Light reddish brown hair colors fall in the range of copper to auburn shades. They add subtle warmth while still appearing natural. This look flatters those with fair to medium skin tones and brings out the rosiness in cheeks. The red undertones in these brunette hues make green and blue eyes pop. When done correctly, light reddish brown hair imparts a radiant, healthy glow.
What color category does light reddish brown fall under?
Light reddish brown hair colors fall under the red-brown range of the color spectrum. They contain undertones of red blended with brown. This gives dimension and vibrancy to the hair.
The level of red can range from subtle copper flashes to more intense auburn hues. But the brown base keeps the overall look soft instead of overly bright.
What are some examples of light reddish brown hair color shades?
Here are some examples of popular light reddish brown hair color shades:
| Shade Name | Color Description |
|---|---|
| Light Auburn | Subtle red tones mixed with light brown |
| Chocolate Cherry | Reddish tint on neutral brown |
| Toasted Coconut | Warm peachy brown |
| Caramel Latte | Light brown with auburn and cream blended |
| Russet | Earthy red-brown |
| Hazelnut | Reddish brown with golden shimmer |
The intensity of the red undertones can vary within the light reddish brown family. It depends on the particular shade and styling technique used. But all these hues add warmth and dimension to brown hair.
What coloring techniques create light reddish brown hair?
There are several techniques hair colorists use to achieve light reddish brown hair:
– Highlighting: Adding fine highlights in copper, auburn or strawberry blonde shades gives brown hair added warmth. The highlights blend with the cool neutral base for a multi-tonal look. Babylights (fine, all-over highlights) are especially popular for creating this effect.
– Tinting: Using a demi- or semi-permanent reddish brown tint enhances the underlying pigment of the hair. This adds subtle warmth and color reflection. Demi-permanent color washes out over 4-6 weeks.
– Lowlighting: Adding chocolate brown or red-violet lowlights on light brown hair brings out redness in the strands. The contrast of hues makes red tones pop.
– Glossing: Clear glosses with a red base add shine and reflectivity. They intensify existing red pigments in brown hair.
– Foiling: Using foils to weave panels of light and dark shades together produces a lot of variation. Pieces of copper and auburn foilayed with chocolate brown results in multi-faceted reddish brown.
What undertones work well with light reddish brown hair?
Light reddish brown hair contains both gold and ash undertones. The interplay of warm and cool tones in the hues makes them flattering on many complexions.
Good undertone matches include:
– Warm/Golden: Golden or olive skin tones bring out the warmth in copper and auburn shades.
– Cool/Pink: Pink or red-based skin looks vibrant and lively against the red-brown hair.
– Neutral: Medium beige to tan skin with balanced undertones complement the duality of light reddish browns.
The most important factor is finding a shade with enough ash to offset natural warmth in the skin. Otherwise, too much redness can clash. Adding some face-framing highlights around neutral complexions can freshen the look.
What skin tones best suit light reddish brown hair?
Light reddish shades generally suit those with fair to medium skin tones. They provide enough contrast against the skin without being too high-impact. Some guidelines for flattering skin pairings:
– Fair: Porcelain to ivory skin pops against coppery browns. Avoid shades with too much red, which may compete with ruddy undertones.
– Light: Peaches and cream complexions glow with light auburn brown. Keep lowlights minimal to prevent washing out.
– Light/Medium: Beige and sandy tones work with multi-tonal reds and coppers. Neutral ash bases tied together with warm babylights are pretty.
– Medium/Tan: Olive and tawny skin supports deeper auburns and chocolate cherry shades. Avoid red-oranges, which can look harsh.
– Dark: Caramel to espresso skin looks rich with pure chocolate brown lowlights threaded through. Limit bright coppers to highlight ends.
The most flattering pairings use the hair color to accentuate skin luminosity. Avoid matching shades exactly to the skin which can look flat. Contrast is key.
What eye colors are complemented by light reddish brown hair?
The red-brown spectrum brings out the natural beauty in many different eye colors:
– Green: From emerald to olive green, reddish browns make green eyes vividly stand out. Red is opposite green on the color wheel so they strongly contrast.
– Blue: Cobalt to aqua blue eyes become crisper against warm copper and auburn accents. The brown base also draws out some green flecks in bluer eyes.
– Hazel: Multidimensional hazel eyes pick up the variations of reddish brown hues for added depth and luminosity.
– Brown: Warm brown eyes get intensified by the rich red tones. Adding lighter caramel highlights brighten up darker iris colors.
The vibrant nature of light reddish browns flatters all eye colors. But those with true-green, blue and hazel eyes benefit the most from the vivid color synergy. Gray eyes can also gain depth with the right coppery shade.
How does light reddish brown hair complement different styles?
Light reddish shades work beautifully with short to medium length cuts, adding softness and fullness:
– Pixie Cut: Light auburn and coppery browns give this short cut vibrancy. Highlighting the ends draws out texture.
– Bob: Shoulder-length cuts get movement and dimension from red-brown lowlights and chocolate highlights.
– Lob (long bob): Blunt or angled lobs showcase ombre reddish brown effects starting deeper at the roots and lighter on the ends.
– Shag: Choppy razor-cut shags pop with contrasting auburn lowlights throughout the layers.
– Mid-Length Layers: Long face-framing layers around a medium length cut play up multidimensional reddish browns.
The warm tones also suit updos like braided buns or topknots. Long, straight hair can be warmed up with coppery babylights. Just avoid flat, all-over color on longer lengths.
How do you maintain light reddish brown hair color?
Reddish brown hair tends to fade faster than neutral brunette shades. Here are some tips for keeping the color vibrant between salon visits:
– Use sulfate-free shampoo and cool water to wash hair no more than 2-3 times per week. Overwashing fades color.
– Rinse with a weekly color-depositing conditioner or mask to refresh tones. Avoid every day to prevent buildup.
– Limit use of hot styling tools like flat irons and blow dryers which oxidize color. Let hair air dry when possible.
– Apply a heat protectant if using hot tools. Also wear a hat in the sun to prevent fading.
– Get a gloss or glazing treatment every 4-6 weeks to reinforce shine and red-brown tones.
– Use an at-home semi-permanent rinse on faded strands in between salon trips if needed. Focus just on the ends.
With proper care, light reddish brown hair can look fresh for up to 8 weeks before needing a touch up. Taking steps to enhance color retention keeps hair healthy and vibrant.
What are the best light reddish brown hair dye brands?
Some top professional hair color brands for light reddish brown include:
| Brand | Notable Shades |
|---|---|
| Wella | 5R Light Auburn Brown, 6R Medium Auburn Brown |
| Redken | Auburn Boost,Copper Cast |
| Matrix | 6RC Light Auburn Copper, 5RR Copper Russet |
| L’Oreal Professionnel | Intense Auburn, Light Intense Auburn |
| Goldwell Topchic | 6/37 Auburn Mix, 5/35 Copper Brown |
When using box dye, look for brands like Garnier Nutrisse or L’Oreal Excellence in shades like light auburn, golden auburn, or chestnut with amber tones. Always do a strand test to check the color result before fully applying box dye. Professional color is better for achieving multi-tonal reddish brown effects.
Conclusion
Light reddish brown hair provides warmth, luminosity, and richness to brunette hair color. The mix of red and brown tones flatters many skin tones while making eyes sparkle. From subtle copper to rich auburn, there are many shades to give brown hair a sun-kissed, radiant boost. With proper application and care, light reddish locks make a gorgeous statement.
