50 Gorgeous Brunette Hairstyles And Color Ideas

Whether you’re a natural brunette or you’re excited to dye your hair in a cocoa shade, I’ve put together the ultimate guide for brown-haired beauties. Below, you’ll find a huge range of brunette hairstyles, from cuts to styling ideas and more.

For women who want to go brunette, I’ve included a variety of light, dark, and reddish brown tones for inspiration. You’ll also enjoy flattering ideas for ombre, highlights, and balayage brunette hairstyles.

1. Beachy Waves Hairstyle for Long Brown Hair

If you have long brown hair, one of the prettiest brunette hairstyles you can try is beachy waves. They’re easily attainable by leaving braids in overnight or using a curling tool. To get that soft, effortless texture, gently brush your hair to pull the curls apart.

Beachy Waves Hairstyle for Long Brown Hair- a woman wearing a khaki colored t-shirt — Source

2. Long Brown Hair with Low Layers

Up for a routine trim at the salon? Take it one step further by working some low layers into your haircut. The process doesn’t involve removing a lot of length, but rather adding depth and dimension to the bottom half of your hairstyle.

Long Brown Hair with Low Layers- a woman wearing a white blouse — Source

3. Casual Long Loose Curls Hairstyle for Brown Hair

For brunettes with long and straight hair, loose low curls are the go-to for chic daily styling. To get the best results, use a flat iron and wrap your hair around the utensil. Lightly tap from place to place for a second or two at a time to hold the curls.

Casual Long Loose Curls Hairstyle for Brown Hair- a woman wearing a white shirt — Source

4. Long Brown Hair with Face Framing Curtain Bangs

If you’re thinking about getting a fringe cut to go with your long hair, curtain bangs are ideal for framing your face. The bangs style complements the overall length of your locks and works well for both summer and winter hairstyles.

Long Brown Hair with Face Framing Curtain Bangs- a woman wearing a white face mask — Source

5. Half Up Half Down Curly Brown Hairstyle

Girls with naturally curly brown hair can flaunt their ringlets with a half up half down hairstyle. To accentuate your curls in the process, bring them forward and allow a few strands to flow loosely around your face.

Half Up Half Down Curly Brown Hairstyle-a woman wearing a black blouse dress — Source

6. Choppy Angled Medium Bob Haircut for Brunettes

A fresh crop that will emphasize your chocolatey tresses is the top-trending choppy bob. With the weight line about halfway down your neck, it’s ideal for transitioning from a long to shorter hairstyle. The choppy tips enrich your look with texture and an edgy vibe.

Choppy Angled Medium Bob Haircut for Brunettes- a woman wearing a black face mask — Source

7. Shaggy Fringe Hairstyle for Shoulder-length Brown Hair

For even more edginess, dip into the world of messy shag cuts. When you couple one with a medium-length, point-cut fringe, you’ll get a choppy hairstyle all around. To frame your face, ask your stylist to carve in layers around the sides and feather out the edges.

Shaggy Fringe Hairstyle for Shoulder-length Brown Hair- a woman wearing a black t-shirt — Source

8. Feathered Layered Shoulder-length Haircut for Brunettes

On that note, feathering can be used as the primary technique in your new haircut. If you’re looking for texture in abundance, get a shoulder-length haircut with feathered layers on both sides. When styling, push the layers towards the back for a dynamic and eye-catching look.

Feathered Layered Shoulder-length Haircut for Brunettes- a woman wearing a gray shirt — Source

9. Vintage Curls Bob Hairstyle for Thick Brown Hair

Take a trip back in time with a medium bob haircut with vintage curls. The short and bouncy haircut can be accompanied by a blunt or side fringe. Once your hair is cut, curl the tips and a few full strands in the front. Make sure the curls are larger and looser for a 1920s-inspired outcome.

Vintage Curls Bob Hairstyle for Thick Brown Hair- a woman wearing a white camisole dress — Source

10. Messy Choppy Pixie Cut for Brown Hair

If you don’t plan on putting any additional brown tones in your hairstyle, make your solid color foundation come to life with a short choppy cut. The piecey and textured pixie, for instance, will boost movement in your hairstyle and help you express your adventurous personality.

Messy Choppy Pixie Cut for Brown Hair- a woman wearing a face mask and a black t-shirt — Source

11. Curled and Twisted Loose Braids for Brunettes

Fishtail braids can highlight each of your cocoa-colored strands, especially when curled and twisted together. The secret to achieving this hairstyle is loosely pulling the multiple braids apart once they’re in place.

Curled and Twisted Loose Braids for Brunettes- a woman wearing a white blouse — Source

12. Mambo Twist African Braid Hairstyle

From the wealth of African braiding styles available, mambo twists look particularly stunning in brown. The tight twists protect natural locks and promote hair growth at the same time. The longer the set of braids is, the more the earthy tones will shine.

Mambo Twist African Braid Hairstyle- a woman wearing a patterned shirt — Source

13. Half Pull Through Braid Pigtails for Brown Hair

With long brown hair, you can turn average pigtails into spectacular half pull through braids. Using small clear hair ties, pull each braid section into the next until you reach the final quarter of your scalp. From that point, use your own hair to close off the braids and let the remaining locks in the pigtails flow.

Half Pull Through Braid Pigtails for Brown Hair-a woman wearing a white t-shirt — Source

14. Long Brown Cornrow Braids Hairstyle

Cornrows are yet another beautiful alternative for protecting afro-textured hair. Choosing brown as the shade for the braids will complement your skin tone and bring out the best in your facial features.

Long Brown Cornrow Braids Hairstyle-a woman wearing a black blouse — Source

15. Zigzag Side Braid Hairstyle for Brown Hair

If you want a side braid but not necessarily a boho one, try a tighter Dutch braid with a creative twist. Instead of braiding directly down, form a zig zag along the side of the head for a dynamic braided hairstyle.

Zigzag Side Braid Hairstyle for Brown Hair- a woman wearing a brown blouse — Source

16. Faded Honey Highlights on Dark Brown Hair

One way to go about highlights on a dark brown foundation is a subtle, faded, honey-colored set. The goal here is to add a sun-kissed look to the dark base without lightening the overall hairstyle too much.

Faded Honey Highlights on Dark Brown Hair- a woman wearing a white dress — Source

17. Milk Chocolate Lowlights Brunette Hairstyle

If you want something even more low-key, swap highlights for some lowlights. For a barely noticeable effect, choose a tone that is only one or two shades lighter than your base hair color. The results? Subtle shimmer whenever light hits your tresses.

Milk Chocolate Lowlights Brunette Hairstyle- a woman wearing a black blouse — Source

18. Reddish Blonde Contour Highlights on Brown Hair

To warm up a cool dark brown base, pick a shade of highlights with a bit more saturation. For example, reddish blonde highlights with some contouring in the front will effectively brighten your appearance.

Reddish Blonde Contour Highlights on Brown Hair-a woman wearing a brown blouse — Source

19. Wispy Blonde Highlights on Medium Brown Hair

The former chunky highlights trend has now been replaced by wispy streaks. These aim to accentuate locks and boost the appearance of texture. Moreover, a medium brown foundation will enjoy more movement with the help of wispy blonde highlights.

Wispy Blonde Highlights on Medium Brown Hair- a woman wearing a white t-shirt — Source

20. Subtle Warm Brown Highlights on Dark Brown Hair

If you’re not big on mixing contrasting tones, you can experiment with highlights from a similar palette. A darker brown body can be emphasized through some warm, medium-width brown highlights all around.

Subtle Warm Brown Highlights on Dark Brown Hair-a woman wearing a black t-shirt — Source

21. Milk Chocolate to Dirty Blonde Ombre for Brunettes

Women with naturally brown hair can use the ombre coloring technique to lighten their hairstyle without committing to a full blonde look. For an alluring transition, you can choose dirty blonde as your secondary shade.

Milk Chocolate to Dirty Blonde Ombre for Brunettes- a woman wearing a black sweater blouse — Source

22. Light Brown and Blonde Balayage Lowlights on Brown Hair

To obtain a more harmonious transition, look into balayage lowlights as a dyeing method. Here, the brown top will appear to melt into the lighter brown and blonde bottom without much effort.

Light Brown and Blonde Balayage Lowlights on Brown Hair- a woman wearing a white blouse — Source

23. Red to Blonde Fire Ombre for Dark Brown Hair

For a more outgoing approach, mix flame-inspired colors for the ultimate three-way ombre. Start with a natural dark brown foundation. Blend out to a darker red, then to a burnt orange. Make the tips blonde to complete the look.

Red to Blonde Fire Ombre for Dark Brown Hair- a woman wearing a maroon blouse — Source

24. Dark Roots to Medium Brown Body Brunette Balayage

The subtle sister of the classic ombre is balayage. For brunette hairstyles, consider melting chocolate brown from dark brown roots. As a result, the body will appear to have more volume and density.

Dark Roots to Medium Brown Body Brunette Balayage-a woman wearing a black blouse — Source

25. Pale Brown to Silvery Blonde Ombre Hairstyle

To hop on the ashy hair trend, use two pale shades – mousy brown and silvery blonde. The individual tones go hand in hand for a soft and feminine ombre hairstyle with a modern touch.

Pale Brown to Silvery Blonde Ombre Hairstyle- a woman wearing a blue t-shirt — Source

26. Medium Auburn Hair Color

Red hair inspiration is key to adding warmth to brunette hairstyles. For instance, a medium auburn hair color retains a brown foundation while making it brighter and warmer. It’s so beautiful that it works as a solid color base for your hairstyle.

Medium with Auburn Hair Color- a woman wearing a black barber's cape — Source

27. Cinnamon Brown Hair Color

If you’d rather have a balayage effect, try a blend of cinnamon brown hues. In this case, you’ll have reddish undertones that effortlessly blend into the brown body. To increase contrast, keep your roots a touch darker than the rest.

Cinnamon Brown Hair Color- a woman wearing a white pink shirt — Source

28. Mahogany Hair Color with Red and Violet Undertones

Aside from red undertones, you can mix in subtle violet hues for a shining mahogany hair color. It’s another option that is rich enough to be worn on its own, without any other highlights or lowlights.

Mahogany Hair Color with Red and Violet Undertones- a woman wearing a gray sweater — Source

29. Amber Brown Hair Color

For some summery glow, opt for a more vivid amber brown hair color. With discrete honey shine, the hairstyle will glow in the sunshine and brighten up your entire appearance.

Amber Brown Hair Color- a woman wearing a brown dress — Source

30. Maple Brown Hair Color

Both rich and natural-looking, maple brown is the ideal balance between brown and red hair colors. The two shades are blended seamlessly to create a deep yet luminous foundation base for your whole body of hair.

Maple Brown Hair Color- a woman wearing a white blouse — Source

31. Deep Mocha Brunette Hair Color

Contrary to common belief, some of the most radiant brunette hairstyles are on the dark side of the spectrum. Mocha is a popular option that resurrects lifeless locks and adds a natural sheen.

Deep Mocha Brunette Hair Color- a woman wearing a white shirt — Source

32. Dark Brunette Balayage Hair with Subtle Warm Brown Accents

Balayage works not only for lightening hair, but also for working in deep tones on dark foundations. A brunette base with subtle warm brown accents is well balanced and ideal for women who want to explore the dark side of earth tones.

Dark Brunette Balayage Hair with Subtle Warm Brown Accents- a woman wearing a black shirt — Source

33. Charcoal Ash Brown Hair Color

Take ash brown to a darker level with charcoal undertones. You can get the color in the form of ombre or balayage to emphasize the ashy and earthy shades. Alternatively, use the combination as a solid color.

Charcoal Ash Brown Hair Color- a woman wearing a gray shirt — Source

34. Espresso Hair Color

If you want to go as dark as possible without reaching black hair, espresso is the direction you need. The tone is darker than mocha, but light enough to fall under the brunette category. It also enriches the body with natural shine.

Espresso Hair Color- a woman wearing an olive green sweater — Source

35. Dark Chestnut Hair Color

Look at that Shine! Dark Chestnut Brown & One Length Cut.

Dark Chestnut Hair Colors- a woman wearing a black barber's cape — Source

36. Warm Caramel Brown Hair Color

Whether you have a darker skin tone or you’re freshly tanned, caramel is the best hair color option for enhancing your complexion. If you want something between brown and blonde, this glowing shade is the way to go.

Warm Caramel Brown Hair Color- a woman wearing a black barber's cape — Source

37. Honey Brown Highlights and Contour on Medium Brown Hair

You can keep a medium brown base and simply touch it up with honey brown contourage highlights. Integrate wispy highlights throughout the base and reserve some wider chunks for the front to frame your face.

Honey Brown Highlights and Contour on Medium Brown Hair- a woman wearing a gray t-shirt — Source

38. Copper Brown Hair Color

A hair color trend that seems to always be in style is copper brown. It’s as rich as brown tones can get, with enough warm undertones to boost the brightness of your hairstyle. Use it as a solid foundation or with lowlights for emphasis.

Copper Brown Hair Color- a woman wearing a gray blouse — Source

39. Beige Brown Hair Color

Silver is also a fantastic source of inspiration for blending brown with additional tones. The result will be a light ash brown color with an overall beige shine. The adaptable color complements any skin tone and hair texture.

Beige Brown Hair Color- a woman wearing a gray blouse — Source

40. Golden Brown Hair Color

Vivid and warm alike, golden brown successfully bridges the gap between brunette and blonde. It’s a natural shade that still stands out in any dye job through a visible boost of sheen.

Golden Brown Hair Color- a woman wearing a black dress — Source

41. Romantic Loose Chignon Brunette Hairstyle

A vintage chignon is the perfect match for any formal or informal occasion. The bun should be loosely styled above your nape, with some light teasing on top. Pull out two strands in front and some wisps in the back to complete the romantic hairstyle.

Romantic Loose Chignon Brunette Hairstyle- a woman wearing a white camisole — Source

42. Side French Braid Messy Bun Hairstyle

For everyday wear, pair a messy updo with a loose side braid. Weave a larger section of hair into a French braid on the side and wrap the tips into a twisted bun. Grab a scrunchies to put the bun in place.

Side French Braid Messy Bun Hairstyle- a woman wearing a dark blue shirt — Source

43. Loose Piece Flower Bun Updo for Brunettes

An updo hairstyle fit for dates, proms, or weddings is the jumbo flower bun. For brunettes with a solid hair color, the piecey updo adds texture for a dimensional hairstyle. Make sure you have enough bobby pins to secure each individual strand in place.

Loose Piece Flower Bun Updo for Brunettes- a woman wearing a wedding dress — Source

44. Braided Updo Hairstyle with Rhinestone Pins for Brown Hair

Overlapping strands can result in a gorgeous braided updo for fancy events. In this situation, it’s best to keep the braided area tighter and finish everything off with rhinestone pins sprinkled randomly.

Braided Updo Hairstyle with Rhinestone Pins for Brown Hair- a woman wearing a winter sweater — Source

45. Messy Curly Bridal Updo Hairstyle

If you’re getting ready to be a boho bride, you need this messy, curly, and ornate updo in your life. It all starts with lightly curling your hair and tousling it. Then, it continues with a careless low bun and loose strands from every angle. The decorative headpiece pulls the look together with grace.

Messy Curly Bridal Updo Hairstyle- a woman wearing a wedding dress — Source

46. High Side Ponytail Messy Hairstyle

To make dark brown hair pop, you need an attention-grabbing hairstyle like this high side ponytail. After you tie the ponytail, curl the tips and tease them as much as you can for a fabulously messy outcome.

High Side Ponytail Messy Hairstyle- a woman wearing a white blouse — Source

47. Sleek Low Ponytail with Braided Section and Finger Waves

For a sleeker alternative, go for a sleek, vintage, low ponytail. To customize the hairstyle, braid a small section above the pony and style the remaining locks in soft, loose finger waves.

Sleek Low Ponytail with Braided Section and Finger Waves- a woman wearing a dark blue woman's polo — Source

48. Half Up Ponytail Hairstyle for Dark Brown Hair

To increase the appearance of high density, you can trick the eye with a strategic half up hairstyle. Provided your hair is a single brown tone, section the top and blend the tips into the rest of your hair for more fullness.

Half Up Ponytail Hairstyle for Dark Brown Hair- a woman wearing a white shirt — Source

49. High Ponytail Hairstyle for Brunettes

For an Instagram baddie hairstyle, straighten your hair until it’s as sleek as possible. Take your time combing and slicking all of your strands into a high ponytail right on the crown of your head. Wrap the pony with your own hair to finish the look.

High Ponytail Hairstyle for Brunettes- a woman wearing a black blouse — Source

50. Boho Ponytail Hairstyle with Fishtail Braid

Yet another pretty low ponytail idea adds fishtail braiding to the mix. Create two Dutch fishtail braids for the sides, wrap the rest in a low pony, and tease the top for a retro bouffant. Leave out some face-framing bangs to boost the wow factor of the hairstyle.

Boho Ponytail Hairstyle with Fishtail Braid- a woman wearing a red shirt — Source

Conclusion

In closing, brunette hairstyles are wonderful for getting a natural, earth tone, feminine look. If you already have brown hair, you now know how to shine light on it with refreshing haircuts or styles like braids, updos, and ponytails.

On the other hand, if were curious about what brunette shade options you have at hand, you’re now equipped with the color palettes you need. When dyeing your hair somewhere in this range, go for an option that creates contrast against your skin tone.

Adina Mazilu

As a Foreign Languages graduate, my passion for writing and translating came naturally from a very young age. I was always an artistic person but after college, this hobby turned into a job and then into a business. With a huge passion for beauty and fashion, my areas of interest became more and more clear. For the past few years, I have been writing about my main topics of interest which include, among others, hairstyles. Now, my most ardent wish is to expand my professional horizons and keep writing about my passions and delivering top-quality content to my readers, regardless of where they are living.