20 Natural-Looking Brunette Balayage Styles

If you have ever considered brown hair to be boring or dull, think again. With the balayage technique dye is applied to hair without the use of foil, resulting in a more natural and more exquisite look that feels like any brunette’s major hair goal. Mixing colors has never been this fun, so check out these brunette balayage styles and book an appointment with your colorist!

#1: Subtle Ashy Brown

For something more subdued, try this ashy brunette to blonde balayage that looks like it has not been processed at all. A neutral color is perfect for anyone looking to take baby steps in hair color transformations.

#2: Light Brown Balayage

It doesn’t take a drastic color change to liven up your style. In the name of “less is more”, stay within the brown color palette and give neutral ashy highlights a go. This youthful combination is great for professionals who need to keep their look polished.

#3: Brown to Caramel Balayage

For a classic balayage hair color, opt for a soft brown to caramel fade. The combination is a very natural one, and so is the transition of hues, that’s why it’s still going to look fresh as your hair grows out. To get the most out of your new color, style your locks in long beach waves with a straightener, making the lighter pieces appear even more vibrant.

#4: Honey Brown Highlights

If the ombre effect is not the one for you, try weaving a honey brown shade throughout your entire head of hair. Brunette balayage highlights instantly brighten up dark brown hair and add low-maintenance dimension.

#5: Multi-Dimensional Lob

It can be fun to include more than just two colors when doing a balayage. Instead of going straight from brown to light blonde, add in shades of golden or light brown to soften the color transition. A lob with long layers will perfectly showcase all of the different shades you are playing with.

#6: Long Waves with Light Highlights

Another well-blended option, this style incorporates hints of golden blonde throughout the hair. The contrasting light and dark shades are sure to catch the light as you walk by.

#7: Bright Reddish and Blonde Highlights

Blonde and reddish highlights will brighten up any lifeless darker hair. Choose your preferred golden and copper shades to liven up your tired locks. Subtle waves are perfect for showing off the new color variations in your style.

#8: Matte Bronde Balayage

Ladies not interested in having all things high-shine can opt for this matte, ashy style. Doing balayage brunette to blonde is the most common solution; however, upgrade the classic combo by choosing subdued, ashy shades instead of the more intense ones.

#9: Ash Blonde to Gray Fade

Images of dyed gray locks have been all over Instagram, and you can easily get in on the trend with this balayage style. Having the gray color at the ends makes growing out your hair stress-free, and it looks great when styled in loose waves.

#10: Light Brunette Balayage

The color transition doesn’t always have to be drastic. Lighten up your dark brown hair by adding milk chocolate highlights to the ends and face-framing pieces. For those with shoulder length locks, style your hair in loose messy waves for a modern feminine look.

#11: Long Bob with Red Tints

When it comes to balayage, brunette hair really lends itself to adding brighter colors. Mixing in a slight pop of red at the ends can transform your entire style. Be sure your stylist blends the colors well so your hair looks as natural as possible.

#12: Hints of Rose Gold

If you want rose gold hair, but are afraid of the commitment, give these subtle pink highlights a try. Mix it in with lighter brown shades to further diffuse the rosy hues. Combining brown and rose colors works best on shorter hair, so you just have a few hints of pink diluted in the darker shade.

#13: Bronde Balayage with Copper Touches

With medium length hair, you have the perfect canvas for a smooth color melt. The mix of ashy browns and blondes with hints of subdued copper is subtle enough for everyday wear but still adds a slight punk vibe to your style.

#14: Burnt Orange Ends

Want something bolder? Amp up the normal brunette balayage with fiery orange highlights. The good thing about the balayage technique is that you will not have to worry about pesky roots once the color starts to fade out.

#15: Long Curls with Honey Highlights

If you are looking for a hint of color here and there, you don’t have to commit to the full balayage effect. Opt for light honey highlights that won’t detract from your natural color. Style your long hair in loose, romantic curls so the highlights really shine through.

#16: Mid-Length Hair with Classic Balayage

Take inspiration from the faithful ombre technique and go with the traditional brown to light blonde transition. Choose two shades of blonde to prevent your style from looking stark and lifeless.

#17: Curly Hair with Auburn Highlights

For a more drastic style, try blending a vibrant auburn shade into your natural dark hair. The combination pops with both loose ringlets and straight locks, so if you want more contrast in colors, give these dark brunette balayage hues a try.

#18: Deep Brown Balayage with Bangs

Sometimes less is certainly more. Just go 1-2 shades lighter than your natural color for subtle highlights. If you have deep brown or black hair, a chocolate hue is the perfect complement. Add some front fringe to your youthful color for a more classic vibe.

#19: Gilded Bob with Waves

The shape of your hair can completely transform the way you view your color. The angled bob puts the golden highlights on display, making it all the more eye-catching.

#20: Ash Blonde Balayage with Dark Roots

Here’s a lovely idea of balayage for brunettes. If you are not sure how your own hair will look after the transformation, check out this before/after image. Adding a cool blonde tone to your hair will suit you and make you look younger if your skin undertone is cool too.

Balayage brunette hair has a world of possibilities open to it. Experiment with any color of your choice and create a balayage style that fits you perfectly. If you’re not ready for the full-on commitment of a stark color contrast, start with subtler highlights and ease into the trend. Gone are the days of monotone hair, so hop on board and start mixing colors.