28 Winter Brunette Hair Color Ideas for 2024: Balayage, Highlights, Dark Tones and Trendy Styles

Winter is the perfect time to embrace darker, richer tones in your hair that complement the crisp, cool air and winter fashion. For brunettes, this season offers the opportunity to experiment with a variety of shades and techniques that make your hair pop against pale skin or create a warm contrast to the cold surroundings. From subtle highlights to bold color choices, the possibilities are endless. In this article, we’ll explore winter brunette hair color ideas that are perfect for the winter of 2025, complete with styling and maintenance tips.

Ash Brown with Balayage Highlights

Ash brown with balayage highlights offers a cool-toned yet warm aesthetic, making it a perfect choice for winter. This style blends ash brown with soft, sweeping highlights that mimic the natural lightness of sun-kissed hair, but with a wintery, sophisticated twist. It works particularly well with straight hair, adding depth and movement without overpowering the hair’s natural structure. If you have pale skin and light-colored eyes, this color combination will enhance your features, bringing out the cool tones in both your hair and complexion. It’s a versatile look that can be dressed up for formal events or worn casually during the day.

To achieve this look, your stylist will use a balayage technique, hand-painting the highlights onto your hair for a natural finish. You’ll want to maintain the ash tones with a purple shampoo to avoid brassiness and keep the highlights vibrant. A good heat protectant is also essential to keep your hair healthy during the cold months, especially if you frequently style it with heat.

Dark Chocolate Brown with Red Undertones

Nothing says winter like a dark chocolate brown hair color with hints of red. This rich, deep hue brings warmth to your hair, offering a subtle yet noticeable change for the winter season. The red undertones can be incredibly flattering on brunettes with medium to dark skin tones, but they can also add a unique twist for those with lighter skin. The deep brown base adds elegance, while the red gives it a playful, fiery edge that can brighten up your look. It’s an excellent option for both short and long hair, making it versatile for various occasions, from work to weekend outings.

Achieving this color requires a strong color-depositing dye that balances the richness of brown with just the right amount of red. A sulfate-free shampoo designed for color-treated hair will keep your hue vibrant longer, and consider using a deep-conditioning mask weekly to maintain softness and shine.

Balayage Caramel Brunette

For a lighter brunette option that still feels cozy and winter-ready, try a balayage caramel look. This style is perfect for brunettes looking to add dimension without going too bold. The caramel highlights offer a soft glow that pairs beautifully with dark brown hair, creating a look that’s both warm and bright. It’s a great style for brunettes with medium-length hair who want to lighten up without a full-color overhaul. This look works particularly well with warmer skin tones, but the caramel shades can also bring a touch of warmth to those with pale skin.

This hairstyle involves blending caramel highlights using the balayage technique for a soft, natural finish. To maintain the caramel tones and prevent them from fading, use a shampoo specifically formulated for color-treated hair, such as Redken’s Color Extend. A leave-in conditioner will also help keep your locks hydrated during the colder months.

Short Brunette with Money Piece Highlights

A bold, face-framing money piece is a fantastic way to brighten up your winter brunette hair. This style involves keeping most of your hair a rich, dark brunette, while the front section features a bold streak of lighter color, such as ash blonde or caramel. It’s a great way to add contrast and draw attention to your facial features. If you’re feeling adventurous and want a low-maintenance way to refresh your look for winter, this could be your go-to. Short hairstyles, such as a bob, benefit the most from this look because it’s easier to manage and offers an edgy finish.

To achieve this, the stylist will bleach the front strands to the desired lightness, ensuring the rest of the hair stays rich and dark. Maintaining the brightness of the money piece will require regular toning, as well as a purple shampoo to avoid brassiness. For the rest of your brunette locks, use a moisturizing conditioner to combat the dryness caused by winter weather.

Straight Brunette with Subtle Highlights

For those who prefer a more natural look, straight brunette hair with subtle highlights offers a sleek and polished appearance for winter. This style works well on pale skin, as the subtle highlights add dimension without overwhelming the natural beauty of your hair. The key is to keep the highlights only a shade or two lighter than your base color, blending them seamlessly to create a sun-kissed look that feels right at home in winter. Whether you’re going to a holiday party or simply running errands, this style transitions effortlessly from day to night.

A professional highlighting kit will be needed to apply the lighter tones throughout the hair. You’ll also want to maintain a smooth texture with a keratin-based heat protectant to prevent frizz, especially if you use heat tools regularly. For extra shine, try a hair oil, such as Moroccan Oil, to seal in moisture.

Dark Brunette with Ashy Undertones

An ashy brunette is perfect for those who prefer cooler tones in the winter months. This shade adds a soft, smoky vibe to your hair, giving it an ultra-sophisticated look that pairs perfectly with winter’s cold aesthetic. Ashy tones are particularly flattering for those with pale skin and cool undertones, making it an excellent option if you’re looking to enhance your natural complexion. This look is best suited for those with medium to long hair lengths, as the ashy undertones can create more depth and movement with longer strands.

The ashy tones are achieved through a color-depositing technique that ensures your brunette base remains rich, while the ash adds a subtle yet striking overlay. To maintain this look, use a purple shampoo to prevent any unwanted brassiness and keep the ashy tones cool. Regular gloss treatments can also help retain the smoky finish.

Warm Brunette with Red Highlights

For a fun twist on brunette hair in 2024, try adding subtle red highlights to your deep brown base. This look offers the best of both worlds: the richness of dark brunette with the playful warmth of red. It’s ideal for those who want to experiment with color without fully committing to a bold shade. These red highlights will stand out beautifully against both warm and pale skin, making it an excellent choice for winter events, like holiday parties or New Year’s Eve celebrations.

To create this look, your stylist will apply fine highlights throughout the hair, concentrating on areas where the light naturally hits. To keep the red vibrant and prevent fading, use a color-safe shampoo and conditioner, such as Pureology’s Hydrate line. Avoid washing your hair too often to ensure the color lasts longer.

Brunette Bob with Caramel Balayage

If you’re looking for a short, chic winter hair color, consider a brunette bob with caramel balayage. The bob is a timeless cut that frames the face beautifully, and when combined with warm caramel highlights, it adds dimension and glow to the dark base. This hairstyle is especially flattering on those with pale skin or light eyes, as the caramel tones create a soft contrast. Whether you’re attending a casual winter gathering or a formal event, this look is versatile enough to complement any outfit. It’s an excellent option for those who want to keep their hair short but stylish for winter.

To achieve this look, your stylist will hand-paint caramel highlights onto your bob, focusing on the ends and face-framing strands. Regular toning and the use of a color-protecting shampoo are essential to maintain the vibrancy of the highlights. Try adding a light hair oil, like Ouai’s Hair Oil, to keep your bob shiny and frizz-free during winter.

Long Dark Chocolate Brunette with Ash Balayage

For those with long hair who want to add some winter flair to their locks, a dark chocolate brunette base with ash balayage highlights is a stunning option. The deep, dark chocolate color provides richness, while the ash highlights give it a cool, wintry touch. This look is perfect for brunettes with long, straight hair who want to create subtle contrast without going overboard. It works beautifully with both warm and pale skin tones, offering a soft, sophisticated glow that’s ideal for wintertime events like holiday dinners or New Year’s Eve parties.

Your stylist will use the balayage technique to add soft, ash-toned highlights throughout your dark hair, creating a natural gradient effect. To maintain this look, use a sulfate-free shampoo designed for color-treated hair and incorporate a purple shampoo to keep the ash tones fresh. A weekly deep-conditioning mask will help keep your long locks hydrated and healthy in the cold winter months.

Ash Brown Brunette with Icy Highlights

For a cool-toned winter hairstyle, ash brown hair with icy highlights offers a stunning, frosty finish. This color combination is perfect for brunettes who want to embrace winter’s chill with their hair color. The icy highlights add brightness and dimension to the ash brown base, creating a striking contrast that works particularly well on those with pale skin or blue and gray eyes. It’s a sleek and modern look that can be worn for both casual and formal events during the winter months.

To achieve this style, your stylist will carefully apply cool-toned highlights throughout your hair, focusing on areas that catch the light. A purple shampoo is essential for maintaining the icy tones and preventing any yellowing. For extra moisture during the winter, use a hydrating hair mask once a week to keep your hair soft and healthy.

Dark Brunette with Mahogany Balayage

If you want to add warmth to your brunette hair for winter, a mahogany balayage is the perfect option. The rich, reddish-brown tones of mahogany add depth and warmth to dark hair, making it a great choice for those who want to soften their look during the colder months. This color is especially flattering on brunettes with medium or dark skin tones, as the warm hues enhance the natural richness of their complexion. It’s a sophisticated look that can easily transition from day to night, whether you’re going to a casual dinner or a formal winter event.

To achieve this color, your stylist will use the balayage technique to add mahogany highlights throughout your hair, focusing on the ends and mid-lengths for a natural blend. To maintain the vibrancy of the mahogany tones, use a sulfate-free shampoo and a color-depositing conditioner like Overtone’s Mahogany Treatment. Regular trims will also help keep the balayage looking fresh and polished.

Short Dark Brunette with Subtle Red Highlights

For a low-maintenance yet eye-catching winter look, try a short dark brunette hairstyle with subtle red highlights. The short length keeps it easy to style and manage, while the red highlights add a touch of warmth and vibrancy to your dark locks. This style works well on those with pale skin or light eyes, as the red undertones create a beautiful contrast. It’s an ideal choice for brunettes who want to experiment with color without going for a full head of red.

The red highlights are applied in fine sections throughout the hair, focusing on the ends and around the face for a soft, natural finish. Use a color-safe shampoo and conditioner to maintain the brightness of the red, and consider using a heat protectant spray before styling to keep your short hair healthy during the colder months.

Long Brunette with Caramel and Red Balayage

A long brunette hairstyle with a blend of caramel and red balayage highlights offers a warm, multidimensional look that’s perfect for winter. The caramel adds a soft glow, while the red brings a touch of boldness to the overall style. This combination works beautifully on long, wavy hair, creating a dynamic and voluminous effect. It’s a great option for brunettes who want to lighten up their hair without losing the richness of their dark base. The caramel and red hues complement a wide range of skin tones, making it a versatile choice for the winter season.

To achieve this look, your stylist will use the balayage technique to blend the caramel and red tones seamlessly into your brunette hair. A sulfate-free shampoo for color-treated hair will help maintain the vibrancy of the highlights, and a leave-in conditioner will keep your long locks smooth and hydrated in the dry winter air.

Brunette with Copper Money Piece and Balayage Highlights

For a bold yet chic winter look, try a brunette hairstyle with a copper money piece and balayage highlights. The copper front section creates a striking focal point, while the balayage highlights add dimension and depth throughout the rest of your hair. This style is perfect for brunettes who want to add some warmth and brightness to their winter look without going too light. The copper tones work particularly well with medium-length hair and are flattering on those with both warm and cool skin tones.

The money piece is achieved by lightening the front strands to a rich copper shade, while the balayage highlights are applied throughout the hair for a natural, sun-kissed effect. To maintain the vibrancy of the copper, use a color-protecting shampoo, and consider adding a gloss treatment every few weeks to keep your highlights looking fresh and shiny.

Brunette with Ash Blonde Balayage

An ash blonde balayage on a rich brunette base offers a cool, wintry contrast that’s perfect for the cold season. The balayage technique ensures a seamless blend of brunette and blonde, creating a soft gradient that brightens the hair while keeping it low-maintenance. This style is ideal for those with pale skin and cool undertones, as the ash blonde highlights enhance the coolness of the skin. It’s a versatile look that works well on medium to long hair, whether you prefer it straight or wavy.

To maintain the ash blonde tones, use a purple shampoo to prevent any brassiness and keep the blonde looking cool. Regular trims will help keep your balayage looking fresh, and a deep-conditioning mask once a week will ensure your hair stays soft and hydrated during the winter months.

Dark Brunette with Face-Framing Balayage Highlights

For a flattering and subtle winter update, consider a dark brunette with face-framing balayage highlights. These lighter highlights, placed around the front, brighten up the face while maintaining the richness of the dark brunette base. This look is perfect for pale skin as the soft highlights create a natural glow without overpowering the overall dark tone. It works especially well with medium to long hair, adding dimension and warmth to an otherwise classic brunette style. The face-framing balayage also enhances facial features, making it ideal for both casual and formal winter occasions.

To achieve this style, your stylist will use the balayage technique, focusing on lightening the front sections of your hair for a soft, natural gradient. Maintenance is simple with a color-protecting shampoo and a hydrating conditioner, ensuring that your highlights remain bright and your hair stays moisturized through the winter season. Use a shine spray like Oribe’s Shine Light Reflecting Spray to keep your hair glossy.

Brunette with Dark Chocolate and Honey Highlights

A luxurious combination of dark chocolate brown with honey highlights creates a warm, inviting winter look. The deep, rich chocolate base adds elegance, while the honey highlights bring warmth and dimension, making it a perfect style for brunettes who want to lighten up without going too far from their natural color. This look is especially flattering on brunettes with medium or olive skin tones, as the honey tones provide a beautiful contrast and enhance the skin’s warmth. Whether you’re attending a holiday gathering or just enjoying winter outings, this style will elevate your look effortlessly.

The balayage technique is used to blend the honey highlights seamlessly into the chocolate brown base. To maintain the warmth of the honey tones, use a color-safe shampoo, such as Pureology’s Hydrate line, and a hydrating mask once a week to prevent dryness during the colder months. Avoid over-washing to keep the color looking fresh longer.

Conclusion