When it comes to bold hair color statements, highlights are definitely a must. This coloring technique allows you to experiment with different hues instead of settling with one shade! In fact, any experience colorist would usually add about two to four different shades on one head anyway, as this helps enhance the style and dimension for a certain cut.
One easy way to give dimension to one-length or layer-free tresses is to amp up the contrast with a dark base and a bold-colored highlights. We’re not just talking about a subtle balayage, but a dye job that harks back on the cool and chunky hair color trends of the '90s! The result should be a head-turning color that adds obvious texture and depth no matter your hairstyle.
But if you’ve got no idea what to show your stylist, or have forgotten to save that one TikTok video, Instagram post or Pinterest recommendation, we’ve rounded up a slew of color combinations that will transform your ‘do from plain to chic. As cliché as that sounds, we promise you won’t regret trying any of these stylish styles!
10 Beautiful Dark Hair Colors with Highlights
1. Dark Brown with Platinum Blonde Highlights
For maximum contrast that looks highly intentional, pair platinum blonde highlights with a dark brown base. The key here is to mix in another highlight color in a dark or caramel hue as an inbetween. This works best if you have soft layers or a single-length haircut.
2. Chocolate Brown with Toffee Highlights
This is a subtle combination that’s still as dreamy and cool. Toffee is a warm but bright hue that works well with all shades of brown. The best part? This color is easily achievable with Filipina hair since many of us have a naturally red undertone!
3. Warm Brown with Dark Blonde and Caramel Brown Highlights
Love the beach? Then get a hair color to match your love for the sea! This combination is perfect for any island-loving gal as it gives off a very sunkissed glow. The lighter browns in this dye job also help enhance your tan if you’ve got one! Last but definitely not the least, the sparse blonde streaks help add a bit of dimension to you locks without creating too much texture.
4. Caramel Brown with Golden Blonde Highlights
Opt for an overall warm color story with this two-tone dye job that’s all about that golden glow. To keep it from looking messy, be sure your blonde highlights equally dominate the look and they shouldn’t be in a cool ash tone. Go warm all the way!
5. Dark Ash Brown with Hidden Blue Highlights
The peek-a-boo color trend is here to stay! This style has the highlights hidden under the top most layer of hair. This is great if you want to experiment with fun colors like blue!
6. Dark Ash Brown with Gray Highlights
Looking for a literally cool dye job? Then pick a base and highlight color in ashy shades! We recommend an ash brown and gray color combo for that creamy and light color story that really helps enhance any skin tone. This dye job also helps soften your features if you have a layered haircut!
7. Dark Ash Brown with Pink Highlights
Pink is an unlikely neutral since it actually looks great with any dark base! This means it also complements fair to deep skin tones, and is a perfect alternative to blonde if you’re looking to lift the texture of your cut.
8. Dark Brown and Peach Face-Framing Highlights
Face-framing highlights are a great way to really make your facial features pop! This style also enhances your eyes and brows since it draws attention to them. Peach is a warm alternative to blonde and is a color that works well if you’ve got a really dark brown base or even a jet black one.
9. Chocolate Brown and Platinum Blonde Accent Highlight
If you’re not a fan of highlights all over your head, then why not just pick a section of your hair to highlight—like your bangs! This is a unique and creative way to do a face-framing highlight if you’re looking for something more unconventional.
10. Dark Lavender Ash Brown with Purple Highlights
Another creative color to try is to go deep ash brown with a wash of purple and some cute purple highlights. This color combo is as kawaii as you can get and is a cool way to do ash without taking the typical milk tea or gray route.
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