70 + Awesome Styles For Brown Hair With Blonde Highlights or Balayage

by John Griffith
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As you can probably tell from some of our previous articles, we absolutely love brunette hair! It’s beautiful and versatile, and can make you look younger, while softening heavily pronounced facial features. Yet, with the arrival of summer, many brunettes start thinking of a more playful, sun-kissed look. While adding a few lighter streaks seems like the obvious choice for the breezy, carefree days ahead, people are often reluctant to take this step. The reason? It can be quite difficult to choose the right style. There is a wide variety of looks and colors to consider, and picking one can be difficult. Would you rather opt for some tasteful highlights or a chic balayage? For a cool ombre or a subtle and understated sombre? If you feel confused, we are here to help! In today’s article, we will explore the different options for brown hair with blonde highlights, balayage and ombre.

Brown hair with blonde highlights – a look that has stood the test of time

brown hair with blonde highlights, soft shoulder length, light brunette wavy hair, with light blonde streaks, worn by woman seen from the back

Wondering whether to opt for highlights, balayage, ombre or sombre? This video will help you make up your mind!

Highlights 

Although brown hair with blonde highlights was considered a bit outdated last year, this summer it’s coming back in a big way! Many feel put off when they hear the word “highlights” because they picture platinum blonde streaks on dark brunette hair. Let us assure you that this is not the case! Although highlights come in a variety of different colors, and some people do opt for contrasting combinations, the rule of thumb is to choose a shade that is slightly lighter than your base color. This will ensure a final result that is both natural-looking and aesthetically pleasing. If you’d like to try highlighting your own hair, there are some great products on the market. For more information, check out the video tutorials we have included bellow.

Sun-kissed hair with soft, loose waves

hand holding a strand of wavy, light brunette hair, with natural looking blonde streaks, shoulder long and soft, brown hair with blonde highlights

This subtle balayage is perfect for the summer

three images of long, curled light brunette hair, with ash blonde streaks, worn by young woman in grey tank top, brown hair with blonde highlights, seen from three angles

Ombre

Although ombre hair’s popularity peaked at the start of the decade, it is still a very sought after look, which can be seen on many celebrities. The style is characterized by hair that is dark at the base and gradually becomes lighter. The most favored variation is brown hair with blonde ombre effect. The look is not only playful and chic, but also very easy to maintain, and looks great on straightened, as well as curled hair.

Thinking of highlighting your hair at home? This tutorial will show you how:

Blond balayage on dark brunette hair

dark brown hair with blonde highlights, long and smooth with curled tips, seen from the back, worn by woman in black hairdresser's robe

Sombre

Similarly to the ombre style, sombre hair is also reliant on the fade of one color into another. Unlike the ombre, however, this look utilizes more colors, so as to make the transition smoother and more gradual. Ladies who want to add some color to their hair, but prefer to keep things simple and natural-looking, should definitely opt for a classy sombre. This will ensure an authentic-looking hairstyle that is both chic and playfully demure.

Brunette, blonde or strawberry – which one would you choose?

strawberry blonde hair, brown hair with blonde highlights or balayage, dark brunette curled hair, with dark brown streaks

Sombre hair is ideal for people who want to add a refreshing twist to their look, while keeping it natural

young woman wearing brown hair with blonde highlights, natural-looking colors, wavy soft hair, twisted to one side, half-covering her face

Balayage

Balayage has been a huge hit in recent years. Arguably the best of both words,  this style combines the gradual transition from dark root to lighter tips, as seen on ombre hair, with the more equally distributed color of the highlights. When done right, balayage adds a natural-looking painterly quality to your hair, that is reminiscent of the healthy, sun-kissed tresses we used to have as children. As a result, it’s a huge favorite among celebrities seeking a fresher, more authentic look.

Another great video about highlighting your hair at home:

Say goodbye to boring hair!

black jumper worn by woman, seen from the back, with arms on her neck, long wavy dark brown hair with blonde highlights

two examples of shoulder length hair, with loose curls, dark brown hair with blonde highlights, on two different women, both seen from behind

chunky necklace with rhinestones, worn by woman with off-white cardigan, and denim shirt, medium length dark brown hair with blonde highlights, with loose waves

How cute is this strawberry blonde hue?

mirrored image of a woman with medium length, brunette and strawberry blonde hair, brown hair with blonde highlights, with curled tips

brick wall covered in whitewash, woman with long, dark brown hair with blonde highlights, curled in loose waves, seen from behind, and wearing a black robe

mid length dark auburn hair, with light streaks, styled in loose curls, dark brown hair with blonde highlights, worn by woman in black top

Add a little oomf to your bob with somer playful highlights

caramel highlights, on dark brunette hair, cut in a asymmetrical bob, and worn by a young woman, sitting in a hairdresser's salon

Blonde hair with subtle highlights…

balayage brown hair, woman with light brunette, soft and wavy tresses, with honey blonde balayage, wearing white t-shirt

…brunette sombre…

smiling megan fox, with chocolate brown hair, long and wavy, with dark blonde highlights, next image shows young woman, with long layered brunette hair, with blonde streaks

…or multicolor?

multicolored streaked hair, dark brunette and chocolate brown, light blonde and platinum, brown hair with blonde highlights, worn by woman in facing to one side

chocolate brown hair, shoulder length and curled in loose waves, with blonde highlights, on woman in black hairdresser's cape, seen from behind

happy young woman, smiling in a white blouse, wearing brunette long wavy layered hair, with blonde highlights

Balayage with soft, luxurious curls – summer hair doesn’t get any better than this!

lady in black top, seen from the back, with long brunette hair, styled in loose waves, and decorated with ash blonde highlights, balayage brown hair

medium brown hair, layered and messy, falling over a young girl's face and hiding it, with ash blonde highlights

hand holding a strand of curled, long hair with middle parting, medium brown hair with blonde highlights, on girl wearing a denim shirt

Add a dash of red, for a truly unique look!

wine red and caramel highlights, on dark brunette hair, smooth and styled in loose curls, seem from behind in a mirrored image

loose soft curls, styled on a dark auburn hair, with lighter streaks, dark brown hair with blonde highlights, worn by woman seen from the back

pastel blue nails, on hand holding a strand of wavy hair, medium brown hair, with light blonde highlights, on woman in dark top

Smooth chocolate brown with sandy blonde highlights

milk chocolate brown hair, long and smoothly straightened, and decorated with platinum blonde highlights, seen from the back

white door and off-white wall, faced by woman with medium length wavy hair, dark blonde balayage brown hair, black long-sleeved top

cable knit sweater in black, worn by smiling young woman, with brown eye make up, and pink lipstick, with messy medium brown hair, and blonde highlights

Ash blonde highlights are a big hit at the moment

light brown hair with blonde highlights, young brunette woman, with ash blonde streaks in her hair, wearing white strappy top, with light blue graphic

ash blonde streaks, on dark brunette hair, worn by young woman, with faux eyelashes, seen in close up, light brown hair with blonde highlights

layered medium length hair, in mink brown, with light ash blonde streaks, light brown hair with blonde highlights, worn by young woman, in dark grey t-shirt

More and more stars are opting the subtle, the natural-looking sombre hair

mocha colored hair, with dark blonde balayage and highlights, worn by jennifer lopez and another female celebrity, chocolate brown hair

soft mid length hair, with loose waves, seen in medium shot and close up, balayage brown hair, on girl with pale grey t-shirt

red nail polish, on hand holding a strand of long hair, ombre effect with dark brown top, and caramel highlights at the bottom

Baby lights are another celeb favorite

khaki green jacket, and black top, worn by woman with wavy, medium brown hair, and natural-looking dark blonde highlights, next image shows jessica biel, with a similar hairstyle

smooth and straight, curled and messy wavy, three different hairstyles, with highlights, worn by young women, with brunette and blonde, and chocolate brown hair

light blonde balayage, on long light burnette hair, with loose curls, seen from the back, dark caramel highlights, on brown wavy hair, worn by woman with red lipstick

Dark brown hair with blonde highlights? Yes, please!

hair highlights in blonde, on dark brunette hair, with contrasting look, styled in loose curls, and seen from two angles, the back and the side

highlights in dark blonde, on layered wavy, auburn colored hair, next image shows, young girl sitting on a chair, with blonde balayage brown hair

collage showing two mirrored images, of a girl with long smooth hair, bottom part curled in loose waves, dark brunette hair, with caramel highlights

The perfect beach hair

sunglasses on smiling woman, wearing a bikini top, with messy long, medium brown hair, with blonde highlights, styled in beach waves, next image shows girl with similar hair, wearing white shirt

looking at a hairstyle from two angles, light blonde balayage brown hair, soft loose waves, worn by woman in black top

navy hairdresser's robe, worn by woman, seen from the back, in two mirrored images, dark hair with blonde highlights, smooth loose waves

We love this playful multicolored bob!

streaked chocolate brown hair, with contrasting platinum blonde highlights, shoulder length and layered, seen from one side

asymmetrical straight bob, on medium brown hair, with light blonde contrasting highlights, worn by woman in grey top

short voluminous bob, seen from the back, light brown hair with blonde highlights, next image shows one of the kardashians, with long wavy brunette hair, and dark blonde streaks

Go wild and messy…

ombre effect on long hair, dark brown to honey blonde, with curled tips, caramel highlights on brunette hair, long with bangs, and short messy bob

side and back view, of long layered hair, with loose curls, light brown hair with blonde highlights, on woman wearing a black leather jacket

…or straight and smooth!

straightened smooth hair, with wavy tips, brunette with light blonde highlights, dark hair with blonde highlights, seen from two different angles

straightened and curled hair, worn by the same girl, seen from behind in two side by side photos, light brown hair with blonde highlights, loose curls and glossy shine

deep chocolate brown hair, with curls and twists, dark blonde long hair with loose curls, and light blonde highlights, brunette hair with light blonde balayage

Gorgeous blonde balayage with a retro twist

female celebrity with medium long hair, in light brunette color, with hair highlights in a dark, honey blond shade, and retro-style curled tips

ginger and red, curly light blonde, and dark hair with blonde highlights, worn by three different women, all seen from the back

variations of caramel highlights, on medium length wavy hair, on long curled hair, on layered hairstyles, dark and light brunette and blonde tones

Red hues will always be in style

burgundy red layered hair, long and straightened, with lighter streaks, next image shows curled long, dark auburn hair, with ginger streaks, hair highlights

ideas for long hair, in six images, light brown hair with blonde highlights, curled and straightened, dark brunette hair, with waves and curls, seen from the front and back

patterned strappy bustier crop top, in dark inky blue and white, worn by young made up woman, with brunette hair, and dark blonde hair highlights

The perfect hair for a garden party!

natural-looking hair highlights in dark blonde, on long brunette hair with loose curls, worn by woman in pale blue strappy dress, seen from the back

feathery brunette hair, swept to one side, and decorated with blonde hair highlights, on woman in profile, wearing two layered dark tops

bouncy and voluminous layered hair, shoulder length with dark brunette color, medium to light blonde highlights

More great suggestions for brown hair with blonde highlights:

fine and smooth, straightened and silky hair, light brunette with blonde hair highlights, worn by slim woman, in green top   glossy medium length hair, silky and straight, chocolate brown with platinum blonde highlights, seen from above

hairdresser holding the tips of a woman's hair, brown and blonde hair, smooth and straightened, brunette with blonde highlights

platinum blonde highlights, on long brunette hair, straightened and smooth, brown and blonde hair, hand holding several strands

Cheryl Cole is as dazzling as ever, with her gorgeous sombre hair

british celebrity cheryl cole, with long brown and blonde hair, styled in loose waves, decorated with highlights, she's wearing a black top and smiling

orange hair streaks, on long wavy brunette hair, dark hair with blonde highlights, on woman wearing an black, grey and white plaid shirt

messy auburn hair, with curls and blonde highlights, and long brunette hair with light blonde balayage, on two women, with brown and blonde hair

Sun-kissed perfection

summer sun-kissed hairstyle, shoulder length hair parted in the middle, with loose waves, light blonde balayage brown hair, worn by woman in white top

layered and curled, dark hair with blonde highlights, on woman wearing a light grey top, seen from the back, loose messy waves

princess curls on dark hair with blonde highlights, silky smooth and long, image next to it shows smiling woman, with honey blonde balayage, on chocolate brown hair

Ombre or balayage? The choice is yours!

brown and blonde hair, two photos side by side, showing long brunette hair, with loose curls, and light blonde ombre effect, and a darker brown hair, with loose curls and blonde balayage

girl showing two different hairdos, styled on long and smooth, brown and blonde hair, beach curls and loose waves

dark hair with blonde highlights, young woman in black top, looking to one side, long wavy brunette hair, with dark blonde balayage, next image shows long, curled hair with blonde streaks

actress with long and wavy, brown and blonde hair, parted in the middle, wearing black top and blazer, and smiling

John Griffith
John Griffith

John Griffith is a young, passionate journalist. Writing has been John’s hobby ever since he was a boy. He has worked in some of the UK’s most successful news portals over the course of his professional career but found his forever home at Archzine.

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