From glossy coffee tones to warm honey shades, Brunette hair is a versatile shade. Try adding some highlights for a gorgeous makeover or experiment with tints like red and Ombre!
Keep your Brown shade looking beautiful by keeping your strands hydrated with a weekly deep conditioner. This will prevent dullness and brassiness.
1. Caramel Highlights
Caramel highlights are a great way to lighten up brown hair and bring some warmth and glow back into your look. They’re not only flattering on brunettes, but they also work well with black hair and can add a subtle tease of color without being too drastic. With a variety of caramel shades to choose from, you can go bold or soft, with different degrees of depth and lightness. Caramel highlights are perfect for highlighting your roots, creating a subtle ombre, or even giving your strands a more natural sun-kissed effect.
Carmel highlights pair beautifully with a number of different hair colors, but the warmest tones are usually the best choice. Muted caramel tones, honey hints and golden blonde balayage are all great choices for warming up your natural shade. If you’re unsure about how warm to go, try adding ashier blonde highlights or cool brown balayage for a more neutral look.
One of our favorite ways to use caramel highlights is in a soft ombré. The subtle coloring is the ideal way to highlight your dark hair, blending it with lighter shades for a multi-tonal look that’s both chic and natural. Jasmine Tookes’ balayage is a perfect example, with the lighter caramel tones beginning a few inches away from her roots and getting gradually lighter towards her tips.
Another option is to opt for a darker caramel highlight, which looks beautiful on dark brown hair. This rich color gives your strands an almost reddish tone that really pops against the rest of your locks. Olivia Munn’s hair stylist gave her a set of sunkissed caramel highlights that blend perfectly with her chocolate brown base.
You can also use caramel highlights to brighten up your layered bob or stacked lob. Natalie Portman’s caramel highlights are subtle, but they give her a naturally sun-kissed look that really shines in the photos. Sofia Vergara’s caramel highlights are a little more pronounced, but they still fall very lightly on her strands and don’t create a harsh line of demarcation.
2. Golden Blonde Highlights
If you’re a brunette with warm undertones, opt for golden hues that resemble wheat or buttery blond to enhance your complexion. Selena Gomez is a prime example of this gorgeous color choice. The warm color will bring out the golden tones in your eyes and compliment your complexion without overwhelming it.
For a less dramatic approach, ask your stylist for a subtle golden blonde balayage around the face and around your hairline. This is a great option for those who want to try out a two-toned look, but aren’t ready for the commitment of ombre. This look will brighten your brunette shade while keeping it low maintenance.
Another way to make a subtle golden shade pop is to add some fashion color highlights into your strands. This is a fun, creative way to lighten your look and showcase your personality. Try mixing a few streaks of red, pink or purple into your blonde strands for an eye-catching effect.
To prevent your new shades from turning brassy or orange between touch ups, use a toning shampoo and conditioner for blonde hair. We love the Redken Color Extend Blondage Conditioning Duo ($20) for blondes as it tones, strengthens and protects strands.
For brunettes who aren’t ready for a full-on ombré, consider a more gradual fade with lightening highlights. Your colorist can apply a light brown base and blend in soft, sandy blonde tones that will give you the appearance of being naturally sun-kissed. This look will also flatter your skin tone while giving you the flexibility to wear your hair in any style.
Choosing the right shade of blonde is just as important for brunettes as it is for blondes. If you’re unsure of which shade to choose, consult your colorist for advice. He or she will likely start with your skin tone to determine whether you have cool, warm or neutral undertones. From there, you’ll be able to find a shade that complements your complexion. If you’re unsure what shade will suit you, try looking at photos of your favorite celebs to get a feel for what looks best.
3. Long Brown Hair with Natural Balayage
The sun-kissed look of blonde hair can be easily achieved in brunette locks. Ask your colorist to use creamy blonde highlights intermingled with your natural brown strands to create a summery glow. This look is great for anyone who wants to lighten up but doesn’t want the stark contrast of a full blonde highlight or lowlight. The best part about this look is that it will fade into your natural hue after a few weeks, so you don’t have to worry about regrowth or maintenance.
Chocolate brown balayage is another popular choice. The rich, warm tones of this shade will add a hint of dimension to your locks, and it looks especially gorgeous when paired with natural blonde highlights. This is a perfect look for any brunette who is looking to take baby steps towards lighter hair.
For a more subtle look, try using babylights to lighten up your brunette locks. This is a technique that involves applying small sections of dye to the top layer of your hair so that it blends in more seamlessly with your natural color. This technique is much less dramatic than ombre and will still give you that pretty glisten that all brunettes dream of.
Whether you’re going for a full ombre or a more subtle fade, ash brown balayage is a stunning option. This color will brighten up your dark brunette hair without being too intense or drastic, and it’s also perfect for those who are starting to transition to gray hair.
When it comes to highlighting your brunette hair, the options are endless! Using the balayage technique, you can add so many different colors to your locks and create an effortless, natural-looking look. Balayage is a freehand technique, so your colorist will be able to create custom shades that suit your unique complexion and hair texture.
So go ahead and book your appointment at the salon! Balayage is the newest trend in hair color that is taking brunettes by storm, so don’t be afraid to let your colorist know exactly what you want. We guarantee you’ll be happy with your new look!
4. Copper Shades
If you’re looking for a hair color that won’t leave you unnoticed, go all out with this rich copper shade. It’s feminine, sexy, and oh so pretty. Style this intense copper balayage with pretty curls and natural-looking adornments for a look that’s perfect for the girl who loves to get attention.
Brunettes who aren’t ready to go full copper can still make the hue their own with a subtler fade. A light copper ombre looks fantastic with dark brown hair, and it’s easy to keep looking fresh by touching up your roots every month or so. This look works best with a dark brown hair color that has cool undertones like chocolate or espresso.
Warm copper shades are a great choice for brunettes who want to change up their look for fall or winter. When done right, this eye-catching hue will highlight your natural highlights and add a pop of warmth to your complexion. Make sure to ask your stylist for a color that’s slightly cooler than your natural hair tone, and stay away from overly bright red or orange shades that can overwhelm your look.
When you’re ready to try a bolder copper shade, consider asking your stylist for a copper-red balayage. This stunning look will instantly make you stand out from the crowd, and it’s ideal for girls with warm skin tones who have naturally dark or black hair. Pair this eye-catching hue with a sleek bob or long locks, and add bangs to bring the look into 2021.
Dark copper hair can be tricky to maintain, but the key is to use a color-safe hair care routine that will keep your brunette color looking fresh. Avoid over-washing your hair, and always use a heat protectant before blow-drying or styling with hot tools. Using a hair mask or a deep conditioner once a week will also help to preserve your color and keep it looking vibrant.
