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. [delete this from preview] Here is a gallery of 60 photos with the 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 for 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. Cool-Tone Caramel Highlights
The best part about highlights is they allow you to get a renewed look with lighter notes without causing much damage and stress to your medium brown hair. Try this cool caramel balayage to lift volume and emphasize texture.

Instagram / @kaansayar1
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. Straight Warm Caramel Brown Hair
Just take a moment to admire the shine on this lovely ‘do. You can attribute it to good genes, 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 / @romeufelipe
37. Dark Brown and Amber Disheveled Waves
To create a gorgeous hairstyle like this, you need to pick the hair color that will complement the natural base and use the right highlighting technique. For example, light brown and amber can create a perfect match, making your hairdo look like a million dollars!

Instagram / @alex.mercedesss
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.

Instagram / @lexi.haven.hair
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. Classic Shiny Face-Framing Highlights
Light caramel and near-black shades are just stunning together! To recreate this radiant look, opt for brighter shades of caramel or golden brown, and curl your strands in loose waves to make your hair more fascinating.

Instagram / @brunocarvalhorj
41. Summer-Ready Light Caramel Balayage Hair
If your dark hair seems a little lifeless to you, this is the signal you need to add some extra color to the locks. Light caramel highlights can come in handy! With these gorgeous caramel ‘lights, you can bring the gloss back to your hair.

Instagram / @bel_pipsqueekinsaigon
42. 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 / @can.ipeksaran
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.

Instagram / Source
44. Delicious Caramel Bronde Highlights
If you want to spice up your brown hair a little bit, caramel highlights will come in handy. The multi-tone highlights and lowlights will help you show off the body and bounce of your locks, as well as your hair texture while bringing a bit of playfulness to the hairstyle.

Instagram / @victor_freireofficial
45. Refreshing Golden Money Piece
If you want to add new shades to your natural hair color, you don’t have to dye your whole mane. Contrast the dark hair with golden highlights to add texture and dimension and bring new life to your strands. Such a coloring technique is easy to take care of and doesn’t harm your locks!

Instagram / @lucas_vazoficial
46. Thin Front Highlights for Long Hair
Refresh your hairstyle with a mix of caramel and blonde shades to create this soft, warm look. With the afternoon light, this light caramel hue will bring your hair the next-level shimmer, thus giving your style a bit of glam.

Instagram / @mac_daddybeauty
47. Dark Hair with Caramel Highlights and Lowlights
Dark brown hair with blonde highlights and lowlights causes strands to practically illuminate. As a result, the hair looks healthy and shiny, like after regular salon treatment. This is further shown off with any style, from loose curls to a quick ponytail.

Instagram / @xo.farhana.balayage
48. Chocolate Brown and Caramel Highlights
If you’d like to keep the highlights for your chocolate brown hair close to the base hue, consider a slightly lighter shade of brown with a few gentle golden strokes. An excellent way to make your brown hair softer and more attractive.

Instagram / @desanchez.ss
49. Wavy Brunette Hair with Caramel Balayage
Sometimes brunette hair can seem boring, even when styled in gorgeous wavy locks. However, there’s a way to brighten up your hairdo and make it trendier and catchier. Add some bright caramel babylights in front and across the whole mane to bring a distinct dimension to your hair color.

Instagram / @linsonhair
50. Light Caramel
This hairstyle is your chance to try new things without compromising your dark brown hair. Play around with the shade of your locks and cut the hair in layers to create this fantastic volume. Bring the accent to the front with soft caramel face-framing highlights to highlight the beauty of your facial features.

Instagram / @jeffersonbolina
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 Blonde Highlights for Tan Skin
Every brunette loves caramel blonde highlights because they are very flattering regardless of your base hair color, skin tone, and eye color. Find the perfect shade with your colorist to complement your complexion.

Instagram / @melodyshadez
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. Play of Colors
The awesome red-brown and caramel hues look gorgeous on these perfectly wavy tresses. Thanks to the introduced highlights, your rich hair color will get even more sophisticated. The smooth transition of tones is a sign of a high-quality dyeing job.

Instagram / @alex.mercedesss
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. Shiny Wavy Hair with Caramel Highlights
Many women refuse to color their hair because they consider it difficult to maintain the dyed locks. However, caramel highlights will keep your hairdo low-maintenance and, at the same time, will flatter your style and enhance the eyes.

Instagram / @biancalorrin
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.

Instagram / @modernsalon
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.

Instagram / @american_salon
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!

Instagram / @american_salon
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!



























































