As a creative person, musician and actress at heart, Stacey Bradshaw has experimented a lot with her hairstyles just out of curiosity: blunt and side swept bangs, layered haircut, long bob, highlights, dark toning etc. “Life is too long to be afraid of changes. Monotony is dull” is her motto. She is a freelance writer, keen reader, and just a curious person, who loves exploring new useful information on nutrition and beauty tips for keeping hair healthy and pretty.
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Passionate author specializing in the vibrant world of hairstyling. With a knack for unraveling trends and sharing expert insights, Marissa crafts engaging content on the latest hairstyles, techniques, and industry innovations. Committed to empowering readers with knowledge, inspiration, and the confidence to embrace their unique style.
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@hairbyjosh_u
When adding lighter tones to black hair, it’s important to ensure the shades selected aren’t orange-y or brassy, as the black base will make the contrast even harsher. Instead, a dark chocolate red works well when melted into the jet-black base and helps to brighten up your strands without actually lightening the hair much.
Vibrant chocolate hues remain in the mainstream from season to season. Commonly we attribute to the chocolates all the sweet and delicious browns, such as mocha, hot cocoa, truffle brown, chocolate cherry, brown sugar, espresso, sweet cola, etc. Loved by brunettes and blondes, the palette of chocolate shades can also vary from milk chocolate with warm red notes to the cool bittersweet one.
Chocolate hair looks classy, dramatic and occasionally a little bit strict. However, a chocolate brunette can easily look very feminine and romantic once you curl your delicious locks or shape them into a chic updo. Here are 60 delicious chocolate brown hair color ideas for brunettes you’ll be drooling over this season!
The choice of the right hue depends on your skin undertone and your personal preferences. Women with warm golden undertone of skin will look great with chocolate hues featuring a warm reddish sheen. Ladies with cool or olive skin should try to achieve deep velvety hues without any warm red tints, such as hot or black chocolate. As for the “spring girls” with clear warm skin undertone and natural light golden blonde or strawberry blonde hair, chocolate hues are not the best choices and they can make your face look a bit washed out.
Chocolate hair harmonizes the best with tanned skin and green, hazel or brown eyes. However, considering the rich palette, it would be fair to say that almost any woman can select her most flattering chocolate shade. With the right choice, the color will refresh your face and make it look younger. To find your perfect match, you can try on hair color online and explore the best ideas to try!
@saloncouture_ny
Hazelnut and light chocolate highlights woven throughout boost the glossy effect of this mane, while the wavy texture complements the layers. Espresso colored hair is gorgeous, but it can get a little bland. Added color and texture are surefire ways to bring it to life.
A classic color combo that suits all ages and will never go out of style is a rich chocolate brown with light brown highlights. Choose a light brown a few tones lighter than your roots for a fresh and natural look that’ll make you appear at least 5 years younger!
@_laura_toelle
Light caramel ribbons blended into chocolate dark brown hair create a bold contrast that makes a statement. Juxtaposing, multi-toned highlights are popular once again so there’s no better time to try them out! Playing around in brown tones suits every skin undertone.
@caroline.anythingbutbasic
Rich browns aren’t only reserved for those with long locks! Add some gorgeous caramel smears for an instantly brighter complexion. The optical illusion from the color placement will also make hair look thicker and healthier.
@hairbyelm
A wild, wavy angled bob is the epitome of cool — and pairing the style with a chocolate cherry hair shade is the literal cherry on top of the edgy, chic look. Keep the roots dark reddish brown, and allow for a slightly brighter, coppery cherry to lighten things up towards the bottom.
@texasbalayage
Here is today’s most updated version of ombre in gorgeous chocolate tones. Seamlessly blended into a deep brunette base, get the best of both worlds with a rich espresso brown that fades to a warm caramel chocolate. This delicious melt flatters both cool and warm undertones.
@hairbykatlin
When you’ve got a neutral, medium chocolate brown hair as your base, who says you have to stick to one tone for your highlights? Cool and warm, light and dark shades play well together when balayaged properly, and the outcome is a unique, multi-hued finish that appears creative and carefree, not messy or streaky.
@mikaatbhc
Wispy layers combined with soft highlights are the key to messy-chic bobs. The highlights are only a shade or two lighter than the base, which makes the look totally natural. Just make sure to keep your dyed hair moisturized. Bleach is a blessing and a curse, because even the most subtle color can have drying effects. Try a hair mask or hot oil treatment to prevent brittle strands.
@prettylittleombre
Balayage is as sexy on bobs as it is on waist-grazing tresses. With fewer inches to work with, however, there is no shame in keeping a shorter coif simple and understated. A lighter brown worked throughout your locks is sure to enliven your everyday look.
@colorbydae
These gorgeous colors are a perfect way to do cool-toned dark chocolate hair with highlights. Ask your stylist for a medium cut with just a few chin-length layers. You’ll have so many modern ways to style this cut: perfectly straight, curled under layers, or large waves.
@bleachandjoan
Sometimes, adding dramatic highlights to thick hair can create a flashy, streaky style. Instead, ask your stylist to apply color using the balayage technique, which guarantees a seamless melt. Dark hair with just a touch of lightness blended throughout looks great on a straight layered cut.
@emilyjohnson_hair
A sleek bob is hands down the best shorter ‘do rocked by modern, professional, minimalist ladies. Whether the seasons are changing or you have been sporting warm shades for too long, update your chic bob style with babylights in a delicate ash brown or cool chocolate brown hair color.
@alexanderscotthair
Balayage suits layered cuts really well, since layers give loads of movement and body, and it’s great to enhance them with color. Spice your mocha brown hair color with highlights in a cinnamon shade to create a delicious coffee-inspired dye job to treat your gorgeous mane.
@hairbyjessicascottsanto
Running low on hair color ideas for brunettes? If you gravitate towards warmer shades, the glowy tint in rose gold chocolate highlights is a great bet! Start them lower down from the roots and show off the dimension of your dye job styling loose flowy curls.
@aimee_cuts_and_dyes
Light chocolate brown hair looks incredibly sweet when striped with toffee-colored highlights, which can really warm up your complexion. To emphasize highlights and boost the volume up top, gather pieces of hair loosely into a braid and leave it sans hair tie.
@jenghair
Chocolate brown balayage becomes even more gorgeous when set off by darker espresso brunette. Wavy locks look like a waterfall of soft color when worn down – loose and flowing.
@beautybyhanin
Here is an example of the perfect milk chocolate shade that’s made for cooler skin tones. Going an ashier medium brown route complements a cool color palette in your looks, resulting in a more natural looking mane.
@anhcotran
Displaying a gorgeous range of hues from espresso and mocha to butterscotch and golden brown, these locks have it all! Expertly blended through balayage, they shine and flow miraculously. Long-haired brunettes can really play with numerous nuances of the chocolate palette.
@hairby_gabbs
Highlighting black hair is tricky, as the contrast is often too dramatic or extreme, but a chocolatey brown balayage may be the perfect pop of warmth to transform your strands. The best part about experimenting with colors using balayage? Since your roots remain untouched, you can grow it out over time and start again.
@crisferreira23
Interestingly enough, the lightest part of your hair doesn’t necessarily have to be at the ends — it can also be applied to midshaft! Hints of copper sprinkled throughout the dark base is a unique way to stand out from the crowd and incorporate brightness into your ‘do.
@mekey_colour
Proof of how dramatically different someone can appear through hair changes. Sass up an inverted bob with red highlights — copper or tawny is a match made in heaven for espresso hair. Working mamas, give this ‘do a whirl!
@butterflyloftsalon
Well-blended highlights boost the texture of your hair and minimize the styling time. Make a messy half updo just tying the upper section of your hair into a messy knot or try a cute small half up bun.
@hairbycarly
If you are a brunette with wavy hair, cinnamon brown balayage will look stunning on you. Rock it this summer at the beach in a loose messy bun or this fall at the office down and dangling over a cozy jumper. A longer hairstyle with color like this is super versatile.
@hairbyheathern
Blonde highlights may give brunette locks a whole new life, and contrasting light streaks against a deep, dark chocolate base make a major impact. Wrap generous sections of hair around a large-barrel curling wand to create a head of bouncy waves, but leave the last inch out so you don’t lose any length.
@cnyfacecandy
This is such a sophisticated (but still sexy) style. We’re not sure if it’s the smooth, glossy tresses or the chocolate truffle brown tones, but this is one of our all-time favorites. What brunette doesn’t dream of hair that looks exactly like this?
@bleachandjoan
When adding lighter tones to black hair, it’s important to ensure the shades selected aren’t orange-y or brassy, as the black base will make the contrast even harsher. Instead, a dark chocolate red works well when melted into the jet-black base and helps to brighten up your strands without actually lightening the hair much.
@hairbyjosh_u
We love this milk chocolate balayage on long brown hair. The layered levels of chocolate and caramel hues give this look the ultimate dimension and built-in style for the days when you just want to roll out of bed. With these stunning cascading ribbons of color you’ll wonder why you haven’t tried a balayage before!
@alissonacostaoficial_
Long, rich brown hair is simple and stunning on its own; but add caramel and bronze highlights, and it’s practically begging for a braided style. Braids show off highlights and draw attention to the color that’s done right, so gather up your favorite pictures as inspiration and find a hair stylist who can create French, fishtail, and waterfall braids.
@jenghair
If you’re too proud of your dark chocolate hair color to ever dream of bringing in other colors in highlights, you can use your cut to give your shade a little dimension. When layers are added into long hair, they allow the previously weighed-down strands a chance for more movement, which can result in some effortlessly tousled texture.
@nabisalon
Brown hair color is anything but boring when spiced with toasted highlights. Cut hair into a lob for summer or go even shorter to be bold and beautiful at the beach. No need for a curling iron, choppy layers will give you plenty of built-in texture.
@cristenkelso
With voluminous, face-framing layers, this bob has a chic 90s appeal. The hair color gets a refresh with multitoned highlights worked throughout the hair. A large round brush will be your new best friend for sure.
@rafaelbertolucci1
Warm up a deep brown base with some chocolate mahogany highlights. When blended into wavy strands, they create subtle dimension that enlivens your locks without being too bold. It’s a safe choice if you’re looking to experiment with color, but still want a timeless style.
@thehairprojecthtx
Babylights are more understated than ombres, balayages, and colormelts, but they still enrich chocolate brown hair with their sweet and delicate charm. This works perfectly on a medium-length layered cut since tips look lighter when they don’t feature a solid dark color.
@off7thsalon
Who would’ve thought that caramel and cherry cola would go so well together? We see this as the next summer trend, and who is better to rock it than you? Summer is a time for fun and bold moves. We think this stunning hair color falls into that category!
@sarahzstylz
Ladies with olive skin: if you’re running out of hair color ideas, your skin will be complimented by a rich chocolate shade! Isn’t it the epitome of sultry lush!
@cristen_smith
A warm brown hair color painted delicately as balayage concentrated towards the ends of layered hair is a fantastic technique to consider when changing up your look. Perfect for seasonal updates! Highlight the delicate hand-painted work by big, voluminous waves.
@southmarksouth
If you like chocolate brown hair with highlights, but have always secretly wondered about the blonde life, throwing in some bronde accents turn out to be the best of both worlds. The lighter locks will contrast your base and make it look even darker, and the mix is striking (not streaky!), especially when styled in soft, cascading waves.
@hairbykatlin
Want to refresh the color of your long brown hair? Try a subtle balayage. The warm chocolate tones look incredibly silky on wavy locks, and the lighter color brings a hint of summer to your style.
@styledbycarolyn
A chin-length bob is ultra-flirty, especially when curled to create some texture. If your locks are naturally dark, using the balayage coloring to add in darker and lighter warm brown tones allows for some interest that isn’t as extreme as blonde highlights.
@cyauhairmua
For a gorgeous take on the balayage trend that doesn’t feel too prissy, go for a cute choppy bob. Add some randomly placed honey highlights to update your natural dark hair color. This cut is girly and tons of fun. Imperfect curls only add to the allure.
@alexkhoeunhair
Achieve a sensational hair color by inserting bright caramel highlights. Be prepared to be bombarded with admiring compliments and see copycats, because this color is really desirable. Straight or curly, you’re a queen!
@salonspruce
Who doesn’t love a rich toffee balayage on brunette hair? The added color helps an otherwise plain hairstyle pop with shine and dimension. Next time you’re at the salon, treat yourself – and your hair – to a luscious shine in warm browns.
@hair2dyeforu
With a light brown balayage, dark roots won’t look too harsh. The bronde hue is a nice contrasting color for brunettes to help thinner hair look full and more textured. Encourage the curls to reap the benefits of your new color.
@hairbymadisoncarlisle
Could black hair be any more stunning than with chocolate and bronze highlights? A few well-placed highlights can not only help frame the face, but bring light to your complexion. A perfect look for the office or a fun weekend out.
@_beautynative
When you’ve finally found the most flattering haircut for your face shape — in this case, a chic lob — stick with what works for you and use hair dye to satisfy any cravings for change. Warmer-toned brown hair can transform when golden babylights are woven into the mix, giving strands a sun-kissed finish.
@texturedbymeg
A glossy chocolate balayage helps an otherwise basic downdo stand out. Upgrade your color with subtle highlights and try messy wavy hairstyles with sexy volume for a change!
@beautyxjasmin
If you prefer ashier tones to warm hues, consider a chocolate beige tone. You may also want to achieve it through the colorment. This understated yet high-impact technique is a modern take on the classic ombre style and ensures seamless distribution of highlights.
@mizzchoi
This chocolate mahogany hair color is really incredible. The subtle way that the red tones are worked into the dark color is simply perfection. While this color would still look amazing when your hair is styled straight, it’s undeniable that curls are the best to show off mahogany hues.
@sarahsmithmontana
For brunettes, a hairstyle with highlights in light chocolate might be just the thing. Warm tones are perfect for warm weather and fall fashion. Worn curly or straight, your hair color might borrow ideas from a Twix bar, but you’ll be the only snack in the room!
@sincerely__melissa
People tend to think of cocoa-inspired hair color as of a solid shade, but we’re here to tell you that you can go chocolate and still incorporate highlights. Just be sure to keep the highlights one or two shades lighter than your base color for a more natural, flattering look.
@romeufelipe
A ruddy brown is very complementing for brunettes. Place highlights on the lower half of your hair and along the sides of your face to illuminate your entire look! Make strands closest to your cheeks lighter to frame and brighten your face.
@anhcotran
Few flavors beat a milk chocolate and caramel combo. The iconic duo is as much a treat for your strands as it is for your taste buds. Want proof? Just look at this medium-length ombre take on the trend. The lighter ends keep the coif playful, while complementing the richness of the chocolatey roots.
@hairbykathynunez
The right mixture of brunette tones creates a truly flawless hair color. Straight hair can be particularly unforgiving when it comes to showing off highlights, so a dimensional balayage of lighter, warmer browns atop a deeper, more cool-toned base is key for mastering the ultimate chocolate blend.
@stephanie_stylist
The depth of rich chocolate and espresso tones is eye-popping and makes the perfect finishing touch to a sophisticated night-out style. Wavy locks assist with body and bounce.
@carla.jean.styles
A fabulous way to add some warmth to your tresses is through a subtle balayage. Chocolate highlights suit those with warm skin undertones beautifully and they soften up cooler complexions as well! The shown highlights are ideal for black or nearly black base colors.
@keannehair
If you look best in cool tones, you’ll want to choose chocolate brown hair dye within deep ashy hues. You can add in sandy highlights that will help compliment your piecey, textured layers.
@riawna
For bombshell hair, go for a light chocolate base with caramel balayage highlights focused on hair ends and around the face. To get these curls, use a clipless curling iron and pin each curl with a metal clip so that it sets. Keep all the pins in for fifteen minutes.
@romeufelipe
When a perfectly executed blonde balayage meets a chocolate base, it’s simply heaven. Researching the right stylist is probably the most important part, because after a professional cut and dye job you will have a gorgeous hairstyle effortlessly, every day. Just sleep in a messy bun at night and let it down in the AM for beautiful curls and easy everyday glamour.
@cris_cobucci
There’s something sultry about a deep brunette shade, and a bob with sweeping layers is the perfect, equally alluring cut. To spice things up, introduce just a few face-framing highlights in a slightly lighter shade, to draw the eye towards the face and finish off the look.
@edumottawt
Babylights, the subtle cousins of highlights, are shown off best when styled in big, voluptuous waves. When chocolate blonde hair color is done as balayage, it can suit even brunettes. This one oozes glamour and luxury, being a risk free ‘do that will never go out of style.
@cristen_smith
Don’t miss out on this season’s hottest hair color trends with our ultimate selection of chocolate shades. You’ll surely find what suits you best when it’s time to get a style upgrade.
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