18 Stunning Brown Hair With Highlights
Kathakali S
Updated At 26 Apr 25
Perhaps you have a desire to infuse some dimension, warmth, or maybe even sophistication into those pretty brown locks of yours. Well, highlights certainly take the crown for bringing glam to that whole look. Highlighted brown hair remains an ever-classic staple that gives endless versatility-from understated and soft to bold and daring. Whether your taste leans towards the classics of beauty or colorful modernity, highlights can change a whole look for you without resorting to a full-color makeover. Here are 18 stunning brown hair with highlights ideas for your next hair makeover:
1. Golden Caramel with Hints of Honey Blonde on Chestnut Brown Hair
Golden caramel with hints of honey blonde has a sun-kissed glamour. This combination of chestnut brown hair creates a warm, radiant finish. The tones of caramel blend beautifully into the rich base, with that hint of extra shimmer coming from the honey blonde. This look is perfect for anyone wanting a natural but luxurious look.
“This mix creates a multi-tonal effect that looks especially stunning in natural light,” says Lena Torres, a celebrity colorist at Luxe Hair Studio in Los Angeles. “It’s ideal for clients who want dimension without harsh contrast.”
2. Soft Caramel Highlights on Brown Hair
Soft caramel highlights give an ultra-classic and subtle look, which is to reach for. The highlights beautifully mix with the natural brown tones for a gentle, flattering transition that suits almost all skin colors. This understated style works particularly well on those ladies who want something in the way of enhancement for their hair without going too bold.
3. Face-Framing Highlights
Face-framing highlights are designed to help illuminate your complexion and draw attention to your best features. Usually lighter than the other hair strands, they are situated around the front head area to soften the face and create a sunlit effect. If you are a new brunette traveler or already an expert in the hair color scene, this style instantly makes it pretty hot.
4. Gentle Bronde Highlights on Brown Hair
Bronde is one of the most flexible hair coloration trends, as it combines brown and blonde perfectly. When applied as soft highlights onto brown hair, bronde gives you the purity of contrast, producing a multi-dimensional finish. It is ideal for anyone wanting that beachy feel while maintaining a natural look without the maintenance of going fully blonde.
5. Honey Bronde Highlights
Honey bronde highlights blend richness and warmth in brown hair. This golden-hued combination has a soft glorious glow, which tends to give during most warmer seasons. This luminous effect holds for both straight and wavy textures alike.
6. Brown and Blonde Peekaboo Highlights
If playful and unordinary sounds good to you, then go for peekaboo highlights. These hidden streaks of blonde tucked under layers of brown are all a surprise! Great for the professional woman who wants some flair without total commitment to dramatic colors.
“They’re a great way to experiment with lighter shades without fully committing,” explains Riley Monroe, stylist at Edge Hair Studio. “Plus, they’re easy to hide or show off depending on your hairstyle.”
7. Old Money Blonde Highlights
This 'old money' blonde trend is for those who want sophistication and quiet luxury. Paired with brown hair, these muted beige-blonde highlights work wonderfully to create an effortlessly chic appearance. This look shouts elegance, a chic option for the fashionistas who appreciate subtle glamour.
8. Beige Highlights
Beige highlights on brown hair create a creamy polished effect. This cool tone neutralizes warmth while giving a refined glow. It particularly suits medium to light brown hair and compliments both cool and warm skin undertones.
9. Mocha Mouse Highlights on Dark Brown Hair
Named after the indulgent dessert, mocha-mouse highlights provide a soft and velvety contrast to dark brown hair. These streaks in slightly lighter brown create volume and movement, thus producing a fuller and silkier appearance. This is the perfect option for a low-care upgrade in the life of a typical brunette.
10. Mushroom Bronde on Dark Brown Hair
A cool-toned mix of ashy brown and dark blonde that takes inspiration from the earthly hues of a mushroom cap, Mushroom Bronde provides a classy yet muted color combination on dark brown hair. It is what you would want if you were in for a contemporary yet edgy feeling without being too far from moderate contrasts.
11. Rose Gold Highlights on Light Brown Hair
If you want a beautiful and different romantic touch, then rose gold highlights are just the thing to try! Against light brown hair, the rosy undertones become so beautiful, giving off a soft pastel-like finish that catches the light perfectly. It is a trending choice popular among girls for spring and summer.
12. Soft Highlights on Dark Brown Hair
These soft highlights on dark brown hair will illuminate your general look while keeping it feeling natural. Imagine chocolatey shades slightly lighter than your base subtly sprinkled throughout the hair. The style is perfect for creating movement and dimension with hardly any color shift.
“For clients with darker hair who want a touch of lightness, soft highlights are perfect,” explains Jonas Patel, color technician at Strands & Co. “They blend easily and grow out naturally.”
13. Chunky Strips in Light Brown Hair
Chunky highlights come back in the most modernized ways onto light brown hair, where thick sections of blonde or caramel play adding boldness and that retro feel. This high-contrast style pulls up a good amount of attention that can work best for people who want to let their hair do all of the talking.
14. Ash Blonde Highlights on Light Brown Hair
Ash blonde highlights lend an ethereal cool, smoky edge to light brown hair. Great at eliminating brassiness, these highlights harmonize beautifully with cooler skin tones, creating modern, clean finishes that can turn heads easily by looking effortlessly chic.
15. Beige Blonde Highlights on Brown Hair
Creamy, rich tones created by blending beige and blonde highlights onto a brown base flatter just about every skin tone. A balanced mixture of warm and cool allows this style to be a versatile option for those wanting something subtle yet strong.
16. Auburn Highlights on Reddish Brown Hair
Auburn highlights are a true fire and bold strike when paired with an earthy richness. This combination will radiate brightness and warmth, especially in natural light. It is the best fall-winter option of the season when deeper hues capture everyone's attention.
17. Baby Lights
Babylights create the deposition of ultra-fine highlights replicating natural hair color. Just the slightest hint of wispy light brown hair is added by this delicate streak. Babylights are great for those first-timers or anyone not wanting a heavy lift.
18. Cool Toned Beige and Ash Brown Highlights
These cool-toned beige and ash-brown highlights are the colors that complement bright brunettes wanting sleek and icily finished hair. Modern and polished, the use of these in balayage or ombré styles adds a sleek dimension without sacrificing refinement.
“Cool-toned highlights are especially flattering for those with pink or neutral undertones,” shares Kendall Roe, a color consultant at The Hair Lounge.