Are you looking for the perfect light brown hair dye to get that Instagram-ready look?
Are you tired of all the same darkest brunette shades but want something more subtle than just blonde? We’ve got you.
Light brown hair dyes are growing in popularity and there are now tons of flattering shades available.
Whether it’s honey, caramel, ash, beige or bronze, these subtle hues can create a beautiful shade that is just one step away from your original color.
Here is our guide on 6 fabulous light brown hair dyes you should try out this year.
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Table of Contents
- TOP PICK!
- Garnier Olia Light Brown Hair Dye Permanent.
- What’s so trendy about light brown hair?
- Can I dye my hair light brown at home?
- Which is the best light brown hair dye?
- Best Light Brown Hair Dyes at a glance.
- #1 Schwarzkopf Omegaplex, Light Caramel Brown.
- #2. Revlon Colorsilk,Light Ash Brown.
- #3. Garnier Olia Light Brown Permanent Hair Dye.
- Our experience:
- #4. L’Oreal Paris Excellence, Natural Golden Brown.
- #5 Garnier Color Sensation, Precious Light Brown.
- #6 John Frieda Precision Foam, Light Natural Brown.
- TOP PICK!
- Garnier Olia Light Brown Dye Permanent Hair Dye.
- Light brown hair dye FAQS!
- What is the lightest brown hair dye?
- Can you dye dark hair light brown?
- Is dark blonde the same as dark brown?
- Should I dye my hair light brown?
- Will light brown hair color suit me?
- What hair color suits me?
- What skin tone suits light brown hair?
- Can you go light brown without bleach?
- What highlights are good for light brown hair?
- Does light brown hair dye cover grey hair?
- What is the lightest brown hair color without bleach?
- Is light golden brown lighter than light brown?
- How do I care for my light brown hair?
- Parting words.
TOP PICK!
Garnier Olia Light Brown Hair Dye Permanent.
Best hair dye for: Warm brown undertones.
The rich, classic tones of warm brown hues are an endlessly flattering hair color trend for women of all ages. Your hair appears fuller, thicker and doesn’t go orange when it starts to wash out.
Natural brunettes will find their color is most enhanced with this shade and we find even our skin appears more vibrant and healthier too!
This is also the perfect color base for ombre looks. This is our Coloured Hair Care top pick.
Pros
- Super accurate color outcome – beautiful light brunette shade.
- Easy application process.
- Pleasant smell during application.
- Hair left shiny and well-conditioned.
- Provided different tones to the hair.
- Effective gray coverage.
- Long-lasting color without fading.
- Flattering warm brown hair color trend.
- Enhances natural brunettes’ hair.
- Versatile base for ombre looks.
Cons
- Possibility of some color wash-out over time.
What’s so trendy about light brown hair?
This soft shade is a rising trend in this year’s colored hair charts. But really, it’s never been out.
We love it because it’s super versatile and there are shades to suit every skin tone – warm, cool or neutral – from ash brown, to milk chocolate, honey golden brown hair, caramel, mushroom brown and chestnut brown.
It’s a great face framer and brings out blue, green and hazel eye color to really make them pop.
It’s not as warm and luxurious as chocolate brown, but it can make your hair appear fuller, thicker and glossier just like chocolate hair dye can.
The low maintenance, natural hair look is here to stay. It’s a great brown base for other gorgeous color trends – like blonde and brown balayage, soft brown hair with natural-looking blonde highlights and the blended brown hair with blonde color look of ombre.
It looks great with darker roots for a grown-out look.
You can even mix two shades together – like chocolate brown hair with golden blonde hair color, black hair, shades of warm brown hair colors and blonde highlights – to find the perfect hue for you.
Check out the latest looks for ideas and inspiration.
Can I dye my hair light brown at home?
It’s easy to dye your hair this shade at home! There are plenty of at-home hair dyes that will help you get a look you’ll love.
But the color you’ll achieve depends on the color your hair is now.
If your hair color is dark– you’ll need to lighten your hair first to get the look. You can’t lighten color with color!
Lightening dark brown hair will involve using bleach so you might want to chat to your hairdresser about your hair type.
If you have black hair, it will be a long process. Especially if you want brown hair with highlights.
If your hair color is blonde and lighter – you’re good to go!
You have a great base for getting light brown hair. But be warned – brunette hair dyes can come up dark, so make you match the color your hair is not to the chart on the side of the box.
We recommend only going one shade darker or lighter to make sure your color looks natural and matches your skin tone and complexion.
Which is the best light brown hair dye?
There are plenty of light brown permanent dyes and semi-permanent box dyes you can pick in a range of shades, hues and tones.
Without further ado, here are the best best at home hair color kits for brunettes your good money can buy!
Don’t forget to do a strand test beforehand to make sure you’ve chosen the right color for you!
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Best Light Brown Hair Dyes at a glance.
| Hair dye | Looks like | Best for | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schwarzkopf Color Expert Omegaplex Hair Dye, Light Caramel Brown. | Warm, olive skin tones. | ||
| Revlon Colorsilk Beautiful Color, Light Ash Brown. | A cool brown for cool tones. | ||
| Garnier Olia Light Brown Hair Dye Permanent. | Warm undertones. | ||
| L'Oreal Paris Excellence Creme Hair Colour, Natural Golden Brown | Olive and warm skin tones. | ||
| Garnier Color Sensation Precious Light Brown Hair Dye. | Neutral to cool skin tones. | ||
| John Frieda Precision Foam Colour Hair Dye, Light Natural Brown. | Light to mid-brown tones. |
#1 Schwarzkopf Omegaplex, Light Caramel Brown.
Features & ingredients:
- Permanent hair color rich, long lasting.
- Perfect grey coverage.
- Anti-breakage technology.
- Contains hylauronic acid which hydrates and nourishes your hair
- Protects hair from damage and cares for hair during and after coloring.
Reviewers say:
“Used this color a month ago and this is the first time ever I’ll be buying the same color again!”
“WOW! It leaves your hair in amazing condition, yes mine came up a bit darker, but the tone is true to the box.”
“I was a hairdresser so I know a thing or two about hair coloring and this stuff is seriously good! I’ve just used the follow up treatment and my hair is super soft and shiny, if anything its in better condition now.”
Our experience:
Caramel balayage, ombre, bronde, any brown shade with highlights, balayage highlights and all-over jobbys are dominating hair color trends this year for good reason.
If you want to try all over Caramel Brown at home, it’s an extremely flexible colou.
There are many different hues that you can choose from – from light caramel browns to deeper browns and more reddish-brown tones.
It’s a warm, rich color that suits natural blondes and knits well with dark roots for an on-point grown-out color look. This is the lightest brown hair dye on the list.
Best for: Warm, olive skin tones.
#2. Revlon Colorsilk,Light Ash Brown.
Features & ingredients:
- Formulated without ammonia to respect your hair and your scalp.
- Penetrates every strand from root to tip for a natural glow.
- Rich, nourishing silk proteins strengths your hair.
- Covers white hair perfectly to give brilliance and shine.
Reviewers say:
“This is an inexpensive light ash brown hair color that works even better than the expensive ones!
Excellent results all the time. I have being using this product for decades, never fails to amaze me!”
“I chose this color because I buy a lot of Revlon make-up and it seems reasonable that a company who gets it right regarding my personal skin coloring, may get it right about my hair color as well.
Must’ve been a great decision because I received so many compliments last night! Made me feel like a million bucks!”
Our experience:
Ash brown hair is the coveted all-over shade right now for gorgeous natural hues.
It works best on lightened or blonde hair and gives those with naturally dark blonde/mousy color hair more richness and depth.
It’s a color with cool tones so it’ll compliment you if you have cool tones too. If it suits you, its almost silver-grey properties can cast a shimmering glow.
A warmer variation of ash brown is mushroom which has more brown than grey tones. Choose this color for low maintenance coolness.
You’ll need two boxes if your hair is longer than shoulder-length.
Best for: A cool brown for cool tones.
#3. Garnier Olia Light Brown Permanent Hair Dye.
Features & ingredients:
- Permanent Hair Dye
- No Ammonia for a pleasant scent
- 60% Oil-powered hair color
- Maximum color performance
- Visibly improves the quality of hair
Reviewers say:
“I was a bit dubious about this color. I’ve used hair dyes before that have actually turned out to be dark brown.
However, this is not the case! My curly hair is a beautiful light brunette and no wispy grays are visible!”
“I love everything about this dye, the application was easy, I like the application bottle too, it didn’t have a horrible smell to it and was such a beautiful color!”
“This hair dye left my hair very shiny and well-conditioned. My hair reflected the light and had different tones. Covered grey easily and has not faded at all.”
Our experience:
The rich, classic tones of warm brown hair colors are an endlessly flattering trend for women of all ages.
Your hair appears fuller, thicker and doesn’t go completely orange when it starts to wash out.
Natural brunettes will find their color is most enhanced with this light shade and we find even our skin appears more vibrant and healthier too!
This is also the perfect color base for ombre looks as it blends really well with warmer honey golden brown and blonde shades.
Best for: Warm undertones.
#4. L’Oreal Paris Excellence, Natural Golden Brown.
Features & ingredients:
- Flattering, luminous color, full of natural highlights.
- Up to 100% grey coverage, less visible re-growth.
- Replenished hair, full of body & shine.
- Easy application brush.
Reviewers say:
“I have to say I am very happy with the color/feel/look of my hair.
I think it works so well because you get a brush with it which means you can very much direct where the color goes so less likely to miss bits and you can do more with it.”
“It does leave it looking like you have highlights but in a subtle way and my hair feels and looks very shiny and full of life.”
“My hair felt in great condition and even better with the conditioner provided. I was thrilled with the color and the different tones.
I have received loads of compliments on the color. And the best thing was that the color still looked great after three weeks.”
Our experience:
Light Golden Brown is a shade between light chocolate brown and light caramel, and it’s perfect for the summer months.
With Golden brown hair dye as your base, your hair will be naturally sprinkled with highlights from the sun to give it a sunkissed glow.
Go for this if you have warm skin tones but be prepared it may fade out a little brassy. In some lights it will look more blonde, in some lights it’ll look more brown.
In ALL lights, it will look fabulous!
Best for: Olive and warm skin tones.
#5 Garnier Color Sensation, Precious Light Brown.
Features & ingredients:
- It’s a creamy textured hair color with a scented flower oil fragrance.
- The hair color offers a powerful and non-drip formula with unique intense pigments.
- Delivers up to nine weeks of color and shine.
Reviewers say:
“It’s great value and has a lovely depth of color. It doesn’t seem to damage your hair at all and turned out quite well even on top of one of my previous dye jobs.”
“I use this color and it never lets me down. Easy to use, my hair feels amazing afterwards and the color last a fair while.”
“I find that normally brown colors go nearly black on the ends, and I don’t like that. I find this covers grey very well and doesn’t leave an unsightly strip of intense color on the ends or at the roots, which is a big plus!”
Our experience:
This is a natural or neutral brown that is a great first color to test the water and see if this is a shade that suits you.
The results of using this easy-to-maintain color depend on your hair shade to begin with but it’s a versatile and ‘safer’ brown to try with a mix of complexions and eye color.
The results weren’t as shiny as some of the other hair dyes on the list but that could just be because of the condition of our hair!
Best for: Neutral to cool skin tones.
#6 John Frieda Precision Foam, Light Natural Brown.
Features & ingredients:
- The thick, rich foam penetrates strands for deep color saturation.
- Locks in rich color for fade-resistant, salon-quality results.
- The formula spreads quickly and easily onto roots and hard-to-reach places.
- The nourishing after-color conditioner seals in your color for long-lasting tonal richness.
Reviewers say:
“I am naturally dark ash blonde and most shades from other brands left me with orangey under tones. This shade however is brilliant, really neutral so no red/orange!”
“You get a really natural looking color that looks good even in sunlight. The results are a bit darker than the image on the box but it will take longer to fade I suppose!”
“I think this product is amazing! It kept all of my natural highlights and made my hair look very multi-tonal in a good way. I have already received several compliments!”
Our experience:
Natural browns are neutral tones that best suit those lucky people with neutral undertones who can wear warm or cool colors.
It’s also a fantastic base color for face-framing bright blonde or caramel highlights.
This shade is a deep brown so you might end up darker than you hoped for.
But the multi-dimensional tones of the color make it a gorgeous rich brown for lighter hair colors.
Best for: Light to mid-brown tones.
TOP PICK!
Garnier Olia Light Brown Dye Permanent Hair Dye.
Best for: Warm undertones.
The rich, classic tones of warm browns are an endlessly flattering hair color trend for women of all ages.
Your hair appears fuller, thicker and doesn’t go orange when it starts to wash out.
Natural brunettes will find their color is most enhanced with this shade and we find even our skin appears more vibrant and healthier too!
This is also the perfect color base for ombre looks. This is our Coloured Hair Care top pick.
Light brown hair dye FAQS!
What is the lightest brown hair dye?
The lightest brown hair dye is L’Oreal Paris Excellence, Natural Light Golden Brown.
It’s a beautiful light brown that looks natural and sun-kissed.
It’s also long-lasting and fades slowly, so you don’t have to worry about touch-ups too often. If you’re looking for a cooler lighter brown shade, go for Revlon ColorSilk Light Ash Brown.
We also love Kao Liese Bubble hair dye in Milk Tea.
It’s a pretty ashy brown that looks great on cool skin tones. And it’s gentle on your hair, so it’s perfect if you’re trying to avoid damage.
Can you dye dark hair light brown?
Yes! It is possible to lighten dark brown hair but it isn’t easy.
You will need to use bleach to get the right base and it might take a few applications to get the desired result.
An easier way to lighten your locks is by adding highlights or balayage ribbons of light brown or dark blonde. Or go for darker shades like cinnamon brown or mushroom.
This will give you the overall lighter affect without having to bleach your whole head and risk damaging your hair forever.
Is dark blonde the same as dark brown?
No, they are two completely different shades.
Dark blonde is warmer and has more of a yellow undertone, while dark brown is cooler with more of a blue undertone.
If you’re looking for a brown hair color that has a little more warmth to it, then dark blonde is the right shade for you.
It has a beautiful natural golden-brown hue that will make your locks look shiny and healthy.
If you’re just looking to add a little bit of depth and dimension to your hair, then dark blonde is definitely the way to go.
Another great thing about this color is that it will suit any skin tone. So whether you have fair skin or olive skin, dark blonde will look great on you.
Should I dye my hair light brown?
Many people choose to dye their hair a different colour every few months, but what about going lighter?
Lighter shades of brown can be just as stunning and versatile.
If you are thinking about dying your hair this gorgeous brunette hue, here are five reasons why it might be the best decision you’ve ever made!
- It’s flattering on all skin tones.
- It’s low maintenance and looks great with grown-out looks.
- Its multidimensional tones can make thin hair appear thicker.
- It looks stunning with blonde highlights.
- It’s the perfect base for balayage, ombre, and hair streak styles.
Will light brown hair color suit me?
If you’re still not sure if this hair color will suit you, take our quick quiz! Just answer a few quick questions to find out if this brunette shade suits you.
What hair color suits me?
What skin tone suits light brown hair?
Generally, a warm skin tone tends to complement light brown hair the best. This means that those with golden or olive skin tones can really make their hair pop.
That’s not to say cool-toned people can’t wear it too. Try shades with cooler undertones like ash or beige to complement your complexion.
If you’re not sure what skin tones you have, use our handy checklist below!
If you have cool undertones:
- You blush easily!
- Your skin tone is pink or pale.
- Jewel and pastel colours are so your thing.
- Pearls and silver jewellery look awesome on you.
- The colour yellow washes you out and does not look good on you.
- You have blue not green veins in your wrist.
If you have warm undertones:
- You have red or golden tones in your natural hair.
- Your skin tone is golden, tan or olive.
- Gold jewellery looks awesome on you
- You might have freckles.
- You have green not blue veins in your wrist.
- You suit bright or rich shades better.
Can you go light brown without bleach?
Bleaching your hair is a harsh process and you’ll need to know your hair is in strong enough condition to survive it.
If you have dark hair, giving yourself a lighter base to begin with will make sure you end up with a light color, not medium brown or dark.
Brown hair dyes tend to come up darker so pick a shade that’s right for you by looking carefully at the chart on the side of the hair dye box.
If your hair color is lighter – perfecto! You can dye your hair yourself.
Add some multi-dimensional tones to your hair by trying a cooler or warmer color than your base.
Just read the advice on the box of hair dye you choose carefully to match it with the color your hair is now.
If in doubt, choose a shade lighter than the color you want – brunette hair dyes tend to come up darker.
If you’re going for grey coverage – leave the hair dye formula in for slightly longer than the instructions say on the box.
Grey hair is typically drier, more porous and more brittle so this makes sure the hair dye really penetrates and takes to your hair.
What highlights are good for light brown hair?
Caramel blonde
Platinum blonde
Ash blonde
Honey blonde
Sandy blonde
Mushroom blonde
Does light brown hair dye cover grey hair?
This color will cover grey hair if you pick a hair dye that has great coverage.
This is a good color to cover grey hair as the blend of brown and silver-grey will create ashy brown tones as it fades.
New root growth won’t be as noticeable as if you dye your hair a darker color too.
What is the lightest brown hair color without bleach?
Golden honey brown is the perfect shade for anyone who wants to lighten their hair without bleach.
Golden brown hair dye will leave you with a warm, sun-kissed appearance that’s as natural-looking and gorgeous as can be!
Golden brown hair colors will give your hair natural glints in the sun which will give it a lighter brown hair appearance.
Go for this if it’s a shade up from your natural color for the best results without bleach.
Sandy brown and bronde are also a low maintenance, high impact colors that you can get with the right base.
Is light golden brown lighter than light brown?
When it comes to hair dye, there can be a lot of confusion around which color is lighter or darker than another.
The problem it that it’s difficult to definitively say whether one hair dye is lighter or darker than another because many factors come into play.
Factors such as your base hair color and the natural undertones of your skin are just two examples, and these can determine how your dyed locks actually appear in comparison to other shades.
Ultimately, therefore, the best way to decide whether one hair color is lighter or darker than another is simply by giving it a try and seeing how you like it!
How do I care for my light brown hair?
Once you have the look you love, you’ll need to look after it to maintain the color.
Brunette hair dyes in general have a tendency to wash out warm and give you unwanted icky red or orange tones.
If you notice your hair dye fading to orange or red, you can eliminate the brassiness with a good blue shampoo.
Blue shampoos cool down warm tones and keep your hair looking that color you love in between colorings. Use once a week for the best effects.
Parting words.
With so many beautiful shades of brown out there, you’re sure to find a shade that suits your skin tone and eye colour perfectly.
If you want this gorgeous color hair at home but aren’t sure what dye or shade to try first, these are some great options for getting this look with ease! What are you waiting for?
