There’s nothing quite like summer to inspire a beauty transformation—think longer days, glowing skin, and a chance to try something fresh. If you’re a brunette, this season is the perfect excuse to play with color and infuse new life into your locks. Whether you want barely-there subtlety or bold sunlit dimension, there’s a shade here that’ll make you shine under the summer sun.
Bronze Glow
Looking for radiant, metallic warmth? Go for a bronze glaze that makes every wave catch the light—a perfect finishing touch for glammed-up summer nights.
Styling tip: A high-shine glaze or gloss puts the “glow” in this look. Soft, loose waves lend a glamorous feel.
Honey Brown Highlights
Gentle and glowy, honey brown highlights bring golden radiance to dark hair without stealing its natural richness. They’re perfect for brunettes craving a soft, luminous transition.
Styling tip: Loose waves amplify the multi-tonal shine—top it off with a gloss serum for that healthy, summer sheen.
Espresso with Auburn Lowlights
The marriage of deep espresso roots and auburn lowlights delivers a rich, multi-dimensional effect. Sunlight will catch those red undertones, adding warmth and movement.
Pro tip: Opt for a color-protecting shampoo—keeping those auburn pieces vibrant is key.
Toffee Baby lights
Babylights are tiny, finely-placed highlights that mimic what the sun naturally does to your hair. Toffee tones add creamy warmth, creating a youthful, effortlessly fresh appearance.
Styling tip: These look amazing on layered cuts, as every movement reveals new flashes of light.
Chocolate Melt
A soft melt from deep brown at the roots to milk chocolate at the tips gives you movement and depth—without frequent touch-ups.
Pro Styling Advice: Use a hydrating, color-safe mask occasionally to keep your ends looking glossy through all your summer swims.
Bronde Balayage
Bronde = brown + blonde. This shade is summer’s answer to “do I go lighter?”—its golden ribbons brighten up brunettes without a full blonde jump.
Styling tip: Enhance beachy vibes with wavy styles and a mist of sea salt spray.
Cinnamon Spice
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Cinnamon highlights add a lively, fiery twist that glows in summer’s golden light. They’re warm, interesting, and seriously eye-catching.
Pro tip: Tousled, textured hair makes this shade look even more sun-drenched and free-spirited.
Sandy Brown Balayage
Looking to go just a touch lighter? Sandy brown balayage layers dimension and brightness with a carefree, beach-inspired vibe.
Styling tip: Air-dry for tousled, surfy volume.
Sun-Kissed Ends
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Lighten just the ends for that effortless, spent-all-season-in-the-sun effect. Super low-maintenance and breezy, this is ideal for busy, adventurous summer days.
Styling tip: A little sea salt spray, and you’re set for the boardwalk or beach.
Golden Mocha
Golden mocha marries rich, deep brown with intentionally-placed soft gold highlights. The color is warm, elegant, and loaded with dimension.
Styling tip: Use a gloss treatment to keep things vibrant and brass-free.
Chestnut Ombre
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Chestnut ombre starts at a deep brown and melts into a rich, reddish-brown at the ends—a bold, wearable option for added drama.
Styling tip: Curls bring out the best in this duo-tone color.
Face-Framing Highlights
A few bright, light-catching streaks around your face instantly brighten and boost your look—perfect for that sunny glow, even on cloudy days.
Styling tip: A “money piece” (that extra-bold face-framing highlight) ups the impact.
Rich Mahogany
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Deep, luscious mahogany adds drama and intensity, with an undercurrent of red that’s sophisticated but not overwhelming.
Styling tip: Keep red hues vibrant by skipping sulfates and minimizing heat styling.
Subtle Ash Brown
For cool classic lovers, try ash brown highlights or balayage for that smoky, refined edge. Especially flattering for those with olive or cool skin tones.
Pro tip: Counteract brassiness with a purple shampoo every now and then.
Maple Brown
Maple brown is the golden-brown hue that gives hair a glossy, “lit from within” look. Rich and universally flattering, it hops from day to evening effortlessly.
Styling tip: Loose waves and a shine spray set this color ablaze in sunlight.
Mocha with Blonde Tips
Add a little festival fun with mocha brown roots and playful blonde tips—think dip-dye that’s both vibrant and summer-easy.
Styling tip: Keep ends soft with leave-in conditioner; the contrast looks best when healthy.
Copper Ribbons
Weave coppery ribbons through your brunette hair for a pop of fiery brightness. In sunshine, these streaks glimmer and make a unique statement.
Styling tip: Show off the hues with loose curls, and shield color from UV with a protective spray.
Espresso with Blue-Black Shine
Love mystery? Espresso hair with a blue-black sheen brings an unexpected edge—watch as those blue undertones gleam in the light.
Pro tip: High-gloss treatments keep this look dazzling.
Chocolate Cherry
Chocolate cherry swirls deep brown and cherry red for a sultry, dimensional result that pops in sunlight.
Styling tip: A color-depositing conditioner refreshes those cherry undertones in between salon visits.
Caramel Balayage
Caramel balayage is an all-time favorite for brunettes. These hand-painted, golden highlights melt seamlessly into brunette hair for an effortlessly sun-kissed, low-maintenance look.
Pro tip: Ask your stylist for face-framing pieces that gently brighten your features. The softer the blend, the better the grow-out!
Final Thoughts
Summer is all about change—and that’s the best invitation to play with color! Whether you keep it subtle or want something bold and shimmery, these summer hair color ideas for brunettes are sure to light up your look and lift your mood. So go ahead, try something new, and let your hair do all the shining this season.
