The Ultimate Guide To Brown Hair With Blonde Highlights

What do Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce and Khloe Kardashian all have in common? Aside from serving up constant beauty inspiration for the masses, all three stars have made brown hair with blonde highlights their signature hair colour. That's a simplification of sorts, some call is bronde and others call in honeyed brown, but either way it's a popular hair colour that is in constant demand.

And brown hair with blonde highlights has stood the test of time, too. While there are those who have only just stepped into their bronde era (we're looking at you Margot Robbie), there are a host of A-listers that have long flirted with the style and have remained brown-with-blonde loyalists since way back when, we see you Chrissy Teigen, Jennifer Aniston and Blake Lively.

And the universally-flatting colour isn't going anywhere. Senior colourist at Live True London, Stéphane Ferraira, says 'We’re expecting to see natural colours ruling 2023, especially with a rise in brunettes. Whether that’s a natural looking balayage or a deep and dramatic tint, we’re excited to see brunettes have more fun.'

Paul Percival, founder of Percy & Reedagrees, 'There has been a real movement towards expensive, chocolate, darker colours in the autumn/winter which is normal, but this season it has been much more about very expensive looking hair when it comes to colour; this trend will remain, I think people will embrace lighter tones/brighter hair but there may also be a movement towards having a darker panel underneath.'

And bronde is the expensive-looking bright, buttery answer to that. Like most hair colour-altering ventures, embracing the brown with blonde highlights look requires some work, but the low maintenance, complexion enhancing colour is worth the hassle. Here's what you need to know

How To Achieve Brown Hair With Blonde Highlights

Think of the look as having a bronde base tone with blonde face framing highlights, says Michael Gray, John Frieda UK Creative Stylist.

'If you’re naturally blonde, you’ll want to ask your colourist to tone your hair down to a darker bronde shade. You’ll also be asking for face framing highlights to keep the overall hair colour look and feel lighter. On the other hand, if you’re brunette, you’ll want them to balayage the hair on the lower ends to frame the face. Balayage is a hand-painting technique which means your colourist can really frame your face in a way that suits your features.'

What Shades Should I Ask For?

This all depends on how dark your base depth will be. If you’re naturally dark and keeping that tone, you won’t want your blonde balayage too bright and contrasting. Michael says ask for blonde and bronde tones, a colourist will then usually opt for a base of seven, which is a medium blonde tone.

What Technique Is Used To Dye Brown Hair And Blonde Highlights?

There are a combination of techniques involved. Money piece highlights are otherwise known as face framing, are carved out with a soft balayage Michael points out, it gives a more natural finish. A root melt technique is then used through the remainder of the hair. 'Root melting is the effect of smudging the root to create a more transitional, lived-in colour. It’s a blend of tones to avoid those harsh division lines between colours.'

Why Is Brown Hair With Blonde Highlights Right For Now?

It's a great look for winter as it allows those who still want light shades and blonde tones to wear a darker, warmer look. Aside from that, this style of colour is super flattering and adds multi-dimensions that flat tones just can’t achieve, says Michael. Plus, the root blend technique is a low maintenance style and the lived in look means you’ll be at the salon less!

Brown Hair With Blonde Highlights Inspiration