22 Amazing Brown To Blonde Hair Color Ideas

Steal the show with these stunning shades that are sure to attract lots of admiring glances.

Reviewed by Tere Pruett, CT, PBT Tere Pruett Tere PruettCT, PBT facebook_icon
Written by , BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma Arshiya Syeda BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma linkedin_icon Experience: 8 years
Edited by , MA (English) Subhrojyoti Mukherjee MA (English) linkedin_icon Experience: 4 years
Fact-checked by , BA (English Hons) Pahul Nanra BA (English Hons) linkedin_icon Experience: 2 years
Last Updated on

Blonde highlights are the most popular colors to use on brown hair. And ever since the arrival of the bronde trend, a mix of brown and blonde hair, the craze for blonde highlights on darker hair has only increased. Maybe you are under the assumption that blonde highlights are only of one kind. But no, there are many highlight options, such as babyllights, lowlights, face-framing highlights, sombre, and ombre. Adding blonde highlights to your brown locks enhances your hair’s look, depth, and dimension. Keep reading to check out the 22 elegant brown to blonde hair color combinations and a DIY tutorial to show you how to add blonde highlights to your hair! Scroll down.

protip_icon Quick Hair Color Guide: Brown To Blonde

How To Choose A Shade: Go for caramel, champagne, or toffee blonde if you have a warm skin tone and platinum, maple, or ash if you have a cool skin tone.

Level Of Maintenance: Medium to high.

Suitable For: All skin tones with brown hair

Looks Best With: Taupe, neutral, and bronze eyeshadow with peach, pink, or orange lipstick

How To Get Brown To Blonde Hair At Home

Sometimes, going to the stylist can be hard on your budget. But some styles are simple enough to achieve at home. I’ve put together a step-by-step tutorial on how you can achieve a simple brown to blonde ombre.

You Will Need

  • Hairbrush/comb
  • Gloves
  • An old shirt
  • Clips for sectioning
  • Vaseline
  • Ombre kit
  • Applicator brush
  • Plastic bowl
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner

Method

  1. Using a comb or hairbrush, detangle your hair.
  2. Ensure that you are working with hair that has not been washed in a couple of days.
  3. Put on an old shirt that you wouldn’t mind getting stains on.
  4. Put on your gloves and apply the vaseline all along your hairline and on your forehead, ears, and neck.
  5. Following the instructions on your ombre kit, mix the color in a plastic bowl.
  6. Section away the top part of your hair and start working with the mid-lengths of the lower layers.
  7. Following the instructions on the box, apply the dye onto your hair in sections. Ensure that you are concentrating on the tips and work on them first so that they are the lightest.
  8. Once you’re done with the lower layers of your hair, start working on the sectioned away crown part of your hair.
  9. Once you’ve got the dye on, run your hairbrush through your hair to ensure that all strands are evenly covered.
  10. Leave the dye on for the recommended amount of time.
  11. Proceed to shampoo and condition your hair.
  12. Brown To Blonde Hair Color Ideas

22 Brown To Blonde Hair Color Ideas

Check out these 22 brown to blonde hair color ideas, perfect for adding some serious flair to your style. Whether you are going for a subtle change or a bold transformation, these hair color ideas will have you inspired and ready to hit the salon.

1. Caramel Iced Latte

Caramel iced latte hair color for brown to blonde hair
Image: Instagram

This blonde and brown hair look is satisfying all of our morning coffee cravings. The deep espresso roots have melted to take on lighter coffee tones ending with the light latte foam all coffee lovers live for. The multi-toned look adds dimension and texture to fine, straight, and wavy hair.

2. Cool Maple Balayage

Cool maple balayage hair color for brown to blonde hair
Image: Instagram

This root drop/balayage is one of the best styles that we’ve laid our eyes on. The deep brown tones seamlessly fade into the pale baby blonde color. The sweeping balayage effect of this look has been perfected so well, we cannot think of how this could get any better.

Emma, a blogger, chose a shade of honey blonde for her hair. She mentioned that she has a brown-to-blonde balayage that was fading away and she decided to go for a similar style again. She states in one of her blog posts, “I opted for the same shade of blonde I had last time – a light, honey blonde. I originally chose this colour by finding both inspiration on Pinterest and just going a few shades lighter than my natural hair colour (i).”


protip_icon Quick Tip
The cool maple balayage is best suited for people with a cool skin tone as it has silvery undertones. If you are warm-toned, opt for a champagne or golden blonde and brown mix.

3. Cool Blonde Ombre

Cool blonde ombre hair color for brown to blonde hair
Image: Instagram

The contrast on this looks is so high, but the blending so well done. The deep brown hair transitions into a beautiful pale blonde, creating the perfect ombre. If you have dark hair and prefer ombre over balayage, this might just be the right style for you.

4. Sweeping Platinum

Sweeping platinum hair color for brown to blonde hair
Image: Instagram

This style is so smooth our eyes can’t seem to focus without slipping. Moving from a dark brown to a cool platinum, the blending has definitely been performed by the hands of an expert. We love how the platinum is so even, bereft of any warm tones.

5. High Contrast Balayage

High contrast balayage hair color for brown to blonde hair
Image: Instagram

Talk about contrast. This deep-rooted balayage has been so expertly blended out to an almost platinum blonde. The hair takes on lighter tones of brown at blonde near the mid-lengths to create the perfect fade.

6. Balayage With Dimension

Balayage with dimension hair color for brown to blonde hair
Image: Instagram

The dimensions in this style are magical. The blonde is heavier towards the ends and near the framing bits of the face. The color has been swept on finely, creating texture and dimension. This is one of the best styles to sport if you have fine hair.

protip_icon Quick Tip
To add some depth and a pop of color to your mane, you can mix two or three similar blonde shades. They make your hair look fuller, especially if you have fine or thinning hair.

7. Blonde Sombre

Blonde sombre hair color for brown to blonde hair
Image: Instagram

We have not seen better framing than this style. The caramel blonde is heavier near the framing bits of the hair than near the back or the tips. The color is rich and warm and has a beautiful melting effect.

8. Almond Toffee Crunch

Almond toffee crunch hair color for brown to blonde hair
Image: Instagram

This hair looks so good we almost want to take a bite out of it. We love how the artist has left a lot of the natural color alone, starting the fade past the mid-lengths of the hair. The fade begins higher up near the framing bits of the hair, moving down as you go around the back.

9. Straight Definition

Straight hair color for brown to blonde hair
Image: Instagram @julianrestrepohairstudio

We love this style. The artist has avoided creating a high contrast look by starting the balayage fade right at the roots. The natural brown under this blonde color is creating a beautiful low lights effect, adding depth to the style while the multi-toned blonde creates volume and dimension. This style is perfect for women with fine straight hair.

10. Melting Caramel

Melting caramel hair color for brown to blonde hair
Image: Instagram

This warm caramel brown fade is what dreams are made of. The deep roots have been faded to a warm caramel brown, which then transitions to a caramel blonde. The result is so seamless, creating a beautiful sun-kissed look.

protip_icon Quick Tip
This is perfect for warm-toned people. For those with a cool skin tone, opt for a darker and more intense shade of blonde, like a dirty or dark smokey blonde.

11. Blonde Root Melt

Blonde root melt hair color for brown to blonde hair
Image: Instagram @blendedblondes

Cool melts are our favorites. This beautiful melt fades from deep brown roots to glossy blonde hues. The fade starts very high up near the roots and the two-toned blonde creates dimension, making this style perfect for fine hair.

12. Latte Fade

Latte fade hair color for brown to blonde hair
Image: Instagram @jaykayhairdesign

We love our caffeinated hair as much as we love our caffeinated drinks. This balayage looks so authentically hand-painted. We are in love. The beautiful rich brown fades to a baby blonde, creating the perfect amount of contrast.

13. Glossed Ice Melt

Glossed ice melt hair color for brown to blonde hair
Image: Instagram @hair_by_irene

We cannot wrap our minds around how glossy this melt is. The cool-toned brown hair fades to an icy platinum, giving us the best kind of chills. We cannot get over the flawless transition, making this one of our favorite brown to blonde looks.

14. Melted Mocha

Melted mocha hair color for brown to blonde hair
Image: Instagram @stephanie_stylist

Lovers of coffee, it cannot get better than this for you. The chocolate and coffee tones in this style create the perfect mocha blend that we cannot take our eyes off of. The deep roots are quick to pick up blonde hues to create a hand-painted balayage masterpiece.

15. Dimensional Blonde

Dimensional blonde hair color for brown to blonde hair
Image: Instagram

Two-toned blondes are among our top favorites. This style is nailing the brown to blonde look with its natural brown lowlights that quickly fade to a two-toned blonde, creating dimension and volume. This style is ideal for fine hair.

16. Caramel Color Melt

Carame color melt hair color for brown to blonde hair
Image: Instagram @bellezzasalonspa

We love the sharpness of this look. The natural dark hair on this look goes so well with the added warm blonde hues. The strawberry blonde helps cut down on contrast, creating a look that will suit textured and wavy hair.

17. Warm Chestnut Balayage

Warm chestnut balayage hair color idea for brown to blonde hair
Image: Instagram @micki_cunningham

Lovers of warm tones, this one is for you. The warm chestnut brown fades to a beautiful chestnut blonde with a hand-painted balayage effect. The lighter colors have been used sparingly, creating depth and dimension.

18. Babylights On Brown

Babylights hair color idea for brown to blonde hair
Image: Instagram @danielleemilie

Babylights will always be a classic, and this style is the epitome of classy. The fade is almost not noticeable, but as you move from the roots to the tips, the contrast cannot be missed. We love how the sun-kissed baby lights frame the face in this look.

19. Drop Root Blonde

Root drop hair color idea for brown to blonde hair
Image: Instagram @hairstylesbytanja

We love a good root drop and this style is a great root drop. The brown roots have taken on silvery blonde tones as you move down the hair. The subtle rose-gold undertones cannot be missed in this dominatingly cool hairstyle. This is one of the best styles for people with olive skin tones.

20. Fall Vibes

Fall vibes hair color for brown to blonde hair
Image: Instagram

Golden leaves. Golden trees. You cannot miss the fall vibes of this style. The deep brown hair has been sparingly streaked with gold to create the perfect fall brown to blonde style. This is one of the best ways to spruce up short brown hair.

21. Brown To Ash Blonde

A girl with brown to ash blonde hair
Image: Shutterstock

This hairstyle screams chic and sophistication. The subtle and effortless shift from a very dark brown to cool ashy blonde is just what you might need. This hair color is the perfect way of adding depth and dimension to your long and luscious locks.

22. Blonde To Dark Brown

A girl with blonde to dark brown hair
Image: Shutterstock

If you can’t decide between either color, don’t worry. We have got you covered. This color is the perfect way of getting the best of both worlds. The blonde merges with the brown in a beautiful way for a deep and rich look. The contrast adds a touch of elegance, offering a bold yet natural change in your overall look.

Infographic: 5 Trendy Brown To Blonde Hair Color Ideas

Blonde ombre is commonly done on brown hair to add movement and dimension to it. Hop onto this trend to give yourself a stunning makeover while maintaining the natural vibe of your brunette tresses. Check out the infographic below for 5 unique brown to blonde hair color ideas to transform your look!

5 trendy brown to blonde hair color ideas (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

If you have brunette hair, it is time to spice it up with some blonde highlights. This brown-to-blonde highlight trend can also work for blondes who want darker roots. Brown and blonde hair is a famous blend like coffee and milk or, or rather a cheesecake. From the caramel iced latte to fall vibes, these 20 brown to blonde hair colors will give all the inspiration you need to breathe life into your tresses. Of course, the best way to pick the perfect blonde highlights for your brown hair should be based on your skin tone. If you have a cooler skin tone, opt for a more ashy or silvery blonde shade. But, if you have a warmer skin tone, try golden, honey, and other warm blonde shades. You can also consider adding hazel, mahogany, sepia, cinnamon, tawny, umber, fair, flaxen, sandy, straw, wheat, ash, or buttery highlights to create more depth and dimension to your hair color. If you are unsure about which shade will suit you, you can always consult an expert hair colorist at your nearest salon. They can give you tips and guidelines to help you choose the right highlights and base color for your skin tone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is brown hair with blonde highlights attractive?

Yes, brown hair with blonde highlights looks attractive. It is suitable for various updos, curls, and even straight hair.

What is it called when you have brown and blonde hair?

Brown and blonde hair together are termed bronde.

Is dirty blonde hair brown?

Dirty blonde hair is slightly brown. It has a wheatish tone.

Key Takeaways

  • Boost the look, depth, and dimension of your brown hair by adding blonde highlights.
  • The simplest technique to choose the ideal blonde highlights for your brown hair should be based on your skin tone.
  • Follow the instructions on the box and apply the dye in sections.
  • Some of the best brown to blonde hair colors are sweeping platinum, caramel iced latte, blonde somber, melted mocha, and drop root blonde.

Illustration: Amazing Brown To Blonde Hair Color Ideas

brown and blonde hair

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Transform your brown hair to blonde in one session! Learn how to balayage your beautiful bangs in the video below.

Personal Experience: Source

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Tere Pruett
Tere Pruett is a certified trichologist from the United States Trichology Institute, with 9 years of experience. She also has a graduate education in phlebotomy. She is a master educator for the United States Trichology Institute and began traveling all over the United States teaching and facilitating trichology and hands-on clinical classes.

Read full bio of Tere Pruett
Arshiya Syeda
Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief
Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

Read full bio of Arshiya Syeda
Subhrojyoti Mukherjee
Subhrojyoti MukherjeeAssociate Editor
Subhrojyoti is an associate editor at StyleCraze with four years of experience. He has a master’s degree in English from Presidency University, Kolkata, and has also done a post-graduate certificate course in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University, Kolkata.

Read full bio of Subhrojyoti Mukherjee
Pahul Nanra
Pahul NanraBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Pahul Nanra is a content writer with a penchant for all things fashion and beauty. She has two years of experience in writing across beauty and lifestyle genres. She is an English Honors graduate from Delhi University with a diploma in Fashion Designing from YMCA.

Read full bio of Pahul Nanra