We do believe that brunettes can have even more fun with their locks than blondes do. With so many techniques and color combinations available for dark-haired gals, brown hair with highlights is a go-to option when the time comes to give a new twist to brunette hair. And we aim at assisting you in your hair goals by providing both hair experts’ tips and photo inspiration.
Highlights Inspo for Different Hair Lengths
“Highlights aren’t a one-size-fits-all, and neither is the way they are administered. Moreover, the type of highlight depends on a number of things: the look you want, the kind of hair you have, how blonde you wish to go,” writes Kyle White, Oscar Blandi’s celebrity colorist who works with Robin Wright and Ivanka Trump, in his post for Refinery29.
Obviously, your haircut matters, and application of highlights should be determined by its length, shape, texture and density to achieve a natural flow of highlights coupled with the most flattering overall look. Particularly, those with layered, wispy cuts should go easy on highlighting to avoid an over-lightened effect. “Otherwise, their ends will appear thin or see-through,” says Marie Robinson, top colorist with Natalie Portman and Anne Hathaway in her clients list, to Allure. And here are some great examples of brown hair with highlights to make a note of.
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Hottest Trends for Dark Brown Hair
When having a dark brown base color, you might want to opt for the current caramel ombre trend, which implies a bit lighter color at the ends, while standing for effortlessness and low maintenance. “This is still very dark but will have fine and very subtle (so you don’t see them) baby lights to an ombré. You want the highlights to be subtle because you don’t want them to end up looking red or brassy—you want them on the neutral side,” says Stephanie Brown, celeb colorist catering to Melissa Villaseñor and Kate McKinnon, to Elle.
As an alternative, Cherin Choi, celeb colorist and co-owner of LA-based Nova Arts Salon, offers honey bronde and tells to Refinery29 that pale brunette tones (those falling somewhere between blonde and brown) resonate with dark browns and give the illusion of a restful week on the beach without feeling too summery.
Let’s have a look at some awesome examples of dark brown hair with highlights illustrated through Instagram.
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via @hairbybritny
Trendy Hues for Light Brown Hair
For girls with light brown hair, Stephanie Brown offers a hot beach brown look, featuring an overall neutral or ashy base with subtle finer highlights towards the ends. “Like beige blonde, it will be very beachy and for those with cooler undertones. But for warmer undertones, you can always make those highlights slightly warmer without affecting the overall look,” the colorist tells Elle.
If you set sights on blondes, think rather soft babylights than chunky strips of color, following the trending lived-in approach. “I think a big trend for 2022 will be natural-looking, soft highlights. Bleached hair and single process platinum was a huge trend, I think people will be softening their blonde this year,” Oliva Virden, another color artist of Nova Arts Salon who styles Machine Gun Kelly among other Hollywood elite, says to Refinery29.
Keeping these tips in mind, scroll further for more trendy options.
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10 Best Brown Hair Highlights Ideas You Won’t Resist
With so many hues available for blending into your brown hair, you shouldn’t miss your skin tone aspect, since even a super-duper color can wash you out instead of enhancing your complexion. “Medium brown hair that has strategically placed golden highlights throughout is almost always flattering on fair skin,” says celebrity colorist at Sally Hershberger Nikki Ferrara to Allure, explaining that these highlights make the skin look porcelain, not ‘too pale’. For those with darker pink-y tones she recommends warm chestnut or auburn accents, while medium-toned faces will look stunning when set off by a mix of deep chocolate and warm copper hues. Black cuties with a deep tan complexion can get a dark chocolate base and compliment their curly locks with golden undertones or opt for amber brown highlights. Keep exploring our Best combos to find an idea for your skin tone.
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Well, have you already chosen whether you need a partial balayage or full highlights? Have you decided on the base color and selected undertones? If you haven’t made your mind yet, take the pictures you like from our collection and visit your hair dresser to discuss how to adapt the trendy looks to your personal features. Meanwhile, we’ll be waiting for the best Insta moments of our users to share them with you for more inspo.