Light brown hair is so in right now as a rising trend in the colored hair charts. But really, when it comes to light brown hair shades and hues, it’s never been out.
The low maintenance, natural look is here to stay and is a great base color for other gorgeous color trends that blend face-framing brown hair with blonde – like Balayage, highlights and Ombre.
Choosing the perfect shade for you is not always easy.
With so many different ones to choose from, it’s hard to know which one will suit your skin tone, hair type and style best!
That’s why we’ve created a guide on how to get the most flattering look for you. We’ll also show you what colors are trending this year, as well as some more unique ideas that might inspire you!
Check out the latest looks for ideas and inspiration!
Table of Contents
- Which light brown hair shades are trending right now?
- #1. Light Caramel Brown.
- #2. Light Ash Brown.
- #3. Light Chocolate Brown.
- #4. Light Golden Brown.
- #5. Light Natural Brown.
- #6 Light Auburn Brown.
- #6 Light Mushroom Brown
- #7 Light Chestnut Brown
- Will light brown hair shades suit me?
- Which hair colors suit me?
- Which Hair Color Suits You?
- Can I dye my own hair light brown at home?
- How do I care for light brown hair?
- Shades of Brown Hair Color FAQs
- Parting words
Which light brown hair shades are trending right now?
Should you go for a light chocolate brown or a sandy brown or caramel blonde?
We’re here to help you decide! Let’s get into which light brown hair shades will be making our hearts sing this year.
#1. Light Caramel Brown.
BEST FOR: Those with a warmer, olive skin tone and dark eyes.
Caramel balayage, ombre, bronde and all-over jobs are dominating hair color trends this year for a good reason.
Light Caramel Brown is a shade that lends itself perfectly to dip dyes, blonde highlights, and more.
If you want to try all over Caramel Brown at home, it’s an extremely flexible color. There are many different hues that you can choose from – from light caramel browns to deeper browns and more reddish tones.
It’s a warm, rich color that knits well with dark roots and caramel or blonde highlights for a on-point grown-out color look.
#2. Light Ash Brown.
BEST FOR: Those with pale and ashy complexions with light eye colors such as green, grey, and blue.
Ash brown is the coveted all-over shade right now for gorgeous natural hues. It works best on lightened or blonde hair and gives those with natural 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.
It will frame your face with a soft sheen that will brighten your skin tone. If it suits you, it’s almost silver-grey properties can cast a shimmering glow.
#3. Light Chocolate Brown.
BEST FOR: A fairer skin tone but with warm undertones.
Chocolate brown is a super hot hair color trend for this year.
The rich, classic tones of warm browns are an endlessly flattering shades of brown hair for women of all ages.
Light Chocolate Brown color is a fab variation on the trend as it makes your hair appear fuller, thicker and doesn’t appear orangey 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 for ombre looks.
#4. Light Golden Brown.
BEST FOR: Those with olive and warm skin tones, any eye color.
Light Golden Brown is a shade in between light chocolate and caramel, and it’s teh perfect brunette shade for the summer months.
With Golden brown as your base, your hair will be naturally sprinkled with highlights from the sun to give it a sunkissed glow.
In some lights it will look more blonde, in some lights it’ll have more of a brown hue. In ALL lights, it will look fabulous!
#5. Light Natural Brown.
BEST FOR: Most skin tones although we found ashier and paler tones to look best. All eye colors welcome.
Natural or neutral brown is a great first color to test the colored water and see if Light Brown is a shade that suits you.
Natural Brown is in between the cool silver tones of Light Ash Brown and the warmer hues of Light Chocolate Brown. Making it totally, er…neutral.
Of course, the results of using this easy to maintain color depend on your hair base color to begin with but it’s a versatile and ‘safer’ brown to try with a mix of complexions and eye colors.
And like the Golden Brown, you should see your hair flecked with natural highlights in the summer months.
#6 Light Auburn Brown.
BEST FOR: Warmer skin tones with green or blue eyes.
Auburn hair is screaming up the hot color charts as a must-have color that can take you through from season to season.
Auburn is a rich color from the red hair family and is a luxurious red-orange hue with brown undertones. It’s a shade that generally flatters warmer tones, making skin sparkle and green and blue eyes pop.
At the light-brown end of the spectrum are reddish brown shades that are pale brown with a subtle red tint. Go for this shade to add richness and depth to a light brown base.
#6 Light Mushroom Brown
BEST FOR: Warm or cool skin tones.
Mushroom hair color is a great alternative to light ash brown for those with warmer skin tones. It adds rich hues and blended highlights that create an earthy, mushroom-like look you can change up on demand!
Mushroom blonde is an even lighter version of mushroom that will suit those with cooler skin tones. Especially if mixed with ash blonde highlights or balayage styles. Go for this for muted brunette tones.
#7 Light Chestnut Brown
BEST FOR: Warm skin tones and any eye color
Chestnut brown is a warm brown with undertones of red and is a perfect blend of copper and chocolate.
It’s best suited to those with warm skin tones but it can be cooled by mixing with ashy browns too.
The low maintenance, multidimensional look is here to stay and is a great base for other gorgeous color trends – like blonde Balayage, blonde highlights, caramel and blonde Ombre.
Go for this if you have warm skin tones and any color eyes.
Will light brown hair shades suit me?
Whether sultry shades of light brown will look good on you or not will depend on a few things – your natural hair color, your skin tone, even your eye color. Sounds complicated!
But it really isn’t! Just use our checklist below to find out your skin tone and whether you suit warm or cool colors.
If you have warm undertones:
- You have red or golden undertones in your hair.
- Your skin tone will be golden, tan or olive.
- You have green veins in your wrist.
- You suit bright or rich shades.
- You probably have freckles.
- Gold jewellery looks awesome on you.
If you have cool undertones:
- Your skin tone is pink or pale.
- You prefer wearing jewel and pastel colors.
- The color yellow does not look good on you.
- You have blue veins in your wrist.
- Pearls and silver jewellery look awesome on you.
Which hair colors suit me?
You can also TAKE OUR QUIZ! to find out what shades of brown and other hair colors and shades are really right for you – from dark brown hair to platinum blondes, golden blondes and highlights.
Which Hair Color Suits You?
You can also try on some virtual hair colors with the Best hair color changing apps you need to use this year!
Can I dye my own hair light brown at home?
Yes! This color hair is totally achievable at home. But this is where you’ll need to exercise caution. Listen carefully to us, your colored hair expert friends…
If your current hair color is any shade that’s darker than light brown– your hair will first need to be lightened first with bleach before you can get this gorgeous on-trend color.
Check out our advice in How to bleach your hair at home, DIY style for top tips and products you can use to do this yourself at home.
If the thought of lightening your own hair makes you nervous, see a professional. You don’t want to get it wrong!
If your current base color is any shade lighter than light brown – or even the same, perfecto. You’re safe to dye your hair yourself.
AS LONG AS you read the advice on the box you choose carefully to match it with the color your hair is now.
How do I care for light brown hair?
Whether you were born with light brown hair or you dyed it to this shade, it’s important to take care of it properly to maintain its beauty and shine.
Light brown hair can easily become dull, dry, and brittle if not treated properly, here are some tips and tricks to keep your light brown hair healthy and shiny.
- Use a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner – Sulfates can strip your hair of its natural oils and cause it to become dry and brittle. So, it is important to use sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners. Look out for hair products that contain natural ingredients like argan oil, jojoba oil, and almond oil which are great for moisturizing and nourishing the hair.
- Avoid over-washing – Washing your hair too often can rinse away the natural oils in your hair leaving it dry and brittle. Shampooing your hair every other day or even twice a week is good enough to keep your hair clean and healthy. If you feel you need to refresh your hair in between washes, use a dry shampoo instead.
- Protect your hair from heat damage – If you like using a hair dryer, curling iron, or straightener, limit your use, and always apply a heat protectant spray before heat styling your hair. Excessive heat can cause damage to your hair and make it look dull and lifeless.
- Use a weekly hair mask – Hair masks are a great way to nourish and moisturize your hair. Choose a hair mask that is specifically meant for repairing and strengthening hair. Leave the mask on for the recommended time, then rinse off with lukewarm water. You can also make a DIY hair mask using natural ingredients like honey, avocado, and coconut oil.
- Get regular trims – Split ends can cause hair to look frizzy, dry, and unkempt. Getting a trim every six weeks or so will keep your hair looking neat and healthy.
Shades of Brown Hair Color FAQs
What is the most beautiful brown hair color?
The most beautiful brown hair color is subjective since beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
However, four shades of brown hair are considered the most beautiful: chestnut, caramel, chocolate, and espresso.
Chestnut has a reddish-brown hue that looks great on people with warm skin tones.
Caramel is a warm brown hue with golden undertones that complements those with a tan complexion.
Chocolate is a rich, warm brown hue with a neutral undertone that suits most skin tones.
Lastly, espresso is a dark shade of brown with a cooler undertone that looks great on those with deep, cool skin tones.
What are the brown shades called on hair?
There’s a wide range of brown hair shades, and each has its name. These are some of the most common brown shades:
- Light brown
- Ash brown
- Golden brown
- Auburn brown
- Mahogany brown
- Chestnut brown
- Caramel brown
- Chocolate brown
- Espresso brown
- Dark brown
What shade of brown hair should I get?
Choosing the right shade of brown hair depends on several factors, including your skin tone, eye color, and natural hair color.
For people with fair skin and cool undertones, ash brown and caramel brown shades look great.
Those with warm skin tones and yellow undertones can try golden brown and chestnut brown hues.
If you have a medium skin tone, you can opt for chocolate brown or mahogany brown hair shades.
Dark skinned people are best suited for deep, dark hues like espresso brown.
Which is the best dark brown hair color?
Dark brown hair colors come in various hues, which make them perfect for those looking for a subtle change or a dramatic look.
The best dark brown hues for warm skin tones are chocolate brown, cinnamon brown, and chestnut brown.
Those with cool skin tones can try rich espresso brown, cool black-brown, and ash brown.
Parting words
So whether you’re looking for an alluring shade of light brown hair, or just want to take your natural color up a notch, we have the perfect solution.
Go ahead and take your pick from these stunning hair color examples to find the right shade for you!
