31 Dark Brown Hair with Highlights
Dark brown hair is one of those super hair colors that can transform your whole look. Its not secret, dark brown hair is beautiful on its own, but when you add the right highlight?
Dark brown hair creates a streaking look like no other. So if you have naturally brown color hair, you have so many options that will look good naturally without doing anything too drastic.
Dark brown hair with highlights is rich with stunning volume, and you will find that it works beautifully with a wide range of tones. What are some of the popular colors, such as soft caramel ribbons, to bold blonde contrasts? These 30 examples of highlights on dark brown hair are to save for your next salon visit.
Caramel Highlights on Dark Brown Hair
Beautiful Caramel Highlights, this will instantly make your locks look more glowing. This color is warm and stunning every skin tone will look good with this soft brunette tone.
Stunning hair color that you invest in should help to keep the color longer by using the right products. Use a color-safe shampoo and refresh with a gloss treatment occasionally, preferably every few months.
Honey Blonde
Instagram |@nedybina_marina
Switching your hair to honey blonde is a fabulous idea. This has been popular for many years now and is still a solid choice. This will look good on any hair texture or extensions.
Braids are a popular choice for the honey tone color as it showcases the color beautifully with every twist.
Grey Ash Balayage
Instagram |@kapaalnaxal
If you are thinking of keeping things cool? Then the grey ash balayage can be that subtle hint of color on the end. Ask your stylist to give you a complimentary haircut to help frame your face with this color.
Chocolate and Mocha Blend
Instagram |@misahuynhh
This is such a cute and rich mix, another win for the brown hair community. The look is perfect because it gives depth but without being too drastic. The chocolate and mocha are a lovely melting pot that blends beautifully together, making your hair seem shiner and thicker.
What you can love about this its professional but also trendy and work for any setting, from office to casual weekends.
Blonde Face-Framing Highlights
This color focuses on lighting up your face and giving you that perfect angle. So this color works well on all hair types, from straight, wavy, and curly, even when pulled back, it will brighten your features.
Another plus for choosing this hair color is that it doesn’t need a regular touch up it will grow out and look natural. So massive savings if you dont want to commit to regular salon visits.
Chestnut Highlights
This color is worth all the raves, and you can see why it’s timeless. The chestnut color offers enough warmth to blend with brown hair without becoming overpowering.
If you are getting your hair color for the first time, I would recommend this. Add shine serum to make the chestnut color pop and smooth away split ends.
Bronde balayage
Instagram |@sarabotsfordhair
So bronde simple means the blend of blonde and brown, this is a good fall brunette color choice. What makes this color perfect for the office is that it offers dimension while still looking natural. The color is chic, especially in soft waves as it helps showcase the different gradient.
Cinnamon Highlights
Instagram |@leedzsalon
Cinnamon adds a spicy twist to dark brown hair, giving it warmth and energy. It’s an especially flattering choice in autumn, though it works beautifully year-round on warm undertones. Pair with loose curls to let the fiery strands catch the light.
Golden Brown Highlights
Instagram |@chebella__
This color is beautiful, and it’s soft and radiant altogether. I love this on my mother’s hair because she didn’t want to commit to blonde so it was the perfect color to lighten her brunette hair. I recommend using a lightweight glossy spray for that extra shine.
Subtle Hue Light Brown Highlights
This color blends into dark brown hair, creating an illusion of volume and movement. Highly recommend for wavy to loose waves. This hair color is low-maintenance as it fades softly.
Auburn Highlights
This auburn adds some fire to brown hair, giving it vibrancy without going too bold. If you have dark brow, green, or hazel eyes, this will look exceptionally well on you. Hair color that complements brown, green, and hazel eyes the most will really make them pop.
Like most hair colors, you should consider the right shampoo to keep your color vibrant.
Ombre Blonde Highlights
The root starts dark and gets lighter as it goes to the end, creating a striking ombre effect. What makes this color perfect it allows you to try a lighter tone without going full cover.
If you want to show off the color, go for beachy waves for an extra impact.
Mahogany Highlights
Want some red but not too much? The mahogany blends highlights of red and purple undertones. It is a chic color trend for brunettes looking for something elegant and modern. For this, it’s best to keep up with a weekly deep conditioning mask to keep hair healthy and vibrant.
Toffee Highlights
Toffee highlights are stunning on dark hair, they add a creamy warmth. This hair color complements medium skin tone by giving a beautiful lift. If you want the shine of your hair to last keep it up with a lightweight oil spray.
Balayage with Caramel and Honey Tones
Instagram |@joselinetrivino
This is the next hit hair color that is good for all year round. This layered color adds lightness to dark brown hair, this is both subtle and dreamy. Choose a professional stylist who can hand-place the strands for a seamless blend.
Sun-Kissed Highlights Balayage
You must have seen this all over your FYP from summer. Like the name suggests, it will give your hair that effect as if it’s getting hit from direct sunlight.
Chunky Blonde Highlights
Chunky highlights are the 2025 comeback trend. Everyone liked these before, but now they are back, so get on board if you have never tried them before.
Beautiful Rose gold
What is beautiful about this color is that you can choose to have it more vibrant and visible or choose to be subtle. If you are a fashion-forward person, this look works best with that mindset.
To maintain this gorgeous pink tone, use color-depositing conditioner every few washes or so.
Espresso with Mocha Ribbons
This next option is professional, and it’s keeping it in the brown hair family.
Caramel Ombré
Caramel ombré softly transitions dark brown roots into golden caramel tips for a smooth, blended finish. It’s low-maintenance since the darker base allows for natural grow-out. Loose curls will showcase the gradient beautifully, giving it movement and dimension.
Smoky Gray Highlights
Instagram|@beauty_worksonline
Getting gray hair highlights is good to be done by a professional. This color has been trending lately and not only by women over 50 but even women in their 20’s. Gen Z are loving the grey highlight, and this example of a skunk stripe hair is a popular choice.
Strawberry Brown Highlights
Strawberry brown is an alternative to strawberry blonde, it can be high or subtle. The brown at the root, and it got pinker toward the ends.
Money Piece in Platinum Blonde
Instagram |@_hairbypaulinaa
Adding platinum blonde to the front of the hair only, without going full head. If you are concerned about the health maintenance of your hair, start out a little like this one.
Sandy Blonde Highlights
Burgundy Highlights
Chestnut and Caramel Blend
Instagram |@reflectsalon.in
Golden Honey Ombre
Instagram |@eyeofglamhair
Copper highlights on brown hair
Light Brown Babylights
Instagram |@daliaalcala
Icy Blonde Streaks
Instagram |@kennndalll
Champagne Blonde Highlights
What highlight colors look best on dark brown hair?
Caramel, honey, chestnut, and toffee tones are universally flattering, while ash blonde, platinum, and silver work beautifully for cooler undertones.
Are highlights high maintenance?
It depends on the placement balayage and ombré grow out naturally and need fewer touch-ups, while chunky highlights and platinum streaks require more upkeep.
What’s the difference between balayage and highlights?
Balayage is a hand-painted technique for a soft, blended look, while traditional highlights use foils for more precise, structured color placement.
How do I make highlights last longer?
Use a sulfate-free shampoo, wash with cool water, and apply a gloss or toner every few weeks to refresh the color.
Getting highlights can change both the in. So you have to also keep maintaining the balance of fresh, vibrant color and healthy hair. So here are some pro tips to help keep your new color looking good longer.
- Protect Your Color
I can’t stress enough how much choosing the right product will help you. Avoid shampoo and conditioner with sulfates. Gentle products are the most ideal you could even go with baby shampoo.
- Keep Brassiness Away
If you are considering honey, caramel, or other blonde highlights, use a purple or blue shampoo once a week. This is the one Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights. This will keep your tones looking good and unwanted yellow away.
- Hydrate and Shine
If you are familiar with any type of chemical on hair, you will know this can dry it out, and highlighted hair is no different. Add a deep conditioner to your hair care routine. Do this treatment weekly. Lightweight hair oil or serum will help with shine and reduce frizz, also.
- Heat Styling Safety
Do not skip on heat protectant spray this is always important, but it’s even more now. If possible, limit heat styling to 2-3 times a week to maintain your hair’s health.
- Salon Maintenance
Book a gloss or toner refresh every 6–8 weeks to revive your highlights.
If you went for balayage or ombré, you can stretch appointments since the grow-out is softer.
- Pick Highlights That Suit You
If you have Warm skin tones, go for Caramel, honey, copper, or golden highlights.
For Cool skin tones , choose Ash brown, platinum, silver, or smoky tones.
Neutral undertones go for Chestnut, mocha, or toffee for balance.
