Top 31 Winter Hair Colors for Brunettes: Stylish Ideas to Keep You On-Trend This Season

When the temperature drops, it’s the perfect time to update your look with winter hair colors that will bring out the richness in your brunette locks.

The cold months often dull our natural glow, but with the right winter hair color and hairstyle, you can maintain a warm, vibrant appearance throughout the season.

This article provides various winter hair colors for brunettes, specifically designed to enhance your features.

Whether you’re aiming for subtle highlights or rich tones with depth, we’ve got hairstyles that will complement any look.

Wondering which color will add warmth without going too bright?

Looking for inspiration that stays trendy yet manageable?

These ideas will show you how different shades can make all the difference this winter.

Each suggestion not only boosts your style but also suits your lifestyle, making sure you stand out even in the greyest of winter days.

With the right shade and hairstyle, your brunette hair will exude shine and vitality, perfect for the festive season or a cozy winter aesthetic.

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31 Best Winter Hair Colors for Brunettes to Keep You Warm and Stunning

1. Soft Brown with Subtle Ash Undertones

Portrait of a woman with soft brown hair featuring subtle ash undertones.

This soft brown shade has a delicate ash undertone, making it an ideal winter color for brunettes looking for something muted yet sophisticated.

The ash hue cools down the warmth of the brown, offering a balanced tone that pairs beautifully with neutral or cool skin tones.

This color gives a calm, understated elegance, perfect for those who prefer a soft, natural winter look.

With minimal maintenance, it keeps its richness, needing only occasional toning to maintain the cool undertone.

2. Light Brown with Honey Highlights

Back view of light brown hair with soft honey highlights enhancing the layers.

This light brown shade is enhanced with honey-toned highlights, offering a subtle warmth that is perfect for the colder months.

The honey accents brighten the overall look, making it a great choice for brunettes who want to add a bit of sun-kissed warmth to their winter style.

The multidimensional color works well for medium to olive skin tones, adding a lively glow.

To maintain the warmth and dimension, occasional gloss treatments are recommended to keep the highlights vibrant.

3. Deep Espresso Brown

Back view of deep espresso brown hair with a glossy, rich tone.

This deep espresso brown offers a rich, luxurious tone, perfect for brunettes seeking a bold yet classic winter color.

The dark brown is almost black in certain lights, adding depth and dimension to the hair while keeping it elegant and sophisticated.

This shade is ideal for all skin tones, particularly flattering for those with warm undertones, as it enhances natural features.

Maintaining the glossy sheen is key, so regular moisturizing treatments are recommended to prevent the color from looking flat.

4. Warm Auburn Brown

Portrait of a woman with warm auburn brown hair, featuring fiery red undertones.

This warm auburn brown brings fiery red undertones into the mix, offering a vibrant twist on classic brunette shades.

Perfect for those wanting to make a statement, this color lights up the face and adds warmth during the cold winter months.

It suits fair to medium skin tones best, making the complexion appear brighter and more lively.

To keep the auburn hue from fading, color-protecting shampoos and regular touch-ups are essential.

5. Rich Chocolate Brown

Back view of rich chocolate brown hair with deep, natural tones.

This rich chocolate brown shade is the epitome of winter elegance for brunettes, offering a deep, natural color with a touch of warmth.

Its luscious tone enhances darker skin tones and adds richness to medium complexions, making it a versatile and universally flattering color.

The natural warmth in the chocolate shade provides depth without overpowering the face, giving a cozy winter glow.

Regular deep conditioning is key to preserving the softness and shine of this deep brown color throughout the season.

6. Dark Mocha Brown

Back view of long, dark mocha brown hair with a smooth, shiny finish.

This deep mocha brown shade offers a rich, velvety tone that brings warmth to the hair without being overly intense.

It’s the perfect winter hue for brunettes who want a sophisticated and understated look, as the dark mocha provides a grounded, earthy vibe.

Best suited for cool to neutral skin tones, it complements the winter season by adding depth to the overall appearance.

Maintaining this tone requires hydration and gloss treatments to keep its luster throughout the colder months.

7. Chestnut Brown with Caramel Highlights

Back view of long chestnut brown hair with caramel highlights blended into soft waves.

Chestnut brown mixed with caramel highlights brings a natural sun-kissed glow to darker hair, perfect for brightening up the winter.

The chestnut base keeps the look grounded, while the caramel highlights offer contrast and warmth, making it ideal for someone looking to lighten their brunette hair in a subtle way.

This color combo suits warm and neutral skin tones beautifully.

Maintaining the vibrancy of the highlights with gloss treatments will ensure they don’t fade too quickly in the dry winter air.

8. Smoky Ash Brown

Back view of long, smoky ash brown hair with cool undertones and soft waves.

This smoky ash brown tone offers a cool, modern twist to traditional brunette shades, with its subtle grayish undertones.

It’s a great choice for someone looking for a more muted and sophisticated look that stands out during the colder season.

The cool ash tones flatter fair to neutral complexions, bringing out the brightness in the skin.

To keep the ash tone vibrant, regular toning treatments are necessary to prevent brassiness, especially in winter when hair can lose moisture.

9. Bronde Balayage

Portrait of a woman with bronde balayage, blending light brown and blonde tones in soft, textured waves.

Bronde balayage is the ultimate blend of brown and blonde, giving brunettes a lighter, brighter look for winter without losing their brunette base.

The seamless blend of these tones creates depth and dimension, perfect for those who want to experiment with a lighter style while keeping it natural.

This color combination complements most skin tones, especially neutral and warm, as it adds a soft glow.

It requires minimal upkeep, with the balayage technique allowing for a more effortless grow-out.

10. Rich Brunette with Cinnamon Balayage

Portrait of a woman with a rich brunette base enhanced by subtle cinnamon balayage highlights.

The rich brunette base paired with cinnamon balayage brings a warm, spicy touch to darker hair, ideal for brightening up winter looks.

The cinnamon highlights offer a subtle red undertone, giving warmth and dimension, making this color perfect for brunettes who want a bit more vibrancy.

Best suited for warm and neutral skin tones, the balayage technique keeps this color looking natural and low-maintenance.

To maintain the vibrancy of the cinnamon tones, occasional gloss treatments are recommended to keep the color rich and fresh.

11. Rich Mahogany Brown

Back view of long, rich mahogany brown hair with soft waves.

This rich mahogany brown hue combines deep brown with reddish undertones, creating a warm and inviting color ideal for winter.

The subtle red undertones provide a striking contrast in natural and indoor light, giving the hair a multidimensional look.

Perfect for those with warm or olive skin tones, this shade offers a bold yet classic winter option for brunettes.

To maintain its vibrancy, regular moisturizing treatments and color-safe shampoos are recommended to keep the red tones fresh and vivid.

12. Classic Dark Chocolate Brown

Back view of mid-length dark chocolate brown hair with loose waves.

Dark chocolate brown is a timeless choice for brunettes, offering a deep, rich color that exudes sophistication.

Its neutral undertones make it versatile, complementing a wide range of skin tones while adding depth and warmth during the winter months.

This shade is ideal for someone seeking a classic, low-maintenance color that remains stylish throughout the season.

To preserve its shine and richness, consider regular deep conditioning treatments to maintain hydration and prevent dullness.

13. Chestnut Brown with Subtle Caramel Balayage

Back view of chestnut brown hair with soft caramel balayage highlights.

This chestnut brown base, accentuated with caramel balayage highlights, offers a beautiful balance of warm and cool tones.

The caramel highlights provide subtle brightness, making this an excellent choice for brunettes looking to add dimension without going too light.

It suits medium to warm skin tones and works well for those who prefer a natural look with a touch of brightness.

Minimal upkeep is required thanks to the balayage technique, which allows the highlights to grow out seamlessly.

14. Sleek Mocha Ombre

Back view of sleek, dark mocha hair transitioning into a lighter ombre at the ends.

This sleek mocha ombre offers a sophisticated color transition, with a rich dark brown base gradually fading into a lighter, cooler brown at the ends.

The ombre effect creates depth and dimension, making it a great choice for brunettes who want to keep their natural color but add a modern twist.

Ideal for cool and neutral skin tones, this color is low-maintenance and grows out effortlessly, requiring fewer touch-ups than traditional highlights.

To keep the ombre looking fresh, regular toning treatments are suggested to prevent brassiness.

15. Honey Brown Short Waves

Back view of short, honey brown hair with soft, wavy texture.

Honey brown is a beautiful, warm-toned color that adds a sun-kissed glow to brunettes, even in the cold winter months.

The warm honey tones suit fair to medium skin tones, providing a healthy, radiant appearance that brightens up any look.

This shade is perfect for those who want to experiment with lighter hues while maintaining a natural, brunette base.

To keep the honey tones vibrant, occasional gloss treatments and hydrating products are key, especially in winter when the hair tends to get dry.

16. Dark Chocolate Brown with Soft Highlights

Back view of dark chocolate brown hair with soft, subtle highlights adding dimension.

This dark chocolate brown shade is enriched with soft, subtle highlights, giving the hair natural depth and movement.

The slight contrast created by the highlights adds brightness to the rich brown base without overpowering the overall look.

This color is ideal for those with neutral to warm skin tones, as the highlights help to enhance facial features and bring warmth to the complexion.

To keep the highlights fresh and the chocolate hue vibrant, use color-safe products and regular deep conditioning to maintain shine and softness during the winter months.

17. Luxurious Cocoa Brown

Back view of long, luxurious cocoa brown hair styled in glossy waves.

This luxurious cocoa brown offers a warm, rich tone that’s both versatile and timeless for the winter season.

The color is deep but not overly dark, providing a natural warmth that enhances medium and olive skin tones beautifully.

It’s a great option for brunettes looking to keep their color simple but stunning with a glossy finish.

To maintain the richness of the cocoa hue, regular hydrating masks are essential, especially to combat winter dryness.

18. Chocolate Brown with Auburn Highlights

Back view of chocolate brown hair with subtle auburn highlights blended into soft curls.

This rich chocolate brown base is accented with auburn highlights, giving a warm, fiery touch that makes this color pop.

The subtle auburn strands provide dimension and depth, perfect for brunettes wanting to add a hint of red to their winter hair.

This color works best for warm to neutral skin tones, adding a lively warmth that can brighten any complexion.

To keep the highlights from fading, use color-protecting treatments and avoid over-washing to preserve the vibrancy.

19. Cool Ash Brown

Back view of cool ash brown hair with icy undertones and a sleek finish.

This cool ash brown shade brings a modern edge to traditional brunette colors with its icy, grayish undertones.

The coolness in the tone makes it a great option for those with fair to neutral skin tones, as it enhances brightness without overwhelming the face.

It’s a striking yet understated winter color, perfect for brunettes looking to experiment with cooler hues.

To maintain the cool tones, regular toning treatments are necessary to avoid brassiness and keep the color fresh.

20. Rich Chocolate with Caramel Lowlights

Back view of rich chocolate brown hair with caramel lowlights softly blended into waves.

This rich chocolate brown with caramel lowlights offers a gorgeous blend of dark and light tones, adding warmth and dimension.

The caramel lowlights provide a sun-kissed effect, making it a fantastic choice for winter when brightness is needed.

Ideal for medium to olive skin tones, the warmth in both the brown and caramel hues gives the face a natural glow.

To maintain the soft contrast between the two shades, regular gloss treatments are recommended to keep both tones vibrant and shiny.

21. Soft Caramel Brown Bob

Side view of a short caramel brown bob with soft waves.

This soft caramel brown shade is perfect for those looking to add a bit of warmth and brightness to their winter look.

The caramel tone provides a warm glow, making it an excellent choice for fair to medium skin tones.

This color adds a youthful vibrancy while still looking natural and low-maintenance.

To keep the caramel hue vibrant, consider using color-safe products and regular gloss treatments, especially during the drier winter months.

22. Milk Chocolate Brown

Back view of long milk chocolate brown hair styled in soft waves.

This milk chocolate brown shade offers a smooth, creamy richness, making it a universally flattering color for brunettes.

It has just the right balance of warmth and depth, providing a natural and understated look that works for all seasons.

The softness of the tone makes it ideal for neutral to warm skin tones, adding subtle radiance to the complexion.

To maintain its glossy finish and smooth texture, regular deep conditioning treatments are recommended throughout the winter.

23. Dark Brown with Warm Caramel Highlights

Back view of dark brown hair with warm caramel highlights softly blended into waves.

This dark brown shade, enhanced with warm caramel highlights, creates a stunning contrast and adds dimension to the hair.

The caramel highlights bring warmth and brightness to the deep brown base, making it a great option for brunettes who want a more dynamic color.

This color combination suits medium to olive skin tones, giving the face a naturally sun-kissed appearance even in winter.

Regular use of color-protecting shampoos and conditioning treatments will keep the highlights vibrant and prevent fading.

24. Chestnut Brown with Reddish Undertones

Back view of long chestnut brown hair with soft reddish undertones in wavy layers.

This chestnut brown shade features subtle reddish undertones, adding warmth and depth to the hair.

The reddish tones offer a rich, dimensional color that is perfect for brunettes looking to brighten up their winter look.

This shade is particularly flattering for warm and neutral skin tones, providing a natural glow that enhances the complexion.

To maintain the vibrancy of the reddish undertones, use color-enhancing shampoos and regular gloss treatments.

25. Deep Auburn Brown

Back view of long deep auburn brown hair with soft waves.

This deep auburn brown is a rich, bold color, combining deep brown with striking red undertones.

Perfect for brunettes who want to make a statement, the auburn hue adds warmth and intensity to the overall look, making it ideal for winter.

This color suits warm and medium skin tones, providing a beautiful contrast that brings out the natural glow of the complexion.

Regular color-enhancing treatments will keep the auburn tones vibrant and prevent them from fading during the winter months.

26. Warm Espresso with Subtle Caramel Highlights

Dark brown hair with soft, warm caramel highlights woven throughout.

This deep espresso base is elevated with subtle caramel highlights that bring warmth and dimension to the rich brunette color.

It’s perfect for brunettes wanting to add a touch of brightness without fully committing to lighter shades.

The warm undertones of the caramel highlights pair beautifully with darker winter wardrobes, making it an ideal choice for the colder months.

Maintenance is simple; using a color-protecting shampoo will keep the highlights fresh and prevent brassiness.

27. Ash Brown with Soft Waves

Back view of long, soft waves in an ash brown hair shade.

Ash brown is an excellent choice for brunettes who want to tone down the warmth in their hair for a cooler, winter-ready look.

The soft waves add movement and texture, ideal for those with fine hair looking to add some body.

This color looks effortlessly chic and is perfect for those seeking an understated, sophisticated winter style.

28. Mahogany with Auburn Lowlights

Rich mahogany hair with deep auburn lowlights enhancing the depth.

The rich, mahogany base combined with deep auburn lowlights brings out warmth and depth, making this a perfect choice for brunettes looking for a warm, dimensional color.

The lowlights add richness to the mahogany, creating an effect that catches the light beautifully.

This hair color is especially flattering for medium to dark skin tones and is a great option for those who want a winter look without going too dark.

Gloss treatments will help keep the color vibrant.

29. Rich Chocolate Brown with Layers of Shine

Glossy chocolate brown hair with soft, blended layers creating dimension.

This rich chocolate brown is all about the shine.

The glossy finish enhances the deep brown tone, creating a luxurious feel perfect for winter. The smooth, polished look reflects light, adding dimension to the rich color.

It’s a versatile shade that suits most skin tones, making it a favorite for brunettes looking for an elegant yet low-maintenance color.

Regular glossing treatments will ensure the shine stays intact.

30. Chestnut Brown with Cool Undertones

Dark chestnut brown hair with cool undertones giving a muted, wintery effect.

This chestnut brown stands out with its cool undertones, offering a sophisticated twist on the classic brunette color.

The mix of chestnut and cooler, muted tones gives the hair a multidimensional effect, perfect for winter.

It’s an excellent choice for those with cooler skin tones who want to embrace their natural brunette shade while adding subtle complexity.

To keep the coolness intact, avoid overly warm hair products and opt for a neutralizing conditioner.

31. Warm Chestnut Brown with Soft Auburn Undertones

Deep brown hair with subtle, warm auburn highlights throughout.

This warm chestnut brown features soft auburn undertones that add dimension and a hint of red to the brunette base.

It’s an ideal winter color for brunettes who want a touch of warmth without going too bright.

The rich chestnut hue brings a soft glow to the hair, creating a dynamic yet natural look.

Perfect for those with warm or neutral skin tones, this color adds vibrancy without overwhelming the overall style.

To maintain the warmth and richness, a sulfate-free shampoo and color gloss treatment are recommended.

How to Choose the Right Winter Hair Color for Your Brunette Locks?

Choosing the right winter hair color for brunettes can seem overwhelming with so many options available, but it boils down to two main factors:

skin tone and lifestyle.

If you have a warm skin tone, opt for rich chestnut or caramel highlights, while cool tones shine with ash brown or espresso hues.

And remember, maintenance is key – select a color that fits your routine and budget.

Can I Change My Brunette Hair Color Without Damaging It in Winter?

Yes, you can change your brunette hair color without causing damage, even in the winter.

The key is to use products that nourish the hair while keeping your color intact.

Deep conditioning treatments and hair masks are essential for hydration, as the cold can leave hair brittle.

Also, opting for semi-permanent dyes or gloss treatments can refresh your color without stripping your strands of natural moisture.

By caring for your hair with protective products and selecting gentle coloring techniques, your winter hair color can remain vibrant and healthy throughout the season.

Photo of author

Abbey Emer, an expert hairstylist and passionate beauty advocate, is the vibrant Editor-in-Chief of LooksNiceOnMe.

With her extensive experience in hairstyling and a keen eye for beauty trends, Abbey brings a touch of elegance and creativity to every article.

Her renowned hair tutorials and dedication to empowering individual expression set her apart as a leader in the beauty community.

Abbey's philosophy: Embrace your uniqueness and let your hair tell your story.