Light Reddish Brown Hair Color Ideas: 15 Gorgeous Shades

Most of the reddish browns would be the darker shades really (mahogany, cherry cola, burgundy etc). If you’re after something a bit lighter, brighter and softer then light reddish brown is a good option.

In this guide you’ll see 15 light reddish brown hair color ideas, tips on how to choose the right shade for your skin tone, how to achieve the colour and a few simple ways to keep it looking fresh and shiny.

What Is Light Reddish Brown Hair Color?

Light reddish brown blends a light brown base with warm red and copper tones. It looks softer than deep auburn and richer than golden brown.

Light Reddish Brown Deep Reddish Brown

Light Reddish Brown vs. Similar Hair Colors

These shades share warm tones, but the balance of brown, red, pink, and copper makes each one different.

Light Reddish Brown

A light brown base with balanced red-copper warmth. The red is noticeable, but the brown remains clear.

Light Auburn

A natural-looking red-brown with soft copper tones and a gentle redhead-inspired finish.

Strawberry Brunette

Light brown with a subtle rosy, strawberry glow instead of strong orange warmth.

Copper Brown

The brightest, most orange-toned option, with copper reflections that stand out.

Light Chestnut Brown

A soft, warm brown with a gentle red hint that becomes more noticeable in sunlight.

Light Brown Cinnamon

A deeper, brown-first shade with spicy warmth and less obvious red.

Quick rule: Choose light reddish brown for a balance of brown and red. If you prefer a stronger orange glow, try copper brown; for a quieter result, consider light chestnut.

Here are 15 light reddish brown hair color ideas, each shown with real salon results.

1. Classic Light Reddish Brown

Light reddish brown hair color with glossy, long, soft waves and warm copper-brown tones. — Credit: @jm.beautyglam

This light brown has a very clear copper red glow that really pops through the waves.

It’s ideal for warm and neutral complexions and is perfect if you’re after a natural reddish brown.

Wear it if: you want the true, balanced version of light reddish brown and you are happy with all-over color.

Skip it if: you hate regrowth. An all-over light shade shows roots in 6 to 8 weeks.

2. Light Auburn

Light reddish brown hair featuring rich auburn tones, glossy shine, and soft layered waves. — Credit: @olivia_l0ves_hair

Light auburn is a blend of soft red and brown for a very natural, wearable look.

It’s ideal for fair, warm, neutral and light olive skin tones and is perfect if you’re after a very subtle red.

Wear it if: you want red warmth that still looks natural at work and in daylight.

Skip it if: you want bright, obvious copper. Auburn is deliberately softer than that.

3. Strawberry Brunette

Light reddish brown hair featuring strawberry brunette tones, glossy shine, and long, feathered layers. — Credit: @hair_by_katie_b

This is a light brown with soft rose gold highlights for a warm rosy finish.
It’s perfect on cool and pink skin tones and adds a touch of adds a touch of red.

Wear it if: you have cool or neutral undertones and copper shades usually look too orange on you.

Skip it if: your hair is very dark and you want this in one session. The rose blush needs a light base to show.

4. Light Copper Brown

Light reddish brown hair featuring warm light copper tones, voluminous layers, and soft face-framing waves. — *Credit:* @amityashwant_hair

This bright brown has lovely copper tones which give the hair a warm, glossy finish.

It works well with warm skin tones and gives your whole look a nice lift.

Wear it if: you have warm undertones and want the brightest, most eye-catching version on this list.

Skip it if: your skin is very cool and pink. This much copper may clash with your undertones.

5. Soft Copper Brown

Light reddish brown hair featuring soft copper tones, glossy shine, and layered waves with feathered bangs.

Soft copper brown blends in with warm brown and gentle copper tones for a natural glow.

It’s ideal for warm skin tones if you’re after colour that’s rich but not overly bright.

Wear it if: you want a polished, natural finish with visible copper warmth, especially at medium or shoulder length.

Skip it if: you want a cool or rose result. This shade is warm all the way through.

6. Light Chestnut Brown

Light reddish brown hair featuring chestnut tones, subtle copper highlights, and glossy long waves. — *Credit:* @eddydibofficial

This warm light brown with a very slight red tinge looks absolutely gorgeous in the sun.

It’s a perfectly natural easy to wear if you just want a touch of red.

For a version with even less red, compare our light chocolate brown hair color ideas.

Wear it if: you want warmth and softness with the lowest commitment to red.

Skip it if: you want people to notice a color change from across the room. Chestnut whispers.

7. Reddish Brown Balayage

Light reddish brown hair featuring dimensional auburn balayage, subtle copper highlights, and glossy, layered waves. — *Credit:* @jmkolorist

A red-brown base with hand painted highlights for depth and a soft blended finish.

It’s perfect if you want dimension without frequent root touch-ups.

Wear it if: you want dimension, a softer grow-out, and 3 to 4 months between color appointments.

Skip it if: you want one even color from root to tip. Balayage is multi-tonal by design.

8. Auburn Balayage

Light reddish brown hair featuring auburn balayage, subtle copper highlights, and glossy, voluminous waves. — *Credit:* @hairandmakeupbymercedes

Auburn with some lighter highlights to create soft waves with lovely depth and movement.

It’s a great option if you want a warm, dimensional look without any all-over colour.

Wear it if: your hair looks one-dimensional in single-process color and you want lightness without blonde.

Skip it if: your starting base is very dark. Light auburn balayage needs proper lightening first.

9. Pumpkin Spice Light Reddish Brown

Light reddish brown hair featuring rich pumpkin spice tones, warm copper-red highlights, and glossy waves. — *Credit:* @ryleeheyzahair

This shade is a warm auburn brown with a hint of copper in it for a very cosy finish.

It’s ideal for warm and neutral skin tones and is perfect for an autumn look.

Wear it if: you love warm, spiced tones but want to keep your hair light and glossy.

Skip it if: you have cool undertones. Pumpkin spice is very warm and may not flatter pink skin.

10. Rose Copper Brown

Light reddish brown hair featuring rose copper highlights, glossy long waves, and soft pinkish-red tones. — *Credit:* @hairalchemy3

Rose copper brown is a mix of soft copper with a touch of rose to give a warm, slightly pink finish.

It works well on cool, neutral and olive skin tones which would otherwise look rather orange with the classic copper.

Wear it if: you want red warmth with a cooler, rosier finish. It is a lovely alternative to copper brown for cool or olive skin.

Skip it if: you want a natural auburn result. Rose copper is a fashion-inspired shade rather than a natural-looking red.

11. Copper Brown Bob

Light reddish brown hair featuring warm copper-brown tones, a sleek blunt bob, and glossy shine. — *Credit:* @hairbydawsyn

A rich, glossy copper brown gives a blunt bob a very sleek, modern and finished look.

It’s particularly good for fine hair if you’re after a fuller finish.

Wear it if: you wear a bob or lob and want color that makes the cut look polished and intentional.

Skip it if: your ends are damaged or porous. Short cuts show uneven color easily, so repair your hair first.

12. Chestnut Babylights

Light reddish brown hair color with glossy, voluminous layered waves and subtle warm auburn highlights. — *Credit:* @hairbykacie1

Fine highlights add a soft chestnut glow, without any obvious or bold streaks.

They’re ideal for fine hair, first time color and for blending in the early grey hairs.

Wear it if: your hair is fine, you want the most natural result possible, or you want gray hairs to blend in.

Skip it if: you are on a tight budget. Babylights take longer to apply than many other coloring techniques.

13. Copper Brown Ombre Balayage

Long light reddish brown hair with warm copper balayage highlights and soft, glossy layers. — *Credit:* @district87salon

This is a darker root blend into the lighter copper browns for a smooth transition.

It’s a low maintenance option and looks absolutely stunning on long wavy hair.

Wear it if: your base is darker than your target shade and you want lightness without monthly root appointments.

Skip it if: your hair is short, straight, and one-length. Ombre needs length and movement to show its gradient.

14. Light Strawberry Brown

Light strawberry brown hair color with glossy shine, warm copper undertones, and soft cascading waves. — *Credit:* @hair_by_angie_j

This light brown has a soft strawberry and copper hue to give a rather rosy, sunlit finish.

It’s a lovely choice for blondes who want a slightly darker, warmer shade.

Wear it if: you are moving from blonde toward brunette and want a warm, rosy shade.

Skip it if: you straighten your curls daily. The copper and rose tones show best in textured hair.

15. Sun-Kissed Copper Light Reddish Brown

Long sun-kissed copper light reddish brown hair with warm golden highlights, glossy shine, and soft flowing waves.

Soft copper highlights will brighten the reddish-brown hair for a natural sun-kissed effect.

The blended roots grow out quite softly so it’s a good choice if you’re after something that’s relatively easy to maintain.

Wear it if: you want a bright copper result that still looks natural and stretches between appointments.

Skip it if: you want an even, all-over shade. Sun-kissed highlights are deliberately blended for a natural look.

THE HAIR COLOR EDIT

Explore More Light Brown Hair Color Ideas

Discover more beautiful brown shades and find inspiration for your next salon visit.

WARM CINNAMON SHADES

01 / CINNAMON BROWN

FIND YOUR NEXT FAVORITE BROWN HAIR COLOR

How to Tell If Light Reddish Brown Will Suit You

Try these three quick tests before choosing your shade.

1. Jewelry Test

Gold often suits warm undertones, while silver may flatter cool undertones. If both look good, you may be neutral.

2. Vein Test

Greenish veins may suggest warm undertones, bluish veins cool undertones, and a mix neutral undertones.

3. Photo Test

Check your sunlit photos. If you love warm, coppery tones in your hair, reddish brown may suit you.

The Light Reddish Brown Shade Map

Your undertone	Shades that flatter	Why it works
Warm	Light copper brown, soft copper brown, pumpkin spice light reddish brown	Your skin already carries gold and warmth, so copper looks glowing instead of orange.
Cool	Rose copper brown, strawberry brunette, light auburn with less copper	Rose and softer auburn add red warmth without the orange tones that can clash with pink skin.
Neutral	Classic light reddish brown, light chestnut brown, reddish brown balayage	Neutral undertones can wear balanced shades from the light reddish brown family without much adjustment.
Light olive	Light auburn, classic light reddish brown with balanced copper, chestnut babylights	A copper-neutral red-brown adds warmth without making olive skin look too yellow or dull.
Deep	Sun-kissed copper over a deeper root, copper brown ombre balayage, reddish brown balayage	Keeping depth at the roots and lightness through the lengths can create a wearable look while reducing the need to lighten all the hair.

How to Get Light Reddish Brown Hair Color From Any Starting Color

From Dark Brown or Black Hair

Hair may need lifting to level 6 or 7 before adding reddish brown. Very dark or previously colored hair may require two sessions.

From Medium Brown Hair

This is usually the easiest starting point. A lift or high-lift color followed by a red-copper gloss can create the shade.

From Blonde Hair

A copper-gold filler before coloring helps prevent a hollow result and improves color retention.

From Previously Colored Hair

Old dye can lift unevenly. Share your color history with your stylist and request a strand test.

All-Over, Balayage, or Highlights?

All-over color gives full coverage. Balayage keeps darker roots and needs less frequent maintenance. Highlights add reddish warmth without changing your entire base.

At-Home Coloring

Look for level 6 or 7 shades labeled Light Reddish Brown, Light Auburn, or Light Copper Brown. Always strand-test first, follow the box instructions, and avoid expecting light dye to lift dark box-dyed hair.

Shades to Approach With Caution

Too Much Copper

Excess copper can look orange instead of reddish brown. Choose a formula with brown depth.

Too Much Red-Violet

Heavy mahogany or burgundy tones can make light reddish brown appear darker and cooler.

Damaged, Porous Hair

Porous ends may absorb red unevenly and fade quickly. Improve hair condition before coloring.

Light Dye Over Dark Box Dye

Light color cannot lift old dark dye. The roots may turn lighter while the lengths remain dark.

Rose Tones on Very Light Hair

Test the shade on a hidden strand first to check how the color develops.

What to Say to Your Colorist

Bring two or three reference photos taken in daylight and explain your desired shade.

“I want light reddish brown around level 6 to 7, with a red-copper reflect. Keep it light brown, not full red or dark mahogany. For dimension, I prefer balayage, babylights, or a money piece. If needed, keep the copper controlled and slightly rose or neutral rather than orange. My hair history is [virgin, previously colored, or box-dyed].”

Ask These Two Questions

Will my starting color need lightening, or can you achieve this shade with toning?
How will the red fade, and when should I book a gloss refresh?

Maintenance: Keeping the Red From Fading to Orange

Light reddish brown can fade from red to brassy orange, then flat brown. These simple habits help preserve its warmth and shine.

Wait 48 Hours Before Washing

Give fresh color time to settle before your first shampoo.

Wash Less With Lukewarm Water

Wash two to three times weekly with a sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo.

Use a Color-Depositing Conditioner

Apply a copper-brown or red-brown mask weekly to refresh faded tones.

Refresh With a Gloss

A demi-permanent gloss every 6 to 8 weeks can restore shine and red-copper tone.

Protect From Heat and Sun

Use heat protectant before styling and a UV spray or hat in strong sunlight.

Protect Hair While Swimming

Wet hair with clean water and apply conditioner before swimming to help reduce chlorine and salt absorption.

Plan for Root Growth

All-over color may need root touch-ups every 6 to 8 weeks. Balayage usually offers a softer, lower-maintenance grow-out.

Final Thoughts

Light reddish brown hair colors mix warm reds, soft brown tones, and a lovely shine. Whether you like light copper brown, strawberry brunette or a subtle reddish brown balayage, there’s a shade for everyone.

Choose a shade to match your skin tone, bring a daylight photo to your colourist and keep your hair shiny with regular gloss treatments. If you’re after a fresh beautiful look then a light reddish brown could be ideal.

Light Reddish Brown Hair Color FAQs

Q1. What does a salon charge for a light reddish brown hair color?

All over color is generally cheaper than balayage or color correction. The price will of course vary depending on where you are, the length of your hair and your starting color.

Q2. How long is the appointment?

All over color takes .1.5 to 2 hours. Balayage or lightening dark hair can take 2.5 to 4 hours.

Q3. Can I swim with light reddish brown hair?

Yes, wet your hair and apply conditioner prior to swimming and then rinse it afterwards to help protect the color.

Q4. What cut would look best with light reddish brown hair?

Bobs, layered cuts, long waves and curtain bangs all work really well as they really do bring out the warmth and dimension of the shade.

Q5. Can I get light reddish brown hair without bleaching?

It all depends on your starting colour. Natural light brown hair may only need a little lifting whereas very dark hair may well need to be lightened first.