Hair Colors

Sun-Kissed Highlight Ideas for Brunettes – Summer 2025!

Summer isn’t just a time of year; it’s a mood. And nothing screams the first hints of summer like how fresh, sun sparkled highlights twinkle on light brown hair. But how do you achieve that perfect balance of natural looking, sun-kissed glow without going full beach blonde? How do you maintain the richness of your beautiful brown hair while wanting to feel like you’re sun-kissed?

No matter if long or short, curly or striaght, there’s a bronzed moment just waiting to unfold. Let’s explore Sun-Kissed Highlight Ideas for Brunettes – Summer 2025!—and trust me, these are far more sophisticated than basic.

Choco-Beige Waves with Feathered Bangs

These textured waves merge rich dark brown roots with lighter ribbons of dirty blonde feathering out like melted caramel. The full and airy piece bangs soften the whole style, making it youthful. It’s like a sophisticated version of your beachy, kid-inspired bangs—more shiny and intentional though. The shape remains soft yet bold with the highlights drawing attention to the face. It’s one of those styles that get attention, but somehow feels relaxed and effortless at the same time.

Sun-Kissed Highlight Ideas for Brunettes - Summer 2025! Choco-Beige Waves with Feathered Bangs

In terms of maintenance, this one benefits from a little TLC moisture. To keep the blonde hues fresh and avoid the ends feeling crunchy, I use the Moroccanoil Color Depositing Mask in Champagne once a week. There do be quite a few things a weekly clarifying rinse does, but taming the dreaded brassy tones is one of them. Because let’s be honest, no one wants yellow surprises under the sun.

Straightforward? This is a style I’ve had on and off for years. It’s ageless. You get the fun of balayage without the maintenance stress of traditional foil highlights. And lets be real, the best part? It grows out like a dream. If I’m stretching things, three months between appointments is possible.

If ready for the glow but not totally ready for a complete makeover, this may be your go-to for a while. Ask your colorist for babylights on the crown and frame your bangs with two almost invisible gold pieces. It’s giving sun-kissed but subtle, summer but not seasonally dependent.

Bronzed Blonde Lob with Barely-There Waves

This hairstyle offers a collarbone-grazing lob that appears relaxed, sophisticated, and endlessly adaptable for various social media platforms. The base brown hair transitions into lighter blonde, completed with a warm toasted finish, reminiscent of perfectly roasted marshmallow peaks. The look, along with loose, casual texture, feels sophisticated yet effortless. These understated muted tones, low-contrast colors, and textures somehow enhance the look even more when sunlight shines upon it.

Sun-Kissed Highlight Ideas for Brunettes - Summer 2025! Bronzed Blonde Lob with Barely-There Waves

To maintain softness as such, this look needs a color-safe leave-in conditioner, like Pureology Color Fanatic. It hydrates the ends while bringing out the depth. With such softness, the ends will have a slight bend. Achieving this with a curling wand takes only a flick of the wrist.

Like most people, I adore this style because it feels effortless and uncomplicated. This is the ‘quiet luxury’ adaptation of summer hair dye—less drama but more impact—ideal for under-the-radar vibes in summer. One of my friends uses this exact shade, and I genuinely believe she looks like she’s just flown back from a Tulum retreat every time I meet her.

Pro tip? This lob gets even prettier with second-day hair. A quick spray of Kristin Ess Dry Finish Working Texture Spray and you’re off, latte in one hand and the sun shining in your tresses.

Dark Mocha Layers with Golden Ribbons

The cascading dark brown waves, sliced with thin and glimmering ribbons of gold, are somehow sultry. The flecks of gold shimmer like sunlight. The curtain bangs give this cut a 2025 twist and the texture is all about effortless wind-blown drama. This is energizing for deeper brunettes aiming to brighten without losing their rich base.

Sun-Kissed Highlight Ideas for Brunettes - Summer 2025! Dark Mocha Layers with Golden Ribbons

To keep the gloss bright, maintaining care is crucial. To balance, I switch off from DpHue Cool Brunette Shampoo to a standard sulfate free wash. That “just-colored” shine is also sustained with a little glossing treatment every month.

This method gives me that summer hair vibe without shouting “highlighted.” The tones are layered and lived-in, which is perfect for brunettes wanting to flirt with brightness, but not commit to it. It’s one of the most low-maintenance styles, so it works for people looking for something more natural.

Don’t know how to style black and brown hair with highlights? It’s warm, soft, and full of life. Imagine a rubidium gold enveloped in chocolate.

Beige Lob with Shadow Roots

This stylish lob showcases beachy blond highlights over a dirty brown base and soft face framing highlights that do all the heavy lifting. The color melt is impeccable chic and the slightly off center part really modernizes the whole look. “Clean girl,” hair upgrade is what I’d call it. The shadow root makes the style more forgiving so you don’t have to stress about awkward grow-out phases or weekly toning.

Sun-Kissed Highlight Ideas for Brunettes - Summer 2025! Cool Beige Lob with Shadow Roots

Because toners do not last long in summer, I refresh with dpHue Gloss+ every month in Light Brown. The gloss keeps the base looking fresh while allowing those lighter strands to not be damaged. It being damage free is crucial when talking about the blonde ends.

Even though the shampoo is under $10, this is one of those styles that makes you feel expensive. I wore this look last summer and was asked multiple times if I “just got it done,” when in reality, it had been eight weeks.

For those not wanting to take the plunge with full sunkissed hair, this is the in between dark hint that still looks bold in the summer light. Obvious but not too obvious and extremely understated.

Sunlit Caramel Waves with Piecey Texture

The warm brown hair is captured in strands of caramel and sandy blonde, golden brown, almost brunette, hair give that piecey texture. Medium to short lengths suit this style only. The overall shape is softer and rounder, which harmonizes perfectly with the piecey texture, making it a modern take on hair balayage that creates a glowing effect akin to being sun-kissed, but never stripy.

Sun-Kissed Highlight Ideas for Brunettes – Summer 2025!

To keep the color buttery without turning brassy, use Redken’s Color Extend Blondage Mask—it tones without overcooling so those caramel ribbons are preserved.

Carefree beach hairstyles are a personal fave, especially with how effortlessly they look for the ‘I’m on vacation, but not really’ look. You know how you always look better when the sun hits you? That’s what this does. It’s rad for low-maintenance girls who want their styles to turn heads without too much upkeep.

Need more reasons to love it? You can always add a subtle money piece highlight to transform it and carve those cheekbones even without the use of bronzer. This dimension is everything.

Blonde Curl Pop with Bronde Depth

The volume in this hairstyle is an ode to the sun and curly hair. The sunkissed effect comes from the infusion of blonde, honey, and brown highlights into the curls. It’s got a striking effect that isn’t too overpowering—imagine golden hour captured within a hairstyle. And the best part is your natural curl pattern will be enhanced by the color, not weighed down by it.

Sun-Kissed Highlight Ideas for Brunettes - Summer 2025! Blonde Curl Pop with Bronde Depth

With curls and color, moisture works best. For definition, I trust Pattern Beauty’s Curl Gel, and for that post sun bounce, Mielle’s Babassu Oil & Mint Deep Conditioner.

This image is everything I envision for 2025: fun, free, and filled with texture. The way those sun-kissed highlights reflect light in every ringlet? Absolute hair poetry.

And if you’re still skeptical about highlighting curls, know this: Experts like Nai’vasha and Vernon François have emphasized the power of curl-dimensioned hair. Stylish curl hair is not just about color—it’s shape-enhancement too.

Textured Bronze Shag with Lived-In Bangs

We love how this shag layered shag cut brings major cool-girl energy. The dark brown base is softly highlighted with blonde melts at the mid-lengths and ends for a lived-in, rocker appeal. The sun-kissed highlights make the cut feel effortless and warm, like summer bottled in strands of tousled hair.

Sun-Kissed Highlight Ideas for Brunettes - Summer 2025! Textured Bronze Shag with Lived-In Bangs

This cut looks better when the hair is more moveable, so I like to suggest airy stylers such as Ouai Air Dry Foam for the layers, it adds hold without weighing down the finish. A salt spray can add some beach texture as well, but without drying out too much of the color.

For me, I stan how this style offers a dose of good girl gone bad. It has soft edges which is rebellious in the best way, like throwing on a band tee but keeping it feminine with a slick of gloss on the lips. I can’t stop wearing this exact vibe on repeat through the in between months.

This shag is perfect when you need something fun and effortless with all-nighters and heat waves ahead in 2025.

Golden Honey Curls with Volume for Days

This is the cover art for this season’s curly soundtrack. Abundant, bouncy spirals gets more sunshine with glowing sunkissed highlights of blonde and warm brown. The highlights are strategically placed to catch the light at every curl. This is a true celebration of volume and texture and sunlight.

Sun-Kissed Highlight Ideas for Brunettes - Summer 2025! Golden Honey Curls with Volume for Days

With curls this defined and dimensional, hydration is essential and I would go for Adwoa Beauty’s Baomint Leave-In Conditioning Styler. It smooths, softens, and defines without weighing curls down. A silk pillowcase at night helps to retain that crown frizz-free.

I recall seeing a girl in L.A. with this hair and legit did a double take. It’s alive, vibrant, and natural. The blend of tones literally makes the curls glow from the inside.

It takes a skilled hand to highlight curly textures, but when done right—whew. The magic of summer has its wonders.

Buttercream Ribbons on Sunkissed Brunette

A dreamlike style this is, the kind which you save ot every Pinterest board. A sun-kissed lowlight glossy brown mane features twinkling babylights and buttercream ribbons that float around the face and frame the waves. The cut flows to longer lengths and is still light and bouncy due to the soft layer movement.

Sun-Kissed Highlight Ideas for Brunettes - Summer 2025! Buttercream Ribbons on Sunkissed Brunette

If you wear your tresses down, they might tend to fade with constant heat styling. To combat this, I use Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil which provides UV protection and keeps the ends of my hair soft and glossy, ranting me combat wrinkles.

Remember the days you wanted to take the picture, and the angle looked so much better than in front of the mirror? That’s how I feels with these furle ribbons and glam highlights. They’re gentle and flattering on most skin tones which is extremely rare these days.

If you want to recreate the effortless finish, tell your stylist to do hand-painted hair balayage placement instead. It is great for avoiding harsh lines due to grow-out.

Face-Framing Vanilla Cream Highlights

If you’re a fan of shorter styles that offer some contrast, this angled bob is a total win. The dark brown roots melt into bold vanilla blonde panels around the face, offering a modern spin on face framing highlights. The crisp bend at the ends gives it structure while the lightened sections provide a youthful pop. Think sweet, but with a twist.

Sun-Kissed Highlight Ideas for Brunettes - Summer 2025! Face-Framing Vanilla Cream Highlights

For tone maintenance, I love Amika’s Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Conditioner. It keeps the creamy tones fresh without fading too fast. Because the cut is so sharp, regular trims, every 6-8 weeks, keep it looking intentional.

I’ve had a variation of this bob before, and the confidence boost was real. It’s chic, edgy, and it’s surprisingly easy to style. If you’re sick of playing it safe, this color combo will put you front and center.

Looking for a glow up without a full transformation? This subtle two-tone moment is the answer.

Chocolate Melt with Glossy Volume

This hairstyle is elegance in motion. The roots of caramel dark brown blend effortlessly into light chestnut and sandy blonde ends, creating that signature melted appearance. Thick bangs lend further drama whilst the overall summer-ready shape gives a rich, healthy feeling to the entire cut.

Sun-Kissed Highlight Ideas for Brunettes - Summer 2025! Chocolate Melt with Glossy Volume

I maintain volume like this with Color Wow Xtra Large Bombshell Volumizer, which keeps the hair lifted without leaving it stiff. This product also preserves color and smells amazing.

Honestly, this is one of those styles that feels like a red carpet blowout even when you simply brush it out. It covers every requirement if you want volume, shine, and fullness without sacrificing depth of brunette.

Prefer not to load your hair with bleach? This is the ideal option for warm, dark, and sun-kissed hair—simply luxurious, multitone, and incredibly flattering in any light.

Bold Money Piece on Espresso Waves

This one is specially curated for those who love bold highlights. Picture a face-framing bold dirty blonde money piece which sets ablaze both bases of deep black or espresso. Modern and sleek style exudes pure confidence. Coupled with long cascading layers, the hair flows like silk and adds that extra drama in the front section.

Sun-Kissed Highlight Ideas for Brunettes - Summer 2025! Bold Money Piece on Espresso Waves

To maintain the clean contrast, use the striping Fanola No Yellow Shampoo. For shine, Oribe’s Royal Blowout Spray maintains smooth glassy hair.

I love how effortlessly polished and edgy it feels and this style works surprisingly well with simple outfits and minimal makeup. You could say it has this air of ‘I know what I am doing’ energy.

If you want a head-turner without making a full commitment to colors, try a high contrast $money piece$ which offers less effort for full glam. Bold suggestions but still effective.

Face-Framing Balayage with Wispy Bangs

This medium-length hairstyle featuring soft waves and full wispy bangs looks effortlessly fresh. The sun-kissed balayage starts off with deep dark brown roots, flowing into a buttery dirty blonde ribbon, and is concentrated around the face. Strands of hair this highlighted are perfect for people who want movement and brightness without a full commitment to lightening. The hairstyle perfectly suits the base of the hair, enabling users to let loose and enjoy the summer sun.

Sun-Kissed Highlight Ideas for Brunettes - Summer 2025! Face-Framing Balayage with Wispy Bangs

Maintaining the brightness of this hairstyle while avoiding brassy tones is crucial. My weekly recommendation would be purple shampoo, and one I’ve been using for a while is dpHUE Cool Blonde Shampoo. It works even on brunette hair with balayage. To protect those ends from the sun and damage, the Sun Bum 3-in-1 Leave-In UV-protective leave-in conditioner can be used. With the scent of summer, this product also protects your hair, making it a win-win.

For myself, this hairstyle gives the impression of having a subtle glow-up. It makes it seem as though you have spent a few weekends at the beach, even if your only patio activity was brunching. Matt Rez, a celebrity colorist, said the face-framing light accents “bring the eye right where you want it—cheekbones, brows, lips.” Couldn’t agree more.

A little fringe goes a long way. For those who want to flirt with bangs, this style is perfect because it provides movement and airiness. For those who want to look brand new without doing a complete overhaul, this style works wonders, and gentle transforms are all the rage nowadays.

Big Summer Curls with Golden Blonde Highlights

This exudes what I call bombshell energy. Curly hair turned all the way up sports full, lush spirals cascading past the shoulders. The way the blonde highlights cut against a deeper brown hair base, their contrast is rich and performs a dance together like no other. This is exactly what we want a beachside goddess to look like. And of course, this is just as stunning and easygoing when wearing a denim jacket while sipping a cold brew. Nothing makes me feel quite as much as summer as this look does, especially when the light hits just right.

Sun-Kissed Highlight Ideas for Brunettes - Summer 2025! Big Summer Curls with Golden Blonde Highlights

Keeping these adorable spirals healthy requires deep conditioning to keep the curls hydrated. My secret for bounce without the frizz is the Olaplex No. 8 Moisture Mask. Remember, a wide-tooth comb or fingers are your best friends—dry curls should not be brushed as hair is super brittle.

Talk about twinning; curl and highlight combination? Only pure magic! I’ve had this combo done during summer and fall months and I feel my most confident self when my curls are hydrated and my color is vibrant. It helps achieve that effortlessly stunning look that one would simply describe as, “I just stepped out of a music video.” Vernon François, my stylist, also states, “Texture is meant to be celebrated,” and this style does that fully.

For those who do worry about maintenance—there is no need. The babylights blended into these curls are beautiful as they grow out, so skipping appointments will not ruin the look. This gives you the perfect no-stress, all style cut for summer.

Sun-kissed Highlights On Braces With Sandy Curtain Layers

This easygoing shoulder-skimming style is chic, clean, and totally 2025. The brown hair is enhanced by balayage sunkissed highlights, softly blending to a sandy blonde for that lived-in, badly sunburned post-vacation glow. Throw in a middle part and curtain layers, and you feel like you should be drifting in and out of consciousness inside a linen dress underneath palm trees. For those of you who are new to Balayage, this technique is great to start off with. It is very subtle yet utterly sophisticated and chic.

Sun-Kissed Highlight Ideas for Brunettes - Summer 2025! Soft Curtain Layers with Sandy Ends

To maintain, I mixed IGK’s Mixed Feelings Leave-in Blonde Toning Drops with my conditioner and applied it once a week. It keeps my hair strands from becoming brassy too often while letting the natural vibes shine through. Think polished, not perfect.

This look, because of the gradual softer highlights, really brings me back to a time when I first got to know balayage. I was so unsure about it and thought it would be too bold. But the melt was so soft it looked like nature did it. “We’re going to make it look like the sun did all the work. That’s the goal,” my stylist said. And she did.

I love this for the low-key girls that want a shimmer. You don’t need to do much—maybe tussle with a wave spray such as Oribe’s Après Beach and you’re golden. Literally.

Warm Caramel Bangs on Glossy Layers

This one is an absolute stunner. Band of brown, glossy, voluminous hair with long feathered bangs and voluminous layers, lightly kissed by caramel brown highlights. It’s timeless summery hair that feels fresh as well – soft, touchable, and rich in tone. The face framing balayage highlights provide a lift as if contouring was done sans makeup. And bouncy layers? Total main character energy.


Sun-Kissed Highlight Ideas for Brunettes - Summer 2025! Warm Caramel Bangs on Glossy Layers

You need to take extra steps to preserve that shine. Like I always say, friends, don’t fry it buzzz it. Kristin Ess Signature Hair Gloss with a semi-permanent glaze will add the required gloss between salon appointments. It’s practically effortless. Just make sure to use a good heat protectant when styling, Kenra Thermal Styling Spray is fantastic. Everything helps.

This is the haircut version that I wore when I wanted to feel “grown up but glowy”, never drab. It suits literally every outfit and every face shape which is truly remarkable. Long layered blow dries always feel and look so effortlessly chic and elegant.

This is your go-to if you’ve been on the hunt for the clean girl gimmick but with a hint of glamour. Let the layers elevate you, no pun intended – literally and figuratively.

Trendy Tousled Bob With Brighter Tips

This short hairstyle has it all – fun, youthful, and messy in a controlled chic way. The length of the ruffled waves rests just beneath the chin which makes it suitable for the summer heat. The sun-kissed highlights on the brunette are almost undetectable at the root and only reveal themselves when the light hits each curl. While it gives off “I just came back from Tulum” vibes, it also gives effortless “I woke up like this” energy.

Sun-Kissed Highlight Ideas for Brunettes - Summer 2025! Modern Tousled Bob with Brightened Ends

Want that messy finish? You’re best friend is dry shampoo. For texture, lift and dry shampooing, Batiste Volumizing Dry Shampoo works wonders. A little wave from a flat iron and you’re in the clear.

Every summer, I become a bob loyalist, There’s something so liberating about a color change, literally changing it to a shorter version. Celebrity stylist Anh Co Tran always talks about “effortless movement” in a cut and indeed, he’s right.

This cut justifies the summer chop. The playful color placement paired with the structured, polished cut is brilliant. Put on hoops and gloss and it’s yours to claim.

Soft Wave Layers with Dimensional Fringe

There’s a softness here that feels almost poetic. Curly waves gently cascade over the collarbone, while full, textured bangs softly cover the forehead. With stunning dimensionality, the balayage intertwines strands of light brown and dirty blonde. Out of all the styles this season, this has to be the most natural looking. But don’t get me wrong—natural doesn’t mean boring. This is subtle glam at its best.

Sun-Kissed Highlight Ideas for Brunettes - Summer 2025! Dimensional Fringe with Soft Wave Layers

To achieve these curls, always remember to use a microfiber towel and silk pillowcase for sleep. It not only keeps hair intact, but provides protection as well. Pattern Beauty’s Curl Gel is fantastic, too; it provides hold without crunch.

For me, this brings back memories of San Diego summers—salty air, iced coffee runs, and day three hair. This cut gives me the energy to feel undone in the best way.

How about preserving this style? A spritz of Amika’s Shine Spray does the trick. This look is perfect for rooftop dinners and sunset selfies.

Waves with Dark Blonde Highlights in a Beachy Style

Soft, cascading waves of dark brown caramel and dirty blonde highlights are the epitome of sunkissed luxury, accentuated with waves of color. The sophistication and multicolor balance is gorgeous and done and blended lightly enough so that it seems to have occurred over a few magical weekends in Malibu. This hairstyle is captured with the light as you step creating an effortless flowing motion which showcases luxurious movement due to the long layers.

Sun-Kissed Highlight Ideas for Brunettes - Summer 2025! Waves with Dark Blonde Highlights in a Beachy Style

Sprays are critical to keep waves of this nature frothy and Que’s Wave Spray is my go to to keep it airy but not crunchy. Heat exposed color is also easy to maintain but does need some TLC – try the Redken Color Extend Blondage Mask used weekly.

This hair idea shocked me one summer in Charleston – it was humid, my curls relaxed into soft bends, and feeling like my entire appearance had improved thanks to the lighter pieces around my face. These tones of sun-kissed highlights on brunette hurts and helps at the same time giving me confidence, especially when wearing subdued eye makeup and bold brows.

If your hair is long or being grown out, this is a gorgeous way to add dimension without the need for high-contrast maintenance. The strands melt into each other fully, keeping it modern not streaky.

Modern Curl Bob with Subtle Blonde Ribbons

This bouncy bob is playful while still looking natural. The softly defined waves sit just above the shoulders which and gives off that “vacation hair without leaving home” vibe. The Balayage highlights are strategically placed to accentuate the curls to create an illusion of fuller texture and more dimension. This combination of brown with blonde ribbons provides a sunkissed effect but definitely not basic.

Sun-Kissed Highlight Ideas for Brunettes - Summer 2025! Modern Curl Bob with Subtle Blonde Ribbons

Shorter curls require moisture to flourish. For lift without anti-gravity blasting, try diffusing. To keep the pattern, I suggest Briogeo’s Curl Charisma Leave-In Defining Cream, my go-to for hydration. Air drying contributes to effortless bedhead.

I used to have a bob haircut in early 2023 and to this day I reminisce about it. The most funny part was people telling me that I looked as if I had spent a week at the beach. The truth is, I was working a remote job at my apartment in Chicago. Summer hair illusions like these are the ones I fully endorse.

Summer makes me want to go shorter on my hair, but this trick allows me to keep my curls glowing, fresh, and defined without losing volume or freedom.

Curly Volume with Scattered Babylights

This particular type is for curly hair to show off its true volume and untamed beauty. The curls remain big and full with loose Babylights scattered throughout simulating sunlight bouncing off of hair. The color contrast improves the texture without overshadowing the shape and is beautifully loose and radiant.

Sun-Kissed Highlight Ideas for Brunettes - Summer 2025! Curly Volume with Scattered Babylights

To manage curly hair, one must first gain hydration. Always start with moisture, I suggest Camille Rose Curl Maker Gel with Algae Renew Deep Conditioner. Combines these with proper styling and your curls will be fed, defined, and devoid of frizz. Hair should be styled minimally, so let your hair do the talking.

I attempted something alike on a trip to Tulum—little highlights around the front, placed strategically. The sun hitting those curls? Absolutely unbelievable. One of my stylists told me some time ago to “highlight your hair the way sunlight would naturally touch it,” and this look completely captures that vibe.

This hairstyle demonstrates that sunkissed hair can be effortless and untouched. It’s that unrefined, lived-in vibe that makes this style so perfect for 2025.

High-Contrast Blonde Face Frame on Dark Base

This look leans the boldest. We mean face framing pieces sliced into stark blonde with a rich black or deep brown base. The result is fierce, fashion-forward, and unapologetically bold. These money pieces highlights serve immediate structure and brightness giving a solid power move for everyone looking to change their look for the summer.

Sun-Kissed Highlight Ideas for Brunettes - Summer 2025! High-Contrast Blonde Face Frame on Dark Base

When going this steep on the contrast, toning is particularly crucial. I suggest Fanola No Yellow Shampoo, particularly if your stylist went bright. This sort of contrasting color needs regular maintenance to avoid brassy results.

I love how fearless this feels. This is very much signature Dua Lipa and now you get a cheekbone lift with every glance. It’s certainly not for everyone, but strong change seekers would likely surrender to this instantly.

The framing draws attention to eyes and brows, so it serves as contouring. Best paired with polished styles or gentle curls to let the color shine.

Golden Honey Swirls on Long Waves

A classic brown hair sun-kissed beauty sprite energy with a delicate hint of honey is woven into a browning mane. The golden highlights intertwine into the mid-lengths and ends of voluminous waves, adding an extra bounce and softness. It’s a rich, buttery take on sunkissed hair dark that compliments an extensive variety of skin tones and hair types—glamorously effortless.

Sun-Kissed Highlight Ideas for Brunettes - Summer 2025! Golden Honey Swirls on Long Waves

I like to use Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Mask to protect and preserve golden tones, savoring every lovey sweet shred of warmth. And for styling, flat loose curls with a 1.25” iron does the trick every time.

There’s a real romantic energy that lingers in the atmosphere follows the kind of vibes this style radiates. One can wear a linen dress while sipping on chilled chai and meandering through the farmer’s market. These are the summer hair color vibes I live for — warm and flirtatious without ever trying too hard.

Want to take it one step further? A gloss treatment mid season will rejuvenate everything for you. Gloss is what you need for that all-important light and sunlight will show off the tones showers of high-shine.

Coo-Tone Balayage Chic Finish

This straight hair is so cool and sleek and a bit out of the box for summer and that is precisely why it is so eye-catching. In this case Balayage favors ashy while pearlescent dirty blonde highlights streaks beautifully against the dark brown base. Every swoosh gives off a city-chic, summer-in-Soho vibe.

Sun-Kissed Highlight Ideas For Brunettes - Summer 2025! Cool-Toned Balayage for a Chic Finish

Ashy toner does need some love and don’t skip on using pll purple shampoo like Joico Color Balance Purple which is great for yellowing. Always use a heat protectant if you straighten often; Gisou’s Heat Protecting Spray not only protects, but adds shine.

For me, this is a summer look for a gal that wants her hair to whisper rather than shout as she walks through the room. Neutral, black, bold red or brash, this striking color and elevate any outfit instantly and remains polished while still allowing for movement and dimension, exactly what is needed in the summer.

This design is also incredibly grow-out friendly. If you are looking to stretch your salon appointments or prefer low-maintenance brightness, this approach will carry you effortlessly through the season—and beyond.

Soft Texture with Sandy Dimension

These soft, tousled waves with blended sunkissed highlights are simply stunning. The base color is dark rich brown. The balayage adds soft ribbons of dirty blonde and warm caramel, beautifully framing the face. The face framing layers give a modern touch, keeping it breezy—like a summer chill playlist on repeat.

Sun-Kissed Highlight Ideas for Brunettes - Summer 2025! Soft Texture with Sandy Dimension

To maintain the vibrance of color, a sulfate-free shampoo is crucial. I personally use the Hydrate line by Pureology. Their sulfate free shampoo and conditioner keep the hair moisturized, especially when the highlights become parched from too much UV exposure.

This hairstyle, like many effortless looks, doesn’t require too much maintenance, which is ideal. It survives the dreaded granny phase very well. The color shifts and blends more gently with time, which is a win. And come on, no one enjoys harsh dark roots during a time of year when flip-flops and loose clothing are the norm.

What’s left to be desired for this look? I suppose throwing on some sea salt spray would give the perfect beach look. Other than that, it looks beautifully sunkissed without the effort of trying too hard.

Brunette Melting Lengths with Champagne Ribbon Balayage

It’s finally time for your rich-gold brunette moment. We mean beautiful, shiny brown hair with sweeping balayage strokes of champagne and golden beige highlights. The color blending is flawless, giving that milky contrast we all wish for during summer. The center part and straight, sleek hair finish further uplift the whole vibe to chic yet contemporary.

Sun-Kissed Highlight Ideas for Brunettes - Summer 2025! Brunette Melting Lengths with Champagne Ribbon Balayage

We suggest pairing this rich style with a gloss treatment approximately every 6 weeks. It helps retain the shine and prevents the tone from slipping into dull territories. Matt Rez, a celebrity colorist, swears by them to “bring life back to hair that’s been living its best summer life.”

This is the type of hair that encourages one to walk a little taller, even when wearing biker shorts and a tank. The look is heightened, but still incredibly effortless, which is my ideal scenario.

Need to make it edgier? Blunt trimming or micro curtain bangs add effortless soft edges to the look.

Curled Volume with Golden Face-Frames

These curly hair waves highlight every aspect of your hair. This hairstyle is effortless, dazzling, and most importantly, brings out the sun kissed highlights your hair truly deserves. The warm honey face-framing pieces do exactly what you want them to do; they spellbind you with an internal glow. The remaining hair stays rooted in deep brown for some much needed balance and depth.

Sun-Kissed Highlight Ideas for Brunettes - Summer 2025! Curled Volume with Golden Face-Frames

Wavy and curly locks do require a touch of special care when it comes to retaining color. A preventative measure would be implementing a soft warm, color-safe deep conditioner. If you’re looking for options, I’d highly recommend Briogeo’s Don’t Despair, Repair, especially after beach days.

When it comes to my interpretation, this hairstyle makes me think of a scorching day and me preparing for a vibrant rooftop brunch while holding a mimosa. The hairstyle is fun, elegant, natural, yet a hint of glam makes an appearance. Oh, and the honey highlights? Absolute perfection for dimension in every photo.

If you want to take this further, I would recommend using a light hand and adding extra sparkle with babylights. The light catches them beautifully.

Soft Shag Layers with Cool Blonde Accents

There is a calm assurance in this look, a short shag hairstyle with uplift on the bangs as well as cheekbone and crown region’s blunt blonde highlights. The bronze tinted sun-kissed balayage highlights transform this look making it feel effortlessly fresh and suitable for daily wear. It’s giving modern shag but polished, not punky.

Sun-Kissed Highlight Ideas for Brunettes - Summer 2025! Soft Shag Layers with Cool Blonde Accents

A light mousse or volumizing spray will greatly assist you when styling this at home. Use a Chi 44 Iron Guard to protect from relax and protect from excessive heat because this one does the trick without weighing hair down too much. As it turns out, hair needs volume too.

This makes me feel like I am a ‘cool art director who wears linen trousers’. Pardon me, but how effortlessly elegant is this? Plus, the light highlights around face and neck are very, very pretty with dark brown hair.

What if you want to make it softer? Extend it with long curtain bangs. Edgier? Add underlying black lowlights and you’re set. All up to you.

Conclusion

So what’s it going to be? Which look is speaking to you? Share in the comments below, I know I’m not the only one looking for ideas for a the new summer statement, and I can’t wait to find a new summer style with all of you. So here’s to the glow up, right?

Elena Shevchenko

Hi, I'm Elena Shevchenko. I'm the one behind beauty-and-fashion.com. It's a website where I talk about the things I'm into—fashion, beauty, and trends. I've been learning and exploring the world of style for years, spotting trends and sharing helpful info to boost every girl's confidence.

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