Brunette Hair Ideas — Shades to Consider
Brunettes are spoilt for choice. “Brown” covers an enormous range — warm and golden, cool and ashy, rich and chocolatey, sun-kissed and bright — and that range means there’s almost always a way to refresh brunette hair without abandoning it. Whether you want a subtle shift or a proper change, here are some of our favourite brunette shades, and who each one suits, from the team at Wisteria Avenue in Abingdon.
Golden brown
A warm, golden brown is flattering on peach and golden skin tones. It has real depth on its own, and it takes beautifully to dark golden blonde highlights or a balayage worked through existing golden-brown hair — the warm tones layer together rather than fighting each other.
Chocolate brown
Dark chocolate brown is the sophisticated, polished end of brunette — it reads as professional and luxurious, and it complements an olive complexion particularly well. It’s a rich shade that rewards being looked after; kept in good condition, it has a genuine glossiness to it.
Light ash brown
Light ash brown is the cool-toned option — natural, elegant and especially flattering on fair complexions. It’s the shade to ask for if you specifically don’t want to see red or gold in your hair. Cool-toned highlights add a sophisticated edge, particularly over a lighter base.
Sun-kissed brown
Sun-kissed brown does exactly what the name suggests — it mimics the way summer sun naturally lightens hair, with brightness lifted through the lengths and ends rather than applied all over. It’s typically achieved with highlights or a balayage using warmer, lighter tones, and it’s a lovely low-commitment way to brighten brunette hair.
Dark brown copper
For brunettes who want a little warmth and richness without going full red, dark brown copper is a rich, deep shade that works both in a professional setting and socially. It looks especially good paired with a modern cut and longer hair.
Caramel
Caramel is a light, golden shade that works beautifully on naturally darker roots — which is why it’s such a popular choice for highlighting the ends as part of a balayage or ombre, or as a set of highlights. The contrast against a darker root is part of the appeal.
Choosing your brunette shade
The shade that suits you best depends on your skin tone, your natural colour and how much maintenance you want — warm shades flatter warm complexions, cool shades flatter cool ones, and how it’s applied (all-over colour, highlights, balayage or ombre) changes both the look and the upkeep. A free, no-obligation colour consultation is the place to work this out properly. Book in, and we’ll talk it through before anything is decided. Have a look at our price list to see what’s involved.
