A dark brown balayage is a hair color characterized by softer, more natural-looking highlights dispersed on a dark brown base. There is no prettier way to create perfect dimension and movement for your chocolate locks than the balayage way.
If you’re craving a bit of summery feels on your strands, getting intermingling highlights on your dark brown hair is the best way to do it. Hair artist and educator Sue Tyrell does amazing balayage work on dark brown hair, revealing the extra contrast and body you’ll get once you own the look.
You’ll be amazed at how customizable this coloring technique is, and it all depends on you – your features, hair texture, skin tone, and even your lifestyle. Fan-favorite A-listers Miranda Kerr, Jourdan Dunn, Rose Byrne, and Izabel Goulart recently proved how super versatile a dark balayage is with their hairstyles representing all sorts of hair – curly or straight, long or short, and even on different skin tones!
Keep scrolling to get updated on the trendiest dark brown balayage hair colors that will make you want to give your colorist a surprise visit!
#1: Dark Brunette Balayage for Long Hair
A dark brunette balayage is a great option for those wanting to add depth and dimension to long hair. I recommend this color for natural, lived-in waves. It will contrast the lowlights and highlights, creating an effortless look. Be sure to tell your colorist you want dark brown tones with light caramel pieces blended in your hair. To maintain balayage for dark hair, use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner weekly. I recommend Davines OI All In One Milk to protect your color from quickly fading.
#2: Glossy Brunette Balayage Tones
Glossy brunette balayage tones are perfect for brightening up naturally dark hues. This subtle addition of candlelit warmth brightens the eyes and face, enhancing the person’s facial features.
#3: Dark Brownish Caramel Balayage
Try a brownish caramel balayage if you have dark hair and want a low-maintenance color. This color is helpful to warm up your complexion and give you a sun-kissed look.
#4: Glossy Balayage with Blonde Tones
Are you a woman with long wavy hair looking to add depth and dimension? A glossy balayage with blonde tones is a stunning option. This hair color features a seamless blend of creamy and neutral blonde highlights. They create a sun-kissed effect against the rich dark brown base. The result is a natural-looking, multi-dimensional hair color. It works best for those with warm skin tones. To achieve this look, ask your colorist to create a balayage effect that adds depth and volume to your hair. Avoid sulfates in your aftercare products to keep your color looking fresh!
#5: Sultry Long Dark Brown Hair with a Money Piece
Having sultry long dark brown balayage hair with a money piece is a great way to switch up your style. To make this look pop, use a large curling iron or wand to create soft waves. It will help accentuate the balayage color. To keep the curls soft and bouncy all day, use a hairspray with a medium to medium hold. You can keep your style in place without making it look stiff. An oil-based serum helps tame flyaways and add shine to your look, so you can end up with a sleek and stylish finish to match this dimensional balayage for brown hair.
#6: Luscious Dark Brown to Ash Blonde
Gorgeous dark brown to ash blonde balayage is all the rave this year. This one looks like you just sprinkled frosting all over your luscious locks!
#7: Stunning Dark Hazelnut Tones
These stunning dark hazelnut tones on a current all-over brunette color are divine. Avoid over-lightening. Instead, ask for a more natural golden or caramel shade to avoid becoming too intense. Try the Moroccanoil color complete service for high shine and color longevity. Rock some curls to give your hair more fullness.
#8: Dark Brown Base with Light Ends
Dark rich espresso roots fading into a soft brightness are a great choice for your next hair balayage. It would be best if you did not go too tone-on-tone, or you will not see as much dimension in the color unless that is your desired look. Wear your hair with some loose luscious waves to show off your new look.
#9: Dark Brown with Copperish Balayage
The dark brown with copperish balayage is a stunning autumn color that isn’t very committing because the copper toner will fade away quickly from the previously bleached locks. If you want to keep the toner longer and maintain it at home, wash your hair less often with cooler water and a copper color-depositing mask or treatment. These products will help you with the longevity of such a copper brown balayage for dark brown hair.
#10: Deep Brunette Balayage for Short Hair
There’s nothing quite like a deep brunette balayage for short hair. A subtle, natural highlight on dark hair can bring some movement and dimension to your hair. If you’re considering going lighter all over, your best bet is to start slow and natural with this blonde balayage on dark brown hair. A balayage is the way to go if you opt for a low-maintenance color. Your first visit may be long, but the follow-up visits will be farther between than your traditional highlights.
#11: Gorgeous Bronde Balayage
A gorgeous bronde balayage is the perfect combination of blonde and brunette tones and will give you a very lived-in effect. If you don’t color your hair often or are very low maintenance when it comes to your hair, a balayage is one of the best options for hair color. When doing a balayage technique, I strongly suggest leaving some of your hair underneath darker to create depth and dimension to your hair color and bringing up the lighter blonde color higher up around your face to create a money piece. A money piece complements the depth and dimension of your hair and will give you a glamorous glow.
#12: Fall-Inspired Caramel Balayage on Dark Brown Hair
Try a fall-inspired caramel balayage on dark brown hair if you want a subtle change to your hair. Fall hair colors include reds, golds, coppers, purples, and shades of brown. Golds and coppers are a great place to start if you plan to color your hair. Golds and coppers look phenomenal paired up with darker balayage brown hair. And this makes it super easy if you already have naturally dark hair. A caramel brown balayage will give your hair tons of shine, dimension, and depth.
#13: Curly Balayage
When it comes to curly balayage, one of the best ways to wear your hair is natural. Women with natural curls will love the addition of lightness in this balayage brunette hair, as it will make individual coils and curls stand out and shine.
#14: Yummy Dark Chocolate Brown to Light Chocolate
Caramel-y and oh-so-sweet! This gorgeous color combination works regardless of your hair length or hair type. The chocolate brown balayage on dark hair pops beautifully on deeper complexions.
#15: Dimensional Brown and Blonde With Honey Highlights
Some sheer highlights to brighten your look. The brown and blonde balayage with dark roots never looked so good together!
#16: Best-Looking Dark Ash Brown
Natural dark brown balayage hairstyles are best if you want a low-maintenance color. Keeping your dark roots makes for a long-lasting grow-out. This balayage dark hair is low-maintenance and beautiful, giving you the glow you’ve been looking for without the hassle.
#17: Sophisticated Dark Brunette Lob
A dark brunette balayage hair color stands out with a lob haircut. In this case, ask for a color melt to blend with your naturally dark brown hair.
#18: Inspirational Lived-In Blonde and Dark Brown
If you’ve ever wanted to go light and bright, this blonde balayage on dark hair is your color. Ask your colorist for a more lived-in inspired balayage. Note that it might take several appointments to achieve this color, depending on how dark your hair color is.
#19: Velvety Dark Burgundy and Brown
Rich red velvet and chocolate colors will look amazing on your locks, creating a dimensional dark balayage hair trend! For the best presentation, big curls create an illusion of mixed velvety and chocolate balayage colors.
#20: Delicious Caramel and Dark Brown
There’s only one way to describe this balayage dark brown color: a toffee bar dessert blended in all its gooeyness. This full balayage on dark hair adds radiance and warmth, perfect for those with olive skin tones.
#21: Spiced-Up Red and Dark Brown
A combo of these colors creates a toasted chestnut look that is yummy! The warm tone is slightly spiced up but not bright or in the blonde range. Even though the tone is vivid, the dimension will still blend in with your naturally dark hair, creating something interesting and eye-catching. Unlike other blonde or brunette highlights that always focus on the lights, this is perfect if you’re looking for depth and subtle dimension. Focus on the depth (darker tone) around the nape and crown. This will create a slimming effect on the neck and face.
Related: Best red balayage on brown hair ideas.
#22: Universally Trendy Black to Dark Brown
A black to dark brown balayage is that it’s so easy to maintain, both cut and color. Balayage highlights are soft, and as you grow your hair, it looks natural. This haircut is also easy to maintain and style. Balayage can be done once or twice a year. A few gloss+cut appointments in between are needed to keep the redness and dry ends away.
#23: Glazed Subtle Dark Brown
The magic of glazes (toners, gloss) goes beyond just making the hair feel good, giving it luster. It can give you a completely different look without going through the whole coloring process again. I advise that a balayage dark brown color like this will be easier to upkeep if you’re a busy mom or professional woman that still wants that seductive brunette look that is never boring.
#24: Very Bold Light Brown to Dark Brown
This dark hair balayage has rich tones and ribbons of warmth, giving the hair color a unique finish. It stands out while still maintaining a professional appearance. The long layers allow your hair movement to showcase the highlights and bounce your curls. Adding dimension is key when dealing with brunette hair. It helps transform an average color into a showstopper. When asking your stylist for a similar look, use keywords like “Money Piece” and “Face Framing” to help describe the bold highlight.
#25: Dimensional Low-Maintenance Dark Brown and Silver
This is a great look for brunettes who want to go lighter without fully sacrificing being a brunette and want something low maintenance. The texture layers are also a great choice if you have finer hair and want body and movement in your hair without losing too much weight from the ends. Consult with your stylist about whether or not this look is achievable, and determine how many sessions and in-between stages you will have to go through before this look can be achieved.
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