60 Looks with Caramel Highlights on Brown and Dark Brown Hair

Delicious hues, such as caramel, are incredibly enticing, which makes them an excellent choice for highlights, downlights and dip dyes. Luckily, this sweet palette embraces a wide array of hues from neutral/cool beiges and soft creamy tones to rich tangerine and dark brown sugars. Literally any basic hair color may adopt a pop of caramel. Besides, you can vary the saturation of your highlights, going very tender and subtle or, vice versa, vivid and distinct. Even if for now it’s hard to imagine what kind of gourmet treatment you’d like for your locks, you are going to have a better idea about caramel hair inspiration after you look through the following engaging examples. Here is a gallery of 60 photos with best “caramelized” looks: welcome!

Caramel highlights on the medium brown or blonde base offer soft flows of a few congenial tones which provide, as a result, a sophisticated and exclusive hair color. The high demand of this technique among celebrities heads all the records, and this is absolutely logical. First of all, caramel highlights are universally flattering: they suit any hair type, length and can be used both in blondes and brunettes. Secondly, highlights are a less aggressive type of dyeing that won’t affect the health of your locks. And, last but not the least, caramel highlights are just so beautiful!

Caramel Highlights Inspiration

Our review with Instagram and celebrity images will help you to get your bearings in the unbelievable variety of color nuances, offered by caramel highlights. You are, certainly, going to find a bunch of fresh ideas here, so let’s get straight to the point.

#1: Well-Blended Caramel Highlights for Brown Hair

Instagram / @hairbyangelaalberici

Add intrigue to your brown tresses by replicating the well-blended, natural-looking caramel highlights in the images. The most appealing thing about this style is the vast variation in tones and hues. To see the remarkable coloring in all its glory, straighten your mane and promote a laid-back, underemphasized flick on the ends.

#2: Light Chocolate Hair with Strawberry Blonde Highlights

Looking for a stunning new color? Strawberry blonde highlights on chocolate hair are your best bet for head-turning looks every day. Be prepared to fall in love with your new hairstyle!

Instagram / @luanaleopoldo_

#3: Soft Caramel Balayage with Blonde Face Framing

A soft caramel balayage beautifully frames the face when light blonde highlights are woven throughout the front sections of hair. To style, create loose waves using a curling iron and then run your fingers through the curls for a carefree, effortless look.

Instagram / @colorbyjessicanicole

#4: Shiny Walnut Brown Balayage Hair

Wavy walnut brown hair with caramel highlights is the relaxed look we see in fall fashion magazines everywhere. With the right hair products, your locks will be shiny and eye-catching.

Instagram / @harttofcolor

#5: Bright Tangerine Highlights for Brunettes

Something you don’t see every day? Tangerine highlights on dark hair. A classic middle part and a long length with subtle waves ensure a traditional hairstyle but with a twist of color.

Instagram / @texasbalayage

#6: Messy Tawny Waves for Brunettes

Caramel highlights tend to vary substantially in tone and hue. If you’re searching for a contemporary take on the conventional golden-brown color, why not try tawny waves. Tawny is a light brown to brownish-orange color that produces a unique and stylish hair aesthetic.

Instagram / @annabiancahair

#7: Soft Caramel Balayage for Dark Hair

Wavy brown hair with caramel highlights is one of the top looks for the fall season. Clip in a few rhinestone barrettes for a date night and wear it down and straight for an office look.

Instagram / @gretawagner_

#8: Caramel Highlights with Blonde Touches

A light caramel hue provides a spectacular contrast to dark brown locks for an undeniably breathtaking appearance. If you want your hair to seem like it has naturally been kissed by the sun, implement some blonde touches sporadically throughout the bottom section.

Instagram / @kellyglassbeauty

#9: Rose Gold and Caramel Balayage

Fancy something more individualistic? Opt for rose gold and caramel highlights on dark hair. The rose gold hue looks particularly stunning and distinctive when it catches the light. When it comes to styling, merely spray on some sea salt spray for texture and scrunch into beachy waves to achieve a mermaid-worthy mane. Or style some loose curls with a straightener for a smoother look.

Instagram / @catherinelovescolor

#10: Chop it Up With Highlights

Highlights for dark hair don’t need to cost a fortune – keep hair shorter and less color will be needed. Bored by short hair? Go for a choppy cut that’s more fun than a traditional one.

#11: Caramel Highlights and Tousled Waves

Golden highlights and undone waves are an unbeatable combination. To add a bit more dimension to your locks, contrast the honey streaks with dark brown pieces. The lighter and darker shades will play up each other beautifully.

Instagram / @cynlovesbalayage

#12: Long Bob with Golden Curls

Brown hair with highlights is something you cannot go wrong with. There is a multitude of different options to play around with, like caramel hair in the balayage technique, sun-kissed pieces for brown hair, subtle honey brown highlights that give special natural-looking glow to your locks, and many others. Well, you can also start off with your natural base then add some golden brunette highlights like in the photo.

Instagram / @jacksonnunesoficial

#13: Gorgeous Golden Caramel Balayage

To develop a glossy and polished aesthetic that is unbelievably striking on long hair, ask your colorist for golden highlights with a caramel undertone. Afterwards, add body to your lengthy locks by applying heated rollers and leaving them in for approximately 10-15 minutes before they’re released. Say hello to your temptress tresses!

Instagram / @stylocolorpeluqueria

#14: Medium Chocolate Hair with Caramel Highlights

Another luscious long hairstyle with a dark caramel hair color in balayage highlights – you can’t go wrong with this. Again, use a curling iron to work in big waves or braid your locks overnight for a beach wave style in the morning.

Instagram / @texasbalayage

#15: Messy Lob with Subtle Partial Highlights

Searching for an understated ensemble? Look no further. Caramel blonde is great in partial highlights as opposed to the more traditional coloring techniques. They’re usually placed around the face for a brightening effect and to prevent dark locks from appearing too dull or lackluster.

Instagram / @hairbydelmy

#16: Bronzed Brown Balayage Hair

This elongated bob uses a bronze brown balayage over a dark base to take an ordinary hairstyle from blah to bomb. Ringlets at the ends are no longer a little girl look – for this cut, they bring a sophisticated and sexy touch.

Instagram / @maneinterest

#17: Black Lob with Caramel Bronde Balayage

Take a look at this super cute choppy cut with a caramel blonde balayage. With waves in the middle of the hair shaft and straight ends, you get the best of both worlds, while the length is manageable and beautiful.

Instagram / @frances_hairartist

#18: Light Metallic Brown Balayage

Caramel brown hair is not a standard look. Pick up the nuances of the color to flatter your complexion and eyes. The light metallic brown balayage is something you won’t see every day. Instead of a traditional middle part, go for a heavy ¾ part to amp up the volume. Your hair will be commercial-worthy.

Instagram / @wanderleynunes

#19: Reddish Brown Hair with Strawberry Highlights

Getting tired of having brown hair? Put a little red in with strawberry highlights! The large waves on this stunning cut are perfect for a night out with your girlfriends or during the week at work.

Instagram / @butterflyloftsalon

#20: Brown Bob with Strawberry Blonde Highlights

Dark brown hair with caramel highlights and tousled waves is just the relaxed look you need to loosen up. If you’ve been sporting a straight hairstyle lately, waves will soften your look and maybe even your personality if you tend to be tense.

Instagram / @crisferreira23

#21: Light Chocolate Balayage with Caramel Babylights

Talk about curly caramel hair for days. This lengthy chocolate balayage hairstyle will be too tempting for you to resist running your fingers through it every now and then. Wear it down to show off your curls and color, or up in a pony. Either way, you’ll look flawless!

Instagram / @jessicascotthair

#22: Brown Balayage with Blonde Babylights

Another long haircut with blonde babylights everyone is sure to covet. Face-framing curls draw attention to the eyes while the dimensional waves of color also compete as eye candy.

Instagram / @simplicitysalon

#23: Glossy Brown and Caramel Hair

Rejuvenate medium brown hair with highlights of a glossy nature. Whether you wear your locks smooth and sleek or curly and volumized, spritz on some shine spray for enhanced glow and elegance.

Instagram / @coloredbycaitlin

#24: Medium-Length Dark Hair with Highlights

Highlights for dark brown hair add vibrancy and dimension. Plus, they aren’t as high maintenance as dyeing your entire head. Golden streaks on dark brown hair don’t just brighten up your locks. They also warm up your complexion. No makeup required.

Instagram / @morasalon

#25: Short and Sweet Blonde Accents

When it comes to caramel highlights, the cut also makes a huge difference. Even with the perfect color, you won’t be able to get the most flattering look for you without the right cut. Go for a shorter length if your hair’s always been long, or try an A-line cut if you want to look more modern and stylish.

Instagram / @constancerobbins

#26: Long Graduated Bob with Tawny Pieces

Tawny is a beautiful shade to complement dark brown hair. The highlighted pieces in the graduated bob draw attention to her soft curls and the angled shape of her cut.

Instagram / @mallonyfarias

#27: Mid-Brown Hair with Dark Caramel Highlights

Black hair can be tricky to add streaks to. The finished product can sometimes be too harsh or unnatural. Her dark brown hair with caramel highlights is an example of how to do it the right way. The thin caramel brown pieces have been mixed in with a chocolate shade for a flattering blended effect.

Instagram / @zilleoj

#28: Caramel with Blonde

Caramel highlights are so much fun to wear, and they can really bring the best out of hairstyles, too. This braided long style is made even more vibrant with hair highlights designed to add dimension and accentuate layers.

Instagram / @sadiejcre8s

#29: Black Brown Balayage with Blonde Babylights

If you’re enjoying your rich brunette hair color but feel like revamping and revitalizing your mane, consider blonde babylights. Ask for the balayage technique to achieve a more authentic, downplayed appearance.

Instagram / @colorbymichael

#30: Reviving Sun-Kissed Highlights

To warm up and draw attention to your dark mane, why not explore the “sun-kissed” highlighted options. Sophisticated and exclusive, these work with any skin tone and hair length with dazzling results.

Instagram / @kristen.lumiere

#31: Black, Chocolate and Caramel Balayage

Caramel brown hair doesn’t always have to consist of one or two hues. Sometimes, it’s even more alluring as a black, chocolate and caramel combination. And if it’s all tied together using the balayage technique? Even better! The natural transition between the colors keeps your locks looking fluent and flawless.

Instagram / @makeupbyfrances

#32: Muted Caramel Highlights for Brown Hair

Muted caramel highlights are exquisite when they’re applied to light brown or almost black hair. The trick is to blend them for an artless look that isn’t too obvious or disjointed. Whether you have short or lengthy locks, showcase those caramel vibes by wearing your hair organically tousled.

Instagram / @stephanie_stylist

#33: Brushed Walnut Brown Highlights

Brushed highlights are a relatively new way of creating charming flashes of color to add intensity to your color. Using a brush during application eliminates the possibility of your hand pressing down too hard on the strands of hair. Instead of looking harsh and heavily saturated, you’re left with a more natural feel.

Instagram / @cieraadawn

#34: Light and Dark Strawberry Balayage

If you’re desperate for a truly sweet change in your hair color, team your caramel highlights with a strawberry ombre. Like with the rose gold combination, it creates a quirky and vivid aesthetic. To amp up the cool factor, wear your locks mussed up and untouched.

Instagram / @petermenezes

#35: Dark Brown Hair with Caramel Babylights

To avoid overpowering caramel tones on your long brown locks, choose babylights. These delicate highlights are constructed using a very fine coloring technique and provide subtle depth to otherwise dimensionless hair.

Instagram / @coloredbycaitlin

#36: Spicy Cinnamon Highlights

Want a fashion-forward, extraordinary take on the usual caramel highlights? Try experimenting with spicy cinnamon hues. Pictures show that the color is more orangey-brown than golden-brown and produces a stunning, standout look when combined with dark locks.

Instagram / @hairbyowlz

#37: Caramel Color for Thin Hair

Color and highlights can make a big impact on thinner hair. Work some highlights into the face-framing strands as well as throughout the body of your style. Long, v-shaped layers bring the lovely bounce to the final look.

#38: Long Dark Beach Waves

Highlights for brown hair don’t need to be very bright or drastic. Caramel hues can add a subtle sheen to dark brown hair. Get a cut with some long layers for the mane that’s easy to style and be open to a wide variety of looks.

#39: Caramel Blonde Highlights for Dark Hair

If you’re feeling brave and searching for a little more drama, this bold choice features loud and proud caramel blonde highlights. For a more fun and casual aesthetic, wear your hair curly or wavy and then simply be ready to catch those admiring glances!

Instagram / @hairbyowlz

#40: Delicate Ash and Golden Blonde Balayage

Put a modern spin on the classic take of brown hair with caramel highlights by incorporating a delicate ash blonde balayage with subtle golden touches near the roots. Highly differentiated and rich in tone, this special dye job makes a serious style statement.

Instagram / @its_anjelaa

#41: Peek-a-Boo Highlights

Dark brown hair can be made even more beautiful with small pops of caramel or golden blonde highlights throughout. From the bottom layer up to the top, you can add as much or as little blonde as you like – but do try to keep it minimal. It will be more stunning in the long run.

Instagram/ @thehairstandard

#42: Long Caramel Waves

Ombre waves infused with caramel color can make any hair texture look beautiful. Especially for long hair, caramel highlights serve as a body booster without weighing down the face.

#43: Subtle Fade for Brown Hair

Brown hair can be enhanced with touches of gold, here’s a nice example of a color scheme. Using just the most subtle of color fade, hair starts out darker on top and tumbles down into golden tresses.

#44: Below the Shoulders Caramel Beauty

Honey brown hair woven into a darker base shade really brings out dimension and shine. If you like to wear your hair down without a lot of fuss, this style is easily managed with the quick twist of a large barreled curling iron in just a few strategic places. Take some time to try different angles until you find what makes your highlights shine best.

#45: From Dark to Light Brown Hair

Dark brown hair can be lightened up to brighten the face with some blonde face framing streaks. If you aren’t sure where to start, go to a salon instead of attempting it on your own – stylists are pros at knowing where to place lightener on each and every strand.

#46: Long and Lovely Brown Hair

Brown hair is so well-liked because it comes in a wide variety of hues. This two-toned coloring job is shown off beautifully on mega long locks. A good dimensional color will add a sheen to make hair look healthier and fuller.

#47: Glowing Brown Hair

Brown hair with blonde highlights causes strands to practically illuminate. This is further shown off with any style from loose curls to a quick ponytail.

#48: Dark Brown and Amber Retro Waves

Just take a moment to admire the shine on this lovely ‘do. You can attribute it to good genes, the styling, and a brilliant hair product, but the dye job also matters. The harmonious blend of the espresso brown and lighter shades creates a prismatic effect.

Instagram / @constancerobbins

#49: Play of Colors in Caramel Highlights

The awesome honey bronde of Ashley Greene looks gorgeous on her ideally straight medium length tresses. Thanks to the introduced highlights, Ashley’s rich hair color is getting even more sophisticated. The smooth transition of tones is a sign of a high quality dyeing job.

HelgaEsteb / Shutterstock.com

#50: Caramel Highlights in Heavenly Waves

Caramel highlights look divine not only in hairstyles for straight hair where you flat iron your locks, but also in somewhat romantic wavy and curly ‘dos. The light glints will make your waves more prominent. Check this beautiful look from Jessica Biel for inspiration.

_bukley / Shutterstock.com

#51: Perfect Caramel Highlights for Brown Hair

This charming hairstyle from Keri Russell was actively recited by numerous fashion blogs. So, what’s special about it? A chin-length haircut, a light lift at the roots, soft curls, enlivened by highlights… I believe the secret of its success is in the smooth transitions from one hue to another.

s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

#52: Caramel Feathers

Today a monochromatic hair color is often considered to be too flat, lacking depth and volume. Light highlights solve this problem. Lisa Rinna’s style is a good example. Any brunette with caramel highlights and deep chestnut tones can refresh her look with copper and amber notes.

HelgaEsteb / Shutterstock.com

#53: Sunny Glints

One of Victoria’s Secret Angels Alessandra Ambrosio looks gorgeous with her long layered locks teased by caramel highlights. Could it be that they naturally faded under the brightest Brazilian sun, when Alessandra was basking on the Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro?:)

Featureflash / Shutterstock.com

#54: Highlights with Admixture of Rosewood Tones

Monochromatic brown hair color may sometimes look monotonic and a bit boring. Diversify it with caramel and rosewood highlights which include rosy brown, light cognac and chocolate notes. The caramel highlights with rosewood tones work awesome for Angelina Jolie’s medium brown locks.

Featureflash / Shutterstock.com

#55: Caramel Highlights for Blonde Hair

Caramel highlights on the blonde base let us achieve the irresistible bronde hair color which has become a passion of so many Hollywood divas. If you want to warm up your blonde with some light brownish tones, Nancy O’Dell’s locks are a worthy example to follow.

HelgaEsteb / Shutterstock.com

#56: Dark Cinnamon Streaks for Brunettes

Nina Dobrev could easily win “The Best Hollywood’s Locks” award. Her hair looks groomed and healthy under any circumstances. However, even if your locks are naturally beautiful, they also can benefit from added color accents. The cinnamon streaks a few tones lighter than Nina’s dark brown base enliven her hair color fabulously.

Featureflash / Shutterstock.com

#57: Caramel Highlights with a Radiance Effect

Sienna Miller’s locks do not just shine, they overflow with breathtaking radiance. This effect can be achieved with a mix of cream, honey and ginger hues which accentuates Sienna’s golden tan. The roots should be darkened to match the tone of your eye-brows.

EverettCollection / Shutterstock.com

#58: Rattling Mix

Black and dark caramel appear to be highly contrasting, and that’s the pepper of this expressive braided hairstyle. The hues do not melt in each other, but intertwine quite agreeably.

#59: Vague Strawberry Allusions

Adding some icy notes to your caramel strands ends up with this fantastic light clean shade, slightly reminiscent of strawberry blonde that blends marvelously with the light brown base.

#60: Caramel Ricochet

Having hit her in the bangs, the dye bullet ricocheted all the way through the gorgeous layers, framing her face. These blurred highlights are exceptionally charming!

Warmth, brilliance, nice dimension, sensuality and spice for your base hair color are those promising benefits you may count on with delicious caramel shades. Hurry up to breathe in some passion into your lovely locks!