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    1. Beauty
    2. Hair

    39 Stunning Brown Hair Color Ideas to Inspire Your Next Look

    Because not all brown hair is created equal.

    By The Editors
    Published 28 September 2020 In Buying Guides

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    brunette
    (Image credit: Getty)
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    How come blondes always get fun hair descriptors like "ashy" or "strawberry" or "bleach-blond"? It seems that brunettes always get the catch-all "brown" label, while other shade ranges get down to specifics. But no more! Knowing exactly the shade of brunette you want is completely necessary when you're looking to dye your locks. Having a reference pic is one of the most essential tenets before any dye job, and we want to make sure you're prepared. Chestnut and chocolate are not created equal, and if you're looking to get one but accidentally get the other, you might be sorely disappointed.

    Luckily, we're seeing a lot more celebs rocking the brunette look, which means we have a lot more cut-out options to bring to our favorite colorists. Whether you want a new all-over color, some highlights to liven your look, or are aiming for that super subtle undertone, these celeb looks have it all. From detailed highlights to ridiculously flattering balayages, these 39 very different, yet incredibly pretty, hair color ideas for brunettes will convince you that no brown shade is created equal. Here, your very own flipbook of gorgeous brown hair colors to peruse before you book your next salon visit.

    Marisa Tomei's Auburn Brown
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Marisa Tomei's Auburn Brown

    Mindy Kaling's Cool Light Brown Highlights
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Mindy Kaling's Cool Light Brown Highlights

    Keira Knightley's Golden Brown Undertones
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Keira Knightley's Golden Brown Undertones

    Solange Knowles' 1970s Noir Waves
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Solange Knowles' 1970s Noir Waves

    Amal Clooney's Lowlight Wavy Side Part
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Amal Clooney's Lowlight Wavy Side Part

    Ciara's Face-Framing Highlight
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Ciara's Face-Framing Highlight

    Kate Middleton's Dramatic Caramel Curls
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Kate Middleton's Dramatic Caramel Curls

    Jennifer Lopez's Honey Brown Highlights
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Jennifer Lopez's Honey Brown Highlights

    Dakota Johnson's Warm Brown Curtain Bangs
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Dakota Johnson's Warm Brown Curtain Bangs

    Kerry Washington's Dark Waves
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Kerry Washington's Dark Waves

    Alexa Demie's Jet-Black 'Do
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Alexa Demie's Jet-Black 'Do

    Tessa Thompson's Voluminous Curls
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Tessa Thompson's Voluminous Curls

    Vanessa Hudgens' Chocolate Locks
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Vanessa Hudgens' Chocolate Locks

    Alexa Chung's Mid-Brown Waves
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Alexa Chung's Mid-Brown Waves

    Emilia Clarke's Highlighted Look
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Emilia Clarke's Highlighted Look

    Camila Mendes' Polished Waves
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Camila Mendes' Polished Waves

    Natalie Portman's Caramel Highlights
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Natalie Portman's Caramel Highlights

    Shailene Woodley's Classic Brown Braids
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Shailene Woodley's Classic Brown Braids

    Bella Hadid's Slicked Look
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Bella Hadid's Slicked Look

    Gal Gadot's Coffee Tones
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Gal Gadot's Coffee Tones

    Lupita Nyong'o's Gorgeous Braids
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Lupita Nyong'o's Gorgeous Braids

    Lily Collins' Shiny Look
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Lily Collins' Shiny Look

    Zendaya's Warm Blow-Out
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Zendaya's Warm Blow-Out

    Emily Ratajkowski's Girl-Next-Door Locks
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Emily Ratajkowski's Girl-Next-Door Locks

    Shay Mitchell's Easy Dark Bun
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Shay Mitchell's Easy Dark Bun

    Jourdan Dunn's Long Curls
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Jourdan Dunn's Long Curls

    Keira Knightley's Sunkissed Brown Updo
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Keira Knightley's Sunkissed Brown Updo

    Selena Gomez's Ombre Look
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Selena Gomez's Ombre Look

    Ashley Graham's Chocolate Waves
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Ashley Graham's Chocolate Waves

    Rihanna's Jet-Black Look
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Rihanna's Jet-Black Look

    Alicia Vikander's Chestnut Locks
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Alicia Vikander's Chestnut Locks

    Lana Condor's Inky Side Part
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Lana Condor's Inky Side Part

    Gayle King's Warm Waves
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Gayle King's Warm Waves

    Rooney Mara's Sophisticated Bun
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Rooney Mara's Sophisticated Bun

    Emma Watson's Highlighted Updo
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Emma Watson's Highlighted Updo

    Kate Beckinsale's Hazelnut Waves
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Kate Beckinsale's Hazelnut Waves

    Ali Wong's Mahogany 'Do
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Ali Wong's Mahogany 'Do

    Zoë Kravitz's Jet-Black Chop
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Zoë Kravitz's Jet-Black Chop

    Demi Lovato's Tumbling Curls
    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Demi Lovato's Tumbling Curls

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
    The Editors

    Marie Claire is committed to celebrating the richness and scope of women's lives. We're known for our award-winning features, thoughtful essays and op-eds, deep commitment to sustainable fashion, and buzzy interviews and reviews. Reaching millions of women every month, MarieClaire.com is an internationally recognized destination for celebrity news, fashion trends, beauty recommendations, and renowned investigative packages.

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