10 Fabulous Sandy Brown Hair Ideas & How To Nail The Look.

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Dreaming of a hair color that’s as warm as a beachy sunset? Sandy brown hair color has all the sass and good vibes you’re looking for.

Whether you’re eyeing a complete color change or a natural sun-kissed look, we’ve got you covered.

This guide dives into the best sandy brown hair dyes, from bright highlights to muted bronde balayage ombre, and everything in between.

We’ll also help you figure out if sandy brown is your color, how to achieve it, and how it complements your skin tone and personality. Plus, we’ve curated 10 fabulous sandy brown hair ideas that you can take straight to your stylist.

Ready to explore your new favorite hue? Let’s get started!

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What color is sandy brown hair?

Sumptuous Sandy Brown is a gorgeous light brown hair shade that’s blowing up into this year’s top trends.

It’s a color that looks good on both light skin-tones and dark skin-tones and is the ideal shade for those looking to mask their roots.

It’s also perfect for those who want to rock an au naturel look without looking too drab or washed out.

It’s been compared to bronde for its mix between dark-hued brunette locks with blonde highlights which gives an overall cool tone.

This color really shines in different lights. When you’re out in the sun, your hair lights up, looking almost blonde, full of life and brightness.

Inside or in the shade, it’s a gentler light brown, perfect for a subtle, everyday look.

This makes it versatile enough to wear whatever the occasion – and from season to season.

It’s fantastic as a base for lighter blonde color like blonde highlights, ombre or brown hair balayage.

Sandy hues can be worn by anyone and are perfect for those who want their locks to look like they have depth without being too dark or heavy.

Check out the latest Sandy Hair Color looks on our Pinterest board for ideas and inspiration.

sandy brown hair color collection pinterest board
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10 Trendsetting Sandy Brown Hair Styles to Inspire Your Next Look

Discover the versatility and beauty of sandy brown hair with these top 10 style ideas. Whether you’re after a subtle change or a complete transformation, these styles are sure to inspire your next hair adventure.

From the subtle nuances of balayage to the bold statement of ombre, there’s a sandy brown style for everyone.

#1 Sandy Brown Balayage

Brown balayage is beautiful look for long hair, blending perfectly with your natural tone. It’s a chic and seamless transition to sandy brown, ideal for those who appreciate the elegance of long, flowing locks.

#2 Honey Brown Ombre

A gorgeous sandy brown gradient that transitions from your natural hair color into a rich honey brown, giving a warm and radiant effect. It’s perfect for those wanting a subtle yet impactful color change.

#3 Sandy Blonde Highlights

Mid-length hair with sunny blonde highlights creates a lively, sun-kissed effect. It’s perfect for adding a vibrant touch to your sandy brown base, giving it a fresh and youthful look.

#4 Sandy Blonde with Lowlights

The Sandy Blonde Color Melt is where the warmth of sandy brown roots meets the playful lightness of blonde ends, creating a sun-kissed, natural look. It’s the perfect blend of depth and brightness, ideal for adding a soft, summery touch to your style all year round.

#5 Subtle Light Brown Waves

Ideal for thin hair, this sandy brown style features a blunt cut, styled with a middle part and soft waves. It’s an understated yet elegant look, perfect for everyday sophistication.

#6 Sandy Honey Brown Highlights

This style is all about chunky highlights in sandy honey brown on long hair, styled with beach waves. It’s a dynamic look that’s especially striking on darker hair.

#7 Caramel Brown Money Piece

A contemporary sandy brown money piece adds a trendy twist to dark brown hair. Curling away from the face, this style is ideal for those seeking a modern, standout look.

#8 Sandy Ash Brown with Waves

Long sandy ashy brown hair with fresh highlights and a middle part, styled in waves. This look is versatile and fashionable, great for showcasing new highlights.

#9 Beige Blonde with Babylights

Keep your sandy brown base and add in delicate beige babylights for a subtle, nuanced look. This style is perfect for those seeking a gentle enhancement to their natural color.

#10 Soft Sandy Brown Lob

A sleek and straight lob in light sandy brown, cut near the shoulder. It offers a clean, modern look, perfect for those who prefer a polished, minimalist style.

Will sandy brown hair suit me?

This sultry shade is great for long hair, short hair, curly and straight hair, every hairstyle you can think of.

And with so many color options available ranging from cool to warm tones; there really is a sandy brunette shade for everyone!

It complements light eyes with gold or green hues (think hazel, olive green).

Deep black, brown eye color will create a mesmerizing contrast.

To choose the right color for you, you’ll need to start with your undertones.

Knowing whether you have cool or warm undertones is the key to unlocking the right colors for you.

Once you know which one you are, it’ll give an uplift to your whole lifestyle – from the clothes you choose to the make-up you wear.

Go ahead and use our checklist to find out if you’re warm or cool.

If you have cool undertones:

  • Your skin tones looks pale or light pink
  • You blush very easily!
  • Jewel and pastel colors wash you out
  • Yellow is not a color you can wear with confidence
  • You have blue not green veins showing in your wrist
  • Pearls and silver jewellery look awesome on you

If you have warm undertones:

  • Gold jewellery looks awesome on you.
  • Your skin tone is golden, tan or olive.
  • You have golden or red undertones in your hair.
  • You may have a few freckles.
  • You have green rather than blue veins showing in your wrist
  • You suit wearing bright clothes colors or rich shades better
warm or cool undertones
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What hair colors suit me?

You can also determine which hair colors suit you with our quick quiz!

Just answer a few quick questions to find out if it’s the right hue for you!

Which Hair Color Suits Me?

Or try on some virtual hair colors with the best hair color apps you need in your life today!

Can I get sandy brown hair at home?

It’s a light brown hair color that’s easy to get at home, IF you have the right hair color base.

This means the color your hair is now has to be light enough, or you’ll have to bleach it to lighten it.

If your hair is dark – you’ll need to get hold of a lightening kit and bleach your hair first to lift it a level or two. You can’t lighten color with color!

If your hair is light brown to blonde – you can experiment with this shade. But be careful to match the color on the side of the box of chosen hair dye with the color your hair is now to make sure you’ll get the right result.

When in doubt, do a strand test to test the color will come out as your heart desires!

What is the best sandy brown hair dye?

There are a good range of light brown hair dyes you can buy to get sandy hair color at home.

The right one for you is down to matching it correctly with your base color now.

Are you dark brown? Medium brown or natural brown?

If in doubt, chose a shade lighter.

Brown hair dyes are known for coming up dark and it’s easier to dye it again darker than to lighten it!

Here are a few of our faves to get that sandy haired look at home!

Best sandy brown hair dye

Hair dyeLooks likeBuy it now
L'Oréal Paris Excellence Crème Permanent Hair Dye, Natural Dark Blonde
L'Oreal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying + Shine Permanent Hair Color, 7 Dark Blonde, Pack of 1, Hair Dye
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Garnier Nutrisse Permanent Hair Dye, Medium Beige Blonde
Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Hair Color Creme, 72 Dark Beige Blonde (Sweet Latte) (Packaging May Vary)
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L'Oreal Paris Excellence Creme Permanent Hair Color, Light Golden Brown
L'Oreal Paris Excellence Creme Permanent Triple Care Hair Color, 6G Light Golden Brown, Gray Coverage For Up to 8 Weeks, All Hair Types, Pack of 1
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Revlon Colorsilk Beautiful Color Permanent Hair Color with 3D Gel Technology & Keratin, Dark Ash Blonde
Revlon Permanent Hair Color, Permanent Hair Dye, Colorsilk with 100% Gray Coverage, Ammonia-Free, Keratin and Amino Acids, 60 Dark Ash Blonde, 4.4 Oz (Pack of 1)
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Clairol Nice'n Easy Permanent Hair Dye, Medium Ash Blonde Hair Color
Clairol Nice'n Easy Permanent Hair Dye, 8A Medium Ash Blonde Hair Color, Pack of 3
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Garnier Hair Color Olia Oil Powered Permanent, Dark Blonde
Garnier Olia Dark Blonde Permanent Hair Dye, No Ammonia for A Pleasant Scent, Up To 100% Grey Hair Coverage, Maximum Colour Performance, 60% Oils - 7.0 Dark Blonde
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Do I need to bleach my hair to go sandy brown?

Yes! You will need to bleach your hair first if you want that lovely sun-kissed brown.

Sandy brown looks best when it has lightened up enough that there are no traces of brassiness or any other color in its tone structure.

If your hair is bleached blonde or platinum – you have a good base to try it out.

However, if you’re a natural born brunette- it’s best to see your stylist first.

Watch and Learn: How to get sandy brown hair.

Here’s a great video tutorial that guides you through how to get sandy brown hair at home step by step.

What is the rarest shade of brown hair?

Naturally, Sandy Brown is one of the least common shades of brown hair.

Mainly because it’s tonally so close to many other shades – that of blonde, bronde, caramel, chestnut and light brown.

So people often mistake it for one of these hues, rather than its own!

It’s not an easy coloring to achieve either, as it can require bleaching out all traces of natural pigment.

However it is super flattering for those who are blessed with the right skin tone.

With so many different shades of brown and blonde both in society today and in nature, we’ve come to see these two colors as pretty universal.

How do I moisturize my sandy brown hair?

Keeping your hair soft and in good health is a matter of looking after it with the right products.

With a little care, this is a shade that grows out really well and requires not a lot of maintenance.

Use products that are safe for colored hair like sulfate-free shampoos and nourishing, color-kind conditioners.

These will stop your color from drying and fading.

Once a week, condition our hair with a deep conditioner to help restore elasticity and moisture.

And always look up our top tips to keep your hair color looking fabulous all year round.

How long will sandy brown hair last?

The great thing about this shade is that it lasts as long as the hair dye you use.

If you use permanent color – you can expect to get up to 8 weeks before root regrowth means you’ll need a top up.

If you use semi-permanent color – you’re looking at 8-10 washes before the color fades.

Although it can be dark, sandy brown has more of a natural look than any other kinds of permanent colors. Which means it fades beautifully into softer brown or blonde.

TOP TIPS.

Use color safe shampoo and conditioners to keep the color locked in.

Don’t wash your hair more than twice a week because that will make the color fade faster.

Cover up your hair in the sun and in the pool or sea, use a UV spray protection to stop the color from fading.

Use a blue shampoo once a week to keep the color cool, bright and vibrant and stop brassy orange tones from showing.


Parting words.

The world is yours with a sandy brown head of color. This vibrant brown-blonde look is not just for the summer season.

So dive in today. What are you waiting for?

Have you embraced the chic elegance of sandy brown hair? We’re excited to see how you’ve rocked this versatile hue! Share your sandy brown hair journey with us on Instagram by tagging @colouredhaircare and use the hashtag #SandyBrownStyle.We’ll see you there!

This article was written by:

  • Nicola Freeman, Creative Director & Content Lead
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    Creative Director & Content Lead

    With over two decades of passionate hair dyeing experience, I've experimented with nearly every shade imaginable. My journey began long before blogging; as an award-winning copywriter in London and New York, I shaped narratives for iconic brands. However, when friends sought advice during lockdown for at-home hair dyeing, I realized my true calling. Beyond being your hair color expert, I'm a mom of two girls, wife to artist Tony, and an avid soccer player!