The Best Hair Color Ideas for Brunettes

By Mary Shannon Wells

Since blonde hair is a lighter base, it once seemed as though blondes had more options when it came to hair colors. With techniques like balayage taking the front seat in hair color, though, brunettes can have just as much fun with color. Lately, ashy brunettes are front and center in hair trends. These cool brunette hair colors are edgier than your everyday warm honey highlights, and they look amazing. With smoky hues like chocolate mauve and ash brown in the lead, the best brunette shades of today aren’t traditional by any means. If you’re not interested in going grey, try out cool-tone babylights for a hint of ice. Who's ready to head to the salon?

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Cool Espresso

Instagram/@che.r.mariano

This dark brunette is absolutely gorgeous, especially when blended with cool, slightly lighter tones for a sombré effect. 

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Icy Babylights

Instagram/@saripaints

This brunette is iced up with wintery babylights in cool blondes and beiges.

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Smoky Sombré

Instagram/@habitsalon

This subtle ombré fades from a cool, dark brunette to icy, beige ends. Sombré is a great color job if you want to grow out your natural color.

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Beige Brown and Ice Gold

Instagram/@kimwasabi

This gorgeous blend of muted brunette and a cool-toned gold makes for a striking combination.

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Ash Brown

Instagram/@takuya648

If you can’t tell from some of the colors we’ve already listed, ashen tones are in. This brunette is snowy and cool.

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Chocolate Mauve

Instagram/@lo.rean

Chocolate mauve is the moodier version of rose brown hair color, and we’re here for it. This combo of smoky, brunette, and purple hues is so cool.

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Mushroom Brown Hair

Pinterest

Mushroom brown hair has taken the Internet by a storm, and it’s not losing momentum. The muted, ashy, almost-grey, almost-brown shade seems low key but has big impact.

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Charcoal Brunette with Silver Babylights

Instagram/@xo.farhana.balayage

This darkest brunette is softened around the edges with delicate, ashy babylights.

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Dusty Lavender

Instagram/@kimwasabi

Lavender, also known these days as “melodramatic purple,” is the new millennial pink. You’re going to see the shade everywhere from your nail polish to your home décor, so why not your hair color?

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Pearly Cocoa

Instagram/@takuya648

This muted, light brunette has a pearly sheen that’s hauntingly pretty.

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Denim Balayage on Deep Brunette

Instagram/hoang.n.pham

This icy, silvery blue looks truly mesmerizing against a deep brunette base.

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Cool-Tone Ombré

Instagram/@scixxorhands

From the almost purple brunette top to the sandy bronde bottom, this ombré is cool and collected. Not to mention the bangs are perfectly on trend.

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