17 Fresh Summer Highlights for Brown Hair to Add Depth and Shine

Looking to lighten up your brown hair this summer? You’re in the right place.

These 17 summer highlights for brown hair will help you show off your strands with more depth, contrast, and brightness—each one a look that stands on its own.

From soft honey touches to bold golden copper streaks, these looks turn heads.

1. Honey Blonde Highlights

Honey blonde ribbons melt into medium brown hair for a smooth sunlit effect. These highlights look like you’ve spent the whole summer beachside, catching golden rays. Works best with light tan skin and soft waves for that lazy-summer charm.

2. Caramel Balayage Highlights

Caramel balayage gives brown hair a rich, toasted sugar tone with hand-painted elegance. The gradient looks seamless, adding motion and shine that works day to night. Looks stunning on medium-brown skin with loose curls.

 

3. Sun-Kissed Golden Highlights

This look mimics how the sun would naturally brighten your strands—subtle and glowing. Golden highlights are blended into brown locks, focused around the crown and ends. Glows best on fair skin with a golden undertone and loose, beachy waves.

 

4. Ashy Blonde Highlights for Cooler Tones

If you lean cool-toned, ashy blonde gives brown hair a striking contrast without warmth. The cool hues add a smoked shimmer, keeping things crisp. This color combo pairs beautifully with porcelain or cool beige skin.

5. Butterscotch Highlights with a Brown Base

Butterscotch adds a warm buttery glow to deeper brown shades. The result is smooth, dimensional hair that plays with golden-copper undertones. Gorgeous on warm olive skin with sleek or curled styles.

 

6. Cinnamon Highlights with Warm Undertones

Spice up brown hair with cinnamon touches woven throughout. These reddish-gold hints blend beautifully with chestnut and espresso bases. Ideal for deep tan or golden skin with natural curls or thick waves.

 

7. Face-Framing Blonde Highlights

Blonde streaks focused around the face brighten and add instant lift to your features. This bold framing works well for all brown bases, from light to deep. Looks fresh and modern on golden-beige skin.

8. Dark Chocolate with Subtle Copper Highlights

Dark chocolate brown paired with low-contrast copper adds warmth and shine without going too bold. These thin, shimmering streaks catch the sun beautifully. Perfect on medium skin with auburn undertones.

 

9. Cool-Toned Ash Brown with Silver Highlights

Add a metallic edge to your cool brown hair with wisps of silver. This look is chic and polished, perfect for summer nights. Suits fair to medium cool-toned skin best.

 

10. Deep Burgundy Highlights for a Rich Look

Burgundy streaks give brown hair a luxe, deep-red twist. It’s bold without being loud, and looks amazing on deeper skin with red or violet undertones. Great with coils or sleek styles.

 

11. Light Platinum Highlights with Brown Roots

Platinum streaks over brown roots create a dramatic, bold look. It’s edgy but still wearable, especially with straight styles. Stands out beautifully on light skin with neutral undertones.

 

12. Soft Champagne Highlights

Champagne tones offer a soft glow that’s neither too cool nor too warm. These creamy highlights melt into chocolate brown for a luxe feel. They flatter rosy-beige skin with wavy or curled hair.

 

13. Rose Gold Highlights on Brown Hair

Rose gold brings a blushy metallic glow to brown strands, creating a trendy summer shine. The contrast is eye-catching without being overdone. Works well on fair to medium skin with warm or pink undertones.

 

14. Warm Apricot Highlights for a Subtle Glow

Apricot adds a peachy shimmer to brown hair, perfect for a soft, golden look. It’s warm and understated, blending beautifully into a sunlit style. Best on golden-tan skin with soft textures.

 

15. Copper and Caramel Highlights Together

A blend of copper and caramel delivers brightness and richness. These highlights give brown hair a multi-tonal glow that feels artistic and balanced. Looks bold and dimensional on medium to deep skin tones.

 

16. Toffee Brown with Light Blonde Highlights

Toffee brown has that golden-syrup depth, and when paired with light blonde streaks, it creates a playful contrast. Ideal for wavy hair on olive or bronze skin, especially in outdoor lighting.

 

17. Bold Golden Copper Highlights

Golden copper is the boldest pick—fiery, bright, and full of life. These highlights stand out with every flick of movement. Works best on deep, warm-toned skin with natural texture or straight styles.

Final Thoughts

Summer is all about light, movement, and color—and your brown hair can show that off too.

From subtle shimmer to head-turning hues, these summer highlights bring new energy to your strands. Let the sun catch your new glow this season, one highlight at a time.