50 Best Brown Hair Color Ideas

Welcome to our 50 Best Brown Hair Color Ideas! If you’re looking to go brunette, or you’re ready to update your current brown hair color, get inspired by the best brunette hair colors worn by the hottest female celebrities for this year. With fabulous brown hair color ideas from celebs like Lea Michele, Mila Kunis, Jessica Alba, Anne Hathaway, Olivia Palermo, and many more, you’re sure to find your perfect shade of brown.

1. Lily Collins Brown Hair Color Idea: Mahogany brown

Actress and model Lily Collins rocks a mahogany brown bob with subtle reddish undertones. Mahogany is a delightfully rich reddish-brown that warms up any complexion, making it especially flattering for fair skin tones. If you have short hair like Lily’s, add extra reddish low-lights to your tips for a sexy final touch.

2. Lea Michele Brown Hair Color Idea: Dark brown with golden dip-dyed ends

Glee actress Lea Michele looks radiant and carefree with her long dark brown locks and golden dip-dyed ends. Lea gives her chic and sophisticated dark locks a playful twist with golden tips that brighten up her complexion. For super-shiny locks like Lea’s, use heat protection serum before styling your hair to prevent unnecessary damage.

3. Megan Fox Brown Hair Color Idea: Dark chocolate brown

Actress and model Megan Fox looks striking with her dark chocolate brown waves of hair, and thick, full brows. Megan sports warm streaks of chestnut brown that add vibrancy to her hair color, lifting her complexion and bringing out her deep blue eyes.

4. Jessica Alba Brown Hair Color Idea: Chestnut brown

Actress and beauty icon Jessica Alba looks simply gorgeous with her chestnut brown bob. This lively brown hair color is playful and elegant, and we love the subtle high- and low-lights that give it extra depth. Add a few golden streaks as a finishing touch, to frame your face and warm up your complexion.

5. Julianne Hough Brown Hair Color Idea: Light ash brown 

Safe Haven actress Julianne Hough looks fabulous with her light ash brown curls. This light brown hair color is romantic and feminine, and it can soften any complexion. Pair your light ash brown hair with long, dark lashes and luscious cerise pink lips for a delightfully romantic final look.

6. Jennifer Love Hewitt Brown Hair Color Idea: Chestnut brown with flecks of sandy brown

Actress Jennifer Love Hewitt looks phenomenal with her luscious chestnut brown locks and a few flirty flecks of sandy brown. We love her big, voluminous hairdo and the healthy shine that brings her chestnut locks to life. Take inspiration from Jennifer and add a few light brown streaks to your hair for a fun and flirty touch.

7. Zooey Deschanel Brown Hair Color Idea: Dark coffee brown

“Adorkable” New Girl actress Zooey Deschanel looks stunning with her long, dark coffee brown locks cascading over her shoulders. This shade of brown is rich and soft, and it suits Zooey’s pale complexion beautifully. Add a few chocolate brown overtones around your face to bring your locks to life.

8. Olivia Wilde Brown Hair Color Idea: Dark golden brown

Actress Olivia Wilde looks stunning with her dark golden brown tresses. She sports a trendy ombre fade from chestnut to golden brown, with warm hues that brighten her complexion. Golden brown is a great hair color choice if you’re looking a lighter, more vibrant alternative to dark or medium brown.

9. Anne Hathaway Brown Hair Color Idea: Medium brown 

Les Miserables actress Anne Hathaway looks classy and glamorous with her medium brown bob. This gorgeous hair color can soften any complexion with its warmth and depth. If you have a very fair complexion like Anne Hathaway’s, this is a great hair colour to brighten up your skin tone.

10. Jessica Biel Brown Hair Color Idea: Light golden brown

Actress and style icon Jessica Biel looks radiant and youthful with her light golden brown tresses. This summery hair color is flattering for every complexion, and it brings out Jessica’s beautiful green eyes. Start with a light chestnut brown base, and get your stylist to add layers of golden highlights until your desired intensity is achieved.

11. Kim Kardashian Brown Hair Color Idea: Rich espresso brown

Reality TV personality Kim Kardashian has us green with envy with her sleek, rich espresso brown locks. This intense and bold hair colour suits darker complexions, and it’s great for every season. Take inspiration from Kim and add a streak or two of mahogany brown to your bangs for a sexy final touch.

12. Mila Kunis Brown Hair Color Idea: Dark brown with hazel streaks

Black Swan actress Mila Kunis looks fabulous with subtle hazel streaks in her dark brown hair. This hair color is fresh and flirty, and we love the structured curls that frame her face. Take inspiration from Mila and get hazel streaks from cheek level downwards to accentuate your eyes and cheekbones.

13. Vanessa Hudgens Brown Hair Color Idea: Dark brown with chocolate brown tips

We simply love actress Vanessa Hudgens’ sexy dark brown locks. She sports a quirky low ponytail secured with a section of her hair, and vampy dark brown roots. We love the delicious chocolate brown lengths and tips of her long locks, and the glossy shine of her two-tone hairstyle.

14. Lea Michele Brown Hair Color Idea: Mahogany brown

Glee actress and singer Lea Michele looks fabulous with her thick mahogany brown locks and edgy, angled bangs. Lea’s mahogany hair color is incredibly flattering for her dark complexion and deep brown eyes, and we love the subtle reddish overtones that give her hair color an interesting flair.

15. Kerry Washington Brown Hair Color Idea: Dark and chestnut brown

Scandal actress Kerry Washington keeps her look simple and sexy with a delicious blend of dark brown and chestnut. This two-tone hair color is soft and subtle, with few highlights and an ash-brown base. Take inspiration from Kerry and curl your hair towards the ends for romantic, two-tone curls.

16. Minka Kelly Brown Hair Color Idea: Caramel brown 

Actress Minka Kelly looks radiant and glamorous with her hair in chic caramel brown layers. This warm hair colour is flattering for most complexions, and it easily brightens dull skin tones. Add a few streaks of dark golden brown for a shimmery final touch.

17. Kirsten Stewart Brown Hair Color Idea: Reddish brown

The Twilight Saga actress Kirsten Stewart looks sultry and sexy with her wild mane of reddish brown hair. This rich and fiery hair color is particularly striking with pale complexions, and it looks phenomenal with green eyes. Keep your undertones a deep red to avoid brash bright red streaks.

18. Olivia Palermo Brown Hair Color Idea: Luscious chocolate brown

Reality TV personality and style icon Olivia Palermo is a picture of perfection with her thick and luscious chocolate brown locks. We simply adore the richness of this hair color, and the unreal shine of Olivia’s medium length locks. To get long lasting shine, ask your stylist for a glossing wash after your color treatment.

19. Nicky Hilton Brown Hair Color Idea: Light ash brown

Heiress Nicky Hilton rocks light ash brown locks that accentuate her electric blue eyes. This dreamy light brown hair color suits Nicky’s peachy complexion, and we love the glossy sheen of her medium length locks. Keep your color consistent throughout the length of your hair for maximum impact.

20. Ashley Greene Brown Hair Color Idea: Auburn brown

Actress Ashley Greene looks superb with her rich and glossy auburn brown hair color. This fiery hue warms up pale complexions, and it’s a perfect shade for fall and winter. Keep your auburn brown locks looking shiny and healthy with moisturizing hair care products and a few spritzes of anti-frizz serum.

21. Sarah Hyland Brown Hair Color Idea: Medium brown

Modern Family actress Sarah Hyland looks effortlessly glamorous with her side-swept, medium brown waves of hair. This muted, milk-chocolate hair color is soft and romantic, and it looks amazing in contrast with Sarah’s bold brows. Ask your stylist for an ash brown base for a softer final color.

22. Rihanna Brown Hair Color Idea: Golden brown ombre

Songstress Rihanna rocks a golden brown ombre fade that gives her long, structured curls a dramatic finish. Ask your stylist to add caramel undertones and golden highlights for extra depth and vibrant color.

23. Kate Beckinsale Brown Hair Color Idea: Toffee brown

Underworld star Kate Beckinsale rocks long, tousled toffee brown locks that cascade over her shoulders. This warm brown hair suits most complexions, and it’s really easy to maintain. Start your toffee brown streaks at cheek level to emphasize your eyes and cheekbones.

24. Adriana Lima Brown Hair Color Idea: Ebony brown

Victoria’s Secret model Adriana Lima looks sultry and striking with her glossy, ebony brown locks. This nearly-black hair color is rich and striking, and it suits all complexions. Ask your stylist for a glossing wash after your color treatment for a long-lasting shine.

25. Emma Stone Brown Hair Color Idea: Dark auburn brown

Actress Emma Stone rocks dark auburn brown locks styled in a chic half-up hairdo. This rich brown hair color is classy and glamorous, and it suits both light and dark complexions. When changing your hair color, always remember to dye your eyebrows to match!

26. Lea Michele Brown Hair Color Idea:  Dark brown with chocolate brown streaks

Actress Lea Michele keeps her look fresh and contemporary with chocolate brown streaks in her dark brown hair. Two-tone hair colors are stylish and fun, and they embrace the best of both colors. Before you get your hair dyed, ask your stylist to choose two complementary colors that flatter your complexion.

27. Emma Watson Brown Hair Color Idea: Beachy brown

Actress Emma Watson looks flirty and carefree with her wispy, beachy brown hair. Streaks of caramel and honey brown frame Emma’s face, lifting her pale complexion and drawing attention  to her eyes. For extra impact, add a few soft blonde highlights to your bangs.

28. Minka Kelly Brown Hair Color Idea: Mocha brown

Actress Minka Kelly looks simply stunning with sleek layers of mocha brown hair. This gorgeous hair color softens any complexion with its warm caramel overtones and deep chestnut undertones. Get super-shiny locks like Minka’s by sticking to a hair-friendly diet rich in good fats: nuts, avocado, and peanut butter.

29. Mila Kunis Brown Hair Color Idea: Espresso brown

Actress Mila Kunis looks phenomenal with her poker-straight, espresso brown locks. This rich and shiny dark brown hair color looks striking with any complexion, and it suits Mila’s hazel-green eyes beautifully. Keep your locks super-shiny by smoothing extra-shine serum over your hair after styling.

30. Jessica Alba Brown Hair Color Idea: Hazelnut brown

Actress and beauty icon Jessica Alba rocks a long, shaggy bob in hazelnut brown. This dreamy shade of brown is warm and romantic, and it suits Jessica’s medium complexion perfectly. For a modern and playful edge, ask your stylist to add some golden overtones for a delightful shimmer.

31. Lana Del Rey Brown Hair Color Idea: Rich dark chocolate brown

Songstress Lana Del Rey looks absolutely breathtaking with her rich, dark chocolate brown locks. This delicious hair color looks fabulous with her thick hair, and it complements her deep, sea-green eyes. If you have a very fair complexion like Lana’s, this rich dark chocolate brown hair color is a great choice.

32. Kim Kardashian Brown Hair Color Idea: Two-tone chocolate brown

Reality TV personality Kim Kardashian rocks a bold two-tone chocolate brown hair color and long, curly locks. For a modern touch, keep your colors separate in contrasting, thick streaks at the crown, and let your hair color merge towards the tips.

33. Olivia Palermo Brown Hair Color Idea: Light almond brown

Reality TV personality and socialite Olivia Palermo keeps her look flirty and fresh with her pretty light brown hair color. Olivia sports light almond brown waves that suit her peachy complexion, and she keeps her makeup soft and romantic to match her gorgeous hair color.

34. Cheryl Cole Brown Hair Color Idea: Mahogany brown

English singer-songwriter Cheryl Cole looks stunning with her bright mahogany brown hair worn in a chic low ponytail. This hair color is rich and striking, and it’s perfect for fall and winter.

35. Mischa Barton Brown Hair Color Idea: Light sandy brown

Actress Mischa Barton is positively radiant with her light, sandy brown tresses and natural, dewy makeup. The natural texture of Mischa’s hair shows off her hair color perfectly, and we love the choppy layers that fall about her shoulders. Ask your stylist to add a few golden highlights to your sandy brown hair for a glamorous final touch.

36. Anne Hathaway Brown Hair Color Idea: Chestnut brown

Les Miserables actress Anne Hathaway rocks a chestnut brown pixie crop with soft, angled bangs. This simple brown hair color is classic and stylish, and it suits every complexion. To keep your hair color bright and fresh, use specialist color care shampoo and conditioner after coloring.

37. Selena Gomez Brown Hair Color Idea: Reddish brown

Actress and singer Selena Gomez looks fabulous with her rich reddish brown hair color and a thick fishtail plait. With undertones of mahogany and overtones of ripe plum, this hair color is simply stunning. For gorgeous, shiny locks, ask your stylist for a glossing wash after your color treatment.

38. Olivia Palermo Brown Hair Color Idea: Vibrant caramel brown

Socialite Olivia Palermo has us green with envy with her vibrant caramel brown locks. We love everything about this hairstyle: the deep middle parting, tousled waves, warm caramel hair color, and a super-healthy shine. Keep your hair color simple and fabulous, keep your locks healthy and shiny, and you can’t go wrong.

39. Jessica Alba Brown Hair Color Idea: Milk chocolate brown 

Actress and style icon Jessica Alba looks effortlessly gorgeous with her milk chocolate brown bob. With light brown highlights about her face, and darker brown tresses at the back, this hair color is dynamic and flattering for Jessica’s medium complexion.

40. Cheryl Cole Brown Hair Color Idea: Chestnut brown

Songstress Cheryl Cole nails the sexy-and-sophisticated look with voluminous, chestnut brown locks. For a soft and romantic brown hair color, ask your stylist for an ash brown base and chestnut overtones. Finish off this look with long, dark lashes, dewy skin, and pale cerise lips.

41. Beyonce Knowles Brown Hair Color Idea: Chocolate toffee brown

Songstress Beyonce Knowles looks fantastic with her gorgeous chocolate toffee brown hair color. We love that she’s kept her hair a consistent hue for maximum impact – pure, immaculate chocolate brown from roots to tips. Finish off your look by using a light hairspray for a subtle, healthy shine.

42. Angelina Jolie Brown Hair Color Idea: Medium brown

Actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie looks chic and stylish with her medium brown hair worn in loose rivulets. This simple brown hair color features subtle bronze highlights and rich mocha low-lights that bring her hair to life. The key to successful high- and low-lights is balance – make sure that your chosen color complement and support each other.

43. Jennifer Aniston Brown Hair Color Idea: Beachy brown

Actress Jennifer Aniston looks casual and carefree with tousled, beachy brown tresses. She’s right on trend with a back-to-front ombre (dark at the back, light at the front) and trending shades of brown. Jen’s blonde bangs give her a youthful and playful look, taking years off her complexion.

44. Ashley Greene Brown Hair Color Idea: Blend of mahogany and auburn brown

Actress Ashley Greene looks stunning with her mahogany and auburn brown locks. This beautiful blend of red and brown tones is vibrant and sexy, and it suits Ashley’s fair complexion. Opt for darker shades of red to avoid a fire-engine red head of hair, and get a few copper highlights to brighten up your hair color.

45. Jennifer Lopez Brown Hair Color Idea: Light caramel brown

Singer and actress Jennifer Lopez looks glamorous and radiant with her light caramel brown hair. She sports several blonde highlights in her caramel locks that brighten up her medium complexion, and we simply love her loose side-swept curls.

46. Jessica Biel Brown Hair Color Idea: Gold tipped brown 

Actress and fashionista Jessica Biel rocks her signature blunt bangs and long chestnut locks tipped with gold. Jess brightens up her simple brown locks with subtle golden streaks, giving her hairdo a quirky and modern touch. Wear your long hair poker-straight to best show off your new hair color.

47. Lauren Conrad Brown Hair Color Idea: Dark brown with ash brown streaks

Fashion designer Lauren Conrad looks fabulous with warm caramel and frosty ash brown streaks in her dark brown hair. She sports a few caramel streaks that frame her face, and contrasting ash brown tips. If you’re looking for a dynamic brown hair color, play around with complementary shades to find a combination that best suits your complexion.

48. Karlie Kloss Brown Hair Color Idea: Mocha brown

American fashion model Karlie Kloss looks carefree and flirty with her bouncy, mocha brown bob. This warm and vibrant hair color is perfect for spring and summer, and it suits almost every complexion. Karlie’s chic hair cut shows off her pretty hair color to maximum effect – simply divine!

49. Lea Michele Brown Hair Color Idea: Dark chocolate brown

Actress and singer Lea Michele looks classy and stylish with her long, dark chocolate brown locks. This dark brown hue is very flattering for medium to dark complexions, and it’s a classic and safe hair color choice for professional women. Keep your locks soft and shiny by indulging in a hot oil hair treatment once a week.

50. Miranda Kerr Brown Hair Color Idea: Glossy hazelnut brown

Victoria’s Secret model Miranda Kerr looks phenomenal with her glossy, hazelnut brown curls. We love everything about this hairstyle: Miranda’s thick side-swept curls, the stunning shine of her hair, and her glossy, hazelnut brown hair color. The key to rocking any hair color is to choose a shade that flatters your complexion, so consult with your stylist to find a hue that suits you.

So, there you have it – the 50 Best Brown Hair Color Ideas! With so many fabulous shades of brown to choose from, we’re sure you’ve found the perfect brown hair color. Simply print out your favorite brown hair color and take it along to your hair appointment to make sure that you get exactly the shade you desire.