Every year, summer comes around the corner and instantly knows just how to get under every brunette’s skin. Go brighter, it says. How about a few touches of golden blonde here, a few strokes of bright caramel there? We won’t argue: Brunettes rock those warmed-up shades like nobody’s business. But as our tans fade and temperatures drop, we’re about ready to go back to our roots—sort of—while keeping every bit of the dimension and richness of summer color.
If that sounds right up your alley, it’s time to embrace your dark side with brunette lowlights. Unlike highlights, which usually sit somewhere at least two shades lighter than your natural color, lowlights take it the opposite direction, at least two shades darker. It can be done free-hand, like balayage, or more traditionally, with foils; but the color should be specific to you. Many times, a colorist will recommend both highlights and lowlights for brown hair for a multi-dimensional look, but adding lowlights alone will make your natural color look like the highlight. Check out these 15 gorgeous examples of lowlights for brown hair, just in time for fall.
Cool Brunette
These waves are calling our name. Give dark ash brown something even darker to work with: cool brown-black.
Lowlights & Highlights
Colorist Johnny Ramirez knows the power of multi-dimensional, lived-in color made from shades of deep brown, medium brown, and warm honey. If you’re a middle-of-the-road chocolate brown, get mocha lowlights to temper honey highlights.
Gradient Lowlighting
This is a clash we can get behind. Cool dark brown and warm chestnut meet halfway, and somehow look better for it.
Lowlighted Shag
How can you make a modern shag even cooler for the cool months? Add some dark mocha lowlights.
Hazelnut Blending
Keep the old, and bring in the new. Blend existing hazelnut or caramel balayage with dark brown lowlights for a multi-dimensional look that’ll transition seasons seamlessly.
Darkest Mocha
Go even darker this season with mocha lowlights. If you don’t want moody monotone locks, a few subtle babylights around the face will keep things interesting.
Chocolate Brown
Dimensional and warm, this mane is ready for winter. Instead of adding caramel highlights, it worked with its natural chocolate base.
Shadow Rooting
Colorist Mizz Choi created deeper roots that complement the dark brown locks of her wavy-haired client. As a boost, she added a clear gloss for shine from midway down to the ends.
Blended Bob
Blend dark with darker to imitate this gorgeous bang-laden bob by hairstylist Riawna Capri. The cool-toned take on cacao hair color looks striking against all skin tones.
Espresso Lowlighting
Got a chocolate or chestnut base? Some dark espresso adds richness without being too starkly contrasted in color.
Ashy Lowlights
Lean into those cool tones. If you’ve been rocking mushroom brown strands, get them ready for fall and winter with dark ash brown lowlights.
Smoky Brown
Whether you are going gray gracefully or embraced it during the recent hair color trend, some brown-black lowlights will blend into those smoky strands instantly with cool ash browns.
Subtle Lowlighting
If you blink, you’d miss it. This subtle transition darkens chocolate browns just a pinch for extra dimension.
Dimensional Bob
Give that bob a boost with dark brown dimension. When you want to transition from all-over chocolate, this rich hue gets things moving.
