70+ Charming And Chic Options For Brown Hair With Highlights

Brown hair with highlights is making a huge comeback this year. While brunettes were pushed aside for blonde locks over the years, brown hair is becoming quite trendy. Especially with all the new coloring and styling techniques.

While brown hair with blonde highlights is perfect for those who want a soft and subtle look, there are more vibrant options for those who have more of an edge! Sexy balayage tones and colorful ombre offer a fun and playful vibe for the otherwise ordinary brunette!

Brown hair no longer has to be dull and mousy. With options like highlights, lowlights, ombre, balayage tones and color blocking, the possibilities are endless for the modern brunette!

Brown Hair with Highlights: What You Need to Know

The first thing to remember about brown hair with highlights is that it works for everyone. You can choose the perfect tint to enhance your facial features and fit any season or occasion. Moreover, a well-chosen highlight shade will add depth and dimension to shine a fresh light on your unique hair texture. Yet, listen to what hair experts say about the highlight palette, since some suit different skin tones, hair types, and personal styles better than others.

Brown Hair With Blonde Highlights

If you have dirty blonde or light brown hair, you might want to try this look for brown hair with blonde highlights. It’s a very subtle yet sophisticated look. And it looks pretty on any type of hair cut or style, especially on bob haircuts such as the one pictured here. If you love the straight and sleek look, all you need to do is blow dry your hair straight with a round brush and smooth it out with a flat iron for a look that's polished and professional and can easily go from work to play.

Contrast Espresso

This hairstyle is an exquisite display of contrast, where deep espresso brown melts into a cascade of platinum blonde highlights. The look is achieved through an expertly applied ombre technique, which allows for a stunning gradient effect, making it a striking choice for anyone looking to combine boldness with elegance.

Styling tips: to style this, focus on creating soft curls with a curling wand, and let them cool before brushing them out for that dreamy, wavy look. Maintenance is key with such dramatic color differences, so a color-protecting shampoo and regular touch-ups are essential to keep the transition seamless.

Sun-Kissed Highlights

This chic hairstyle exudes a beachy vibe with its sun-kissed highlights that perfectly blend with the natural brown base. It's a fantastic choice for adding dimension and the illusion of volume to fine hair. This stunning hairdo is the creation of Amy McManus, a popular hairstylist and educator hailing from Massachusetts. Her expertise in hairstyling and education ensures that each creation is both stylish and technically sound.

Styling tips: use a texturizing spray to enhance the natural waves and create a lived-in look. A light serum can help to tame any frizz and give a glossy finish.

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Straight Lob

This sleek, straight bob is a sophisticated choice that showcases the skillful blend of natural brown roots fading into a luscious sandy blonde. It's an ideal selection for those with fine hair as the sharp, clean lines create a fuller look.

Styling tips: a flat iron can help achieve the pin-straight finish, and a heat protectant is a must to maintain hair health. Use a shine serum or spray to add a glossy finish that highlights the smooth color transition.

Blonde Highlights

Embrace the glow of summer with this sun-kissed cascade, a harmonious mix of warm brown and radiant blonde highlights that create a dimensional and voluminous effect. The natural brown base enriched with blonde streaks gives an illusion of depth and fullness, perfect for fine hair.

Styling Tips: To achieve these effortless waves, use a medium-barrel curling iron and twist away from the face for a natural, beachy vibe. A spritz of texturizing spray will enhance the layers of color and maintain the waves throughout the day. Finish with a light hairspray to hold the style without compromising movement.

Caramel Swirl

This look is a decadent blend of deep brunette and caramel blonde, reminiscent of a creamy espresso swirled with rich milk chocolate. The balayage technique used here gives a seamless transition from dark to light, making it a luxurious choice for those wanting to add sophistication and volume to their fine hair.

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Warm-Toned Cascade

This hairstyle exudes a soft, romantic vibe with its warm brown roots transitioning into a cascade of golden blonde highlights. It's a harmonious blend that mimics the natural lightening effects of the sun, adding a multi-dimensional allure to the locks.

Balayage Masterpiece

The effortless elegance of this wavy, balayage masterpiece is timeless. Cascading from a deep brown root, the transition to creamy blonde ends is seamless. It’s a versatile look that suits a range of skin tones, particularly flattering for those with cooler undertones.

Styling tips: a curling wand will help achieve these soft, flowing waves. Run your fingers through the curls to loosen them for a more natural, tousled effect. Finish with a lightweight hairspray to hold the style without sacrificing movement.

Long Dark Brown Hair With Caramel Highlights

Sexy beach waves are all the rage right now. And if you add in some creamy caramel hues, you’ll have a win-win combination. Layered haircuts with highlights have so much texture and warmth. The caramel tones will glisten like gold in the sunlight and will look even more stunning if you sport your hair in a fancy updo. But we think it’s quite pretty with these cute beach waves!

Dark Brown Hair With Blonde Highlights

If you want a look that’s super sexy, why not opt for dark brown hair with blonde highlights? This look is sultry yet sophisticated with its bouncy waves and multiple hues.

For textured hair, add some dark blonde streaks to your chestnut brown tresses. Do sexy bouncy waves with a large barreled curling iron at chin length for long flowy curls to add a sense of romance and mystery to this sultry style.

Medium Brown Color Hair With Blonde Highlights

If your hair is sort of an in-between brown, you can add some blonde hues to give it more depth and texture. If you do have straight hair and want to add some volume and bounce, you can use a medium barrel curling iron or your flat iron to add some soft waves at the bottom of your hair. For extra dimension, ask your stylist for varying shades of brown and blonde such as caramel and chestnut brown and honey and platinum blonde for a look that will turn heads wherever you go.

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Autumn Whisper

This chic hairstyle is a celebration of fall's finest hues, featuring a rich brown base that effortlessly melts into caramel highlights. The colors are woven together to create a warm, luscious look that's perfect for any season.

Styling Tips: Embrace the natural texture with a nourishing leave-in conditioner for a frizz-free finish. For days when you want a sleeker look, smooth out the ends with a flat iron, and add a drop of argan oil for extra polish and shine.

Short Brown Hair With Blonde Highlights

Inverted bob is very popular now among women of all ages as they give off a youthful and fun vibe. Do you have the confidence to rock a trendy inverted bob like the one shown here?

To add some pop to your bob, why not start with a dark base and add some blonde hues throughout for more texture? The chic inverted bob hairstyle described here, known for its youthful and fun vibe, is the creation of Glaminati expert Chris Jones. Renowned for crafting amazing textured bobs, Chris Jones serves as an Ambassador of Virtue Labs, ensuring that each style exudes confidence and sass.

Blonde Highlights On Light Brown Hair

This stunning straight hair look, featuring a beautiful balayage blend of dark and medium brown with soft buttery blonde tones fading into a blend of blonde hues at the base, is the creation of hairstylist Janai Reid. Janai's expertise in hair styling ensures that each creation exudes depth, dimension, glamour, and sophistication.

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Brown Hair With Red Highlights

If you have more of a daring side and are ready to embrace a bold new look, why not go for a bright burst of color? These cherry red streaks can add some zing to your basic brown tresses with side bangs.

Brown hair with red highlights is super trendy and so much fun. Rock those sexy locks with some attitude! Start off with a chocolate brown base and add in some cherry cola red highlights perfectly blended through for a look that shows you are fierce and young at heart!

Sunset Bob

This bob haircut for fine hair channels the soft, fading light of a sunset with its warm brown roots transitioning into a playful blonde. The gentle waves add volume and texture, giving the illusion of thicker tresses while the color gradient adds depth and dimension.

Styling Tips: To achieve this tousled look, use a texturizing spray on damp hair and scrunch it up with your fingers as it dries. For added body, flip your hair upside down while blow-drying. Finish off with a light mist of hairspray to keep those waves whimsical all day.

Light Brown Hair With Blonde Highlights

Have you always wanted light brown hair with blonde highlights? Even if you have darker brown hair naturally, you can ask your stylist to tone it down to a softer shade of brown like warm honey brown. Then add in some soft blonde highlights for a look that's so shiny and sexy. It will look like your natural color! Then if you prefer a wavy hairstyle, you can add some soft beach waves or bouncy curls to give your hair added sass and style!

Mocha Cascade

This hairstyle exudes a natural flow with its mocha roots melting into honey-blonde highlights that mimic the fluidity of a cascading waterfall. The strategic placement of lighter tones not only illuminates the face but also gives the illusion of a fuller head of hair, perfect for those with fine strands.

Styling Tips: for these loose waves, work with a medium-barrel curling iron, focusing on the mid-lengths to ends. Once cooled, run your fingers through to break up the curls for a more relaxed vibe.

Brown Hair With Purple Highlights

Another look with an edgy flair is this brown hair with purple highlights. Who says you have to stick with natural hues? Start with a pretty brown base and add some lavender or lilac hues throughout for more depth and a fun pop of color that will make you stand out from the crowd. This look works for any length, but we think it’s very stunning on wavy shoulder length hair as it gives it a multidimensional flair that shows you have a funky side!

Black and Purple Tresses

With its deep purple highlights on a dark caramel base, this look is for the bold and brave. The gorgeous violet highlights will add volume and texture to your brown locks.

Amber Waves

This luscious look features deep chestnut roots that seamlessly transition into a vibrant amber hue, creating a warm, sun-kissed effect. The soft, voluminous waves add movement and depth, highlighting the multi-dimensional color blend that's perfect for adding a pop of warmth to any complexion.

Styling Tips: Achieve this bouncy look with a large barrel curling wand, focusing on twisting away from the face for a flattering, face-framing effect. Finish off with a light-hold hairspray to maintain the volume without sacrificing the bounce.

Caramel Chocolate Brown

These creamy caramel highlights on a dark brown base are subtle yet striking, especially in the sunlight!

Long Brown Hair with Copper Balayage

With its darker roots that fade into a subtle ombre balayage, these soft copper highlights that brush the ends of this gorgeous long hairstyle are elegant yet playful.

Rosy Ringlets

If you love pink but didn’t think you can pull it off as a brunette, you’re dead wrong! We love those deep rose hues on these gorgeous brown ringlets!

Face-Framing Highlights

Here's a stunning example of how brown hair with highlights can create an illusion of fullness and volume. The base of rich chocolate brown gives way to streams of caramel that brighten the face and add a luxurious feel to the hair's natural flow.

Styling Tips: To recreate these cascading curls, use a medium-sized curling iron and alternate the direction of each curl to give a more natural and voluminous finish. Don't forget to apply a heat protectant before styling to keep those highlights vibrant and healthy-looking.

Copper Glow

This look captures the essence of autumn with its warm, golden highlights that seamlessly blend into the natural brown base. The strategic placement of lighter tones around the face illuminates and enhances the complexion, giving a sun-kissed finish to the locks.

Caramel Ribbons

Cascading waves of rich brown hair are beautifully accentuated with ribbons of caramel highlights. This luxurious hair color mimics the natural variance of tones found in polished wood, creating a depth that brings the hairstyle to life.

Butterfly Haircut with Highlights

The Butterfly Haircut, with its layers fluttering effortlessly, is beautifully accentuated with cascading highlights that frame the face. The dimensional hues transition from a deep brunette at the roots to warm, golden tones at the ends, mimicking the natural gradation seen in a butterfly's wings.

Rich Brunette with Bright Accents

This hair showcases a luscious mix of deep brunette and bold blonde highlights, creating effect that’s both striking and natural-looking. The contrast of colors draws attention to the voluminous waves, giving an impression of depth and texture.

Styling Tips: To bring out the brightness of the highlights, use a color-protecting shampoo that enhances blonde tones. When styling, apply a heat protectant and use a curling wand to create loose waves.

Effortless Elegance in Highlights

This luxurious hairstyle marries rich brunette depths with glimmering golden highlights to create a dimensional masterpiece. The seamless blend gives off a warm, radiant hue that complements an array of skin tones, enhancing the natural beauty of the hair's waves.

Curly Highlights for Natural Hair

This glorious mane of tight curls is a stunning display of volume and texture. The natural brunette base is enhanced with spirals of golden highlights that create a dynamic contrast and add an extra layer of depth to each curl.

Styling Tips: Keep your curls hydrated and defined with a curl-enhancing cream or gel. Apply while the hair is damp to lock in moisture. To preserve the integrity of your curls, avoid brushing when dry; instead, use your fingers to gently shape and volumize.

Pink Rose Highlights

Dive into the depth of these rich rosewood hues that blend effortlessly into the wearer’s naturally dark roots, creating a luxurious and dimensional look. The warm rosy highlights add a playful yet sophisticated touch, perfect for those looking to spice up their style with some subtle flair.

Chocolate + Caramel Highlights

This hairstyle features a rich mocha base melting into honey-swirled highlights that frame the face and brighten the overall look. It's a versatile choice that brings warmth and depth, perfect for those wanting a subtle yet striking transformation.

Highlighted Inverted Bob

This stunning bob cut comes alive with swirls of caramel highlights, beautifully intertwined with a natural dark base to create a captivating contrast. It's a refreshing take on classic styles, offering movement and a modern twist for a dynamic look.

Styling Tips: Achieve this textured look with a light texturizing spray. Scrunch gently to maintain the bob's shape and definition.

Summer Sunset

Ombre tones are always fun. And we think this stunning combo of gold, pink, and red tones that perfectly contrast the dark brown reminds us of a sunset on a warm summer evening.

Sun Kissed Highlights

These sun-kissed curls are the perfect blend of golden brown and copper highlights!

Spicy Spirals

These alluring cinnamon curls, blending auburn and brown hues, create a striking and glamorous look. The combination of colors adds depth and warmth to the hairstyle, enhancing its appeal.

This captivating hairdo is expertly crafted by Amber Joy, a hairstylist and owner of a Winnipeg hair salon. With a focus on hair education, Amber Joy ensures that each client receives personalized attention and achieves their desired look with confidence.

Blonde And Dark Brown Ombre

This sombre effect of dark brown and golden blonde is sassy and chic!

Totally Tangerine

A bold statement of vibrant copper tones that flow seamlessly into a cascade of fiery curls. This head-turning color gradient exquisitely complements the voluminous and dynamic structure of the curls, creating a lively and striking appearance. This amazing haircut was crafted by Presley Poe, International educator and Owner of Gold Studios.

Walnut Brown with Aubergine and Platinum Blonde Tones

This daring hairstyle boasts a rich auburn base entwined with streaks of bold purple, creating a playful yet sophisticated look. The colors blend effortlessly, giving off a chic, modern vibe that's sure to turn heads.

Glaminati Editor's Advice: Keep your color fresh and radiant by using sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner, and indulge in a weekly hair mask for added moisture and shine.

White and Dark Chocolate

If you want a fun fresh look, try these dark brown highlights with white blonde streaks for a show stopping effect!

Red and Brown Ombre

If you want red hair but aren’t ready to make that step of a commitment just yet, why not try these gorgeous red ombre highlights on a dark brown base? The slow fade from chocolate brown to red puts off a sweet yet sultry vibe!

Loose Curls With Highlighted Fringe

If you love bangs, opt for some light golden highlights in your bangs and then subtly throughout the rest of your hair to add depth and volume to your dark curly tresses.

Spicy Copper Tones

If you are fair skinned but want to add some highlights to your brown locks, try these copper tones to add a bit of shimmer and shine! This stunning hair transformation is expertly crafted by Kelly Massias, balayage and color specialist, Owner of Lift Hair, a color-focused salon.

Chunky Blonde Streaks

If you want to go blonde but aren’t quite ready to make the plunge, try these chunky blonde highlights on your brown tresses for a fun and flirty vibe!

Silver Streaks

Gray hair is all the rage this year. Why not add some silvery streaks to your dark locks for a sexy, vampy look that will set you apart from the rest of the crowd?

Rainbow Streaks

If you can’t choose just one shade then go for the gusto! Take your brown color up a notch with a blend of colorful highlights and lowlights for a glistening rainbow effect!

Strawberry Fields Forever

We think these strawberry blonde streaks on this warm brown base are absolutely chic and charming!

Soft and Subtle

If you want a change, but are not ready to do anything too drastic to your beautiful natural brown color, why not add some highlights that are just a shade or two lighter than your natural color? It will look especially stunning in the sunlight!

Brunette with Red Glazed Tips

This look is perfect if you want to make a statement without going red all over. These fiery red tips on an almost black base look like they were artfully dipped in candy apple red paint.

Chocolate Mauve Color

If you like unusual looks, try to slightly encolor your natural chocolate brown hair with these soft mauve tones.

Classic Natural Blonde Ombre

Ombre remains trendy. Ask your stylist to lighten the ends of your blonde hair. You will get the perfect and stylish look.

Chocolate and Golden Blonde Ombre

This look captures the essence of autumn with its warm amber tones melting into a creamy blonde. It's an ideal choice for those wanting to add dimension and warmth to their hair, giving off a natural yet stunning gradient effect.

Brown Hair With Melted Balayage

These are not just usual blonde streaks as they appear at first sight. This is a funky twist on a trendy balayage technique. The strawberry blonde highlights melt in chocolate brown locks, which altogether creates a sweet and lovely impression.

Brown Hair With Ginger Balayage

If you think that to create a distinguished effect you need to employ only high-contrast colors, this gorgeous ginger balayage hand-painted in warm brown hair proves you wrong. The transitions are smooth and gentle, which makes the whole hair color quite natural yet vivid.

Warm Honey Balayage Hair

To add a dose of warm notes to your hair, run honey-hued highlights through your brown locks. Indent a couple of inches from the roots and let the streaks flow until the ends. Leave the bottom layers darker if you want to create more contrast and definition.

Dark Chocolate Hair With Layered Blonde Tips

The interaction between dark and light is always a charming one. This does not mean that you should opt for black and white, the combo of chocolate hair with layered blonde tips looks not less exquisite. See for yourself!

Sandy Ombre For Long Hair

Women with long hair always look extraordinary. However, when it comes to choosing a new dying technique, some difficulties may arise. In case you are still not sure dark or light side you want to go to – opt for a flawless combination.

Gold Highlights For Layered Hairstyle

The best way to show off your new gold highlights is to go for a layered haircut. Light waves added to your mane will surely intensify the effect.

Warm Caramel Balayage For Medium Length Hair

If you want your medium hair to look stunning and multidimensional, we suggest you try caramel balayage out. Add some light waves to the scene, and you will look irresistible.

Long Bronde Hair With Highlights

Bronde is the new word in the hairstyling world. It is the perfect mixture of brown and blonde in one hue. However, when this outstanding hue is not enough, you can introduce some highlights in.

Copper Gold Hair Highlights

Copper is undoubtedly a rich hue that is on the edge of popularity this season. Nevertheless, if you are open to experimentation we advise you combine the royal copper with gold highlights. Such hair will always attract adoring glances.

Gold Brown Ombre Hairstyle

Gold brown ombre is classy. However, that does not make it any less required at the moment. It is elegant and gentle looking. If you have thick hair of medium length and light waves are your cup of tea, then you should at least consider the look.

Celebrities Choices

Straight Brown Hair With Blonde Balayage

Jennifer Lopez is probably one of balayage trendsetters because as long as we remember, the diva has always been flaunting some variations of it. She's tried on balayage on many if not all hair textures – soft curls, wiry coils and straight strands. The letter option comes out chic and glamorous, making J Lo instantly camera-ready.

Messy Wavy Hair With Caramel Highlights

We love how delicately caramel balayage glimmers on Sarah Shahi. The actress opts to style her locks in messy waves, which allows her whole look to give relaxed and breezy vibes.

Wavy Brown Hair With Gold Blonde Highlights

It's actually hard to tell what exactly makes Julia Roberts ageless, but we'd venture to guess that one of the factors is the way she styles and dyes her locks. Julia always turns to effortless and soft waves that make her look youthful and frisky while gold blonde streaks bright up her face making it glow with health.

Sweet Locks With Honey Brown Highlights

RiRi knows everything about brown hair with highlights. Although the Barbadian hottie has probably tried every hair color existing, her natural chocolate brown soft locks enhanced with honey brown streaks look arguably most amazing.

Sandy Highlights For Wavy Brown Hair

Waves are a perfect hair shape for balayage, as with their help you can achieve a shimmering ribbon effect in one stroke, okay, several, but without fuss. And Tricia Helfer pulls it off with ease.

Sun Kissed Long Brown Hair

If you think that only blonde hair can achieve a sun-kissed effect, look at Alicia Silverstone's long brown locks with delicate highlights. This flattering combo comes out natural and pleasing. On top of that, you won’t have to spend much time and effort on maintaining it.

Short Brown Bob With Gold Highlights

Balayage can be pulled off not only on long hair but on cropped styles as well. Look how lovely gold highlights make Halle Berry short bob glow from within. In addition, they infuse her locks with movement and dimension, which ultimately creates a vibrant and fresh look.

Light Brown And Sandy Balayage

This is probably the lightest version of balayage on our list, as it entails the minimal contrast. Theresa Russell has naturally fair brown locks, which perfectly compliment her skin tone. To light up the hair color, she incorporates sandy balayage starting from the very roots and throwing them down to the tips.

Blonde Highlights For Light Brown Waves

It seems that Sarah Jessica Parker had known about balayage long before it became a fashion trend. Almost all her iconic hairstyles have been enhanced with highlights in different shades of blonde. One of the most flattering looks that the actress has flaunted recently is soft light brown waves with sunny streaks that flawlessly frame her face.

Copper Highlights For Long Wavy Hair

If you don't want to create much contrast and generally choose to look natural, for your balayage go with a shade that's only a couple of tones lighter than your original hair color. Copper highlights are a nice accompaniment to chestnut locks. Wear this subtle balayage on a Nikki DeLoach manner – in long wavy tresses with side swept bangs.

How To Choose The Best Look

If you are unsure of what you want to do with your brown locks, consult a hair colorist. However, the first thing you need to do is decide what look you are going for. Do you want soft brown hair with highlights? A dark brown color with lowlights? A subtle two-tone balayage effect? What about bold highlights such as copper, purple, platinum blonde or red?

Remember to take factors such as your skin tone into consideration. Bronze, deep reds, and copper shades look nice on those with a darker complexion, while those with a medium skin tone look best with a more intense brown or toffee shade. If you have a fair complexion, opt for blonde shades, caramel hues, and ashy tones. However, as everyone has their own unique look, it is best to seek the expert advice to find out what shades and hues will work best for you!

The Process of Getting Brown Hair with Highlights

To succeed with an ideal hair color, you may want to dive a little deeper into the process of getting the shade. Here’s what the process includes:

• • Consultation – find a trustworthy hair stylist and book a consultation with the professional. You can bring up the desired hue and consider what the master has to say about it. In case the chosen look does not suit your type and textures, a skilled stylist will suggest a perfect way out.
  • Color application – after you decide on the preferred tint of your highlights, you will have to prepare the canvas. Sometimes, it takes a single-process approach when the desired shade is applied to your mane. In case your starting color is too contrasting to what you are aiming at, the colorist will apply a combo of different techniques, including foiling, balayage, and babylights, to achieve the discussed effect.
  • Processing time – the processing time depends upon how light you want your highlights. The lighter – the longer it will take. Hair stylists sometimes use heat lamps to speed the process up a little.
  • Rinsing and toning – after processing, the color is rinsed out. After that, the toner is applied to deal with potential brassiness and yellow tones.
  • Styling – when you are satisfied with the color, the stylist will offer you to either trim or cut your locks to complete the image.
  • Aftercare – the moment you leave the stylist’s, your newly achieved look will hold only for as long as you look after it. The hair professional will suggest the best aftercare routine to preserve the style and color for the longest. Sticking to a sulfate-free shampoo and limiting your heat styling sessions will surely add up to the preferred regimen.

Maintaining Brown Hair with Highlights

Continuing on the subject of maintaining your freshly dyed highlights, there are a few simple tips to memorize:

• Consider your product line – high-quality washing items, conditioners, and styling products should be designed for color-treated hair. Ingredients like keratin, argan oil, and vitamin E will help you protect your mane.
• Limit heat styling – if you can’t set aside your flat iron and curling wand, it’s advised that you at least use a heat-protective spray to ensure that the color does not fade away prematurely.
• Trim your hair regularly – split ends will ruin even the most exquisite of looks, so frequent visits to the salon are on the table.
• Regular touch-ups – no matter how much care you take of your highlights, occasional freshen-ups are also required.

So, are you ready to add some color to your natural brown locks? We are sure that you’ll find the courage to try one of these fun looks for brown hair with highlights.

FAQ: Brown Hair With Highlights

• Hairstyles Featuring Dark Brown Hair with Highlights. Source