37 Best Highlight Ideas For Dark Brown Hair

Add a pop of color to your dark hair with some highlights. And if you need some help with picking colors, we have your back! Keep reading to check out some vibrant highlight ideas for dark brown hair. Highlights on dark hair add dimension and depth to your hair – they make your hair look thicker and voluminous. In addition, they take less time than full-color processes without much damage. Also, they are low maintenance and can be refreshed right at home! So, we searched far and wide on the interweb and listed the best highlights to grace your dark brown locks. And for all you DIY fanatics and hair color enthusiasts, scroll down to learn how to highlight your hair at home! So, scroll down for more information.

Before You Get Started

• To ensure you get satisfactory results always discuss your budget, hair color options, hair products, hair care instructions, and hair techniques with a hairstylist.
• You will have to bleach your naturally dark tresses to get the desired color. Speak to your hairstylist about splitting bleaching and coloring sessions to avoid hair damage.
• Dark hair generally lifts color on the brassy side. You will need a purple or blue shampoo or toner to cancel out brassy yellow or orange tones.
• You will need touch-up appointments every 6-8 weeks to maintain your brown hair with highlights.

How To Highlight Your Dark Brown Hair At Home

What You Need

• Old t-shirt
• Hair brush
• Hair bleaching kit
• Rubber gloves
• Bowl
• Hair tinting brush
• Hair color (of your choice)

What To Do

1. Mix your bleach in a bowl, following the instructions given on the box.
2. Brush your hair to remove all the knots and tangles.
3. Start picking up the strands of hair that you want to highlight.
4. Starting from about ½ an inch below the root, start applying bleach to your hair with the help of your tinting brush.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 on all the strands you want to highlight.
6. Check the bleached hair every 15 minutes to see how much it has lightened.
7. Once your hair has lightened to your desired shade, wash your hair with shampoo.
8. Condition your hair as bleach tends to dehydrate it.
9. If you just want blonde highlights, you can stop right here. But if you want colored hair highlights, continue on.
10. Follow the instructions on the box and mix your hair dye.
11. Apply the hair color to only your bleached sections of hair.
12. Leave it on for the time duration indicated on the box before washing it off with color safe shampoo and get a perfect dark hair with highlights.

The interesting thing about highlights is that there are several different techniques that one may choose from, each producing a different look. Traditional highlighting often uses foils for vibrant results. Highlights that are very thin and subtle, simulating a natural streaked effect are known as babylights. Balayage is freehand work that can create a soft-melt, blended transition. The combination of foils and balayage creates a more pronounced lift. Ombré refers to strong dramatic gradients from dark roots to lighter ends. Sombré is actually a subtle, softer version of ombre. Chunky highlights consist of bold, contrasting sections, while dimensional highlights blend several shades to produce a natural, multi-tonal effect. Each of these styles can be customized for a unique, flattering look. Take a look at the next section which is sure to inspire you with its versatile options!

Trivia

Modern hair highlighting and balayage was developed in the 1960s and 1970s by hairdressers exprementing in their salons. It was only in the 1980s that the concept of using aluminum foil for highlights came into the picture.

37 Stunning Highlight Ideas For Dark Brown Hair

1. Golden Highlights

Transform your look by exploring brown and blonde hair color ideas that can add a sun-kissed glow to your dark brown tresses. Get unique dark brown hair with highlights by opting for a golden color. It should be your go-to color as it is a safe option and gives your hair an instant transformation without making you look drastically different. Plus, it goes perfectly well with dark brown hair. dark brown hair with highlights

2. Pastel Pink Highlights

The bob haircut is cute. Period! But what’s cuter? The color pastel pink. Now, when you bring these two together, imagine the amount of cuteness your life would be filled with! So, give your already lovely bob hair the charm of pastel pink in the form of highlights, and get ready to look adorable! Choosing the right highlight can be tricky, so make sure to consult a guide on the best hair color for your skin tone to find the most flattering shade for you.

3. Bright Red Highlights

Want to go all out and look like a showstopper? Try some bright red highlights. They accentuate your dark brown hair and spice up the overall look of your mane. There’s no reason to try them, is there now?

4. Rich Golden Highlights

We know you do a lot to make your look flawless. Wouldn’t you want to let them stand out, then? In that case, you need to focus on a highlight point of your hairstyle, for example, bangs or choppy edges. Brown hair with blonde highlights is a classic combination that never goes out of style, perfect for adding dimension and brightness to your mane. You can either go for a dark roots and golden hair look or focus the highlights on your bangs and hair tips. Give them some rich golden highlights, and get ready to make some heads turn!

5. Subtle Red Highlights

Not sure how to liven up your look without losing the essence of your dark brown tresses? Get yourself some bangs and add subtle red highlights to them. Let it look as though the color is barely there. We would call this transformation simple yet super impactful.

6. Golden Blonde Highlights

We will start off with probably the most obvious choice when it comes to highlighting dark brown hair. You guessed it! It’s blonde highlights. Super light golden blonde highlights create a stunning contrast with deep brown hair and make for a gorgeous hair transformation. And when done up in curls, there’s no stopping you from becoming the belle of the ball.

7. Mocha Highlights

Amp the natural brown color of your hair by playing with shades from the same family. Go for a coffee toned look by highlighting your dark brown hair with a warm mocha brown hue. Straighten out your hair to showcase the seamless blending of the warm tones in all its glory.

8. Rose Brown Highlights

You’ve obviously heard of rose gold hair (who hasn’t?). But get ready to behold the beauty that is rose brown hair. This pink tinted light brown works beautifully to add dimension and brightness to dark brown hair. Get this color done in ombre highlights to make your hair look like a raven waterfall.

9. Burnt Orange Highlights

Okay, orange highlights may sound ridiculous in theory, but hear me out. Highlights in a muted shade of burnt orange stand out beautifully against dark brown hair and give off a cute and quirky vibe. Long hair adds a whimsical feel of this color look, while short bobs and pixie cuts give it an edgy vibe.

10. Honey Blonde Highlights

It can be a challenge to color your hair if you work in a professional environment with a strict dress code. You can get around that snag by sporting highlights that are on the same side of the color wheel as your natural hair color. For instance, these honey blonde highlights that are just a few shades lighter than the natural dark brown base work well to give her an elegant hair look.

11. Two Shades Lighter Highlights

There’s a huge misconception out there that your highlights have to be drastically lighter than your hair to look their best. But, let me tell you, subtle highlights have a beauty that cannot be matched. Highlights that are just a couple of shades lighter than your natural dark brown hair are great for adding depth to your hair and making it look more voluminous.

12. Ash Brown Highlights

Add a cool toned element to your deep brown tresses with an ashy brown shade that is breathtaking to say the least. Ombre highlights done in this shade can create a gorgeous root melt effect that you’re guaranteed to fall in love with. Style this color look in some low curls to look like the graceful princess you are.

13. Chilled Frappe Highlights

Show off your love for coffee with this highlight look inspired by the world’s favorite beverage. This cool toned brown has been inspired by the gorgeous hue of a chilled frappe. Get highlights done in this beautiful shade on the front section of your hair to get a naturally sunkissed look.

14. Sandy Blonde Highlights

Get ready to have some fun and frolic around in the sun with this sunkissed highlights look. These cool toned blonde highlights recreate the look of beach sand on a perfect summer day and add brightness to your naturally dark brown mane. They look especially youthful when done up in an ombre highlights style.

15. Molten Gold Highlights

Want to look like the princess that you know you are on the inside? Then this highlights look will make all your dreams come true. These soft gold ombre highlights done on the lower half of deep chocolate brown tresses create the illusion that the ends of her hair have literally been dipped in a vat of molten gold.

16. Rose Gold Highlights

If you spend any amount of time on the internet then there’s no way that you have escaped the rose gold trend that everyone is going gaga over. Highlights in this pretty pink tinted shade work beautifully to add a bit of brightness and a feminine touch to otherwise monochrome brown tresses.

Quick Tip

YYou can experiment with different hair shades for brown hair like sunset, metallic, pastel, or raspberry rose gold highlights to rake your hair game up a notch.

17. Dark Chocolate Highlights

No hair color exudes classy elegance the way dark chocolate brown does. Highlight your deep brown mane with this sexy shade to create an air of mystery around you. Big blowdried curls will work wonders in amping up the depth and dimension of this dark toned look.

18. Electric Blue Highlights

In the mood for something crazy? Then I’ve got just the hair look for you! March to the beat of your own drummer and highlight your dark brown hair with a bright electric blue shade to totally transform into a futuristic babe. Then, have a go at your hair with a big barreled curler to finish off the look with some soft curls.

19. Pink Highlights

If you’re a Barbie girl in a Barbie world, then you gotta show it off through your hair, don’t you? Flaunt your love for this girly color by highlighting your hair with a reddish pink shade for a simple yet chic look.

Quick Tip

You can try out fun and funky shades like peach, dusty, rose, berry, mauve, or cotton pink highlights to change up your hairstyle.

20. Lime Green And Violet Highlights

Queen of the Swamp, it’s time for you to shine! Add a pop of bright neon color to your boring dark brown hair with the help of an electric lime green shade. Bring even more attention to your bright green highlights by contrasting them with a few streaks of deep violet added right under them.

21. Magenta And Bubble Gum Pink Highlights

The thing with having a big personality is that you sometimes need to show it through your physical appearance. And what better way to do that than with bright pink highlights! Magenta and bubble gum pink blend together flawlessly in this underneath highlights look to create a totally funky and awesome hair look. Style this color look in curls to complete the youthful vibe of this look.

22. Peach And Dusty Pink Highlights

There is a ton of hair color looks that are inspired by the seasons. But the ones inspired by autumn bear a beauty that cannot be matched. Highlight your dark brown mane with some soft peach and dusty pink balayage highlights to see for yourself what I’m talking about. Not only do they look stunning, but the hand-painted effect of the highlights also lends them the all-natural effect that is sure to make you look like the Goddess of Sun.

23. Burnt Red Highlights

The beauty of sexy sultry sirens cannot be compared and here’s how you can look like one. Get your long hair cut in layers and complement it with some deep red highlights to add some depth and dimension to it. This look works best when you go for a shade of red with a brown tint to it as it blends more seamlessly into your natural hair color.

24. Walnut Brown Highlights

If you love to play with subtleties and denounce anything that’s over-the-top, then here’s a hair color look that will suit your style. These blended balayage highlights in a dark walnut brown shade work brilliantly to add volume and understated dimension to her darkest brown hair.

25. Silver Highlights

And metallic highlights make a return on this list! If you want to jump onto the silver hair bandwagon, here’s how you can do it. Highlight your hair with a silver shade that has ashy undertones and style it in some bouncy curls to get a mesmerizing hair look.

26. Bronze Highlights

Bronze seems to be the new “in” metal these days – and for good reason. When done up in balayage highlights, this cool toned hair color works beautifully to add some light and brightness to naturally dark brown hair. Style this color look in a short classy bob to complete your Parisian chic style statement.

A blogger recounted her first experience with balayage in her blog and how the subtle highlights helped her achieve her desired look. She states, “I finally got an appointment in November and I explained what I wanted; natural, sun kissed, just nice (i).” She is very pleased with it and shares how she would love to experiment again but with rich caramel tones instead of cool blondes.

27. Maple Gold Highlights

Warm pancakes with maple syrup oozing down the sides are the definition of comfort food. If you like to take hair color inspiration from breakfast foods, then you’ve come to the right place! These maple gold highlights done on dark chocolate brown hair make for a truly luxurious hair look.

28. Rich Auburn Highlights

Sensual, yet classy. Who wouldn’t want to embody this bold look? To achieve this gorgeous hair look, just go in for some thin highlights in a rich auburn shade. Then, style your hair in curls to give it that straight-out-of-the-salon vibe.

29. Mahogany Highlights

Want to show the world that you’re a smart, independent woman who don’t need no man? Then mahogany highlights is the way for you to go. These rich brown highlights fuse seamlessly with the natural brown base of her hair and lend her an air of luxury and sophistication.

30. Deep Burgundy Highlights

Just because you’re highlighting your hair doesn’t mean that it has to be super ‘out there.’ Highlights done in an ultra dark burgundy shade have a blink-and-you-miss-it effect and look chic without changing your hair look drastically.

31. Copper Highlights

Add a flair of understated sophistication to your brown tresses by complementing them with a red tinted hue. Copper is that metallic shade with red undertones that draws attention without screaming for it. Highlights done in this color look vibrant against a brown base and make for a truly classy hair look.

32. Light Brown Highlights

Get the hair color look of your dreams by going for a brown on brown style with these light brown highlights on dark brown hair. The most classic way that you can transform your dark brown hair is by highlighting it with a lighter brown hue. This creates that ‘natural’ illusion that makes it look like it grew out of your hair that way.

33. Cool Toned Brown Highlights

A good way to experiment with your hair color is to play around with warm and cool tones. You could, for instance, go for some cool toned chocolate brown highlights to bring out the depth of your naturally dark brown hair. This color style looks best on a long bob as it lends itself a sophisticated flair with this haircut.

34. Blonde And Auburn Highlights

A tiger’s stripes are its most striking feature – and this hair look inspired from the same can be yours. Now, a lot of you may shy away from getting highlights done in two contrasting shades, but trust me when I say that it’ll look amazing. Go for alternating highlights in platinum blonde and auburn over your dark brown hair to create this hair look that is just as unique as you.

35. Caramel Highlights

If you are a fan of warm tones, caramel highlights could be the perfect way to add a rich and buttery sheen to your dark brown hair. Caramel is one of those timeless hair colors that never go out of style. So, getting highlights in your dark brown tresses in this rich shade will have you looking sophisticated in no time. Focus the highlights on the lower half of your hair and blend in some mahogany streaks to give the whole look some more dimension.

36. Ash Blonde Highlights

A great way to elevate and add dimension to your dark brown hair is to get ash blonde highlights. Keep the ash blonde focused on the lower half while blending it with your natural dark brown hair as you move upwards. The highlights make a bold statement that boosts your confidence.

37. Face-Framing Highlights

Illuminate your face with strategically placed, sun-kissed streaks that accentuate your natural beauty. These face-framing highlights on dark brown hair bring attention to your eyes. You may go heavier on the highlight at the back to add more dimension but make sure the highlighted hair that frames your face stands out.

Professional hair stylist and entrepreneur, Laura Clark encourages you to be experimental. She says, “Fashion colors, i.e. creative and vibrant colors, are also fun to add to highlights! After you have dyed your hair blonde, add in a semi-permanent color such as light blue or baby pink to the lighter shade. These colors will only last 2-10 washes depending on the brand you buy.” A quick and exciting way to sample bolder colors for your dark brown hair!

Infographic: Tips To Take Care Of Your Highlights

Highlights are fun and offer a glamorous touch to your style. The best feeling is leaving the hair salon with your freshly sun-kissed tresses twirling back and forth with confidence and pride. But as weeks pass without proper care and attention, it’s not unusual for your once-glowing hue to start to seem dull. No need to worry, though. The infographic below includes all our recommended home hair care tips and hair tricks for highlighted hair. Take a peek!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you put blonde highlights in dark brown hair without turning it orange?

You can apply hair toner every 6 – 8 weeks. However, this is only a temporary fix. A more reliable solution will be adding lowlights if your hair has been bleached blonde. Washing with a blue shampoo twice a week may also neutralize the orange tones.

What do caramel highlights look like in dark brown hair?

Caramel highlights look beautiful in dark brown hair, as the brown-orange highlights pop against the dark shade, giving a dimensional effect.

What color highlights look best on light brown hair?

Light brown hair looks great with golden, caramel, honey, bronze, or champagne highlights.

Is balayage better than highlights?

Balayage and highlights are two different techniques for adding dimension to your hair. Balayage creates a more gradual gradient, natural, sun-kissed effect. At the same time, highlights are more defined and uniform, and have a multi-tonal look.

How can I spice up my dark brown hair?

You can add spice to your dark brown hair by trying out different haircuts, adding highlights or balayage, or experimenting with bold hair colors like red or burgundy.

What highlights look best on dark hair and brown eyes?

Dark hair with brown eyes looks fantastic with caramel, honey, or mocha highlights.

Can I go lighter with dark brown hair?

It is possible to go lighter with dark brown hair, but it depends on your natural hair color, the condition of your hair, and how much lighter you want to go. As it may involve bleaching or other harmful chemical it’s always best to consult with a professional stylist.

Will purple shampoo lighten brown hair?

Purple shampoo is designed to eliminate brassiness from blonde or highlighted hair. It can help tone down brassy undertones in brown hair, but it will not lighten your hair.

How often should I retouch my highlights?

Retouching depends on the rate of hair growth and the kind of highlighting done. Generally, a touch-up after about 6-8 weeks is ideal if you have traditional foil highlights. Balayage or ombré techniques can easily last for 3-4 months as they have a tendency to grow out more quickly and naturally. Talk to your stylist more about this as retouching will be based on your hair type and desired style.

What products should I use for maintaining highlighted hair?

Use sulfate-free, color-safe shampoos and conditioners to keep your colored hair healthy. Use purple or blue toning shampoo once a week to neutralize any brassiness on your blonde highlights. Use deep conditioning masks once a week to keep your hair hydrated and healthy. Always use leave-in conditioners and heat protectant sprays to prevent damage and fading color. You can also opt for a UV-protective product that will protect your highlights against sun damage.

Illustration: Best Highlight Ideas For Dark Brown Hair

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Looking for the best highlights for dark brown hair in women? Watch this video to get inspired and find the perfect look for you!

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Laura ClarkHairstylist

   

Laura Clark is a professional hairstylist who graduated from The Extension Academy in Ontario with a degree in hair extensions. With 8 years of experience as a skilled hair extension stylist, her goal is to make women feel beautiful through their hairstyles.

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Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

 

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

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Shatabdi BhattacharyaAssociate Editor

Shatabdi is an associate editor and an alumnus of Lady Brabourne College, Kolkata, where she honed her skills and developed a deep understanding of the world of literature and expression. She has worked with various organizations and websites operating in different industries, ranging from education to lifestyle, showing her adaptability and drive to learn.

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Anu PallaviBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Anu is a beauty and lifestyle writer and a graduate of Amity University, Noida, where she refined her writing skills and cultivated her deep passion for the field. She pursued the Beauty Technician Training Program at Maquillage Beauty Institute, which has equipped her with practical skills in various beauty treatments.

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