright ends; the dark brown color at the roots is excellent.
#38: Enchanting Light Brown to Blonde Ombre
This light brown hair will sweep you off your feet if you love subtle and smooth transitions! This is also ideal for ladies who always have dark or black hair if you want to go and try blonde hair for the first time. Perfect on lengthy brunette locks, this style in this picture incorporates depth easily.
#39: Light Brown With a Natural Red Undertone
Combining dark roots with white-blonde ends is a marvelous way to create a beautiful contrast and a richer depth. This light brown hue with blonde streaks on dark hair makes a stunning dimension. It sure works with any length of hair. Styling is made easy as your hair already has an innate dimension!
#40: Stunning Golden Honey Highlights
Light brown and blonde go so well together! This dark chocolate base melted into a light caramel hue creates a stunning hair color that looks amazing! Adding some pieces of caramel tones in front can frame your face and give a brightening effect that completes the whole look.
#41: Hot Rich Cider and Light Brown Tones
The right balance of warm and cool tones in a nut-brown mane is to die for! Your hair will appear natural and healthy and, at the same time, full of depth and gorgeous volume.
#42: Glossy Gold with Darker Roots
This smooth and warm light brown hair color starts with darker roots and is pleasing to the eye. It’s fascinating to style your hair like this, as every wave and curl is greatly enhanced by the gloss of this divine golden blonde color.
#43 Soft Rose Gold on Brown Hair
This stunning rose gold balayage on light brown hair showcases a seamless blend of warm tones, perfect for medium to thick hair types. The long, wavy layers add dimension and movement, enhancing the natural waves and creating a sun-kissed effect. Ideal for those wanting a unique yet subtle color change, the rose gold hues provide a fresh, modern look. Regular moisturizing treatments will help maintain the color’s vibrancy and the hair’s health.
#44 Romantic Light Brown Auburn Ombre
This stunning long hairstyle features a romantic light brown auburn ombre with reddish brown tones. The rich auburn at the roots gradually transitions into soft, light brown shades towards the ends. Ideal for those with medium to thick hair, the loose waves add movement and dimension, enhancing the warm, blended colors. This look is perfect for anyone wanting a low-maintenance yet eye-catching style that adds warmth and depth to their hair. Regular moisturizing treatments will help maintain the vibrancy and shine.
#45: High Contrast Medium-Length Hair with Dark Ash
Smoky hazel pieces appear amazingly on a darker brown base. This easy combination gives a high-contrast finish that works perfectly on any textured hair when you want it to. One idea is to show off those lighter brown highlights even better by styling your hair with beach waves.
#46: Easy Bronzed Brown with Highlights
A bronzed brown hair with highlights is an easy-to-manage light brown hair color, done with a bronde balayage. With this shade, there’s no toning required after a month or two. For maintenance, I recommend you regularly use color-protecting shampoo, masks, leave-in creams, and serums.
#47: Low-Maintenance Mushroom Brown with Lighter Ends
Choose a mushroom brown with lighter ends to make a perfect light brown hair color when you can’t decide whether to go blonde or dark. What’s beneficial about it is it stays ashy even if your natural hair color level is super dark. Ashy colors need to be lifted 1 or 2 levels lighter, then toned. After toning your hair, I recommend a blue shampoo when washing it.
#48: Natural & Warm Brown with Caramel
This look is a honey blonde balayage. I left the length long and added some long layers to give her movement and body. I love how natural these caramel-hued waves look.
#49: Blended Reddish Light Brown Hair
This reddish light brown hair has a blend of cool tones, which gives it the smokiness and warmth to bring in and catch the light. I would describe this look as coppery rose brown waves. The loveliest about this color is how it beautifully implements copper tones into a natural brunette head of hair without necessarily making her a redhead.
#50: Lightened Golden Copper Highlights
This is a bold, dimensional balayage that embraces the natural warmth of light brown hair. This light brown has copper tones, similar to Jessica Albas. This has a perfect shade if you want a hair color that’s fairly low-maintenance.
#51: Warm-Toned Brown Hair and Caramel Highlights
This light brown hair and caramel highlights is a warm-toned, brunette balayage. My favorite thing about warm shades on brunettes is how natural it looks. Balayage is meant to mimic what the sun naturally does to our hair when we’ve been outside all summer long, and for brunettes, that means natural warm tones.
#52: Light Sandy Highlights Color Melt Hair
This light, sandy brown hair is full of volume with extra pops of brightness. Balayage is a good route for a girl with a busy life or schedule. It’s seamless to grow out, so whether you have darker roots and want to be blonde on the ends, you can opt for that look without coming to the salon every four weeks and can go months without getting a color touch-up!
#53: Fantastic Chestnut Highlights
A fusion of chestnut and darker browns create a dimensional, sun-kissed light brown hair. The cool brown chestnut colors add that extra “pop” but still have the element of subtlety! Having these light brown locks turn out as a warm copper or brassy tone is easy. You should keep the chestnut brown color cool-toned, especially if you have more olive or red complexions. Depending on execution, maintenance should be easy. I recommend appointments every 3-5 months to maintain the color, with glazes and root retouches for grey, if necessary, in between.
#54: Low-Maintenance Chocolate Caramel Brown Ombre
Accentuate your style with a cross between an ombré and a balayage with much warmth. My advice to women considering this brown ombre would be that even though it’s low-maintenance in color upkeep, it’s crucial to keep your hair healthy. Good products and tender lovin’ hair care are key, especially if you already have damaged or naturally dry hair. A healthy glow makes all the difference.
#55: Glamorous Light Brown to Platinum Hair Color
This light brown hair color is a deeply rooted balayage ombre with bright beige ends. You can achieve this color, but it may need several sessions in the salon before getting the ends this bright. But once you’re at the desired level, this is a very low-maintenance look! A toner every 6-8 weeks is suggested to keep the color looking fresh, but a balayage session would only need to be done every 3-6 months.
#56: Neutral Light Nutmeg Highlights
This hairstyle is a light, sun-kissed brunette. My favorite part of this look is the balayage highlights that complement light skin tones. If you are looking for this nutmeg hair color, it’s easy to upkeep, has no layers, and is long enough to tie back. Ask your stylist to use a neutral toner for a more natural balayage highlight tone if you’re considering dyeing your hair.
#57: Mocha Swirl on a Bob Cut
Light mocha swirl is what I like to call this light brown hair. My favorite thing is that this particular color works well for blondes wishing to try a brunette. It’s not too dark or warm. Therefore it is easy to get back to blonde once summer rolls around.
Related: Short light brown hairstyle ideas.
#58: Lovely Light Natural Brown Hair
This natural look is close to your own natural light brown color. She can let it grow out without having to come into the salon very often. This light natural brown color is good if you need to add color to your hair but want to look uncolored.
#59: Dimensional Bronde Hair With Lowlights
Consider a dimensional bronde, one of the best combinations of light brown and blonde. It’s the perfect alternative to all-over blonde in the winter. It’s lower maintenance than your standard rooted blonde but packs a punch with dimensional highlights and paneled lowlights.
#60 Curled Hair with Pops of Light Golden Brown
This soft golden look with pops of light golden brown also looks like a multi-dimensional honey blonde. The hair is versatile, and women with light to mid-brown tones can rock this brown hue. Regarding hair types, I would say straight, wavy, and curly types can pull this look off. The trick is the placement of the lighter pieces for each of these hair types.
#61 Shoulder-Length Soft Spice
This shoulder-length soft spice hairstyle features light brown hair with warm, caramel undertones. The subtle waves add texture and movement, making it perfect for fine to medium hair types. The face-framing layers and soft waves enhance the cheekbones and add a natural, effortless look. Ideal for those seeking a romantic and natural style, this cut is easy to maintain with regular trims and suits various face shapes, especially oval and heart-shaped faces.
#62: Flattering Warm Fawn
My favorite thing about this light brown color is how natural it is. Toner wasn’t used to achieving this brown hair. That said, I believe just a sulfate-free shampoo would help maintain the color until the next salon visit.
#63 Warmly-Toned Toffee to Honey Ombre
I love this light, warmly toned light brown balayage because it looks like the sun just kissed it. It’s low maintenance and boasts tons of dimension. The toffee to honey brown color change is beautiful. This light brown hair is for the dark-eyed and warm-toned beauties on the go. Pureology Color Fanatic Leave-In will keep the ends moisturized and frizz down for flawless hair.
#64: Contrasted Light Ash Brown
A glorious blend of smoky gray-brown hues created this light ash brown hair color. The contrasting brown colors bring each other out and are a great way to draw attention to your other features.
#65: Natural Light Chocolate Brown Sun-Kissed Hair
This is a balayage on virgin, light brown hair. The light brown adds warmer natural tones without any harsh lines, increasing the dimension and density of her hair. We blended with three color levels lighter from her natural color, giving it a true light sun-kissed feel.
#66: Cooler Brown Babylights
With these cooler brown babylights, you can’t tell where the babylights start and stop because of how fine they are. I am all about blending and having my color look as natural as possible. Use Redken’s Flashlift lightener to achieve the soft brown shade. To maintain, I recommend a purple shampoo to prevent unwanted brassy tones.
#67: Seamless Caramel Hue
This seamless caramel and light brown hue need a Shades EQ Gloss Service every 8 to 12 weeks to provide shine and keep the color from pulling too brassy or dull. Use PH Bonder to upkeep the results at home. Redken’s Color Extend Magnetics and Extreme are my go-to lines to provide moisture and proteins after a color service. I especially recommend Extreme Length Sealer and Primer for all my girls who want to be light on their ends and grow or maintain mermaid lengths.
#68: Face-Framing Light Blonde Highlights on Bronde Hair
I would call this a sun-kissed light brown hair color. I love that this combination of dark brown hair and blonde streaks is natural and soft, with some face-framing pieces to brighten her complexion.
#69: Wonderful Warm Walnut Brown
I would describe this light brown hair as different shades of brown with warm dimensions. My favorite thing about this look is the warmth and different tones of the highlights. The products used to maintain this look are hair-strengthening shampoo and conditioner. They have mango butter that provides great nourishment for your hair and aloe vera to help stop breakage and keep your hair strong.
#70: Brunette Meets Blonde
These babylights with hair-painted pieces create the perfect “brunette meets blonde” blend. I love the lived-in look and flawless transition that this duo gives. I used Kadus 5N + 20 vol for the base color and Kadus Lightener for the babylights. I then hand-painted a few pieces that were left out of the foils. I toned with a 7P and 9V in Redken Shades EQ. This light brown hair is universal and is perfect for busy women that crave low-maintenance upkeep while still allowing them to be trendy with the lived-in look.
#71: Tan Skin Ombre
This light brown ombre is a sun-kissed balayage and chic style. I recommend using Oribe Bright Blonde purple shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair from getting brassy as it grows out. Plus, this product is excellent for hydrating your hair and giving it a shine. I would also recommend Davines’ All In One Milk as a leave-in spray to help nourish and protect your hair from thermal heat.
Commonly Asked Questions:
Golden brown and light brown are very similar and may sometimes appear the same, but they actually share different undertones. Golden brown hair has hints of golden tones in it, which will appear more rich and warm next to just a neutral light brown. Light brown hair can have many different types of undertones, so it’s important to research what shade of light brown hair you’re wanting to achieve.
Light brown hair is a fairly common hair color. Red hair is the rarest hair color, closely followed up by blonde hair, then light brown hair, and lastly black hair. Though brown hair, in general, is ranked one of the most common hair colors, light brown hair falls into that category.
Brown hair is universally a flattering hair color, but it’s important to consider your skin’s natural undertones and the different undertones in brown hair before picking the right shade for you. If you have lots of warm tones to your skin (red/pink) then you would probably want to go for a warmer brown such as golden brown. If you have a lot of cool tones to your skin (blue/green) then you would probably want the same for your hair, such as ash brown.
Dark blonde and light brown are sometimes considered the same because they do appear very similar to the naked eye. Blonde hair will hold lighter, golden tones whereas light brown hair will have even more warmth and depth to it. Brown hair has undertones of red to it, whereas blonde hair is missing that pigment.
A level 6 is considered to be a medium brown hair color. On a scale of 1-10, a level 1 is the darkest black and a level 10 is the lightest blonde. A level 5 would be considered a medium brown, making a level 6 just below that, a light brown. Blonde levels are typically considered anywhere between levels 7-10.
Light brown is composed of a mix of complementary colors that cancel each other out. For example, orange and blue could be one way to achieve a light brown color. When thinking about color theory and looking at the color wheel, any opposing color on the other side of the color wheel will create a brown color. It helps to add the lighter color first before the darker color when trying to achieve a lighter color overall.
The rarest shade of brown hair is lighter browns and browns with red undertones in the hair. All dark hair (brown/black hair) hold some red undertones, but if the hair naturally appears to have a light red hue to it, that’s how you know it’s one of the rarest brown hair colors. Red hair is the rarest hair color in the world.
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