Thinking about brightening up your dark brown locks? Highlights can add dimension, movement, and a fresh new look without completely changing your natural color. From subtle sun-kissed strands to bold statement pieces, there’s a highlighting technique perfect for every brunette wanting to shake things up.
1. Caramel Ribbons
Warm caramel tones weave through dark brown hair like ribbons of sunshine. These golden-brown highlights create natural-looking dimension that flatters olive and warm skin tones beautifully.
2. Honey Balayage
Hand-painted honey hues bring a sun-kissed glow to chocolate brown bases. The freehand technique ensures a grown-out look from day one, meaning fewer salon visits and more compliments.
3. Cinnamon Spice
Spicy reddish-brown highlights add warmth without venturing into full-on red territory. Perfect for fall and winter months, this rich color combination brings out amber and golden flecks in brown eyes.
4. Face-Framing Money Pieces
Lighter strands strategically placed around the face brighten your complexion instantly. These bold front sections can be as subtle or dramatic as you want, becoming your personal spotlight.
5. Subtle Ash Babylights
Ultra-fine, delicate highlights mimic the natural hair lightening of childhood. These cool-toned, ashy strands blend seamlessly with dark brown bases for a sophisticated, low-maintenance look.
6. Mocha Lowlights
Going darker rather than lighter? Mocha lowlights add depth and dimension to medium brown hair. This reverse highlighting technique creates rich, chocolatey swirls throughout your mane.
7. Toffee Ombré
Gradual lightening from dark roots to toffee-colored ends creates a modern, lived-in look. The smooth transition between shades offers drama without the harsh line of traditional ombré styles.
8. Mushroom Brown Dimension
Cool-toned, ashy mushroom highlights offer a modern twist for brunettes. This trendy, slightly grayish brown adds sophisticated dimension without warmth, perfect for those with cool undertones.
9. Chocolate Cherry Pop
Rich burgundy-cherry highlights peek through dark chocolate bases for a head-turning effect. These subtle red undertones catch the light beautifully, adding unexpected dimension without full commitment to red.
10. Bronde Blend
Not quite brown, not quite blonde – this perfect middle ground brings warmth to dark bases. The seamless blend of colors creates natural-looking dimension that brightens your overall look.
11. Cocoa Contour
Strategic placement of slightly lighter cocoa tones contours your haircut, emphasizing layers and movement. Like makeup for your hair, these subtle highlights accentuate your best features.
12. Butterscotch Peek-a-Boos
Hidden panels of golden butterscotch peek through when you move or style your hair differently. These underneath highlights create a fun surprise element without overwhelming your natural color.
13. Amber Glow
Warm amber highlights illuminate dark brown hair with a subtle, golden glow. These honey-amber tones create a sun-kissed effect that looks naturally lightened by the summer sun.
14. Tiger Eye Technique
Inspired by the semi-precious stone, this technique blends caramel, honey, and amber highlights. The multidimensional color mimics the stone’s natural banding pattern, creating rich, eye-catching movement.
15. Espresso Ribbons
For those wanting subtle dimension, slightly lighter espresso ribbons add movement without dramatic color change. These tone-on-tone highlights create depth while maintaining your dark brunette identity.
16. Twilight Teases
Deep blue-black hints peek through dark brown bases for an edgy, multidimensional effect. These unexpected cool tones create depth and intrigue without fully committing to fantasy colors.
17. Hazelnut Swirls
Light hazelnut highlights swirl through dark chocolate bases, creating movement like ripples in coffee. This medium-contrast look offers noticeable brightness while maintaining a natural brunette vibe.
18. Teasylights
Combining teasing and highlighting techniques creates soft, diffused color that blends seamlessly. The stylist teases hair before applying lightener, resulting in ultra-natural, feathered highlights with zero harsh lines.
19. Rose Gold Accents
Unexpected rose gold pieces add a trendy, feminine touch to dark brown bases. These strategically placed highlights catch the light with a subtle blush tone that flatters most skin tones.
20. Smoked Caramel
Traditional caramel highlights get an edgy update with an ashy, smoked overlay. This technique neutralizes brassiness while adding dimension, perfect for those wanting warmth without yellowy tones.