:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/brownhairhightlightssocial-95bfa26480b5474483997bcc4139e004.jpg "20 Ways to Rock Fall Highlights for Brown Hair")
Highlights are popular because of their three-dimensional effect. Without highlights, hair can look flat and dull; with highlights, it can appear shinier and more voluminous, not to mention look more luscious overall. While highlights look beautiful on all hair colors, they are especially popular when paired with brunette manes—especially in the fall.
“Highlights can enhance brown hair for fall in a variety of ways,” says Richy Kandasamy, member of the R+Co Collective. “Warm tones like caramel, honey, or golden highlights can create a rich, autumnal look that complements the colors of the season and enhances your skin tone and complexion for the cooler fall transition.”
But that’s not all. Kandasamy says highlights can also make brown hair look “fuller and more textured with a multi-dimensional reflection.” Are you convinced your brunette mane needs a touch of highlights? Discover the best fall highlights for brown hair below.
Grown out balayage
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For a low-maintenance highlight idea for brown hair, go for balayage—it grows out beautifully. “I love the grown-out balayage highlight look—it’s perfect for transitioning into fall,” says Nicole Gache, color director at Valery Joseph Madison Avenue. “Julia’s tousled ends really accentuate the piecey look of the highlights.”
Latte highlights that frame the face
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“Highlights can really enhance brown hair for fall by adding warmth, dimension and depth to your hair,” says celebrity colorist Chase Kusero. Here you can see how subtle, face-framing latte highlights brighten not only the mane but the entire complexion.
Highlights in honey gold
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“Softly painted honey gold highlights add dimension to even the darkest of base colors,” says Gache, noting that they’re perfect for fall. Here you can see honey gold highlights in action on Selena Gomez. The subtle waves of color add shape to her hairstyle.
Butter blonde highlights
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Butter blonde may seem like a more summery choice, but when worked into light brown hair, it creates a warm, toffee-like look that’s perfect for fall. “Highlights are always on trend as they flatter everyone by adding dimension and lightness,” says Gache. “In fall, I love transitioning my clients’ hair from bright shades to more natural, understated highlights. The hair looks appropriate for the season but still looks fresh.”
Cool babylights in Bronde
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As popular as warm highlights are in autumn, cool highlights are also allowed. Here you can see how slightly cooler blonde highlights create a beautiful, autumn-appropriate bronde mane.
Warm tones
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However, warm tones really make for a rich fall mane. “Try highlights in caramel, honey or gold tones,” suggests Kusero. “These shades add warmth and brightness and will make your brown hair look richer and more vibrant in the fall light.”
Ultra-subtle highlights that frame the face
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“Lighter highlights around your face can make your look pop,” says Kusero. For proof, just look at Becky G’s ultra-subtle auburn highlights. Stunning, right?
Dark chestnut brown highlights
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One of Kandasamy’s favorite colors for fall highlights is auburn. “Fall is all about warm tones,” he says. “From warm leather to auburn brown, it’s all about dimension and the natural harmony of depth and tones.” Here, see how dark auburn highlights add dimension to Jourdan Dunn’s espresso locks.
Ash blonde
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“Bronde is a natural way to bring ash highlights right into the cooler months,” says Gache, pointing to Jamie Chung’s hair. “Ask for a root shadow for an even more ‘grown out’ look.”
Braided honey highlights
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Even protective hairstyles can be enhanced with highlights. Kerry Washington shows how well honey-colored highlights stand out in shiny black braids.
Espresso highlights
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Do you love coffee? Let it inspire your fall hair color! “If your hair is very dark, you can add a touch of espresso,” advises Gache. “The highlights will give your hair color a chocolate-like tone, which is perfect for adding dimension in the fall.”
Delicate brown highlights
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You don’t have to go darker in the fall if you don’t want to. You can always take a cue from Jennifer Aniston and boost the brightness for a shiny and dimensional brown hair color for fall. “Any natural brunette will love this soft brown as it’s low-maintenance and offers an easy way to take previously lightened hair through fall and winter,” says Gache.
Caramel highlights
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Jennifer Hudson’s caramel highlights look bold when contrasted against her jet black base color. You’ll notice that these warm, rich highlight shades also seem to enhance the shine of virtually any hairstyle.
Copper blonde highlights
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Consider a light brown base with copper blonde highlights for a brighter fall hairstyle. “J-Lo’s highlights are always a cause for envy,” says Gache. “Bright, copper highlights especially accentuate her skin tone and add a lot of shine to the hair.”
Smoky highlights
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Kim Kardashian’s hair usually looks one color, but if you look closely, you’ll notice ultra-subtle highlights that add dimension. “Naturally lightens jet black hair with a smoky tone,” says Gache. “Kim Kardashian always wears this favorite color as it flatters even the darkest shades.”
Auburn Babylights
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Bella Hadid regularly wears highlights in her brown hair. Here you can see how reddish-brown bands add a touch of radiant shine to her hairstyle.
Rooted blonde highlights
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Not ready to say goodbye to your summer blonde? Go for a brown root look. “What’s more low-maintenance than letting your natural base grow,” jokes Gache. If your hair is slow to grow, you can schedule a shadow root for a similar look.
Bronde Babylights
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Bold highlights may be coming back into style, but Gache says bronde babylights can transform brown hair for fall. “Babylights are subtle highlights that mimic the look of hair after a summer in the sun, so they’re definitely appropriate for early fall,” she explains, pointing to Hailey Bieber’s look above.
Cranberry Highlights
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If your brown hair is almost red, Gache recommends darker cranberry tones for fall. Her inspiration? Dua Lipa!
Ash blonde highlights
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Last but not least, we have ash blonde highlights, as seen on Jessica Alba. They are soft and subtle, but still visually enhance her dark brown base for fall.
