Brunette hair ideas to try this summer

When you’re looking for a new hair colour to try, it’s tempting to overlook classic brown in favour of a fiery red, or a sassy blonde. But brown hair is more versatile than you think.

While ‘brunette’ may seem like a catch all for every shade of brown available, when it comes to dying your locks there are so many tempting hues to choose from. There’s chocolate, cinnamon, golden brown, and don’t get us started on bronde… the list goes on and on.

Having a reference pic is a great idea if you are heading to the salon for your colour. And if you’re using a box dye at home and trying to figuring out the right colour for you? “Always look at your eyebrows as a good indicator,” says colourist Jane Wei of A Loft Story in Sydney, who recently made over our models using the Clairol Natural Instincts range. “If in doubt, pick a lighter colour rather than a darker one,” she tells marie claire.

Ready to cross over to the dark side? Here’s seven brunette hair colour ideas to try this summer.

Chocolate Brown

Zendaya at Paris Fashion Week in October.

Zendaya recently refreshed her hair in a chocolate brown shade. The elevated hair colour gives so much sophistication.

Cinnamon Brown

Hailey Bieber NYC — Hailey Bieber in New York City in August.

Hailey’s hair colour is still on the brunette scale, but her new ’do is heading towards warmer, copper/red tones.

Medium Brown

girl before clairol hair makeover — Megon before her new hair colour.

At a recent marie claire shoot, we revamped model Megon’s hair using Clairol Natural Instincts in Medium Brown.

new brunette hair — Megon’s hair is transformed using Clairol Natural Instincts in Medium Brown.

After her makeover, Megon’s hair is shinier, healthier, and a stunning and natural looking brunette shade that will last up to 28 washes.

Colourist Jane Wei used Clairol Natural Instincts, which provides gentle, demi-permanent conditioning hair colour in blonde, brunette, black and red shades. It’s infused with coconut oil and aloe vera, and the vegan colour formula nourishes and enhances your natural hair colour while providing radiant shine for a healthy-looking finish.

Say goodbye to harsh scents and ammonia, to—it’s a super-gentle, yet effective home hair colour solution.

Light, Ashy Brown

taylor swift hair up — Taylor Swift looked glam when she stepped out in Los Angeles in October.

There’s nothing mousey about Taylor’s natural looking hair colour. The light brown and can give ashy or golden tones, depending on the lighting. We love the natural, no fuss hue on her.

Rich Espresso

Jesinta Franklin dark hair — Jesinta Franklin on the red carpet in Venice in August.

Model Jesinta is no stranger to a new hair colour, and recently sported this dark brown espresso shade, that’s been brightened with some ashy blonde highlights/undertones around the front.

Medium Golden Brown

shima before clairol makeover — Our model, Shima, before her revamped hair colour.

Shima’s hair was transformed at a recent marie claire shoot where her colour was refreshed using, Clairol Natural Instincts.

shima after hair makeover — Shima’s hair was revived using Clairol Natural Instincts in Medium Golden Brown.

Colourist Jane used Clairol Natural Instincts in Medium Golden Brown, which brightened Shima’s naturally dark locks and gave her hair an incredible sheen.

Golden Brown Highlights

Kendall Jenner dark hair — Kendall Jenner stepped out at Paris Fashion Week in September.

Kendall debuted her ‘golden hour highlights’ earlier this year. Keeping her roots dark and adding highlights to her mid-lengths and ends gives her dark brunette hair a sun-kissed look.

Ready to revamp your hair? Clairol Natural Instincts gives a rich colour and glossy shine, with no ammonia. Plus, it comes in nine brunette shades, so there’s one to suit everyone.

Brought to you by Clairol.

Delicia Smith Senior Commercial Editor

Delicia Smith is a senior commercial editor at Are Media. Covering everything from beauty, fashion, lifestyle and interiors to health, wealth, travel and entertainment, she loves writing about the buzzy brands you need to know for titles including ELLE, marie claire, Gourmet Traveller, The Australian Women’s Weekly, WHO, Now to Love, Better Homes and Gardens, Homes to Love, Home Beautiful, and more. Delicia is a seasoned publishing expert with over two decades of journalism experience. Getting her start at Red magazine in London, she progressed through staff and contributor positions at Psychologies magazine, InStyle UK, British Vogue, ELLE UK, Wallpaper*, and Sunday Times Style. Since moving to Sydney, Delicia has held pivotal roles across a multitude of renowned publications, including POPSUGAR Australia, Who What Wear, Byrdie and MyDomaine, as well as senior positions at Grazia, Cosmopolitan Bride and Cosmopolitan Pregnancy. Her freelancing endeavours have included content launch strategies for diverse projects, including the AFL Women’s careers portal, Workplay. Throughout her career Delicia has interviewed everyone from entrepreneurs, rising stars and health experts to CEOs, Hollywood icons and a Spice Girl. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her enjoying long lunches with friends, ocean dips, travelling as much as possible and walking with her dog, Lenny.

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