A balayage is a stunning way to achieve brown highlights. It’s popular across Pinterest and Instagram at the moment! Below, I’ve compiled pictures of the finest ways to execute this dimensional and natural-looking highlight.
Important Things to Consider First
- What is it, precisely? Using the French hand-painting coloring method, a brown balayage involves adding highlights to brunette hair.
- The top balayage highlights for brown hair include a variety of warm shades of light brown and blonde. This results in a dimensional and natural-looking hue.
- Acquiring a balayage hair color is generally pricier than traditional foil highlights due to the increased time needed to apply them.
- You won’t have to spend as much on regular touch-ups since this coloring method does a better job of blending highlights with your natural hair. This means the natural shade could become more noticeable as your hair grows out.
Before your upcoming hair color appointment, draw inspiration from these images of the best brown balayage hair colors!
#1 Trendy Mushroom Balayage
Dark hair with a mushroom balayage is currently a top choice. This mushroom grey will provide you with a contemporary stunning look and won’t age you. Consult your stylist for a full head backcomb bleaching, then tone with the color.
#2 Sun-Kissed Blonde-Brown Balayage
A sun-kissed blonde-brown balayage is a gorgeous, warm, natural-looking hair color you will adore. This balayage would look exquisite on a woman with a warm skin tone. Maintaining a darker base will facilitate a seamless grow-out!
#3 Soft Balayage Highlights on Dark Tresses
Revitalize your lifeless hair with radiant soft balayage highlights tailored for dark hair. Let your locks bask in sun-kissed tones with a blend that is unexpectedly easy to maintain. Delicate highlights shimmer in the light and will elevate your hair’s appearance.
#4 Soft Brown Balayage with Golden Highlights
Consider a soft brown balayage with golden highlights. Dye your balayage hair brown for a gentle, blended, low-maintenance style. However, keep in mind that your hair may take on warmer tones with open-air techniques like balayage.
#5 Warm Brown Balayage Featuring Face-Framing Highlights
Consider a warm brown balayage accented with face-framing highlights. To maintain a fresh appearance, I suggest incorporating face-framing and partial highlights during your complete session. It’s best to schedule appointments every 10-12 weeks, with a comprehensive hair treatment 1-2 times a year, depending on your hair goals.
#6 Rich Dark Brown to Soft Cool Light Brown Color Transition
Choose a rich dark brown base color that transitions beautifully into a soft cool light brown. Your stylist can best advise you on whether to opt for warmer or cooler tones based on your complexion for a customized, eye-catching color. It’s a low-maintenance hue that will have you visiting the salon every 4-6 months.
#7 Crimson Balayage with Twisted Ends
Rock a crimson balayage hair color with curls to embrace that “fabulous, trendy look”! This hair color is among the simplest ways to flaunt edgy locks. It requires less upkeep compared to a solid red shade. While it may provide a rebellious-looking finish, it remains stylish on long, wavy hair.
#8 Subtle Balayage Effects for Long Tresses
Think about incorporating subtle balayage into your long hair for added dimension with minimal upkeep. Opt for a few tones lighter than your natural shade. This approach helps keep your hair healthier and looking radiant.
#9 Chocolate Brown Curly Balayage
Explore a chocolate brown curly balayage if you’re looking to enhance your style! Vibrant shades blended with your natural curls will surely captivate others. Complete your hairstyle with curl cream and diffuse it to showcase your stunning new do.
#10 Chic Ash Brown Balayage
This chic ash brown balayage on long, wavy hair is perfect for individuals seeking a low-maintenance yet fashionable look. The soft, cascading curls enhance the dimension of the ash brown tones beautifully. Ideal for medium to thick hair density, this balayage suits women with natural brunettes looking to add depth without a significant change. One unique attribute here is the subtle blending of darker roots with the cooler ash tones, providing a seamless grow-out and a modern, sophisticated appearance.
#11 Radiant Brown with Chic Platinum Blonde Highlights
Hair featuring platinum blonde highlights is a stunning way to elevate darker locks. Maintaining a natural base while incorporating face-framing highlights contributes to a low-maintenance style that requires retouching every 10-12 weeks.
#12 Caramel and Brown Balayage Blend
Consider trying a caramel balayage to enhance your brunette look. The shades will assist in softening your facial features. Curling your style will help you showcase the beautiful color combination in this brown-to-blonde balayage hair. Your stylist will determine the ideal placement. So, ensure you inform them about how you typically style your hair.
#13 Effortless Balayage
A balayage is a delightful way for women with dark hair to enhance their color without requiring extensive upkeep. If you need guidance on which shade of brunette would suit you best, your hairstylist will be able to assist.
#14 Elegant Dark Brown Balayage
An excellent color option for any time of year is a dark brown balayage. Often dubbed “luxury hair,” this rich shade looks sophisticated while remaining easy to maintain. Reach out to your stylist and arrange for a toner or gloss as your color begins to diminish. This treatment will refresh your hue and enhance your softness and shine.
#15 Elegant Brown Balayage for Longer Faces
Consider balayage for your lengthy locks if you’re a woman with an elongated face. Balayage can soften your hair color by introducing subtle sun-kissed highlights. Steer clear of excessive highlighting to maintain a low-maintenance style and achieve a more natural equilibrium. Incorporate gentle, flowing layers to enhance your face shape and avoid your hair from feeling heavy.
#16 Innovative Mocha and Light Brown Balayage
A mocha light balayage is an excellent hair trend if you are trying balayage for the first time. Light brown hair with balayage creates movement and dimension. It combines tones that work beautifully with wavy, long hair.
#17 Delicious Honey Balayage
Transform your hair with honey-brown balayage if you’re seeking the least damaging coloring method. It’s low-maintenance and preserves the warm shades in the honey brown hue, too. To enhance dimension, style your hair with waves.
#18 Irresistible Toffee and Espresso Balayage Ombre
A toffee and espresso balayage with a brighter shade on your ends creates a soft, seamless color melt effect. The rich brown roots provide the depth that allows the bronde tones to shine in your hair. Transitioning your hair from dark to light necessitates using purple shampoo to combat brassy tones. A weekly hydrating mask and proper aftercare conditioning treatments are equally important.
#19 Multidimensional Auburn Brown
Consider a multidimensional auburn brown if you’re looking to refresh your hair color. This auburn balayage brings together the ideal color mix for any season. This image illustrates how auburn blends copper, caramel, and gold hues, making it a stunning choice for any skin tone you possess.
#20 Wavy Brown Curls
For effortless waves on brown balayage hair, I recommend using a curling iron with a larger barrel. My favorite one is a 1.25″ barrel curling iron by Bioionic. Curl your hair away from your face (or you can alternate directions if you prefer a more tousled look). But remember to leave the ends out (about the last 3 inches of hair in each section). This gives a beachier, more natural wave than if the ends were curled. I like to use This Is A Dry Texturizer Spray by Davines for a dry workable hold before I brush them out.
#21 Soft Balayage with Demi-Permanent Color
If you want to elevate your hairstyle, consider trying a demi-permanent balayage. This coloring technique involves hand-painted highlights that seamlessly blend with your natural hair tone. This results in a soft and organic appearance. The demi-permanent formula is an excellent choice. It offers enduring color without the commitment associated with permanent dye. It will assist you in achieving a stunning, sun-kissed effect that enhances your complexion. It’s a flexible option that can be tailored to your preferred level of contrast.
#22 Radiant Balayage with Deep Roots
Enhance your look with radiant brown balayage. Stunning flowing strands of shimmering caramel hues give your hair a vibrant and luxurious appearance. Balayage is easy to maintain, but be sure to schedule regular toning and haircuts to keep your hair looking its best.
#23 Lengthy Sandy Brunette Shades
Try long sandy brunette shades if you’re craving a more beige blonde! To prevent your hair from toning too light, your hairstylist should use more of a level eight blue toner. Sandy blondes are breathtaking, especially for those with warmer skin complexions.
#24 Softly Curled Light Brown Balayage
One of the most stunning ways to style a light brown balayage is by incorporating curls. Whether you choose to use a curling iron or flat iron to create your waves, adding curls to your balayage hair will enhance the depth of your hue significantly.
#25 Gorgeous Rose Gold and Chestnut Balayage
A cool tone of rose gold and chestnut balayage looks breathtaking on long hair with loose waves. This is the ideal balayage on light hair. It’s stunning. However, pastel colors always fade quickly. It’s unavoidable. The positive side is that it’s a commitment-free hair color as it fades to a lovely pastel cool blonde.
#26 Radiant Brushed Balayage Sombre
Consider a bronzed-tinted blonde for a radiant highlight effect without the damage. A sun-kissed, sombre hue will enhance the natural undertones in your hair and significantly elevate your hairstyle while preserving its health. Sometimes, less is more with skillfully placed highlights.
#27 Chic Short Curly Hair with Balayage
Showcase your stunning ringlets when you have short hair complemented by a balayage technique. Balayage highlights blend beautifully, giving your strands a radiant glow. This coloring method is perfect for curly hair as any sharp lines are seamlessly concealed within the curly tendrils, resulting in a natural and sun-kissed appearance.
#28 Chill Milk Chocolate Balayage
This chill milk chocolate balayage features long, luxurious waves that add depth and dimension to the hair. Ideal for medium to thick hair, this style beautifully combines rich milk chocolate tones with cooler undertones, creating a subtle yet eye-catching look. The soft curls enhance the balayage effect, making it perfect for women looking for a low-maintenance, natural-looking color. This color is especially flattering for those with cooler skin tones and provides a seamless grow-out.
#29 Radiant Bronde Balayage
Radiant bronde balayage is the ideal color if you seek some dimension. The bronde will provide you with a low-maintenance, stunning color that won’t harm your hair or create a noticeable line as it grows out.
#30 Rich Brown Balayage on a Long Bob
If you have a long bob hairstyle, try a rich brown balayage with a lived-in effect. This is one of the most stunning balayage brown hair ideas, featuring undertones of beige gold to complement pink and warm skin tones. A subtle yet striking color with a contrasting money piece in the same tones as dark brown will make for a low-maintenance grow-out.
#31 Enchanting Brown Balayage
If you wish to elevate your mid-length hair with style and charm, consider an enchanting brown balayage. This hair color technique uses hand-painting to incorporate subtle and soft highlights to your hair for a natural, sun-kissed glow. Choose warm, caramel-toned highlights that harmonize with your base color and enhance depth in your hair. For women looking to enhance their natural beauty with elegance and flair, brown balayage is perfect for mid-length hair. Pair this hair color with soft curls or waves to preserve a romantic appearance and achieve soft, feminine locks.
#32 Effortlessly Beautiful Brown
Showcase your authentic beauty with effortlessly beautiful brown hair. A natural balayage can enhance your typical brown locks. Warm or cool subtle highlights will provide your hair with multi-dimensional color and radiance. Transform your look with stunning new strands.
#33 Beautiful Auburn and Medium Balayage
This gorgeous auburn and medium brown balayage showcases long, flowing waves that bring depth and dimension to your hair. Perfect for those with naturally wavy or curly hair, this balayage fuses rich auburn tones with medium brown highlights, creating a warm, sunlit effect. The gentle waves amplify the color gradient, making it ideal for women seeking to infuse a hint of elegance and natural beauty into their appearance. This style is easy to maintain, with the auburn shades delivering a vibrant yet understated pop of color. Consider avoiding this look if you have fine hair, as it may lack the volume necessary to effectively highlight the waves.
#34 Violet-Infused Brown Balayage
A brown balayage with a violet infusion will exhibit a subtle purple tint. This violet-infused brown shade is ideal for brunettes seeking a distinctive, cool-toned look as we move into autumn.
#35 Effortless Sun-Kissed Balayage
A naturally sun-kissed balayage color is ideal for women who wish to elevate their classic brown or blonde hair. The golden/neutral tones create a soft blonde effect and serve as a lovely complement to a natural color with a seamless lightening effect.
#36 Dark Chocolate to Golden Brown Ombre
Consider doing a dark chocolate to golden brown ombré for your next style. In making dark hair lighter, it lifts through warmer tones first. This means that if you have dark hair and want warmer tones, you won’t be causing as much damage to your hair as if you wanted cooler tones. Remember, healthy hair is happy hair.
#37 Subtle Dusty Balayage
Achieve a natural and effortless look by choosing a subtle dusty balayage. This technique involves painting your hair to create a gradient effect. It produces soft and muted highlights that blend seamlessly with your natural hair color. This hair color is ideal for women with long, wavy hair.
#38 Short Hair with Chocolate Brown and Honey Caramel Balayage
A balayage featuring caramel tones creates a striking contrast and adds depth when enhanced with honey caramel highlights. Short hair with chocolate balayage reflects a healthier appearance, showcasing the warm golden pigments within your color blend.
#39 Stunning Golden Balayage
A golden brown showcases warm, rich hues that complement straight, wavy, and curly styles beautifully. It enhances olive skin tones exceptionally well. If you’re looking for radiant hair color, this is one to explore.
#40 Effortless Sandy Balayage
This effortless sandy brown balayage showcases soft waves that create a natural, sun-kissed effect on medium-length hair. Perfect for women desiring a subtle yet chic look, the sandy tones blend seamlessly with a darker base, offering depth and dimension. The gentle waves enhance the balayage’s multi-dimensional color, making it ideal for those with wavy or straight hair. This style is particularly flattering for warmer skin tones. A notable advantage is its effortless maintenance, though it may not be as striking on very fine hair.
#41 Luxurious Light and Dark Chocolate Balayage
A luxurious light and dark chocolate balayage creates a rich hair color. This technique enhances a typical darker mane beautifully. The result appears soft while effectively adding a few lighter pieces for an elegant dimension.
#42 Rich Dark Brown Base Transitioning to Soft Chocolate Brown
A rich dark brunette base color transitioning into a soft chocolate brown can be stunning if you have longer hair. Staying within shades of browns can be less harsh on your hair than aiming for a very light color from a darker base. This is also ideal if you desire a low-maintenance hue with glossing every 4-6 months for touch-ups.
#43 Elegant Long Reddish-Brown Balayage Hair
A rich reddish-brown color looks stunning with a balayage technique on long hair. My best advice is to ask your stylist to keep the root darker than the rest. This will help avoid a hot root. Warm colors on the root can often appear lighter because the scalp produces more heat. This style will provide you with dark to light dimensions. Try to wave your hair for added texture.
#44 Striking Brown Copper Balayage
Copper is a striking way to achieve a balayage on your brown hair. It takes away the dull, boring element of black hair. It offers a softer blend of tones and gives you a youthful finish. The best thing about this copper balayage trend is it demands minimal upkeep. Thanks to the balayage, it enables a more natural grow out.
#45 Subtle Balayage for Shoulder-Length Hair
A subtle balayage on shoulder-length hair looks exquisite on olive complexions with brown or hazel eyes. Bronze sun-kissed balayage merges beautifully with natural hazelnut and chocolate brunette shades.
#46 Stylish Honey Blonde Balayage
A honey blonde balayage lets you embrace fashionable, radiant tones. This hair color can be achieved with babylights, traditional highlights, and open-air balayage. Finish it with a glaze and a root tap for a smoother transition. To prolong your color, use salon-grade products. A good home care routine is also encouraged.
#47 Sun-Kissed Blonde and Rich Dark Brown Balayage on Natural Hair
This sun-kissed blonde and rich dark brown balayage is a true treasure! Pair it with soft waves to elevate your look with a lovely upgrade. It’s perfect for hair with a fine density that craves more texture and depth. The richness of the natural hair is sure to amplify the brilliance of the added blonde shades. The face shape can be refined with the strategically painted sections.
#48 Balayage Featuring Face-Enhancing Layers
A balayage featuring face-enhancing layers offers easy maintenance while drawing focus and light to the face. Layers can be tailored to complement any face shape, and balayage is highly adaptable for all lengths and face structures, allowing for customization that suits nearly every client.
#49 Ash Brown with Ashy Silver Highlights
Ash brown combined with ashy silver highlights offers a distinctive look for those seeking a mix of dark and light tones in their hair. Ideal for neutral skin tones, ashy shades can be achieved through hair highlighting and balayage coloring techniques.
#50 Radiant Bronzed Balayage
Radiant bronzed balayage offers a natural and understated appearance while delivering breathtaking results. If your hair seems lackluster and craves a touch of flair, consult your hairstylist for a bronze-toned glaze over your balayage during your next visit. Bronze tones encompass a spectrum from golden shades to caramel swirls, brimming with warmth that imparts an abundance of richness and shine to your hair color.
#51 Chic Short Bob with Blonde Balayage
Enhance your brown hair with a chic short bob and a stunning blonde balayage. Brown highlights are easy to maintain and will infuse your strands with a touch of vibrant color. Balayage beautifully merges with your natural hair shade to elevate your lackluster locks.
#52 Subtle Hazelnut Balayage
Brown hair beautifully complements a subtle hazelnut balayage. If you’re seeking a transformation while maintaining a low-maintenance appearance, a creamy blonde mix is ideal for your brunette locks. Hazelnut shades introduce a delicate warmth while retaining a cool violet undertone, making it an excellent option for diverse skin tones.
#53 Delicious Chocolate Balayage
This delicious chocolate balayage showcases rich, chocolate brown tones seamlessly blended with soft waves for added dimension and texture. Ideal for medium to thick hair types, the waves enhance the balayage effect, making the hair look fuller and more voluminous. The warm chocolate hues complement a variety of skin tones, providing a natural yet striking look. This style is relatively low-maintenance, but the curls help highlight the different shades, giving a luxurious and polished finish. Perfect for those looking to add depth and warmth to their brunette locks.
#54 Subtle Black and Brown Balayage
Opt for a stunning combination by pairing your soft black hair with a brown balayage. Brown Balayage is an excellent option for black hair since it’s milder to achieve, causing less damage than blonde while still providing beautiful dimension. Retaining your black roots will make this look exceptionally low-maintenance for a flawless lived-in style. I recommend booking a toner every 6-8 weeks to maintain your color balance.
#55 Mushroom Brown AirTouch Balayage Technique
Step into the chic side with mushroom brown Airtouch balayage. It’s a highlighting approach that maintains a natural and seamless look for your hair. The essence of mushroom brown lies in incorporating plenty of cool tones. Always remember to blend in a few warm hues to preserve its luster, ensuring the tone remains smooth and harmonious.
#56 Stunning Mahogany and Caramel Balayage
A mahogany and caramel brown balayage is an easy-care color for natural brunettes. The subtle reddish and brassy tones result in a lively finish. To protect the tones, wash your hair with a shampoo that has turmeric and saffron. That’s how you make its shinier finish stay for a while.
#57 Refined Brown Balayage Technique
A refined brown balayage is a hair coloring technique. It corrects and lightens dark hair using a teasey highlight technique with a full head of lightening. This placed highlight can give you an overall lighter effect while creating balance. My best advice is to add bond-building treatments to any corrective lightening work. My favorite is the K18 treatment line for best results.
#58 Harmonious Balayage Featuring Brown and Blonde Shades
A harmonious balayage with brown and blonde shades is breathtaking and adaptable and can be tailored to suit your complexion. A shadow root enables more manageable growth upkeep, while the highlights and lowlights foster depth.
#59 Chocolate Rose Brunette Blend
The chocolate rose brunette features a deep, inviting color. If you have warm brown, hazel, or green eyes, this hair shade will enhance your gaze. This is an excellent selection if you are prepared for the upkeep of the red rose hue. Remember to consult your colorist about the maintenance required for your particular hair type and lifestyle.
#60 Long Pixie with Brown Balayage
Consider exploring a brown balayage if you want to enhance dimension in your long pixie. Steer clear of excess highlights to maintain depth and texture. Elevate your pixie’s volume with Kevin Murphy’s Doo Over Powder Hairspray. It offers excellent bouncy hold that can be brushed out the following day.
#61 Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Balayage
This gorgeous cinnamon swirl coffee brown balayage features long, wavy locks that cascade beautifully. Ideal for women with thick hair and medium to dark skin tones, the warm cinnamon highlights add dimension and depth to the rich coffee base. This style offers a low-maintenance option with stunning visual appeal, perfect for those seeking a natural, sun-kissed look. However, the warmth in the tones may require periodic toning to maintain the desired vibrancy.
#62 Multi-Tonal Light and Dark Brown Bob
Transform your hair into something soft and seductive with a multi-tonal light and dark brown bob. Balayage offers an ideal way to enhance your hair with a soft, natural appearance. A low-maintenance hand-painted balayage will illuminate your strands beautifully when the sunlight shines.
#63 Caramel Balayage on V-Cut Brown Hair
Revitalize your dull strands with a stylish V-cut, particularly when combined with a caramel balayage. Brown hair adorned with highlights will appear more dynamic and illuminate your locks.
#64 Champagne Beige Brown Blend
A balayage technique offers a gorgeous and easy-to-maintain hair color option. The base color beautifully complements the champagne beige brown tones. Everyone will appreciate the stunning gradient and flawless appearance!
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