6 Top Brunette Shades of 2024

Though many of your clients may choose to take their hair darker during the fall and winter months, rich brunette shades are always popular with clientele. As we approach colder weather, dimensional espresso, sun-kissed face frames and pops of auburn are coming to the forefront. We reached out to expert colorists in the industry to find out what brunette looks that they see trending. They have detailed the shades below, so you can bring these looks to life in your salon.

Mocha Latte

Courtesy of Sandra Couto

By: Sandra Couto (@sandra.coutohair)

Formula 1: Blonde Voyage Lightner + 15vol 
Formula 2: Colour Rhapsody 4.0 + 4.9
Formula 3: Colour Calypso 6.9 

How-To:

Mocha Latte brunette shade by Sandra CoutoCourtesy of Sandra Couto

Step 1. Using Formula 1, start at the back and apply a foilayage technique with forward back sections; thick teasy lights.

Step 2. Once you have reached the front, create a Halo formation around the head, connecting the front sections to the back and lifting the hair to a level 7.

Step 3. As your foils are processing, in between, apply Formula 2 on the roots and tease areas.

Step 4. Once hair has been cleansed, apply Formula 3 as an all over toner. Glaze for a 20 minute process.

Step 5. Blow dry and smooth the hair using a leave-in conditioner and hair oil.

Step 6. To wave the hair, I used a 1″ wide curling iron from Moroccanoil and curled away from the face. Finish it off by softening the curls with a wide tooth comb and setting with texture spray and mending infusion.

Deep Auburn Espresso

Courtesy of Jessica Aguilar

By: Jessica Aguilar (@thenewenglandstylist)

Root Melt: Oligo Calura 4n

Gloss: Oligo 6N 7R 7KG 5N and Moroccan oil 6CH 

How-To:

Deep Auburn Espresso by Jessica AguilarCourtesy of Jessica Aguilar

Step 1. Achieve this look with a foilayage doing a dimensional placement, making sure not to over foil.

Step 2. Tease the money piece a lot, so that it stays rooty! Lift to about a level 8.

Step 3. After that, root melt and gloss. Let that process for about 15 minutes.

Step 4. Blow dry and curl hair with Mint Tools 1.25" iron.

Hazelnut Roast 

Courtesy of Alessia Tortorice

By: Alessia Tortorice (@cutandlaced)

Lowlight: Redken EQ 5N, 5G

Glaze: EQ 7GB 8WG

How-To:

Hazelnut Roast brunette shade by Alessia TortoriceCourtesy of Alessia Tortorice (@cutandlaced)

Step 1. To create this look, start by applying a lived-in teasy light technique. Make sure to leave pockets of depth throughout placement.

Step 2. Then, apply lowlight where the shadows live!

Step 3. For the overall global glaze, use lots of warmth, so your guest is ready for the season! Let that process for 20 min. I enjoyed every minute of this transformation!

Low-maintenance Brunette

Courtesy of Ellie Block

By: Ellie Block (@xoxo_balayage)

"I love when brunettes embrace their ‘brunetteness’ and don’t try to go too light."

Lightener: Oligo Pro Extra Blonde

Root Melt: Redken 4N/4M 1:1

Toner: Redken s 8N/8V/8Gi

How-To:

Low-maintenance Brunette by Ellie Block

Step 1. To achieve this look, I do a partial teasy light with chunky weaves. Focus on really framing the face with the highlights. Lift to a level 9.

Step 2. Then, do a root melt and let that process for 10 minutes.

Step 3. Then blend and tone the rest of the hair for 10 minutes.

Espresso Martini Brunette

Courtesy of Marina Sellecchia

By: Marina Sellecchia (@colorbymarina)

How-To:

Espresso Martini brunette shadeCourtesy of Marina Sellecchia

Step 1. Lift teasylights to a level 8 with Truss Professional Blanc Blond + Air Libre + 8× Powder.

Step 2. Do a color melt with Redken Shades EQ in three zones. Zone one is 3N + 3NB and zone two and three is 6GI + 6WG + 7NB.

Dimensional Cool Brunette

Courtesy of Ricardo Alonso Moya

By: Ricardo Alonso Moya (@ricardoalonsobeauty)

Lightener: OYA 7 Seven Lightener 1:2 mixing ratio. Start with 10vol at hairline increase to 20vol.

Shadow Root: OYA Demi Permanent Color 5-0 (Natural) mix 1:1 with 5vol lotion.

All Over Gloss: OYA Liquid Rapid Toners Mix 1:1 60g Ocean T-1(A) Ash, 60g Sandstorm T-59(GV) Gold Violet, 120g OYA Liquid Rapid Activator

How-To:

Dimensional Cool Brunette by Ricardo Alonso MoyaCourtesy of Ricardo Alonso Moya

Step 1. Start with clean dry hair. Using my signature dimensional blonding placement, alternate between thin slices and bold weaves in foils. Ensure full saturation for an even lift. Do not over foil. Placement between foils should be about 1/2 inch apart. Process foils up to 45 minutes at room temperature or as needed based on starting level and texture. Check every 15 minutes until you reach a level 8/9 gold.

Step 3. Remove each fully processed foil and wipe off lightener with clean dry towel.

Step 4. Shampoo with shampoo and conditioner.

Step 5. Spray leave-in conditioner to even out porosity and detangle hair.

Step 6. Section head into four quadrants. On damp hair, starting in the back of the head, apply Shadow Root formula 1 inch past line of foil demarcation.

Step 7. Apply All Over Gloss formula melting into Shadow Root formula, for a seamless blended transition. Process for 20 minutes.

Step 8. Rinse and apply OYA treatment. Process 5 minutes.

Step 9. Blow-dry and style using 1.25" curling iron.