Blonde highlights on dark and light brown hair + new trendy color combinations for 2025

Blonde highlights on short and long brown hair

If you’re looking for a noticeable style change without fully coloring your hair, blonde highlights on a brown base are one of the best options. This combination creates a beautiful balance between simplicity and color, making your style look both natural and modern. Depending on the shade you choose—such as caramel, honey, or ash—the effect on your hair will vary and stay in line with this year’s trends. In this article, we review the latest blonde highlight styles on brown hair.BrownWe will review these styles.

Golden blonde highlights on brown hair

This combination is one of the most popular because it makes hair shinier and gives a warmer look to the face without creating harsh contrasts. Golden blonde is especially suitable for people with wheat or light skin, providing a natural, elegant, and full appearance to the hair.

Formulas to achieve golden blonde highlights on brown hair

• Base bleaching to level 7-8 using blue bleach powder + 9% developer (ratio 1:2) until achieving a light yellow base.
• Medium golden blonde: two-thirds of the tube
• Caramel blonde: one-third of the tube
• Golden violet toning ۰.۳: 2 centimeters (about 2% of a tube)
• 6% developer: approximately a full bottle

Honey blonde highlights on brown hair

This highlight color is more prominent on short brown hair and makes the face look more delicate and brighter. It’s suitable for light to wheat skin tones and creates a subtle contrast with a chic and classic appearance.

Formulas to achieve honey blonde highlights on brown hair

• Number 8.3 honey blonde: two-thirds of the tube
• Number 7 natural blonde: one-third of the tube
• Golden toner ۰.۳: about 2 centimeters
• 6% developer: enough for the whole color mixture

Ash blonde highlights on brown hair

This highlight gives a modern and cool look to the hair, making the face appear naturally and softly brighter. The subtle contrast between the brown base and ash tone creates an elegant, low-risk appearance, suitable for light to medium skin tones and those who prefer a modern, professional style. It’s especially ideal for those seeking ash-brown highlights.

Formulas to achieve ash highlights on brown hair

• Base bleaching to level 7-8 using bleach powder + 6% developer until reaching a very light yellow base.
• Number 8.1 ash blonde: two-thirds of the tube
• Number 9.1 ash blonde: one-third of the tube
• Silver toner ۰.۱: about 2 centimeters (around 2% of a tube)
• 6% developer: enough for the entire mixture

Copper highlights on brown hair

This highlight style gives a warm and energetic look to the hair. The natural contrast between the brown base and copper tone creates a chic, modern appearance, perfect for those with light to wheat skin tones who want a vibrant, energetic style.

Formulas to achieve copper highlights on brown hair

• Roots and mid-lengths to base 7-8 for lightening
• Copper color number 7.4 or 8.4: half a tube
• 6% developer: half a bottle

Caramel highlights on brown hair

This color combination is great for warm and medium skin tones, adding warmth and natural shine to the face. It’s ideal for those who want their hair color to subtly enhance their natural beauty without a full color change.

Formulas for caramel highlights on brown hair

• To highlight on dark brown hair, first bleach the hair to reach a lighter base (level 8 to 10).
• Light caramel color: three-quarters of a tube
• Medium ash blonde: one-quarter of a tube
• Purple and silver toners: 2 cm each
• 6% developer: as needed

Platinum blonde highlights on brown hair

For light skin tones with cool undertones, choosing a toner that makes the face look bright and luminous is very important; using highlights on light brown hair helps create a natural and warm effect, matching the skin tone beautifully.

Formulas for achieving platinum blonde highlights on brown hair

• Bleach hair to level 9 or 10 (very light)
• Platinum blonde color: about two-thirds of the tube (60 ml)
• Purple or silver toner: 3-4 cm (one small squeeze from the tube)
• 6% developer: about two-thirds of the tube

Magenta highlights on brown hair

This highlight style adds a warm and energetic glow to the hair. The natural contrast between the brown base and magenta shade creates a modern, attractive look, great for those with light to wheat skin tones who want a vibrant, eye-catching style.

Formulas for magenta highlights on brown hair

• Dark red (mahogany) or burgundy hues: about two-thirds of the tube
• Light brown or natural blonde base: about one-third of the tube
• Red toner ۰.۶: 2 cm
• 6% developer: ratio 1:1 with the color mixture

Bronze highlights on brown hair

This combination creates a special look with dark and light bronze shades on brown hair. Proper blending boosts the shine of the highlights and significantly enhances the hair’s beauty.

Formulas for bronze highlights on brown hair

• Light copper color (number 7.4): half a tube
• Medium golden blonde (number 7.3): one-quarter of a tube
• Natural blonde (number 7): one-quarter of a tube
• Copper toner ۰.۴: 2 centimeters
• 6% developer: equal to the total of all colors mixed (ratio 1:1)

Additional tips for bleaching highlights

Depending on the natural hair base and hair fiber type, first bleach the hair with suitable bleach powder and developer (usually 6 or 9) to reach level 8 or higher, ensuring the blonde color appears correctly.