If You Want the Perfect Shade of Light-Brown Hair, Screenshot These
Light-brown hair might sound basic, but as some of our favorite celebrities demonstrate, it's actually anything but. In fact, we'd argue it is one of the most versatile hair colors you can try, as light-brown colors can easily veer lighter (blonder) or darker (toward reds and chocolates) with some strategic customization and magic from your colorist.
Since celebrities are known to be hair-color chameleons, and since pretty much every member of the A-list has dabbled in light-brown hair (remember what we said about its versatility?), we're looking to them for ultimate color inspiration this season. From subtle and shimmery to highlighted and dramatic, here are 23 examples of light-brown hair colors that are celebrity approved and ready to be screenshot and saved for your next color appointment. Keep scrolling!
Beyoncé is the forever queen of bronde—the perfect mix of brown and blonde.
Iman's shimmering light-brown highlights put the spotlight on her bone structure.
Long and layered, Jourdan Dunn's luscious waves coupled with her subdued light-brown hair color caught our eye.
Gisele Bündchen can do no wrong in our book—her signature color looks like it was bleached from the Brazilian sun.
Mandy Moore has since gone darker, but we still have eyes for this summer-perfect take on a light-brown color. The key? Mega-lightened ends!
We loved Leighton Meester's fearlessness to go platinum blonde, but we'll always love her with light-brown hair best. We blame our infatuation with Blair Waldorf.
We're always left speechless by Ciara's major hair moments, but we're especially enchanted by her light-brown highlights maximized by her gorgeous texture.
Laverne Cox always nails the happy medium between blonde and brown.
One could argue Lucy Hale's sleek locks border blonde, but we think her strands are just dark enough to be considered light brown. And we're obsessed.
Chrissy Teigen usually has more highlights, but we're into her more recent look, which is light-brown color served straight up (with mermaid waves, naturally).
Miley Cyrus goes back and forth between blonde and brown, but glossy light-brown curls seem to be her favorite signature.
Jamie Chung never strays from subtle takes on her trademark light-brown locks. Here, blonde highlights strategically face-frame.
Halle Berry's take on the color trend? Chocolate-brown base with a pretty smattering of light brown throughout.
We're jealous of model Jasmine Sanders's perfect curls and slightly flaxen brown hair.
Tyra Banks might be one of the most iconic supermodels in history, and she's not afraid to experiment when it comes to her hair color. We're into the almost-wet look, which highlights her glossy contrast.
With a darker base and blonder ends, Jessica Alba always rocks a fresh take on the ombré trend. Plus, her low-maintenance braid is perfect for summer.
We're not sure what we're keener on—Elizabeth Olsen's sleek, fringe cut or her natural light-brown hair color.
On the road back from a bright platinum pixie, Cara Delevingne is now wearing a chic bob, complemented by dimensional brown shades.
Suki Waterhouse always manages to make her blonde-brown strands look effortless and a tiny bit retro. We lover her feathery look here.
We never know where to begin with Jennifer Lopez. And as much as we're drooling over her Ariana Grande–esque ponytail, we love her tonal brown color just as much.
Lily-Rose Depp's ashy light-brown color is at the top of our must-have color list.
Winnie Harlow always keeps us guessing regarding her next hair look. Here, she wears a grown-out look that somehow still looks polished and glamorous.
Josephine Skriver shines with her signature light-brown, almost-red color. We're pretty sure she's never strayed!
Check out our favorite products to achieve and maintain the perfect shade of light-brown hair:
If you're looking to test out a true shade of light brown, opt for a semi-permanent gloss. This one also doubles as a deep conditioner.
Overtone is known for its color-depositing conditioners. If you want to try a light brown that leans golden, this is the pick for you. Bonus: The brand's site shows you exactly how each color will look on your current hair color.
Boost hydration while also boosting your color with this deep-conditioning mask that deposits color.
You've heard of blonde shampoo to keep platinum shades icy, right? If you're going for light brown, try a blue shampoo once a week to make sure your hair doesn't lean orange.
Spritz this treatment into your hair to help your color stay vibrant as long as possible. It helps protect against heat and UV damage that can make color fade fast.
When hair gets wet, it has a tendency to loose some of its color, since the follicle swells. Help protect your color every time you shower with this shampoo-and-conditioner duo.
This article was published at an earlier date and has been updated.
Erin has been writing a mix of beauty and wellness content for Who What Wear for over four years. Prior to that, she spent two and half years writing for Byrdie. She now calls Santa Monica home but grew up in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and studied writing, rhetoric, and communication at University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. She studied abroad in Galway, Ireland, and spent a summer in L.A. interning with the Byrdie and Who What Wear family. After graduating from UW, she spent one year in San Francisco, where she worked as a writer for Pottery Barn Kids and PBteen before moving down to L.A. to begin her career as a beauty editor. She considers her day-to-day beauty aesthetic very low-maintenance and relies on staples like clear brow serum (from Kimiko!), Lawless's Lip Plumping Mask in Cherry Vanilla, and an eyelash curler. For special occasions or days when she's taking more meetings or has an event, she'll wear anything and everything from Charlotte Tilbury (the foundations are game-changing), some shimmer on her lids (Stila and Róen do it best), and a few coats of the best mascara-type product on earth, Surratt's Noir Lash Tint.
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