17 Dark Hair with Highlights Ideas to Strive Subsequent
As a lot as we love the bright blondes and honey hues that are inclined to dominate in summer season, there’s one thing pleasant about darker hair colors popping out to play as soon as autumn hits. Rich brunettes, shiny espresso shades and bitter chocolate tones at all times really feel proper at house alongside a cosier wardrobe and deeper color palette. But for those who’re anxious that going darkish may depart your hair wanting flat or one-dimensional, then including some highlights may simply be the important thing to attaining the right autumn look.
“Summer tends to be about brighter sun-kissed items, however coming into autumn it’s good to maintain a few of that lightness whereas melting it again into richer brunette tones,” says Jade Proctor, color specialist and proprietor of Scullion & Scot. “You’re not undoing all the pieces you’ve carried out by means of summer season, simply making it really feel deeper, glossier and richer.”
Yes, whether or not you’ve gotten naturally darkish brown hair or have not too long ago gone deeper together with your color, including just a few lighter items could make all of the distinction to how your hair appears to be like and feels for autumn. Think heat caramel ribbons, honey-toned balayage or delicate chestnut highlights that catch the sunshine if you transfer. Rather than taking your brunette base a number of shades lighter, strategically positioned highlights can add simply sufficient distinction to offer your hair extra depth, dimension, and brightness with out shedding these wealthy darkish undertones.
Latest Videos FromWho What Wear
What Sort of Highlights Look Best with Dark Hair?
Brunette hair with highlights is extremely versatile, whether or not you favor barely-there ribbons of colour or a extra noticeable distinction. From tender, expensive-looking brunettes to bolder caramel blends, there are many methods to make the look your personal with some assist out of your colourist.
“Dakota Johnson and Amal Clooney are in all probability my two favorite references for brunette color with highlights proper now,” says Proctor. “Dakota has moved away from these hotter spring tones right into a deeper, cooler espresso the place there’s nonetheless motion within the color, however it’s actually delicate with a lot of color melting and shifts in tonality.” In distinction, Proctor factors out that Amal’s highlights have “extra of a pop” as her thicker, naturally wavy hair can take extra outstanding items of sunshine.
“For me that’s the largest factor with highlighting darkish hair, it’s essential to take into consideration texture, density, pure depth and the way you truly need to put on your hair slightly than how mild you’ll be able to go,” says Proctor.
How to Maintain Highlights on Dark Hair
Typically talking, with any highlighted model, you’ll in all probability need to revisit the salon each two to 3 months for a refresh. However, Proctor factors out that with darkish hair with highlights, the maintenance actually comes all the way down to the extent of distinction you’ve opted for. “The nearer you keep to the pure brunette and the softer the mix, the longer you’ll be able to depart it,” she explains. “Often utilizing a gloss between appointments is sufficient to carry that richness and shine again.”
Dark Hair with Highlights Ideas
Style notes: Alessandra Ambrosio’s mixture of honey-blonde highlights and beachy waves is a superb model for relieving into autumn with out totally waving goodbye to summer season’s brighter tones.
Best for: Transitioning into autumn.
Style notes: The iconic Cindy Crawford reveals off an expensive-looking cocoa-hued blowout right here with essentially the most subtly shimmering caramel highlights.
Best for: Adding shine to boring hair.
Style notes: Whilst Allison Williams’s darkish roots scream autumn, there’s loads of brightness to this model with buttery blonde ribbons and lightweight ends.
Best for: Long lengths.
Style notes: Golden brown highlights add a lot heat and dimension to Tamara Smart’s one-length curly minimize.
Best for: Textured hair.
Style notes: So many cool Y2K hair trends have made a comeback this yr, and Ciara’s high-contrast platinum highlights have a lot throwback attraction.
Best for: Making a press release.
Style notes: The queen of honey highlights, J.Lo’s face-framing blonde streaks with a teddy bear brunette base make for a timeless selection.
Best for: Those who need basic highlights that will not date.
Style notes: Adding glow and dimension, slightly than actually apparent color, Mia Goth’s babylights are concentrated on the ends of her hair slightly than the roots—making for a low-maintenance choice.
Best for: Extending the time between your salon appointments.
Style notes: Penelope Cruz’s lazy weekend bob needs to be probably the greatest celeb haircuts of 2026, and the chunky ’90s blonde highlights solely add to its attraction.
Best for: Laidback bobs and lobs.
Style notes: Toasted coppers and deep crimson are going to be in all places for autumn 2026, and Daisy Edgar-Jones is on the high of the inspiration checklist along with her auburn-hued highlights.
Best for: Those who need a heat various to basic brunette shades.
Style notes: Brown hair with blonde highlights at all times appears to be like wonderful, and Jordyn Woods’s shiny updo is unimaginable.
Best for: Adding shine to darkish hair.
Style notes: Red-toned highlights work so effectively with darkish hair and add a lot definition to Whitney Peak’s pure curls.
Best for: Adding heat to textured hair.
Style notes: Hailey Bieber usually goes darker within the autumn/winter months, and this basic bronde look is one in all her go-to transitional kinds.
Best for: In-between seasons.
Style notes: Mika Abdalla’s mixture of brushed-out curls and cashmere-coloured highlights is critically fairly.
Best for: Adding definition to textured hair.
Style notes: Pixie cuts have been having fun with a second this yr, and Keke Palmer’s one appears to be like so cool teamed with vibrant crimson highlights.
Best for: Adding a pop of color to shorter kinds.
Style notes: Highlights can appear high-maintenance, however choosing a scattering by means of the mid-lengths and ends, like Emmy Rossum, provides some delicate luminosity.
Best for: Adding color with out the maintenance.
Style notes: Amal Clooney’s hair at all times appears to be like so costly due to the best way her cashmere blonde highlights body her chocolate-brown lengths.
Best for: Polished, expensive-looking strands.
Style notes: Is there something extra autumnal than Bella Maclean’s chunky auburn highlights?
Best for: Those looking for the right autumn/winter color.
Best Products for Dark Hair with Highlights
Amika
The Protector Color Protect + Strengthen Shampoo
This colour-protecting shampoo will preserve highlights wanting vibrant for as much as 40 washes.
L’Oreal Professionnel
Vitamino Color Spectrum Conditioner
Formulated with ferulic and citric acids, this conditioner will preserve highlights and colored hair wanting critically shiny.
Adding a hair oil to your routine, particularly through the colder months, will add hydration and depart highlights glistening.
Wella Professionals
Ultimate Color Miracle Leave-In Mask for All Coloured Hair
Apply this nourishing masks to damp hair to guard it from breakage and UV rays whereas detangling, softening and including shine.
Maria Nila
Colour Refresh Cacao Intense
A nourishing, non-permanent colour refresh mask that may add vibrancy to deep brunettes between salon appointments.
