The hot sand beneath your feet, the gentle breeze caressing your hair, and the subtle confidence of your brunette locks. That’s the vibe for summer 2025. But here’s the real issue: what kind of brunette are you channeling this season? Something warm and sunlit? Or silky espresso moody? From effortless beachy brunette hues to deep-rooted richness that defies sun-washing, we are unveiling this year’s most captivating brunette shades. Heat is known to set hair ablaze, but we will also dive into which shades are trending and what really works.
Meet your match? No? Read on to find out how un-basic the basic brown shades get.
Soft Glam Volume With Gloss Chestnut Layers
There is something utterly inviting yet timeless about this medium brunette tone; a balanced blend of modern and old Hollywood. It deepens toward chestnut brown that is alive with rich golden highlights under the sun. It’s enhanced even more by the perfectly layered bouncy blowout. The hair pops while keeping it effortlessly ‘model-off-duty’. It pairs beautifully with oversized sunglasses and an iced latte.
For me, Product care like the sulfate-free glossing shampoos would make the work easier. It must be something like the ‘reflective shine intact,’ in this case color wow would be of help. Their color security shampoo together with the dream coat provides moisture proof humidity seal. Although these works perfectly, a lot humid weather may cause struggle to this style. Their smooth finish needs assistance polish fo.
To be honest, I never get tired of this style of brunette because it adds richness without making the hair look too heavy too. It is wonderful and approachable—simply look at how other people tend to look at her when she walks in a room. That’s the thing, celebrity stylist Matt Rez usually recommends medium brown shades with warm undertones that are rich without being too overwhelming.
Believe me—if you have been thinking the last brunette you did feels dull and lifeless, introducing warm tones and adding texture would do great. This new haircut’s movement melts my heart—bounce, shine, and just enough flirty energy.
Smoky Cocoa with Ashy Dimension
The hair is best suited for the cool-toned girls. The hair is positioned in soft waves that effortlessly blend into an ashy cocoa base, with hints of soft beige-brown highlighting whispering dimension. It’s touchable and relaxed. Effortless glow-up energy that works for beach days as much as it does for dinner dates. That satin finish is editorial chic without any effort.
Ashy brunettes are best for avoiding clarity loss due to UV exposure. During summer, I always use purple-tinged shampoos like dpHUE Cool Brunette Shampoo for brassy curls. Brunette Ash tones offer a brass-free range without color stripping.
Sounds muted, but this shade gives quietly elegant vibes. This isn’t summer screaming, but sophis whispers. This feels like a Vogue editor on vacation in Mallorca. Chill, clean, and effortless in a chic way.
If your tired from the balmy tones this take is a palette cleanser. Rush feels like… sipping iced espresso under an umbrella while the world hurries by.
Sunlit Bronze Brunette Waves
This is what I call golden-hour hair. The bronze ribbons highlight the brunette base, which glows as if sun-kissed, and fills out the hair beautifully. The warmth of the color alone makes it look as if you just spent two weeks on the Amalfi Coast, even if you’ve only moved a few blocks from home. The color is warm, multi-dimensional, and paired with loose waves, it glows from every angle.
Warm tones need to be balanced with additional warmth, so sprays like Kerastase Soleil Huile Sirène should be added for extra protection. It not only maintains color, but provides a texture that is dreamy in summertime. That is a total win-win.
What excites me the most is how the color is incredibly wearable; also, it is not too blonde or brunette. It’s really the best of both worlds. If you desire a sun-kissed look but are not fully committed to going caramel, this shade works wonders.
This blonde would be complemented by someone who prefers to change their look but does not want the maintenance that comes with highlights growing out from the roots. Super forgiving, super flattering.
Soft Sand-Brown Length with Natural Texture
This brunette shade is subtly memorable and feels as easygoing as a fresh linen shirt. The long, air-dried texture add polish while the medium sand-brown hue appears to be organic, as if it always belonged in your strands.
This soothing sand brown is ideal for warmer or neutral complexions. Unlike lighter shades, it does not require constant tone maintenance, capturing effortless grace.
To obtain texture like this, hydration is key. My go-to is Bumble and Bumble Invisible Oil Primer. Despite its softening and protecting magic, it does not weigh strands down, especially when heat styling isn’t in the books.
If you want to shift the tone a bit, adding gloss toner in fall is always an option, but color truly shines season after season. Effortless summer hair? Yes please.
Striking Brunette Balayage with Delicate Light Framing the Face
Here is the beachy brunette that’s going to blow your mind. This look is anchored with deep chocolate brown, but what truly makes it stand out are the barely-there face-framing highlights which are an almost golden taupe color. It has that relaxed, sun-kissed vibe and somehow always looks amazing in selfies.
To achieve the look of light brought to the face that “pops,” I have my colorist use what she calls “balayage contouring.” This technique illuminates facial features without fully committing to a highlight. This, along with Redken’s Acidic Bonding Concentrate to smooth and brighten the ends of the hair works wonders.
I adore that this one has the effect of light shining at just the right angles. When your hair does this kind of enchanting work, makeup is truly unnecessary.
For the brunettes wanting to maintain a more natural look, but wanting a subtle glow, this is the golden ticket. Minimal effort, maximum results.
Mocha Flavored Brunette Hair With A Refined Elegance
This shade recalls your espresso order, smooth and bold. The brunette base is a rich mocha with hint of soft warm undertones, melding perfectly with the long feathered layers. When lightly curled with a round brush, it evokes that effortless yet styled “rich girl hair” look. It is positioned between glam and everyday elevated, the equilibrium I strive for in summer.
This shade looks best with Oribe Power Drops Color Preservation Booster which protects its depth while preventing UV-induced fading.
This shade remains ever-in-style. It reminds me of Kaia Gerber and Lily Aldridge, hair that whispers but basks in the main character energy. It flatters a broad range of skin tones.
To be honest? This hairstyle is perfect if you’re looking for some stunning impact while requiring minimal upkeep. The look is chic and grows out effortlessly, making it as easy to maintain, as it is to style, so what else can you ask for?
Deep Brunette Melt with Ribbons Highlights
This one’s tailored for the layered girlies who want their brunette to be summer ready with some wavy dimension. It has slightly more depth as a base but fades into light brown ribbons with just enough movement. The layers are feathery and framing, ideal for sundresses at golden hour. They capture the essence of soft and flowy without being too light. This look is perfect if you’re not fully ready to take the leap into blonde territory.
Just like this, warmer layered brunettes will tend to get drier in the heat. I always recommend Amika’s Hydro Rush. In my experience, using an intense moisture mask once a week does the best job at keeping the ends silky while allowing the hair to move.
The greatest thing I appreciate about this style is it provides sun-kissed highlights without maintaining full-on summer highlights. Instead, your hair looks effortlessly gorgeous. Who wants to stay in the salon all summer long, right?
If you have darker naturally occurring hair, this specific melt technique morphs movement without bleach overload. It’s unnoticeable, yet that is the intended effect.
Warm Beige Brunette with Creamy Light Ends
Brunettes transitioning into creamy beige ends has summery softness. It balances between brunette and dark blonde which some call “bronde”. The neutral-warm undertone works best with olive and golden or even a peachy complexion. Doing a soft bend will instantly make you look like you’re in a summer vacation, even if your only trip is to your neighborhood café.
To achieve this, I recommend the IGK Mixed Feelings Leave-In Blonde Toning Drops that I swear by for Blonde right’s this summer.’
These are my go to when I want to stay light for summer without turning fully blonde. Summer all the time, even when growing out this shine.
Just like that filter you love, this style just makes you feel more radiant.
Brown Chocolate Brunette With Subtle Gloss
The soft mushroom brown shade of earth brunette that works for you. This stays closer to the soft ashy mushroom brown which is cooler but still muted in nature’s warmth. Soft gloss that gives color softness enhances that minimalism meets glam feel. Gentle gloss adds a freshly done feel.
Long layered haircuts are in right now as they achieve a lot of things all at once. The cut stretches the brown shade throughout the hair and highlights add motion for a more lively look. With this style and cut there is no need to go back to the salon often. The cool ashy shades last a long time with no maintenance.
Every woman has a different reason for chopping their hair off. Many think that no maintenance goes along withwearing shorter hairstyles, which is not true at all. This timeless beauty look works with any length.
While many people recommend adding caramel ribbons or gold undertones to every style which borders on basic cookie cutter looks, the proof is in the dining room. Sober and muted shades are the highlight of understated sophistication.
This look works for any length whether short or long the hair is timeless piece. Brighter shades do not shine through along muted tones harmonize beautifully. Even without bright flashy styling the look sits well flaunting a gently ethereal understated grace.
Soft Caramel Waves ‘Summer Brunette’ Hair Color
The most stunning warm brunette style that brightens ones complexion. Features mid-sized soft waves of medium brown, with hints of light caramel blended throughout the ends. This flatters everyone – melting into their skin – adding glow akin to sunlight or a spray tan. Perfect for looking glam but attainable.
Waves can look soft yet structured is needed keeping it from looking crunchy. Summer in a bottle, the best Wave Spray by Ouai, solves both problems.
This shade never fails to disappoint. For the mood, warm, wearable and uplifting, it fits every skin tone and is the ideal starting “brunette” for the season.
Comes with a side of effortless style, so it’s ideal for every outfit in your closet. No fuss summer in a bottle quickly spruces you up.
Sleek Cinnamon Brown for Straight Cuts
This mid-length sleek brunette features a warm summer spice undertone that is a beautiful blend of both. The haircut is blunt with feathered ends that add shine and sharpness to the look while providing shine. It’s an effortlessly classy hairstyle with a head-turning simplicity. The color is rich and toasty without straying into reddish hues, making this a very gentle dip into the pool for those cautious of warmer colors.
This look requires a flawless finish which means heat protection is critical. To nourish and prep, I like using Gisou’s Honey Infused Leave-In Conditioner which protects the hair and delivers shine like glass without any buildup when using a straightener.
Not all summer brunettes need to be tousled and messy. Sometimes, smooth and neat speaks volumes. It’s giving “chic museum date in a linen set” and I’m obsessed.
If you have been living in a world of claw clips and ponytails, this is your nudge to go sleek and flat iron your hair again.
Warm Chocolate Brunette with Sun-Touched Shine
Here’s a softer summer shade that is a little deeper and more grounded. It’s a chocolate brown that’s almost a solid color, with subtle golden highlights that are best appreciated in the sun. Long straight hair looks sleek and layered, giving a polished appearance without frizz. You know the feeling of getting a salon blowout? This is that, but for hair that has been kissed by warmth for three months full of warm days and balmy nights.
To me, this shade is like a little black dress, serving as the base of any summer hairstyle. It doesn’t matter if it’s rooftop drinks or a spontaneous drive out of town, this hairstyle works. It is always polished, and effortless.
Rachel telling Bodt once colorized that darker brunette shades “have their moment in summer when paired with sunlit texture” and here we are, living proof. Air-dry waves transform the style completely, and the entire look becomes effortless.
Layered Chestnut Swirl with Honey Highlights
I love how much movement this particular style has. It’s all in the big, bouncy layers. They come alive with a chestnut brunette base that has soft, honeyed balayage accents. The highlights themselves are not overdone which is great because they’re blended in just right to add definition and shimmer. Honestly, this shade looks like it was designed for that golden hour filter we all love.
This is one of those colors where a blowout really brings it to life. I always prep with Moroccanoil Treatment Light which provides shine while controlling frizz and adds a scent that makes me feel like I’m heading somewhere tropical.
This style feels like a confidence boost in hair form. I wore a version of this for a friend’s summer wedding last year, and it was the move. Not too showy, but still stunning.
When in doubt, go with chestnut. It’s the flattering brunette that plays nice with every skin tone and looks luxe with minimal effort.
Soft Walnut-Toned Midlength with Face Framing
This style is a low-maintenance, seamlessly blended brunette that adds a lightweight feel, making it easy to wear during the hottest days. The walnut base is not overly warm, maintaining balance. The longer layers around the face offer to bring a gentle frame without too much heaviness. It’s one of those styles that effortlessly “put together” and devoid of styling labor.
If you are skipping hot tools this summer, I recommend air-drying with Davines OI All In One Milk. It brings out waves, smooths frizz, and makes everything look salon-fresh—even air-dried hair.
What I love the most about this specific shade of brown is its understated lack of camouflage. You don’t require a tan, or makeup—it works beautifully with your skin, providing a soft highlight with no effort required.
This is your shade should you wish to have more chic sophistication with less attention grabbing. A “clean girl” brunette, if you will.
Elegant Café Brunette With Tucked Ends Bob
To finish off, this look is truly eye-catching and is inspired directly from french fashion; French-inspired looks are never not stylish. This look is short; ‘sleek’ does not fit as the perfect descriptor here, and has a cool soft tone—neutral hues that brighten the look alongside layered structure are beautifully complementing a chic bob.
A swing bob has an instant styling polish, and the payoff? Stunning bronzed iced macchiato vibes paired with breezy patio summers.
Each and every look deserves a glisty shine moment and this one is no different. Kristin Ess’s Shen Spray has proven itself on finishing looks “meh” and making them “wow” and elevate the polish layer while their gloss tint shines when sheen is needed between salon visits.
This style is great for summer make it figurative; while the void of dresser stricture looks uptight… it does not. Everything looks effortless; intent paired with high miles drives.
Boyfriends and life companions, this is the ultimatum I’d like to give you: if you’re dealing with the problem of flanked long hair syndrome, your answer is liberating. The go-to for summer styling headturners? Dynamic structured chic will always nail it, especially for 2025.
Glossy Light Brown with Blended Layers
The finish is sleek, and clean, and understated, somehow subtle while maintaining the highest of elegance. The shade is a glassy light brown, straddling the line between soft mocha and sand taupe. It really pops due to precision, silky movement throughout, and barely visible layering at the ends which gives a feathered finish. It’s that blowout you get before a big moment.
With a tone and trim this polished, I would reach for s a smoothing balm, and in this case, Color Wow Dream Coat for Brunettes provides that glass effect without weight, and crushes volume. Also, it’s humidity-resistant. aka your new best friend for those sweaty summer nights.
For some reason, it brings to mind hair from quiet luxury fashion—intentional, soft, and expensive. There’s nothing too dramatic, yet you simply cannot look away.
Understated and effortless are the words I would use to describe styling this hair. Minimal effort but maximal impact, and every movement and angle is striking.
Soft curls definition with glossy waves of espresso hair
Rich-girl summer vibes have made their debut, and they are here to stay. This soft espresso brunette is layered into condensed curls allowing it to look bouncy and effortlessly styled. The coloration is ultra dark yet soft waves paired with high gloss bring out brightness. This will definitely steal the show at either a rooftop dinner or a midnight stroll around the city.
Dark hues require a lot of shine. I personally use Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil right after styling to calm down frizz and weightlessly bring shine. A single drop is more than enough.
Although most would think of lightening their hair, going deeper and glossier is far more empowering. This look isn’t following the trend, rather, it sets it.
For those suffering from blonde burnout, this deep espresso wave may be the change you’re looking for. It is incredibly chic, confident, and bold.
Cool Mocha Curls with Root Shadow Blending
This color is cool and creamy mocha summer fresh and warm at the same time. It is root blended seamlessly which adds dimensionality without being overly complicated. The beachy, tousled curls radiate an undone yet effortlessly put-together look.
Summer is the best time to flaunt this hair color as it is warmer than cooler ashy shades so your hair doesn’t get washed out in the sun. In between salon visits, using Kérastase Chroma Absolu Gloss keeps the hair fresh and toned.
It adds to my personal style by making life easier which I truly appreciate. I don’t have to spend time straightening or curling it and it grows out without any harsh lines. This type of brunette works with your mood and schedule.
If being a little edgy and low-maintenance appeal to you, this look is your perfect balance.
Dimensional Taupe Balayage with Ashy Ends
For lovers of cool-toned brunettes, this taupe balayage looks stunning. The medium cocoa brown base transitions into soft ash tones at the ends. The waves are loose, textured, and modern.
The ashy tones require some maintenance, especially in warm weather. To fight this, I use dpHUE Gloss+ in Cool Brunette every couple of weeks, which is great for keeping the shine up without adding brass.
This look feels very editorial. I picture it with gold hoops, linen, and a coffee cup on a terrace, exuding effortless style. The look is luxurious but not ostentatious.
If you want your hair to feel light and fresh, this look is spot on.
Brunette Lob with Bronzed Hazelnut Balayage Highlights
Soft lob hairstyles are enhanced with warm bronzed hazelnut balayage hues that make this look energizing. Mid-length hair is warm, rich, and slightly flirty—just the right vibes to carry you into late summer. This cut allows for versatile styling, ranging from curls and straight hair to messy ponytails.
I like using Verb Ghost Oil Spray as a post-beach shine touch-up. Oil mists keep hair shiny and nourish any dry ends, especially protective dry oils for color-treated hair. The hazelnut tones thrive in the sun and only get better with time.
This stylish look takes me straight to effortless joy. It pairs perfectly with brunch, white tees, and an easy-going attitude. Lob styles like these have a relaxed energy—and that’s exactly why they shine.
If you’re transitioning from spring or gearing up for back-to-school, this summer-fall transition look is convenient for any late-summer vibes.
Soft Ash Brunette with Sandy Highlights
A summer sophisticated style is the softly layered, shoulder-length brunette highlighted with ashy sand tones. Dark roots gradually shift to muted beige, keeping the color summer appropriate while hinting at sun-kissed hair without going full blonde. This look captures chilled summer vibes and works for both roof-top brunches and outdoor events. Relaxed and put together at the same time, this is one of the summer brunette hair colors 2025 contenders with a subtle polished look.
Rocking these colors means having to deal with color-fading and brassy warmth. Purple toning shampoos, like Redken’s Color Extend Blondage, do wonders for color maintenance. For softness, I always reach for Moroccanoil Treatment Light. Its feather-light oil formula ensures hair gets moisture without frying crispy highlights after too much sun.
That warmth fades beautifully, and strutting around while looking effortlessly trendy is a dream. In July I got a balayage with similar colors and it was the most low-maintenance color I tried. The grow-out was seamless and got me looking my best despite a three week overdue for touch-up. Blended well, ash brunette colors wear out gracefully.
If you want a change without the commitment of blunt blonde, muted sandy brown is where the magic is. Chill yet sophisticated to capture what summer feels like in a hairstyle.
Warm Cinnamon Curls on Chestnut Brunette
This opulent combination of warm cinnamon swirls cascading into rich chestnut curls is pure luxe energy. I’m obsessed. Each curl in the long, voluminous waves is shaped beautifully. The rhythm of curls emulates softness that has fierce confidence. It’s classic but compelling. Absolutely one of the best summer brunette hair colors ideas 2025 anyone looking to flirt with warmth instead of full copper.
Curls need some extra pampering, especially revitalizing curls like these. For that I always recommend the Briogeo Curl Charisma line, and even more, their rice amino + avocado leave-in. It maintains moisture without having a negative impact on frizz protecting bounce, something essential during humid thick summer air.
To be honest, this color reminds me of leisurely coffee dates and summer evening strolls. The hairstyle is soft, structured curls that create a polished look without being too loud. For someone looking to “quietly” capture attention, this is a great option.
Embrace mixing tones when transitioning to a brunette. This chestnut brown with hints of cinnamon highlights proves that balance is vital when it comes to making brown hair feel fresh.
Natural Mushroom Brown with Feathered Ends
This is an editorial version of the girl next door brunette shades. Mushroom brown hair is cool toned and neutral with hints of dimension. It is a quiet icon. This particular style is long, has feathered and textured ends. This cut gives a lightness to the solid tone making it summer appropriate without being warm.
Inevitably, this is the type of color that would benefit from a gloss treatment. My go-to is the Kristin Ess Signature Gloss in Cool Neutral Brown. It keeps things toned and shiny while feeling like a mini spa treatment at home. Monthly treatments are all it takes to revive the whole vibe.
Some hair experts, including Sunnie Brook from Los Angeles, believe mushroom brown works best for those who “want dimension without drama.” I completely agree with her. This color provides refinement and elegance without the effort needed for upkeep like with lighter shades.
There’s something silent, yet strong about this one. Gentle but sharp, this reminds me of a crisp cotton shirt worn on a summer day—clean, cool to the touch, and calm.
Mocha Ribbons Waves
This silky mocha variant with warm mocha undertones is dreamier than it sounds. Mocha undertones are interlaced with lighter ribbons which accentuate the warm tones. It is richly toned when viewed indoors while glowing beautifully in the sunlight (aka, summer hair goals). Beaches achieve the effortlessly polished vibes.
Equivalent waves create polished volume that hug your shoulders, yet styled to feel breezy and effortless, accented by a lived-in structure for togetherness but not too much preciousness.
Also I would keep this silky sharp by defining the hair simply like the Virtue Curl-Defining Whip Cream. Even if your hair isn’t curly, spritzing it with a whip curl cream would suffocate the humidity curls coming up in July. It boosts softness and brings better contrast without making you stiff.
I recall trying a similar blend which was refreshing to see how long it stayed fresh for in summer. Highlights didn’t fade into brassy and looked amazing with everything – denim jackets, open flowy white linen blouses.
Sometimes brunettes need movement. Blends add class without feeling harsh in tones which can be brighter or darker.
Soft Textured Layers of Classic Cocoa
This specific cocoa brunette is just soft, like your favorite sweater or warm velvet. The shoulder-length chop adds a clean French girl shape, while the color adds grounded elegance. There is no major drama or contrast here; it is all about texture and tonal balance. Though the base is muted, the slightly messed waves add life. These waves serve as the perfect backdrop for bold makeup or no makeup.
Cocoa shades like this one can easily fade to a dull brown or reddish brown. To keep it rich, a cool-toned gloss every couple of weeks works wonders. Madison Reed’s color-reviving gloss “Espresso” is one I swear by when I want to restore depth without a full recolor.
I think this natural reminiscent tone is beautifully modern. It feels real and lived in, almost effortless (even if you put in a lot of effort). Especially during the summer, when you want to feel pretty without much maintenance.
This brunette tone is for that one person who wishes to “feel like themselves, but better.” It enhances them while maintaining the overall vibe without changing drastically.
Muted Chocolate Shag with Effortless Movement
This shaggy, casual brunette hairstyle is incorporating cool chocolate hues which give off casual vibes. The soft volume is the “brushed volume” that we are all secretly desiring. The bangs are side-swept with light layering that is perfect for the summer heat yet polished enough for any event. The chocolate undertones have a very subtle ash tint which gives the hair a modern touch rather than looking dull.
To keep the shag effortless and tousled, a dry texture spray is a must. During the summer heat, Oribe’s Dry Texturing Spray is perfect as it provides effortless volume without stickiness to your hair. The price tag might be steep, but every spritz is worth it.
Because this color is neutral, it is easy to style. It makes not leaning too red or too gold very versatile. The color profile makes it seem inviting, yet conveys, “I’m laid back, but I am still on top of the fashion game.”
This is the epitome of summer hair, giving your mane effortless motion instead of shine.
Neutral Rooted Brunette with Glossy Dimension
Long, sleek layers with a neutral brunette base and slight dimension through the mid-lengths is minimalism at its finest. The neutral mid-tone works beautifully with the warmer, grounded base. The brunette color anchored toward the roots adds depth, yet the light catching movement midshafts provides a soft-focus finish. This works for someone who craves a smooth, grown-out style that feels purposeful, yet requires minimal styling. Bonus: Healthy hair looks effortless.
This is where shine sprays come in clutch. Kenra Professional’s Shine Spray is one I’ve used and loved—it gives shine while keeping the hair dry. This is especially helpful when your hair’s getting whacked with UV rays all day.
The “neutral brown” was once boring to me. Now I understand how adjustable and flattering it is. This suits all skins, pairs beautifully with highlights for those wanting more dimension, and looks very rich and who doesn’t want “expensive-looking hair” in summer.
This is that girl who no matter the day and hour, always perfectly pulled together and poised. Low-key power vibes.
Sleek Layers of Smoky Bronze with Center Part
It’s an effortless, TikTok It-girl infused, “cool girl” brunette for me. This look features a center part, warm smoky bronze waves, tousled texture, soft tousled waves, and bronze highlights on the base that are rich and earthy yet glow without becoming blonde. It is an amazingly balanced color that exudes heat and shadow at the same time and is perfectly golden for summer!
With over 20 years of experience, celebrity colorist Tracey Cunningham states that adding bronze to darker shades or toffee warms up the brown’s undertones and “brings the face to life under bright light.” And she’s right. This style blend looks effortless in photos, which many of my stylists have noted!
This is a carefree, branded look that embodies glassy, sparkling finishes from the warm sun. To enhance bronze shades and “wakes up” features, a little heat goes a long way. In my case, I would spritz some sea salt mousse (like OGX) while air drying for soft, tousled waves.
This speaks to the girl whose day starts with a perfectly curated look including shades at 10 a.m. Looking effortlessly put together, a glow like this always.
