There comes a time in every girl’s life when she feels the need for a makeover. This change of look can either be discrete or dramatic – depending on its purpose and on occasion. Most of the time, one of the easiest and most efficient ways of changing your hairstyle is by changing its color – namely, by adding highlights. We’ve made things all the easier for our brunette readers as this article is here to show the prettiest ideas of how you can add highlights for dark brown hair and completely change your look!
1. Natural Highlights for Dark Brown Hair
Our first idea is a wonderful choice for women who want just a bit of light brought to their dark chocolate locks. For this effect, go for a set of highlights in a shade or two lighter than your base color. Make sure to have your waves done like this. Try it out!
2. Balayage Highlights
Want to stand out through the softness and simplicity of your style? Then consider blending your highlights with a balayage coloring technique that will smoothly blend them with the color of your roots. In this picture, the brown hair color was lightened by adding some shades of copper.
3. Highlights and Lowlights for Dark Brown Hair
Bring all the sunshine you can imagine to your hair with a professional blend of highlights and lowlights. This mixture will accentuate the individual strands and liven up the overall hairstyle in a classy way.
4. Copper on Deep Reddish Brown
Copper is one of those unique hair colors that is spicy yet easygoing at the same time. Although it may initially seem to be a paradox, just take a look at this delicate and fiery tone, and you’ll instantly understand why it’s so beloved.
5. Caramel Highlights
Caramel is easily one of the most endeared options for highlights for dark brown hair. Whether chunky or wispy highlights, this shade works best for brightening any dark base.
6. Highlights on Short Hair
Currently, flaunting short locks? Then opt for a natural highlights tone to liven them up a bit. Whether you go for mahogany, chestnut, or any similar shade, we encourage you to take a wispy approach to the highlights so that they won’t overrule your short hairstyle. Keep it look sleek while being short.
7. Face Framing Highlights
Longing for a hairstyle that complements the shape of your face? Well, that’s exactly what face-framing highlights are here for. If you get golden highlights like these on your brown hair, they will accentuate your facial features and make for a glamorous look to rock in the summertime. A perfect gentle look.
8. Anne Hathaway Auburn Highlights
We’re back to the natural look for this example with highlights in a magnificent shade of auburn. You know that a hairstyle idea is banging when beautiful A-list celebs like Anne Hathaway sport it at social events.
9. Red Highlights
A splash of vivid color is just what you need to spice up any hairstyle. As far as red highlights for dark brown hair are concerned, there are two main ways you can go: bold or discrete. Here is what some eye-catching red highlights would look like on a classy bob haircut.
10. Natural Red Highlights
By contrast, discrete red highlights result in a more natural look. Instead of providing a vivid style, they actually make it seem as if the reds are undertones of the base hair color.
11. Subtle Touches
Chocolate highlights are undoubtedly the way to get even closer to the dark brown roots. They serve as a warm and natural choice that accentuates the locks and makes for a hairstyle that is appropriate in all environments.
12. Caramel Lowlights on Dark Hair
While you can mix highlights and lowlights for a new splash of sunshine in your hair, you can also opt only for lowlights. This is particularly effective for accentuating the lower parts of the hair and even more so if you have a layered haircut.
13. Light on Dark Brown
Combining light brown with dark brown is as natural as you can get for a hairstyle with highlights. This is also a lovely idea for women who rock side bangs as the highlights can draw attention to this area of the hair.
14. Blonde Highlights
For a cute, fresh, and youthful look – no matter your age – consider getting some intense blonde highlights. This timeless look started gaining popularity in the 90s and early 2000s and is still going strong today.
15. Dark Green on Dark Brown Hair and Pale Skin
Have naturally dark brown hair and pale skin? One of the best ways to bring your gorgeous natural features to life is to experiment with equally dark highlights but in a different color. For instance, dark green is an excellent choice, especially if you have blue or green eyes.
16. Ash Blonde
Ash-blonde and ash brown are still very much trending. Whether you get them as highlights or as your main color, these tones are deliciously trendy and flattering and can be both edgy and classy – sometimes, at the same time, it all depends on the styling!
17. Dark Highlights
What if you’re in the exact opposite situation and are looking for dark highlights to sprinkle throughout your brown locks? Well, if your base has a red-brown tone, you shouldn’t hesitate to play around with dark accents that bring it out.
18. Rose Gold Touches
Just like ash blonde, rose gold is also a top hair trend of the past years. This truly is a lush tone, with accents of champagne blonde and peachy pink all around. It can make for a posh yet confident look, and don’t hesitate to play around by adding waves to your hair.
19. Multi-Colored Highlights
Why settle for one color when you can mix multiple shades for your highlights? The sky is the limit when it comes to your options, so take a queue from the ones above. Admire these rich tones of purple, copper, magenta, and mahogany that look amazing together.
20. Multi-Tone Blonde Hair
Not only are blonde highlights a prime choice for dark brown locks, but so are multiple tones of this sunny shade. In other words, go ahead and blend different kinds of blonde for a sublime color mix to enhance the dark brown base.
21. Plum Tones
Plum is an enchanting color to add to your hair, and there is a wide variety of shades to choose from. For this entry, we have chosen a rich plum tone to help you better understand what it would look like.
22. Highlights for Brown Curly Hair
Generally speaking, highlights do a fantastic job of emphasizing individual ringlets for women with curly hair. If you aim to boost your definition, think about natural highlights in chocolate or light blonde. Your natural curls can look better than before with this style.
23. Burgundy Hair
Dark brown and burgundy are a match made in hair color blending heaven. The two tones go hand in hand, completing each other for a romantic and mysterious look. They also work well together for all skin tones.
24. Caramel Highlights for African American Women
All darker skin tones will look spectacular with deep brown hair with highlights. To make an unforgettable impression, search for the tone that is closest to your skin tone for the highlights, and then go several shades lighter.
25. Charcoal Highlights on Brunette Hair
We can’t get enough of charcoal, one of the trends that are closest to our hearts. Black and dark brown hair alike look radiant and lighter when mixed with charcoal highlights.
26. Hairstyle for Olive Skin
We’ve solved the color problem for pale-skinned ladies, but what about olive skin? Natural is the way to go! A popular option consists of getting mocha highlights or a shade that resembles the skin’s tone as much as possible.
27. Chestnut Highlights
Now that we’re on the topic of natural highlights let’s talk more about chestnut highlights for dark brown hair. Chestnut is one of the cool-toned shades of brown that will make for stunning results even on a really dark base.
28. Hot Pink Streaks
Want to express your feminine side? How about bringing out that girly girl you’ve been keeping trapped inside? One word can solve all your problems: pink! Dark brown hair can look enchanting with hot pink or cotton candy highlights and tips.
29. Pastel Purple and Light Brown Highlights
To continue our purple highlights parade, here is the opposite of plum in the form of tarnished lavender. As we explained, lavender looks just as remarkable against dark brown hair. To customize the look, even more, add some light brown highlights as well.
30. Fall Hairstyle
Whether you’re getting ready for a fall makeover or just want to adapt the colors of the season to your hair, do it! You will enjoy that romantic vibe we described earlier all through a natural and alluring hairstyle.
31. Turquoise Hair Underneath
Are you genuinely aiming to stand out from the others with your hairstyle? Move all your highlights to a specific area of your hair and, for an ultra-cool look, consider getting highlights in a statement color like turquoise.
32. Very Dark Brown Hairstyle
What if your hair is really dark, like close to black dark? Then make it all about the accents. You already have enviable hair color, so all you have to do is make it pop! This will be very easy to do with a subtle, intense dark chocolate highlights.
33. Strawberry Blonde Streaks
Similar to rose gold, strawberry blonde, or another peach-inspired hair color can be a very flattering choice of highlights. We recommend it for spring or summer hairstyles, but they can also be perfectly fine during the other seasons.
34. Red and Blonde Highlights
Can’t you decide between blonde or red highlights for your dark brown locks? Combine them! Don’t hesitate to experiment with colors, especially when it comes to achieving a hairstyle you won’t see everywhere you go. The layered haircut also boosts the impact of the highlights blend.
35. Afro Hair with Blonde Accents
Our hearts melt every time we encounter afro-textured curls and hair texture. These superb ringlets deserve to be accentuated accordingly, so don’t shy away from highlights. Define them with an icy or ash blonde tone for a jaw-dropping silhouette.
36. Periwinkle Highlights
Dreaming of a mesmerizing hairstyle that will make you feel like a fairy princess? We’re happy to introduce you to periwinkle. If you haven’t heard of this color before, you should know that this superb pastel color is predicted to trend for years to come.
37. Chunky Streaks
While some girls prefer a subtle approach to their highlights, others would rather embrace an outgoing and flashy look. Lucky for us, chunky highlights are just as stylish as wispy ones!
38. Summer Hair
Just like in the case of fall highlights, their summer counterpart can be nailed regardless of the season. The main idea is to accomplish a sun-kissed look that will brighten your appearance. For this, be daring and bring on the blonde!
39. Fire Highlights with Blonde Tips
Show off your fiery personality through your hairstyle and do so in a sassy way! Get inspired by flames for the colors of your highlights, with shades that range from crimson to bright blonde. Make sure they blend well to get the desired effect.
40. Highlights for Graying Dark Brown Hair
Never be ashamed of graying hair! It’s a natural process that should be wholeheartedly embraced instead of hidden away. In addition, charcoal, ash, and silver are some of the hottest hair color trends of these past few years, so boost the gray instead of hiding it!
41. Peekaboo Highlights
We’re absolutely in love with peekaboo coloring, one of the cutest trends of these past few years. As you can imagine, the colors literally peek out from beneath your base color in an adorable way. For dark brown, pink is a lovely color surprise for the hairstyle.
42. Dark Red Brown Hair
If you’re blessed with dark red-brown locks or have your hair colored this way, it’s best to highlight the red tones. To make the most of this effect, you should study similar tones that range from chestnut to mahogany or burgundy.
43. Chunky Blonde and Wispy Red Hairstyle
Are you drawn to the idea of chunky highlights but are also curious about wispy ones? The great news is that you can rock both for your hairstyle. This example features chunky blonde highlights and wispy red ones.
44. Bold Hairstyle
We’ll always encourage our fabulous readers to step out of their comfort zone with their hairstyle, especially when it comes to color. Platinum blonde is not only bold but absolutely flattering for almost any woman.
45. Pale Green Frontal Highlights
For this example, we want to draw attention to not one but two terrific ideas for a makeover. Firstly, the pale green color used for the highlights is truly special. Secondly, the concept of frontal highlights can bring a major “wow” factor to any hairstyle.
46. Braided Hair Crown
To ensure that your highlights are properly appreciated, you need to research and discover the most flattering hairstyles for them. In almost all cases, braids will help you emphasize your new highlights – such as this half-up fishtail crown braid.
47. Blue Ombre Highlights
For a tumblr-esque grunge look, pastels and metallic tones are the answer. In fact, you can combine these two qualities and get a gorgeous steel blue ombre that will look even more amazing when paired with dark brown hair in the form of highlights.
48. Accent Hair
Want a touch of glam? Then accent highlights are exactly what you need! To put it briefly, accent highlights and lowlights work to make the base color more pronounced. Let’s say that it’s a bit of spotlight for showing off the best in your base tone.
49. Rainbow Hair
Use your imagination to create the ideal color mixture for your highlights, and use any shades you feel represent you. A complete set of metallic rainbow highlights is a cool way to start!
50. Sprinkled Streaks
To top off our list of options for highlights for dark brown hair, we will end with an unconventional idea. Even though we typically associate highlights with streaks all around our hair, you should know that adding just a handful can look just as marvelous.
51. Honey Blonde Highlights
Honey blonde highlights for dark hair are always a good idea. They help to brighten up your style and are a bit more natural looking than the bright blonde look. Here she has added them to her shoulder-length hair and it looks amazing.
52. Dimensional Hair
Another way to go is to try and add dimensional highlights. That is what she has done here with her extra-long hair and it looks so pretty, especially with the slight wave she has added in. Be sure to part it down the middle to get the whole over this style.
53. Copper Hairstyle
Up next is how to add copper highlights to dark brown hair. Here she went with a slight ombre style with dark roots and copper highlights and it looks amazing.
54. Honey Cinnamon Hair
Have you ever heard of honey cinnamon highlights? In the photo above that is what she is wearing and it looks amazing. She has parted her hair right in the middle and added a few lighter colors throughout and it looks amazing.
55. Brunette Streaks
This next hairstyle is for ladies with long dark brown hair. Here she has kept her hair with a dark brown base but added in plenty of blonde highlights. She has parted her hair in the middle and then add in waves and you are all set.
56. Dark Chocolate Highlights
Not all highlights have to be bright. In this next look, she is wearing warm highlights in her dark brown hair. She went with a subtle vibe here and it looks amazing because it adds just the right amount of contrast.
57. Two-Toned Hair
You could always go with a two-toned highlight in your hair. In the photo above she has kept the base of her hair dark brown and added two different colors of blonde and it looks amazing.
58. Dark Brown Highlights
This next hairstyle for women is a great fall look. She kept most of her hair chocolate brown and added in a lighter brown for the highlight. Try adding in loose beach waves as she has done here and you are to love the way you look.
59. Chocolate-Hued Tones
Chocolate highlights are always so beautiful. Here she has added plenty to her dark brown mid-length hair and it looks amazing. She styled it with loose curls all around and it is so pretty.
60. Warm Hairstyle
This next look is for women with like keeping their thin hair long. She has kept most of her hair down and loose with a few waves added in for texture. You could always pull this style up into a fashionable ponytail as well.
61. Copper Brown Tone
Copper hair color is pretty all year round, but it really shines in the fall. In the photo above she went with an ombre technique where the top is dark and it gradually gets lighter towards the tips.
62. Dark Brown Hair with Highlights Twist
If you are looking for a subtle way to add highlights to dark brown hair this next look would be perfect for you. Here she has kept her hair long, parted down the middle, with the thin blonde highlights add-in. Be sure to curl the hair away from your face to get the whole vibe of this beautiful look.
63. Warm-Toned Highlights
Up next is another warm tone highlight to add to your dark hair. She went with a long bob for the cut and added dark highlights in for a fresh finish.
64. Dark Brown Ombre Highlights
If you have been growing your dark brown hair out and need a change this next style would be a great place to start. Here she has added chunky caramel highlights evenly to her long hair and styled it with loose waves.
65. Dimensional Brunette Highlights
Dimensional highlights will always leave you looking beautiful and natural. In the photo above she went with warm and light highlights to create a natural-looking dark brown hairstyle.
66. Dark Hair with Sun-Kissed Highlights
Sun-kissed highlights are one of the most requested looks from women with dark brown hair. In the look above she kept the base of her style dark brown with plenty of blonde highlights added in about half way down.
67. Dark Hair with Ash Blonde Highlights
Ash-blonde is a new trendy hair color that women are loving. Here she has kept her hair long with curtain bangs to frame the face and also added beautiful ash-blonde highlights and it looks perfect.
68. Dark Brown Sand Highlights
If your dark brown hair needs to be freshened up you could always try this next style. Here she went kept her hair dark brown, parted it down the middle, and added in the perfect amount of sandy-colored highlights and it looks perfect.
69. Dark Brown Highlights for Long Hair
This next gorgeous hairstyle would be great for women who like keeping their hair long and shiny. Here she added dark brown highlights to her long hair and it is a classic and elegant style.
70. Warm Chestnut Highlights
Here is a short and sassy hairstyle. In the look above she kept her hair cut right along the shoulders and added a dreamy chestnut color. Style it messy or try a straight look for a sleeker vibe.
71. Mid-Part Dark Brown Highlights
Mid-parts are always in style. Here is a mid-parted long hairstyle for women with dark brown hair. She has also added natural looking highlights in her dark brown hair and finished it off with the slightest wave.
72. Sleek Dark Brown Highlights
For a darker vibe with a bit of contrast, you need to try this style. She is wearing her shoulder-length hair here with a few golden highlights and the results are sleek and stunning.
73. Rich Blonde Highlights for Dark Hair
Next up is a hairstyle for women who have thick and dark brown hair. She added in a thick fringe and left the rest of the hair long with a blunt cut. But what makes this style really pop is the scattered light brown highlights.
74. Chocolate and Caramel Highlights
Here is a perfect mix of chocolate and caramel highlights. She has kept her hair dark and short here with just a few highlights added throughout. This would be an amazing hairstyle for the winter of fall months.
75. Blonde Money Piece for Dark Brown Hair
There is nothing trendier right now than a bright blonde money piece, just as she is wearing here. To get this style ask your hair dresser to cut your hair short, right above the shoulders, and add in a blonde money piece and you are all set.
76. Dark Hair with Honey Blonde Highlights
She is smiling so big here because she knows she looks so good. She has kept her hair natural looking with a base of dark brown and added in a few highlights in the face-framing layers and it looks amazing.
77. Golden Brown Highlights
Next up is a golden blonde look for women with dark brown hair. This look would work best for women with thick hair who have been growing it out a bit. Add in plenty of golden brown highlights, part it down the middle, and add in waves and you are all set.
78. Rich Chocolate Highlights
Here is pretty looking hairstyle with highlights in dark brown hair. She kept her hair a dark chocolate brown color and added in both blonde and light brown streaks and it looks so natural and pretty.
79. Hazelnut Brown Highlights
Another color to look into when thinking of adding highlights in dark brown hair is this gorgeous hazelnut. Here they have flawless blended her highlights in and it leaves her looking natural and so beautiful.
80. Medium Dark Brown Highlights
Up next is a style for all the women out there who have naturally, or not so naturally, dark brown hair. Keep the base super dark and add in the slightest streaks of a medium brown. You can style it with loose waves or try it straight for a sleeker vibe.
So, What Is YOUR Hair Motivation?
To sum up, adding highlights for dark brown hair will be a small detail that can hugely impact your look. Whether you choose to go for natural accents or statement streaks, you should rock your new hairstyle with pride and a smile on your face.
How about you? Which combo from our list was your favorite? Let’s chat in the comments!
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Kimberly K Plaster says
steel blue ombre w brown hair
Raman Roy says
Is it possible to have videos on the above highlighted pictures.