Lowlights for brown hair are one or two shades darker sections of colors dyed into a brown base color. These streaks are the opposite of the highlights. But what are lowlights in hair for? These add natural-looking volume and dimension to your mane by creating shadows and depth.
Traditional foiling or the modern balayage technique usually does the job for lowlights. Finding the right shade to balance and blend seamlessly into your natural brunette base should be your first mission, and to do this, you’ll need an expert hair colorist to guide you.
Waves partner well with lowlights because of the multi-dimensional effect they create. By leaning into the dark side, you can avoid a monotonous look and boost your hair instantly.
Brunette babes Bella Hadid, Kim Kardashian, and Sofia Vergara tried this hair color trick, and their locks never looked any sexier!
Before your next hair appointment, get some ideas by checking out these stunning photos of lowlights for brown hair!
#1: Blended Lowlights and Highlights for Natural Brunettes
Get the ultimate dimension with blended lowlights and highlights for natural brunettes. Brown hair with blonde highlights and lowlights is the perfect combination for your look. Bright blonde and brown hues give your hair the right amount of pop for beautiful shine and dimension and are surprisingly low-maintenance.
#2: Straight Bob Cut With Lowlights
If you want to add depth and dimension to your brown hairstyle, a straight bob cut with lowlights could be the perfect option. Adding darker lowlight tones to your hair creates a beautiful contrast with your straight bob. Asking for caramel, chocolate, or burgundy in your lowlights can enhance your natural hair color and add richness. Lowlights work well for individuals with brown hair as they bring out different undertones, providing a more vibrant look. Remember, your lowlight shade should complement your skin tone and highlight your features.
#3: Face-Framing Lowlights for Older Women
Face-framing lowlights for older women can change your look for the better! Adding some depth to your color can make you look and feel half your age. These different hues will also add texture and volume to your hair. It’s a definite win-win situation!
#4: Lowlights on Mid-Length Wavy Hair with a Money Piece
Brunette lowlights on mid-length wavy hair with a money piece are a great way to tone down your summer blonde. Remember that brown hair with highlights and lowlights can add as much depth as you want! Remember to keep it nice and bright around your face for that money piece to pop.
#5: Espresso-Colored Lowlights on a Brown Mane
The hair contouring method achieves the espresso-colored low lights on a brown mane. Stylist Tharwat Bou Diab from Dubai, UAE, created this hair color.
Diab said ladies should consider their age because not every color suits all ages. Moreover, when incorporating low lights on dark hair, ensure the salon uses high-quality products. It’s important that the product lasts and the dye color doesn’t fade after several washes.
#6: Lowlights for Brown Hair with a Beachy Wave Texture
Little beach waves on brown locks with lowlights go a long way. See for yourself with these subtle lights that make all the difference on your brunette hairdo.
#7: Lowlights for Greying Brown Hair
Get a seriously multi-dimensional look when you see the trend that shows off near-black lowlights.
Combine a natural silver hair color with ashy blonde streaks for an awesome result. This technique can transform a thinning mane into a dense-looking one!
#8: Natural-Looking Lowlights for Chestnut Brown Hair
Revamp your light hair with lowlights that have tones darker than your natural one for a really interesting and textured look.
With these lowlights for brown hair, you don’t need to worry about your hair losing dimension, as it will never happen!
#9: Light Brown Hair with Mocha Brown Lowlights
Check out this full head of balayage created with these dark lowlights for brown hair.
With a beautiful, healthy brunette mane like this, a low-maintenance and darker color for fall is what you need for a fresh new look.
#10: Mousy Brown with Lowlights
Marvel at this stunning dimension of lowlights on mousy brown straight hair!
Stylist Katie did a root melt, a lowlight, and a toner that transformed this color into a subtle, sun-kissed look.
With its dimension, this colored hair would flatter most ladies with any skin tone.
#11: Hazelnut Brown Lowlights
Take your fall-ready hair darker and warmer when you get a beautiful color correction with hazelnut brown lowlights like these!
This brown hair with lowlights will be recognized anywhere for its simplicity and femininity.
#12: Subtle Lowlights for Reddish Brown Hair
Go brighter and more dimensional with these lowlights on absolutely gorgeous balayage hair like hers!
You’ll get depth and uniqueness for your look with the right combination of reds, blondes, and a chestnut base.
#13: Honey Brown Hair with Chocolate Brown Lowlights
Who wouldn’t fall head over heels with this mocha hazelnut base with chocolate hair lowlights on beachy waves?! These lowlights in brown hair are a low-maintenance and stunning technique to liven up your plain brunette mane. The melted roots will allow your natural hair color to grow without regular visits to the salon.
#14: Lowlights for Ash Brown Hair
These lowlights for an ash brown hair color are earthy, cool, and melted with some dimensional sun-kissed pieces. They were created by hairstylist Jeanna Casallo of Auburn, WA.
To create these low lights on brown hair, Casallo did some heavy teasing while adding hand-painted pieces to give it a subtle glow.
“If you’re afraid to go for blonde hair, this is a perfect happy medium color,” she notes. “It’s very lived-in, natural, and can be low-maintenance for both cut and color. I recommend using The Perfect Brunette shampoo and conditioner by Pravana to prolong the color.”
#15: Dark Red Lowlights for Dark Brown Hair
“I would describe this look as light brown hair (level 5) with red/violet lowlights (level 6/7) on dark brown tresses. I used Wella Professional for the color and lowlights,” explains salon owner, stylist, and colorist Tonya Ziske of San Jacinto, CA.
Ziske tells us the best thing about this dark hair is that it’s not too long or short. “It’s the perfect length to wear up or down and straight or curled.”
These lowlights on brown hair are easy to maintain. It would be great for women with brunette locks because they only need to retouch the lowlights every few months.
#16: Caramel Brown Hair with Lowlights
This is a bob with a slight angle, enhanced with a caramel brown hue and some lowlights. This short lowlights hair was cut and colored by hairstylist Stephanie Borgelt of Brea, CA.
“If you’re a natural redhead (like the model in the photo) but want some light and darker balayage hidden pieces, just know that it would be a nice blend as it grows out,” says Borgelt.
#17: Dark Caramel Lowlights for Medium Brown Hair Color
This medium brown hair color features dark caramel lowlights in a loose and tousled style. It was created by hairstylist Karagen Drennan of Little Rock, AR.
“The best thing about this kind of style is the ease of it,” notes Drennan. “The color is a low-maintenance natural look using the natural color as the base so it won’t have any new growth.”
She adds, “With the cut, she’ll be able to curl her hair and wear it for as many days as she wants between washes because the looser the curls, the better.”
#18: Deep Burgundy Lowlights for Cinnamon Brown Hair
These are dark burgundy lowlights with root shadowing that branches off with golden copper balayage and a twist of raspberry ribbons! They were created by cosmetologist Evelyn Lynch of Chicago, IL.
“Understand that red can fade a little and accept the warm dimension of colors,” says Lynch. “I would also learn how to use the wand as it will showcase the color better.”
#19: Rose Brown Lowlights
This rose brown wavy lob with lowlights was created by certified colorist Nikki Parsons of New Jersey.
“I love that brunettes have a trendy rose gold option,” exclaims Parsons. “This is colorful enough to feel like your hair color is fun but also subtle enough for most workplaces.”
This deep brown color may not seem like it, but Parsons says it’s high-maintenance. “Expect to see your stylist more than usual for glosses and upkeep, or let it fade out on its own and enjoy the different tones your hair will reflect as time goes on!”
She recommends Keracolor’s Rose Gold Conditioner for maintaining this brunette with lowlights. She notes, “Prepare to wash your hair in cold water. I recommend Living Proof’s Restore Line for heat and UV protection to prevent fading.”
Heat is the secret thief of color. Always support your hair color with products and guidelines recommended by your stylist!
#20: Red-Violet Lowlights on Golden Brown Hair
These red-violet lowlights on golden brown hair were created by salon owner and stylist Chelsea Litchfield of Avondale, AZ.
She explains, “I was creative with applying the lowlights. I didn’t saturate the scalp to the ends. I heavily saturated near the scalp and feathered the color as I got to the mid-ends to maintain brightness through the ends.”
“This look would be perfect for women wanting to add dimension to existing hair colors,” she adds. “Lowlights are the perfect way to transition out of summer and into fall. It’s crazy that adding little bits of richness can make a big impact in making your color pop!”
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