Summer is, without a doubt, a great reason to experiment with our hair color. Brunettes are now choosing hair that is multi-toned and glows when it catches the sunlight. Whether you’re going for subtle warmth or bold contrast, this season’s sun-kissed highlight ideas for brunettes – Summer 2025! are about one thing: radiance. Let’s talk about the colors that will have people asking, “Who’s your colorist?” (even if your secret weapon is a good gloss and sunshine).
Soft Cinnamon Waves
It’s hard not to feel dreamy about this mix of chocolates, caramel and beige—it’s like having your favorite oat milk latte as hair. The main color is a classic brunette, but highlights that turn lighter toward the ends are added, so the hair naturally moves from brunette to blonde in a way that gives off an expensive yet easy effect.
The Pureology Hydrate Shampoo is a good option for keeping your hair’s soft tones moisturized. If you want your hair to sparkle and be protected from the sun, reach for Oribe’s Invisible Defense Universal Protection Spray.
This is a great way to shine without going all the way to blonde. It gives your long hair color that just-back-from-somewhere-lovely energy. Honestly? A tan and a linen dress make this shade look even more beautiful.
Golden Pop Money Piece
The style combines highlighted ideas for light brunettes by adding a money piece in front for brightness and a medium hair color base to keep the look stable. It’s very “weekend in Malibu” meets “I’m still in my boss era.” The honey tones and soft dimension say you’re sunkissed, but on purpose.
I keep this contrast by using Amika’s Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Shampoo a few times every few washes. Don’t be concerned, as it won’t affect your brunette, but will keep the blonde pieces around your face looking bright and cool.
It reminds me of the time I first used a bold highlight and I couldn’t stop snapping pictures in the car mirror. It’s updated, easy to wear and will always look great in summer light, especially during golden hour.
Glossy Espresso Melt
If you prefer a mysterious and elegant look, this deep dark brown with just a few highlights is your choice. It’s the light ribbons woven in that give the hair movement and shine, but still keep the dark brunette look. A beautiful and subtle way to switch up your look for fall if you’re a brunette.
There’s one rule here: hydration. I always use the K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Mask after any color treatment. Soft lowlights can still cause your hair to become dry if you don’t give it the right care.
It’s a color that looks very polished, much like glassy coffee beans on silk. It’s a good choice if you want to hide gray, but don’t want to dye your whole head one color. Effortless and low-key luxe.
Face-Framing Vanilla Slices
This movie relies on strong differences between its characters—and I think that’s awesome. First, the base is a soft brown and then vanilla highlights are applied around the face to instantly brighten your face. If you’re a brunette and want to try something light without giving up the depth, this is a great highlight idea for you.
I always suggest using Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother since these light streaks can get dry fast, especially during the summer. Always use a heat protectant when you style your hair every day.
The style gives your face a natural, instant contour thanks to your hair. If you like beachy hair and summer photos, this will make your whole face shine.
Cashmere Brunette Glow
This medium hair color which is both subtle, radiant and chic, is perfect. It’s soft and rich like mocha topped with subtle hints of winter caramel caramel, adding a type of warmth that feels luxurious, not shouting it. It works well for anyone who wants to add sun-kissed highlights to their brunette hair, but wants them to look natural.
This color is a good way to move from darker winter colors to lighter summer colors without upsetting your hair. I apply Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Primer to keep the hair ends soft and the fade reduced.
You’ve probably heard someone say “your hair just seems healthier”? That’s this shade. It doesn’t try too hard—and that’s why it works. Understated richness is its superpower.
Toasted Almond Dimension
If you’re looking for soft, approachable highlight ideas for brunettes, this toasted almond color is the definition of effortless elegance. It adds warm beige highlights to a neutral brunette background, making your hair seem like it’s been touched by the sun every day this summer. It’s rich, feminine, and looks insanely flattering with a bold red lip or no makeup at all.
Because this one loves smoothness, don’t forget to use a silk-boosting oil. I love L’Oréal Elvive Extraordinary Oil on damp ends—just one pump adds gloss without weighing it down.
I find this kind of color super wearable. It’s not too hot or too cold and it’s both modern and classic. Definitely a go-to if you’re easing into sun-kissed highlight ideas for brunettes – Summer 2025! without going full transformation mode.
Cool-Toned Sand Melt
I’d describe this color as the one a cool girl would drive in a convertible. The roots are muted taupe-brown and the hair gradually gets smoky blonde, making the ombre natural brown look both cool and expensive. It is a wonderful idea for dark brunettes who want to achieve contrast without the brassy effect.
The way you treat your hair matters—for no yellowing, try Redken Color Extend Blondage Conditioner. It removes brass and keeps your hair looking freshly colored, even if you haven’t washed it yet.
I’m a fan of the song because it gives me a Malibu feeling while staying far from platinum. If you have a long summer weekend, this look is ideal when worn with soft curls and a casual tank.
Berry-Infused Brunette
Now this is where things get playful. This medium hair color brunette includes juicy red-violet tones in the ends, making it appear between dark red hair and red highlight ideas for brunettes. It tastes good, has a strong effect and leaves your hair feeling fresh—like a berry sorbet.
If you follow this, use Joico Color Infuse Red Shampoo twice a week to maintain the vibrant red color. Stay away from sulfates or your hair will lose its color as quickly as a summer romance.
Using a similar tone a few years ago made me feel much more confident. It’s a bolder choice than a traditional brunette, but it won’t make you feel like you have to explain yourself at work. Perfect for summer rebels.
Butter Beige Money Piece
The style combines a bright beachy look with natural brown roots. The standout feature? A rich and creamy money piece that stands out against a soft brunette background. It’s a good option for people who want blonde highlights as a brunette but aren’t quite ready for a full California blonde look.
After you’ve been in the sun or used heat styling, apply Fanola No Yellow Mask to avoid getting brass. If you like, you can just use it on the front pieces.
There’s something very 2025 about this vibe. It’s not trying too hard. It just is. I noticed that it worked well with everything from sundresses to leather jackets—it’s so versatile.
Cocoa-Cool Balayage
Soft mocha meets cool-ash swirls in this glossy look. It’s simple, easy to take care of and an excellent choice for highlighting short or mid-length hair on brunettes. It is a shade between winter caramel carmel and medium hair color, with a shiny icy look that lights up but still holds its richness.
I usually recommend that friends get a cool gloss applied every few weeks by a professional or they can try dpHUE Cool Brunette Gloss+ at home.
It’s a style that gives your hair an immediate healthier look. It’s subtle, soft, and always salon-level polished. If you want something that looks great in fall, too, this is a great choice.
Beach Blonde Ribbons
This is the definition of summer shimmer. A rich natural brown base is decorated with blonde streaks from the middle to the ends, giving the style a striking look and lots of shine. There’s a lot of drama in the blonde hair, but it’s softened by blending different colors, so it comes out looking luxurious but not too much. If you’re looking for fun, flirty and wearable highlights for brunettes this summer, this idea has it all.
This shade definitely benefits from UV protection. I’m really into Moroccanoil Protect & Prevent Spray right now, as it smells great and protects my color from the sun.
It’s a beachy style, it’s bold and it makes your hair move in a way that looks best when left loose.
Hazelnut Ribbon Lights
This one’s a slow burn in the best way. A base of deep brunette is highlighted with warm honey beige tones placed through the mids and face frame. The effect? A gentle shine that makes your features stand out, but doesn’t alter your hair color too much. It’s one of the most wearable sun-kissed highlight ideas for brunettes – Summer 2025!.
If you style your hair with heat often, make sure to use Gisou Heat Protecting Spray—it’s light and adds a lovely honeyed glow that matches this coloring.
It’s soft, sultry, and works for every age. If you want a look that’s easy to care for but still on-trend, this style fits the bill.
Summer Sand Bob
It’s clear that highlighting can add plenty of spark to short brunette hair. This bob has a graduated length and soft colors which give it life without looking too bold. Anyone looking for a clean, chic and radiant look will love it.
Amika’s Flash Instant Shine Mask helps me keep this look shiny and well-defined even when the summer air is dry.
I think this cut and color style is like having iced coffee on a patio—it’s clean, straightforward and looks great from every view.
Honey Smoke Summer Lights
Here you can see that dark brown base with face-framing honey highlights that have a slight ash tint. It’s a beautiful way to highlight blonde in brown hair, with the right amount of lightness to make your features stand out.
You don’t have to do much, but using Kristin Ess The One Purple Conditioner once a week will keep your hair looking great for summer.
It’s a little flirty, makes you feel great and suits every outfit idea, from a day in the countryside to a night on the town.
Sunlit Hazelnut Layers
The base is rich brunette, while the panels show a toasted golden color throughout the hair. Go for a sun-kissed highlight that’s a little fuller and more dramatic for brunettes. If your locks are thick and long, this is the way to make them feel lighter—without cutting them at all.
I always suggest using IGK Big Time Volume + Heat Protectant Spray before you start styling your hair for big summer bounce. It gives that blowout feel without the weight.
It’s bold, ready for the camera and flashy enough to show off your summer style.
Golden Soft Light Layers
This look is like golden hour bottled into hair. The base is a natural brown and the ends are golden, creating a breezy, beach-like look that makes you feel like you’ve been at the beach—even if you’re not. One of the easiest and brightest highlight ideas for brunettes this season.
If you want to avoid frizz and keep your hair soft and wavy, use Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray—a few sprays are enough to give you that look.
If you’re the type who laughs with your whole face and doesn’t mind the breeze, this one is for you. It’s light, sunny, and carefree in the best way.
Subtle Glow Contour
Take a look at this gorgeous version of highlights for brunettes—a dark, velvety brunette with just a touch of golden beige around the face. It’s the hair equivalent of great lighting. The glow is real, the actions are subtle and the feeling is perfectly clean-girl chic.
Since ColorWow’s Dream Coat for Curly Hair also protects from humidity, I suggest it for shine and smoothness, even if your hair isn’t curly.
It can be worn to the office, on a date and it’s just understated enough that people might wonder if it’s your real color.
Sun-Bright Chunky Highlights
If you’re a Y2K fan, this is a great way to bring back the highlights for brunettes in a fresh, trendy style. The wide stripes of platinum and honey on an espresso background make the curls and texture very noticeable. It’s bold, playful, and unapologetically fun.
You may need to cool down this shade—try Matrix Brass Off Blue Shampoo to help keep your blonde looking fresh and clean.
It’s a key moment for the main character and provides “hot summer energy” in every scene. If you’re ready to turn heads, this is it.
Copper Gold Bronze Blend
There’s a soft luxury in the way warm chocolates, caramel and bronze tones are arranged in this mix. It doesn’t scream for attention—it glows. It’s ideal for long, layered styles where movement is important, since the color is what stands out most.
This is a look that thrives on moisture. I use Davines OI All-in-One Milk because it’s light, keeps my hair hydrated and smells amazing.
It’s sophisticated, well-made and can be dressed up or down. You can pull off this color with both denim and leather and it looks just as good.
Peachy Balayage Fade
You won’t find a softer hint of summer color than this. The root area is a deep chocolate and it gradually turns into warm red copper caramel, creating a gentle summer balayage with a lot of shine. It’s warm, flirty, and quietly addictive.
When I want my hair color to last, I often suggest using Wella Color Fresh Mask in Copper Glow.
It gives your hair the glow of summer skin, so it looks warm, bright and perfect in the sun.
