“Espresso Brunette” Will Wake Up Your Winter Look—21 Ways to Try the Shade

Yes, espresso is a great pick-me-up drink. However, the rich brown beverage has also become our latest source of hair inspiration. Enter: espresso brunette. This dark shade is rich, bold, and deep—all the attributes you’ll want to channel into your winter hair looks. If you’re contemplating a seasonal hair refresh, we’ve got you covered with tons of celebrity-approved inspo photos. Ahead, find 21 espresso brunette hair color ideas that will inspire your next look.

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Rich Roast

This take on espresso brunette is similar to a coffee brown hair color, featuring very little contrast. Though this look offers a single hue, the hair still has tons of vibrancy. Book regular gloss treatments with your colorist to maintain your color’s fresh, rich appearance.

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Milky Highlights

Kaia Gerber’s subtle low lights hit like ribbons of milk in her espresso brunette color. For a similar effect, talk to your colorist about balayage highlights.

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Highlighted Espresso

Although espresso brunette is quite dark, it’s still a hair color that shines. A combination of highlights and lowlights that vary closely in tone can add a hint of brightness and depth to the look.

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Multi-Dimensional

Espresso brunette hair color can be fully highlighted while maintaining its overall deep tone. Using cooler toners will leave the hair looking multidimensional and warm without appearing too sun-kissed.

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Glossy Brunette

A sleek and shiny updo, like this one, allows the dimension of your color to shine. Add a finely woven combination of highlights and lowlights to enhance your espresso brunette base.

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Double Shot

For those who prefer a look with nutty, dark tones that lean more cool than warm (like Shay Mitchell), it’s important to establish an at-home maintenance routine. Use color-safe shampoos and conditioners to avoid stripping and dulling your multi-dimensional color.

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Sleek Brunette

Allow the richness of your espresso brunette hair to shine with a sleek, high ponytail. To further elevate the look, wrap a few strands of hair around the base of your updo.

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Natural Brunette

Espresso brunette is a gorgeous shade all on its own. As Laura Harrier proves, you don’t need to add highlights to make the dark color stand out.

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Warm Espresso

Jasmine Tookes’ take on espresso brunette is simply stunning. We love that her hair features soft hints of warm brown to add dimension.

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Espresso Curls

Boosting hydration and moisture is the key to maintaining color-treated textured hair. Use deep conditioning treatments regularly to keep your espresso brunette curls and coils vibrant and healthy.

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Simply Espresso

Ashley Graham’s approach to espresso brunette hair focuses on maintaining a deep, dark brown tone all over. The piece-y texture of her waves shows off the bold shade well.

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Healthy Hue

Get regular trims every six to eight weeks to keep your espresso brunette hair color looking healthy. This will also keep the shape of your cut full and lively—especially if you have bangs or layers like Bruna Marquezine—and rid your hair of frayed ends that cause your color to appear dull.

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Rich Ringlets

If you want to keep your espresso brunette one-dimensional, adding texture and movement to your style can help amp up the electricity of this beautiful brown shade. Adding one-inch or smaller ringlets will bring a lot of body to an espresso-hued updo like Bella Hadid’s.

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Knotless Braids

Tessa Thompson has experimented with various hair colors but often returns to an espresso brunette shade like this. Knotless braids, like those seen on the actress, are a great protective style for color-treated hair.

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Pretty Pixie

Pixie cuts require trims every six to eight weeks, so you may want to stick with a color that’s a bit more low maintenance. Opting for a single, one-dimensional shade like espresso brown is the perfect way to go.

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Light Roast

We love the way Lori Harvey’s hair is a true espresso shade at the root before melting into pretty caramel ribbons towards the tips. It looks great with her fluffy lob, but would be pretty on any length.

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Dark Espresso

Simone Ashley’s deep espresso brunette color and disco diva curls are totally worth replicating. Remember to use a heat protectant before any heat application, especially with colored hair. Doing so will keep brittle, dull strands at bay.

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Espresso Balayage

Colorist Jenna Perry added some dimension to Camila Moronne’s deep espresso shade with some soft balayage. She kept the highlights just on the tips for a natural, sun-kissed effect.

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Caramel Espresso

Hints of caramel ribbons seamlessly melt into Ashley Park’s espresso brunette. To maintain this coveted color job, refrain from over-washing your hair. There’s no golden standard, as everyone’s hair and scalp needs differ, but washing more frequently than two or three times a week can begin to strip your hair color.

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Espresso Coils

Kerry Washington’s espresso brunette coils are the star of this look. Pulling them back into a voluminous, low ponytail is the perfect styling choice.

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Braided Updo

Zoë Kravitz’s look at the 2026 Golden Globes once again proves how versatile this shade is. Her braided updo looks so pretty under the bright lights of the red carpet.