32 Hot Brunette Balayage Styles You Don’t Want to Miss

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 natural and exquisite look that feels like any brunette’s major hair goal. Mixing colors has never been this fun, so check out these brown balayage styles and book an appointment with your colorist!

#1: Cinnamon-Toned Brown Balayage

Spice up your long hair with the sumptuous cinnamon-colored balayage on dark brown hair. One of the most tempting things about natural balayage is that it is much easier to achieve than other highlighting techniques. What is more, it’s far less damaging and low-maintenance than bleaching your hair and helps to add much luster to dark brown hair.

#2: Subtle Face-Framing Balayage

Glamorous and chic, this subtle money piece is super sleek and works perfectly for anyone with naturally dark hair. Featuring tresses that have been lightened just a touch brighter than the base color, it draws attention right to your face.

#3: Mushroom Brown Balayage

Mushroom balayage on brown hair looks extraordinary and eye-catching. The multidimensional color created by the delicate brown highlights on the rich brunette hair is enticing. The lighter-colored ends allow you to add movement and dimension to your hair.

#4: Sun-Kissed Subtle Balayage

If you want to add some dimension to your curls without an extreme change, go for highlights that bring out your curl pattern. For those who prefer a sun-kissed natural look with a warm-red lift, this beach-glow caramel balayage will add a new life to your bold spirals. Find inspiration in this trendy round lob with wispy bangs to create your next masterpiece.

#5: Low-Gradient Balayage on Dark Brown Hair

If you crave blonde hair without the commitment of full-on lightening, applying balayage in blonde tones offers an ideal compromise. Scattered highlights concentrated on your ends and face-framing locks represent a modern take on ombré hair without the harsh grow-out line.

#6: Brown Lob with Bronzed Balayage

Looking for a super sleek style that will work great for naturally dark brown hair? This look is the perfect mix of dark brown and blonde and the contrast of colors really draws your eyes to both the dark brown roots and the lighter ends. Rock this look with an elegant and feminine lob!

#7: Blonde Balayage in Warm Tones

If you have naturally blonde hair, this can be a way to create dimension and light up your hair. It also has a more delicate finish than classical highlights and creates a softer, more natural look full of dimension. The appeal of this look is that it is dynamic and youthful, draws attention to your hair, and underlines your cut.

#8: Bob with Face-Framing Highlights

No doubt, there’s less space to incorporate blended balayage highlights on short hair, but it is definitely possible. Ask your colorist to start the lighter shade close to the root, and focus the highlights on the ends and the frame of the face.

#9: Dark Brown Balayage

If you’re seeking a more subdued look, check out this partial balayage. Subtle strokes of warm hues on long hair create a dainty sun-kissed effect. Balayage highlights create dimension on your thick tresses and brighten up your natural hair color.

#10: Sweet Almond Balayage on Dark Brown Hair

This soft brown balayage is incredibly flattering and can lighten your hair while giving it a lift and underlining its natural texture. It also has a very natural finish and is more low-maintenance than traditional highlights. You can go months between salon touch-ups, making it the perfect style for a woman with a busy lifestyle.

#11: Mix and Match Highlights

Create an easy-going funky vibe with a multiple-colored balayage style. Intermittent highlights dispersed throughout the hair create depth and add visual fullness to the cut. A whole lot of layers crowned with bangs give you a ton of styling options, showcasing blonde and rosegold highlights.

#12: Natural Dark Balayage

Ready to add some spice to your dark hair? Naturally dark tones pair exceptionally well with chocolate brown balayage. Add some sexy curls or beach waves for a chic and classy look and feel. Going just a shade or two lighter than your natural color offers much impact without a drastic change.

#13: 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.

#14: 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 dark blonde or neutral ashy highlights a go. This youthful combination is great for professionals who need to keep their look polished.

#15: 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.

#16: 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.

#17: 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.

#18: 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.

#19: 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.

#20: 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.

#21: 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.

#22: 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.

#23: 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.

#24: 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.

#25: 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.

#26: 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.

#27: 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.

#28: 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.

#29: 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.

#30: 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.

#31: 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.

#32: 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 a balayage technique to create a 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.