7 Pretty Hair Color Ideas for Brunettes

When it comes to hair color, who says brunettes can’t have fun? It’s time for those with blonde hair to pass the baton down to the raven-haired folks among us because it turns out the options for pretty hair color ideas are endless. Like popping rosé on the weekends? Go for a rose gold hair color! Want to show off your edgy side? Try a teal hair color. And that’s only the tip of the iceberg. With so many possibilities, it can be tough to narrow things down to just one idea. Below, learn about the trendiest hair color ideas for brunettes of the moment, plus find tips on how to take care of color-treated hair. 

1. MERMAID-INSPIRED TEAL HAIR

Always been a fan of the ocean? Embrace your inner mermaid and rock a vibrant teal ombré hair color on your brown strands. Get the look at home using the L'Oréal Paris Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Color in Teal. The hair color fades in four to ten shampoos. Here’s how to use it: 

Step 1: Shampoo your hair and then dry it fully.

Step 2: Using the gloves included in the kit, apply the hair dye onto desired areas, avoiding your scalp. Saturate your hair.

Step 3: Leave it on for 30 minutes for best results.

Step 4: Rinse hair thoroughly with water. 

Step 5: Enjoy your newly tinted hair!

And, if you want to add even more bold hair colors to your mermaid tail, check out the L’Oréal Paris Colorista 1-Day Spray. It sprays on for vivid color on both blonde and brunette hair and washes out with just one shampoo.

2. ROSE GOLD HAIR

The hottest accessory color has now infiltrated the beauty world. But in order to get the perfect rose gold hair color, research is key. As with any hair change, you should spend some time learning about the technique required to achieve your desired hue so that you can find the right colorist for you if you’re planning on going to the salon. An expert hair colorist can make all the difference in the world—they can literally transform your hair, so it’s best to ask if they specialize in the rose gold technique before booking an appointment. This technique requires more time and precision than some other hair colors, and keep in mind that for brunettes, the transformation will take longer than it would for blondes because you have to lighten your hair first. When you go rose gold, you’ll have to bleach your hair first so that it’ll be light enough for the pinky-peach color to really pop. Next, your colorist would apply a series of glosses and toners mixed together to give you the perfect rose gold tint. Each base color varies, which means that this dye job change isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. 

Now, if you don’t feel like heading to the salon, you can always pick up a box of the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Hair Color in Rose Gold for a permanent color, or one of the semi-permanent hair color options we mentioned above to embrace your rose gold beauty look.

3. BRONDE HAIR

Bronde is a highlighting technique that is a combination of blonde and brown (makes sense, right?). This technique is low maintenance and adds a ton of texture to your locks. If you have light brown hair, to begin with, going for bronde highlights will look super-natural. These subtle highlights are woven into your hair so more of your natural color peeks out. Here’s how it works: The highlights are one to two shades lighter than your natural shade and they are added to areas that would be naturally lightened by the sun. Bonus: You don’t have to worry about roots since these highlights are woven throughout your locks.

4. BALAYAGE HAIR

Developed by French hair colorists, balayage is another highlight technique that’s an awesome choice for those with brown hair. Unlike the foil-and-cap hair technique, balayage is a freehand hair streaking technique. Compared to bronde, balayage is a little brighter and lighter. The highlights are supposed to look like you’ve spent a healthy amount of time in the sun. The highlighted sections are supposed to be chunkier than the formerly mentioned bronde, but the transition from your roots to those lighter pieces are supposed to be gradual. There is no strong line demarcating hair sections—so as your hair starts to grow, you don’t have to worry about touching up your roots (score!). From your root to the tip, there should be two to three different shades. 

5. FLAMBOYAGE HAIR

If you’re looking for something that has a little more to it, consider asking your colorist about the flamboyage highlighting technique. Flamboyage literally means “flamboyant balayage.” Your hair is gradually lightened from about halfway through your length to the tips of your hair. Plus, balayage highlights are also woven throughout your locks. It’s different from balayage highlights because your ends will be lighter by about four shades from your roots. The overall look is still very natural, though. 

6. OMBRÉ HAIR

This classic look has been making the rounds on celebs and trendsetters for years now. Ombré gives your hair a lot of contrast from root to tip (as much as seven shades!), and it works with any color. So, you can add purple, pink, or teal using this technique. Use a darker shade to paint in roots for traditional regrowth or lighten the ends of your locks as much as you’d like. Just keep in mind that you’ll have to bleach your ends first to create the effect.

7. SOMBRÉ HAIR

Sombré literally means “subtle ombré.” This all-over lightening technique gives you a softer contrast compared to ombré hair. Want to get the look? Choose a shade that is a few shades lighter than your current hair color and try to keep the transition both gradual and subtle as you lighten your hair. 

HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR NEW HAIR COLOR

Caring for colored hair could require changing up your hair care routine. If you’re a brunette who’s recently dyed her hair, keep these tips in mind. 

1. Use a color-safe shampoo and conditioner 

When you get a new hue, the last thing you want to do is send that color down the drain. So, invest in a shampoo and conditioner that are designed for color-treated hair, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Repair & Defend Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Repair & Defend Conditioner.

2. Rinse your hair with lukewarm water 

While soaking in hot water may be relaxing it’s not exactly the best habit for your hair (because it can strip your hair of essential moisture and make the color look dull…eek!). So, the next time you suds up, wash with lukewarm water. Your strands will thank you! 

3. Put down the heat tools 

Obsessed with your curling wand? Well, it’s time to give your hair a break from the heat! Overdoing it with the heat tools can lead to damage, which isn’t something you want. Instead, enhance your natural texture—whether it’s straight, wavy, or curly—and air dry your hair instead. Create beachy waves by spritzing on the L'Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle AIR DRY IT Wave Swept Sprayto towel-dried hair and scrunching. If your hair is straight, braid it after applying the spray to create soft waves. You don’t have to be anywhere near the ocean to rock this popular look. 

4. Use a hair mask weekly 

Sometimes, your color-treated hair may need a little extra love. That’s where a once or twice weekly hair mask comes in. Try the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Intense Repair Hair Sheet Mask or L’Oréal Paris EverPure Deep Moisture Hair Sheet Mask. Both will revive the look and feel of your hair in just five minutes.

To recap, there are some seriously pretty hair color ideas worth trying if you’re a brunette. Your brown hair is bound to be anything but boring. Whether you opt for rose gold hair or natural-looking highlights, be sure to pamper your color-treated locks to preserve your color. If you think you need a more in-depth look at how to care for color-treated hair, check out our article, Your Guide to Sulfate-Free Hair Care.