13 Light Brown Hair Color Ideas That Are Oh-So-Flattering

There’s no better time than the present to embrace lighter hair, and a light brown hair color is a great choice. This sun-kissed hue is chic, versatile, and flattering on just about every skin tone and undertone. It’s also easy to achieve at home—this isn’t a color that requires a salon visit to nail.

If you’re interested in trying a light brown hue for yourself, keep reading. Here, we’ll explain what you need to know about getting a light brown hair color and share 13 of our favorite ways to wear the classic shade.

What Colors Make Light Brown Hair?

As the name suggests, light brown hair is a light, sun-kissed brunette shade, often with subtle honey tones woven throughout. The lightest take on the hue is a shade darker than bronde, while deeper variations lean more chocolatey in tone. Some versions of the shade also have reddish undertones or an ashy tint—ultimately, it depends on the specific shade you choose (more on that shortly).

Because it’s so versatile and can easily be customized, nearly everybody looks great with a light brown hair color. To find the most flattering hue for you, you’ll want to consider both your skin tone and undertones: generally, warmer shades pair well with warmed-toned skin, while ashier shades complement cool complexions.

What To Know Before Trying Light Brown Hair

If you’re starting with a darker base color—think dark brown or black—you may need to lighten your hair before applying your light brown hair dye. You can visit a salon for this or DIY it with an at-home bleaching kit, such as L’Oréal Paris Colorista Hair Bleach & Lightener At-Home Kit. However, this isn’t always the case: some hair dyes come with lightener built-in, minimizing the number of steps you’ll need to take to achieve your desired hue. If you’re opting for a DIY approach, be sure to read the box instructions thoroughly before applying any color so you know whether or not you need to bleach your hair first.

How to Get a Light Brown Hair Color

If you want to get a light brown hair color at home, you’ve got plenty of options. Lighten your hair, if necessary, then pick up an at-home color kit in your desired hue. Here are a few of our favorites for a dimensional light brown hair color.

L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Universal Nudes in Natural Light Brown

For a natural-looking, born-with-it light brown hair color, snag this kit. The dye’s ammonia-free formula is suitable for all hair types and textures and feels gentle on the scalp. Plus, it’s formulated with a Pro-Keratin Compex and caring agents to help protect your hair as it adds rich, vibrant color.

L’Oréal Paris Excellence Age Perfect in Light Soft Neutral Brown

Cover grays and achieve your perfect light brown hue with this at-home dye. The unique formula is designed specifically for women with 70% or more grays and provides dimensional, luminous color that looks completely natural. Plus, it features a Pro-Keratine complex that helps replenish hair from within for added volume and shine.

L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Light Amber Brown

If you’re starting with a darker base color and don’t want to bleach your hair, grab this kit. The warm amber hair color delivers vibrant results on medium blonde to dark brown hair and offers up to nine weeks of luminous, fade-defying color.

L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Hi-Lift Gold Brown

Those seeking a more golden brown hair color should consider this dye. It’s suitable for medium brown to black hair—no bleaching needed—and applies easily, leaving the strands silky, shiny, and full of dimensional color.

When it comes to hair color trends, hues are constantly changing. And we’re still seeing a whole lot of mushroom brown hair color selfies on our social media feeds. This earthy, cool-toned, ash brown shade is a gorgeous take on mushroom blonde hair and we can’t get enough of it. It’s a multi-dimensional color that will enhance your locks and give you various gray and brown undertones. If you’re interested in trying out this hue, keep reading to learn how to get a mushroom brown hair color at home, complete with product picks and tips to keep your color-treated hair healthy. 

What Is Mushroom Brown Hair?

When it comes to picturing mushroom brown hair, think of portobello mushrooms and you’ll have the right idea in mind. It’s a neutral hair color that involves several subtle shades of brown and gray—just like, you guessed it, a mushroom. To create this shade, a colorist will apply a series of lowlights and highlights on top of an ash brown base to create a multi-dimensional hue. The best part? The ashy undertones conceal grays like no other. So, if you’re looking to cover gray hair, mushroom brown is a good hair color to consider.

How To Get A Mushroom Brown Hair Color At Home

As with all highlighting techniques, it’s best to consult the help of a colorist to create an Instagram-worthy mushroom brown hair color. If you prefer a lighter hue, ask your stylist to create a light brown base and blend in tons of blonde highlights. If a deep mushroom shade is what you're after, ask your stylist to blend chocolate brown lowlights into your ash base.

If you plan on trying this hair color at home, use the L’Oréal Paris Haircolor Concierge to consult with an expert colorist, check out video tutorials, learn hair coloring tips, and more. Then get the look with one of our best mushroom brown hair dyes: the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Permanent Triple Protection Hair Color in Light Ash Brown, L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Permanent Triple Protection Hair Color in Mocha Ash Brown, or the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Permanent Triple Protection Hair Color in Dark Beige Blonde. 

When applying your color, make sure to follow all of the instructions included in your coloring kit. You can also check out our article, How To Color Your Hair At Home Featuring Excellence Creme, for a step-by-step video tutorial and play with the L’Oréal Paris Hair Color Virtual Try-On tool to see how each of these hues will look on your mane before you make the leap.   

After you’ve dyed your strands, you’ll likely want to style your hair to show off your new hue. Try embracing your natural texture by opting for heat-free protective hairstyles like braids. Apply a generous amount of the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle BOOST IT Volume Inject Mousse

throughout your lengths to add volume and texture to your mane. Then spritz on a bit of the L'Oréal Paris Elnett Precious Oil Satin Hairspray to keep your braids in place and give them a shiny finish. 

How To Care For Mushroom Brown Hair Color 

Color-treated hair requires special care. So be sure to switch out your regular hair care products for picks designed to maintain your new hue. 

1. Switch To A Color-Safe Shampoo And Conditioner

Make room in your shower for a new shampoo and conditioner. Reach for the L’Oréal Paris Everpure Sulfate Free Bond Strengthening Color Care Shampoo and the L’Oréal Paris Everpure Sulfate Free Bond Strengthening Color Care Conditioner. This system works to strengthen your mane from the inside by reinforcing weak hair bonds. Its formula also includes nourishing ingredients like aloe and sunflower seed oil, which helps leave the hair feeling soft and smooth. Follow up with a hair mask like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Repair and Protect Balm in place of conditioner once or twice a week. It’s formulated to smooth and protect your hair color by deeply nourishing your strands. 

2. Apply Heat Protectant When Using Hot Tools 

When you expose your hair to heat without protection, it can lead to hair damage. Hot tools can dry out your strands, causing split ends and breakage. Fortunately, you can apply a heat protectant like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Heat Slayer Pre-Iron Spray Leave-In to shield your strands. It’s specially formulated to work with hot tools to protect against heat up to 450-degrees. 

3. Use A Hair Gloss

Enhance and prolong the life of your new hair color by adding the L’Oréal Paris Le Color Gloss One Step In-Shower Toning Gloss to your hair care routine. This at-home treatment works to brighten and tone your hair color while also deeply conditioning your strands. It’s formulated with a coconut oil-infused deep-conditioning base and can be used on all hair types and textures. While hair gloss is typically thought of as an in-salon treatment, this product can be used in just 15 minutes at home. There’s no mixing involved—just add it to your hair washing routine for enhanced color and to add a boost of shine to your strands. 

Photo Credit: Courtesy of L'Oréal Paris

 

Next: How To Fix Brassy Brown Hair

L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Créme Permanent Triple Care Hair Color in Light Golden Brown

Enjoy 100% gray coverage and rich, radiant color with this beloved at-home kit. The Pro Keratine-infused formula protects as it colors, and the included after-color shampoo and deep conditioner provide deep care for color-treated hair.

13 Light Brown Hair Color Ideas to Consider

If you still need some inspiration before committing to a light brown hair color, keep scrolling. Here, we’re sharing 13 of our favorite ways to embrace the versatile shade.

1. Light ash brown

A light ash brown hair color is a gorgeous pick for those with cool complexions. The unique hue—sometimes known as light mushroom brown—is about as cool-toned as it gets and features reflective silvery pigments woven throughout. If you have to bleach your hair to achieve this silvery shade, your stands may become slightly brassy with time. A blue shampoo can help neutralize unwanted warmth and keep your light brown hair color distinctly cool-toned.

2. Light golden brown

Golden brown hair can be worn any number of ways, but if a sun-kissed hue is what you’re after, nothing beats light golden brown hair. The warm shade boasts a blend of sandy, golden, and bronze tones for a summery hue with tons of natural-looking dimension. And while it’s a great way to embrace a lighter hair color for the summer without going completely blonde, the versatile shade works for any season.

3. Light copper brown

Put a unique spin on your classic brunette shade with a light copper brown hair color. This trendy hue—a slightly lighter version of cowboy copper—is a perfect blend of bronzy brown and bright apricot. You can wear it as an all-over color or add honey and champagne highlights for added brightness and dimension.

4. Honey caramel light brown

If you want to experiment with a warmer shade but aren’t ready to go full steam ahead with copper, try a honey caramel light brown hair color. As the name suggests, this inviting hue boasts a mix of caramel and honey tones that lend the hair an almost metallic sheen. It’s definitely on the warmer end of the spectrum, but more golden in tone than red.

5. Light brown hair with highlights

Fine blonde highlights (or babylights) are an easy way to brighten up a classic light brown hair color. Opt for streaks a few shades lighter than your base color for a subtle tonal look, or paint bright blonde streaks throughout your mane for a more dramatic effect.

6. Light caramel balayage

Balayage is a highlighting technique that involves hand-painting thin streaks throughout your hair to add brightness and dimension without looking obviously “done.” We love how a warm caramel balayage adds depth to light brown hair—it’s chic and sophisticated, but effortless at the same time.

7. Cappuccino bronde

Like the caffeinated beverage from which it gets its name, this flattering hair color features a mix of rich coffee and toasted milky tones. It’s not quite brown, not quite blonde, but somewhere in between, and traditionally boasts a subtly cool undertone (though it can be made warmer with the right dye).

8. Cinnamon light brown

Cinnamon hair often lives on the darker side of the brunette spectrum, but can easily be adapted for lighter brown hair, too. We love how this rich shade incorporates copper, chocolate, and bronze tones for warmth without leaning too red.

9. Sandy brown face-framing highlights

Draw attention to your face and brighten your complexion by opting for bright, face-framing highlights. Here, a sandy brown base color pairs with pale, wheat-colored highlights for a softly cool-toned effect. To make the look warmer, opt for a nutty brown base and honey-toned highlights.

10. Light brown ombré

If you want to go lighter but don’t want to bleach your entire head, consider opting for a light brown ombré. This two-toned style features darker natural roots that gradually lighten into a sunny brown hue at the ends. The result is an effortless look that requires very little upkeep (and no awkward grow-out phase).

11. Toffee brown with golden highlights

Like its namesake sweet treat, toffee hair color is sweet, indulgent, and hard to resist. This nutty hue is slightly darker than the other shades on our list, making it easily achievable for those starting with a deeper base color.

12. Bronde with light brown lowlights

If you want to go darker but don’t want to part with your blonde, consider this beachy hue. Classic, cool-toned blonde hair is subtly darkened and balanced with the addition of light brown lowlights. To maintain a bright look, we suggest keeping the pieces around your face blonde—you’ll get a sun-kissed effect that doesn’t require a ton of upkeep.

13. Golden bronde colormelt

A colormelt is a hair color technique that blends two distinct hues together—in this case, golden bronde and deep chocolate—for a tonal, dimensional look. If you don’t want to hit the salon every few weeks for touchups, consider asking your colorist for a root shadow for a low-maintenance, lived-in look.

Next Up: Embrace Summery Strands With These 12 Strawberry Blonde Hair Ideas