“Sunlight Brunette” Is the Most Low-Maintenance Color for Summer

By Kaitlyn Yarborough
@colour.jade

We won’t deny it: Blondes have long been granted the monopoly share of summertime hair goals. Platinum, golden, honey, and strawberry—these are the colors of summer, we’re told. But what about brunettes who want to stick to their roots? This summer, brown-haired gals are finally getting their day in the sun—with “sunlight brunette.”

Coined by stylist Nikki Lee, this hair color is all about brightening up brown strands with touches of sunny color, whether it be gold, honey, caramel, or bronze. From sandy brown to deep mocha, all brunettes can get in on the fun. The best part? It keeps things low maintenance by leaving your natural roots and instead going for strokes of bright color from your temples down to your ends.

“Sunlight brunette” proves that there’s plenty of summer color for a brunette belle, too. No touch-ups required. Here are 12 gorgeous examples to show your stylist.

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“Sunlight Brunette” Is the Most Low-Maintenance Color for Summer

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Sunkissed Brunette

@nikkilee901

Ah, the picture that launched a thousand "sunlight brunette" requests. Stylist Nikki Lee made rich chocolate strands pop for summertime with piecey golden balayage. 

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Beach Brown

@justinandersoncolor

This hair color looks like it hit the beach all summer, which feels exactly right for "sunlight brunette." 

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Honeyed Mocha

@hairbycharlie

Even the darkest of mocha loves a little honey. This mane by Texas-based stylist Charlie Price is like an edgier Goldilocks. 

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Sandy Caramel

@lisasatornhair

Turn the brightness all the way up on your sandy brown hair with all-over caramel blonde. 

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Subtle Caramel Touches

@justinandersoncolor

Make it the most low-maintenance with touches of warm golden brown at the very ends of your brunette strands, like seen here by colorist Justin Anderson.

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Golden "Money Piece"

@nikkilee901

Say hello to the "money piece," which is the face-framing lock of hair that naturally lightens in the sun. A glowy strand of gold to frame each side of your face instantly brightens your complexion. 

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Tortoiseshell Brunette

@suetyrrellstylist

Imagine the perfectly blended colors of your favorite tortoiseshell sunglasses. Dark brown, caramel, blonde—it's got them all. 

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Sunlight Brown Curls

@rebeccataylorhair

We never met a sunkissed curl we didn't like. It gives instant dimension and spunkiness to any curly brunette mane. 

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Caramel Root Smudge

@styled_by_carolynn

Because no one likes a bad root situation. Root smudging makes sure that your color still looks seamless even when it sits higher up on your roots, like seen here by stylist Carolynn Judd. 

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Subtle Bronze Balayage

@ashleyantoinebeauty

For those with ultra-dark strands, subtle touches of bronze will keep things natural while still brightening up your mane for summertime. 

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Blonde Color Melt

@mizzchoi

Don't worry about scheduling your next touch-up appointment...this color melt will last as long as you'd like. 

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Caramel Blonde Balayage

@colour.jade

Want more than just a touch of gold? Here's a full head of it. Done correctly, even the most mocha roots can take a heavy hand of caramel blonde color. 

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