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!
*We may earn money from affiliate links on this page. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details.QUICK NAVIGATION
- Brown Hair with Highlights: What You Need to Know
- The Process of Getting Brown Hair with Highlights
- Maintaining Brown Hair with Highlights
- Brown Hair With Blonde Highlights
- Long Dark Brown Hair With Caramel Highlights
- Short Brown Hair With Blonde Highlights
- Brown Hair With Red Highlights
- Brown Hair With Purple Highlights
- Caramel Chocolate Brown
- Brown Hair With Ginger Balayage
- Celebrities Choices
- How To Choose The Best Look
- FAQ
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Dark brown hair with caramel highlights is so chic and sexy. 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. Medium brown hair with blonde highlights is a very glamorous and youthful style for either wavy or straight hair. 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.
Short Brown Hair With Blonde Highlights
If you dare to go short, why not go for a funky short bob cut? 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? Short brown hair with blonde highlights is super sexy and will give this edgy bob an extra boost of sass!
Will getting highlights damage my brown hair?
How long do brown hair highlights typically last?
Can I get highlights if I have curly hair?
Blonde Highlights On Light Brown Hair
Have you always wanted to go blonde but don’t want to go full-on platinum blonde? Why not try blonde highlights on brown hair? This straight hair look is very pretty as it is a balayage blend of dark and medium brown with soft buttery blonde that fades to a blend of blonde hues at the base.
This look screams of depth and dimension, not to mention glamour and sophistication. Who says you have to go totally blonde to have fun? This look is classy, chic and sexy all in one!
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!
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!
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.
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!
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 Curls
These sun-kissed curls are the perfect blend of golden brown and copper highlights!
Spicy Spirals
These sexy cinnamon curls are a stunning combo of auburn and brown hues!
Blonde And Dark Brown Ombre
This sombre effect of dark brown and golden blonde is sassy and chic!
Totally Tangerine
This sexy bold look is achieved by adding bold tangerine highlights on a dark burgundy brown base!
Walnut Brown with Aubergine and Platinum Blonde Tones
This stunning walnut brown with thin streaks of platinum blonde and aubergine is exquisite and playful!
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.
What is the difference between balayage and traditional foil highlights?
Can I still get highlights if I have previously colored my hair?
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!
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
Try this unusual combination of chocolate and gold. Your appearance will be really awesome.
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 Wavy 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!
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. Why not go ahead and take a chance?
FAQ: Brown Hair With Highlights
What highlights go with ash brown hair?
Great options for ash brown hair include:
- balayage (hand-painted highlights)- if you are looking for something subtle;
- trendy face-framing pieces will freshen up your look;
- lower highlights for a nice contrast between your roots and ends.
- use cool or silver undertones and limit exposure to the sun to keep your hair shiny
How long does ash brown hair last?
The color lasts about 20 washes. Here’s what you can do to keep it shiny for as long as possible:
- use a color toning shampoo;
- deep condition your hair at least 1-2 times per week;
- don’t wash your hair too often, use dry shampoo;
- avoid using heat, no-heat styling methods are an alternative;
What are Babylights in brown hair?
Babylights are another subtype of the highlighting methods. While also adding dimension like typical highlights, they create a natural sun-kissed look and blend in the hair perfectly because babylights are only two to three shades lighter than your base color. Hairstylists take smaller sections of hair and locate them closer to one another.
- Hairstyles Featuring Dark Brown Hair with Highlights. Source
