Brunette hair with natural curls creates a stunning canvas for highlights that can transform your entire look. When you combine rich brown tones with strategically placed highlights, the result is dimensional, vibrant, and utterly captivating.
Whether you’re looking for subtle caramel ribbons or bold honey streaks, the right highlights can enhance your curls’ natural texture while adding depth and movement.
This comprehensive guide to 27 Cute Brunette with Curly Hair Highlights explores everything from warm copper tones to cool ash shades, providing inspiration for every curl pattern and personal style.
You’ll discover placement techniques, color combinations, and maintenance tips that will help you achieve the perfect highlighted curly brunette look.
1. Caramel Ribbon Highlights on Chocolate Curls
Caramel ribbon highlights create beautiful contrast against deep chocolate brown curls, offering a sun-kissed appearance that looks natural and effortless.
This technique involves placing lighter caramel tones in strategic ribbons throughout your curls to create dimension.
- The caramel shades should be 2-3 levels lighter than your base brown color for optimal contrast
- These highlights work exceptionally well on medium to tight curl patterns because the curls catch light at different angles
- The warm undertones in caramel complement most skin tones, from fair to deep
- Placement around the face creates a brightening effect that draws attention to your features
- This coloring technique requires less maintenance than all-over color because the natural dimension hides regrowth
- Using a toner helps maintain the caramel shade and prevents brassiness between salon visits
- The ribboning technique creates vertical lines of color that elongate your overall appearance
2. Honey Blonde Face-Framing Highlights
Honey blonde highlights strategically placed around the face create an illuminating effect that brightens your complexion and adds warmth to brunette curls. This technique focuses color where it matters most, keeping maintenance manageable while delivering maximum impact.
- Face-framing highlights should extend from the hairline to approximately chin or collarbone length
- The honey blonde shade contains golden undertones that complement warm and neutral skin tones beautifully
- This placement technique requires touch-ups every 10-12 weeks rather than the 6-8 weeks needed for all-over highlights
- The contrast between darker roots and lighter ends creates a modern, lived-in appearance
- Curly hair texture naturally diffuses the color, creating soft transitions between shades
- Styling products with UV protection help preserve the honey tones and prevent fading
- This technique works particularly well for those transitioning from darker hair to lighter shades gradually
3. Subtle Balayage on Dark Brown Curls
Balayage on dark brown curls creates a hand-painted, customized look that appears natural and sun-touched. This freehand technique allows for personalized placement that works with your curl pattern rather than against it.
- The balayage technique involves painting color onto the surface of curls without saturating them completely
- Starting the highlights a few inches from the roots creates a low-maintenance grow-out pattern
- Dark brown base colors provide the perfect foundation for subtle dimension without dramatic contrast
- The painted technique allows colorists to work with your natural curl pattern, placing highlights where curls naturally catch light
- This method typically uses 1-2 shades lighter than your base for an understated, sophisticated result
- Balayage on curls requires specialized training because curl patterns affect how color appears
- The technique can be customized for any curl type, from loose waves to tight coils
- Maintenance involves refreshing the lighter ends every 3-4 months while the roots remain natural
4. Golden Copper Highlights for Warm Undertones
Golden copper highlights add vibrant warmth to brunette curls, creating a rich, multidimensional color story. This combination particularly flatters those with warm or golden undertones in their skin.
- Copper tones contain red and gold pigments that create depth and vibrancy in natural light
- These highlights appear more dramatic in sunlight and subtle in indoor lighting
- The warm color family includes shades from light golden copper to deep auburn
- Placement throughout the mid-lengths and ends creates an ombré effect that’s both modern and timeless
- Copper requires color-depositing products to maintain vibrancy because red tones fade faster than other shades
- The combination of brown and copper creates a fiery, passionate appearance that stands out
- This color choice works beautifully on all curl patterns but looks particularly striking on voluminous, thick curls
- Cool-toned individuals should opt for different shades to avoid clashing with their natural coloring
5. Ash Brown Highlights for Cool-Toned Brunettes
Ash brown highlights provide a sophisticated, cool-toned alternative to warm highlights for brunettes with cool or neutral undertones. This color family eliminates red and orange tones, creating a sleek, modern appearance.
- Ash tones contain blue and green undertones that neutralize warmth in brown hair
- These highlights appear silver-toned in bright light and soft brown in dim lighting
- Cool-toned highlights complement fair skin with pink undertones and deep skin with cool undertones
- The ash family prevents the brassy appearance that sometimes develops in highlighted brunette hair
- This color requires purple or blue-toned shampoos to maintain the cool tone and prevent warming
- Ash highlights create subtle dimension rather than dramatic contrast on dark brown bases
- The sophisticated appearance works well in professional environments where dramatic color might be inappropriate
- Placement should focus on areas where you want to create lightness without warmth
6. Chunky Highlights from the 90s Revival
Chunky highlights offer a bold, nostalgic nod to 90s beauty trends while adding dramatic dimension to curly brunette hair. This technique involves placing wider sections of lightened hair throughout for maximum contrast.
- Chunky highlights typically range from 1-2 inches wide, creating bold stripes of color
- The technique works particularly well on thick, voluminous curls that can support dramatic contrast
- Modern chunky highlights use more flattering placement than the traditional 90s approach
- Colorists now focus chunks around the face and throughout the crown for strategic brightness
- This technique requires more maintenance because the contrast makes regrowth more noticeable
- The bold appearance suits confident individuals who want their hair to make a statement
- Combining multiple tones within the chunks creates depth and prevents a flat, striped appearance
- The revival trend embraces the intentionally bold look rather than trying to make highlights appear natural
7. Babylights for Natural-Looking Dimension
Babylights mimic the subtle, fine highlights that children naturally develop in the sun, creating the most natural-looking highlighted effect possible. This delicate technique involves painting very fine sections of hair with color.
- Individual babylight sections are typically the width of a toothpick or thinner
- The ultra-fine placement creates soft, diffused dimension rather than distinct streaks
- This technique takes longer to apply than traditional highlights because of the precision required
- Babylights work beautifully on all curl patterns, including fine curls that can’t support heavy highlighting
- The natural appearance means regrowth is virtually undetectable for several months
- Multiple shades can be used to create depth and prevent a flat, single-toned appearance
- The subtle effect brightens overall appearance without looking obviously colored
- This technique suits those wanting enhancement rather than transformation
8. Ombré Highlights Starting Mid-Shaft
Ombré highlighting creates a graduated color effect that transitions from darker roots to lighter ends, concentrating the lightest color at the tips. This technique offers low maintenance with high impact on curly brunette hair.
- The color transition should be gradual, typically starting 3-4 inches from the roots
- Ombré on curls creates more dimension than on straight hair because curls catch light differently at various points
- The technique allows roots to grow out naturally without creating a harsh line of demarcation
- Lighter ends can be toned to various shades including honey, caramel, or even platinum for dramatic looks
- Maintenance focuses on the ends only, requiring toning every 6-8 weeks and touch-ups every 3-4 months
- The length of your hair affects how dramatic the ombré appears, with longer hair showing more gradual transitions
- Deep conditioning treatments become essential because the ends receive the most chemical processing
- This technique can be achieved gradually over multiple sessions to minimize damage
9. Rose Gold Highlights for Trendy Brunettes
Rose gold highlights combine pink and gold tones to create a fashionable, feminine color that adds unique dimension to brunette curls. This trendy shade requires specific maintenance but delivers stunning results.
- Rose gold contains copper, pink, and gold pigments that create a multidimensional peachy-pink appearance
- The shade works best on light to medium brunettes because it requires pre-lightening to show true color
- These highlights photograph beautifully and appear luminous in both natural and artificial light
- Rose gold requires color-depositing treatments every 2-3 weeks to maintain the pink tones
- The trendy color makes a statement without being as dramatic as vivid fashion colors
- Placement throughout curls creates a romantic, ethereal appearance
- The combination of warm and cool tones means rose gold flatters various skin tones
- Professional application ensures even color distribution throughout curly texture
10. Platinum Blonde Money Pieces
Money pieces refer to bold, face-framing sections of color, and platinum blonde money pieces create dramatic contrast against brunette curls. These statement-making highlights draw attention to the face while keeping most of your natural color intact.
- Money pieces typically frame the face from the hairline to past the shoulders
- The bold platinum contrast creates an editorial, high-fashion appearance
- This technique requires significant lifting, especially on dark brunette hair, necessitating careful processing
- Maintenance includes toning every 4-6 weeks to prevent yellowing and root touch-ups every 8-10 weeks
- The dramatic look suits confident individuals comfortable with attention-getting hair
- Platinum pieces can be combined with subtler highlights throughout for a more blended appearance
- Purple shampoo and conditioning masks become non-negotiable for maintaining the bright blonde
- The contrast works with all curl patterns but appears most striking on defined, voluminous curls
11. Burgundy Lowlights for Depth
Burgundy lowlights add richness and depth to brunette curls by introducing darker, wine-toned sections throughout. This technique creates dimension through shadow rather than brightness.
- Lowlights are darker than the base color, creating depth rather than lightness
- Burgundy tones contain deep red and purple pigments that add richness to brown hair
- The technique works particularly well on curls because the dimensional placement creates texture and fullness
- Lowlights require less maintenance than highlights because darker color fades less noticeably
- The deep wine tones appear subtly in indoor lighting and more vibrantly in sunlight
- This option suits those wanting to add interest without the commitment of lighter, higher-maintenance highlights
- Burgundy complements warm and neutral skin tones while adding sophistication
- The technique can be combined with highlights for maximum dimension
12. Caramel and Blonde Dual-Tone Highlights
Combining caramel and blonde highlights creates a multi-tonal, sun-kissed effect on brunette curls. This technique uses two distinct shades to build complex, natural-looking dimension.
- The caramel acts as a transitional shade between the dark base and blonde highlights
- Blonde highlights should be placed strategically, typically around the face and crown
- Caramel tones are distributed throughout the mid-lengths for seamless blending
- The dual-tone approach creates more natural dimension than using a single highlight shade
- This technique mimics how sun naturally lightens hair in varying degrees
- Maintenance requires attention to both shades, with toners keeping each color true
- The combination flatters most skin tones because it includes both warm and neutral undertones
- Curly texture naturally blends the two shades, creating a cohesive appearance
13. Chocolate Brown Base with Toffee Highlights
Toffee highlights on a chocolate brown base create a delicious, warm color combination that adds richness to curly hair. The toffee shade sits between caramel and honey, offering a versatile middle ground.
- Toffee contains balanced warm tones without leaning too orange or too golden
- The shade complements chocolate brown beautifully, creating 2-3 levels of lift for visible dimension
- This color combination works across all seasons and doesn’t look dated or trendy
- The warm family of colors flatters warm and neutral skin tones particularly well
- Toffee maintains its tone better than lighter shades, requiring less frequent toning
- The richness of both colors creates a luxurious, expensive-looking result
- Application throughout curls creates all-over dimension rather than concentrated color
- The combination photographs well and looks consistent in various lighting conditions
14. Hazel Brown Highlights for Subtle Change
Hazel brown highlights offer the most subtle enhancement for brunette curls, providing dimension that’s noticeable without being dramatic. This technique suits those wanting enhancement rather than transformation.
- Hazel brown is typically only 1-2 shades lighter than medium brown bases
- The subtle lift creates natural-looking dimension that catches light without obvious contrast
- This conservative approach works well for professional environments or personal preference for understated looks
- The minimal color difference means lower maintenance and less frequent salon visits
- Hazel tones contain balanced undertones that flatter most skin tones
- The technique enhances natural curl patterns by creating light and shadow effects
- Growth is virtually undetectable because the color difference is so minimal
- This option serves as an excellent introduction to highlights for first-timers
15. Sunset-Inspired Orange and Red Highlights
Sunset-inspired highlights incorporate orange and red tones to create a warm, fiery appearance on brunette curls. This bold choice adds vibrancy and personality to your hair color.
- The color combination mimics sunset hues, ranging from deep copper to bright tangerine
- This dramatic option suits those wanting to make a statement with their hair color
- Red and orange pigments fade faster than other colors, requiring color-depositing treatments
- The warm tones work beautifully on warm and olive skin tones
- Placement should be strategic to avoid overwhelming the overall look
- These highlights appear most vibrant in natural sunlight and soften in indoor lighting
- The bold colors require professional application to achieve the right balance
- Maintenance includes specialized products formulated for red-toned hair
16. Pearl Blonde Highlights for a Luminous Glow
Pearl blonde highlights incorporate cool, iridescent tones that create a luminous, ethereal glow on brunette curls. This sophisticated shade requires precise application and dedicated maintenance.
- Pearl blonde contains violet and silver undertones that create an iridescent, pearly appearance
- The cool tones neutralize any warmth in the brunette base for a high-contrast look
- This shade requires significant lifting on dark brunette hair, necessitating professional expertise
- Purple shampoo and toning treatments are essential for maintaining the cool, pearly tone
- The luminous quality photographs exceptionally well and creates dimension in all lighting
- Pearl highlights work best on cool-toned or neutral-toned individuals
- The sophisticated appearance suits those wanting elegant, refined color
- Placement around the face and crown maximizes the brightening effect
17. Espresso Base with Mocha Highlights
An espresso base with mocha highlights creates a rich, coffee-inspired color palette that adds depth and warmth to curly hair. This combination offers sophistication with subtle dimension.
- Espresso refers to very dark brown, almost black bases that provide dramatic contrast
- Mocha highlights incorporate both brown and subtle red undertones for warmth
- The deep base color makes the lighter highlights appear more impactful
- This combination works particularly well on thick, dense curl patterns that can showcase the dimension
- The rich, deep colors require minimal maintenance because regrowth blends seamlessly
- Coffee-toned colors complement deep skin tones beautifully while also working on fair skin
- The sophisticated palette suits professional environments and formal occasions
- Conditioning treatments help maintain shine on the dark base color
18. Dimensional Highlights Using Three Shades
Using three different highlight shades creates maximum dimension and depth on brunette curls. This advanced technique involves carefully balancing multiple tones for a complex, natural result.
- The three shades typically progress from darkest to lightest, creating gradual transitions
- A medium tone acts as the bridge between the dark base and lightest highlights
- This technique mimics natural hair color variation, appearing sun-kissed rather than obviously colored
- Strategic placement of each shade creates depth, movement, and texture
- The complex color work requires an experienced colorist who understands color theory
- Maintenance involves refreshing all three tones, though at different intervals based on placement
- The multidimensional result catches light from all angles, creating movement and interest
- This approach works on all curl types but appears most dramatic on longer, layered curls
19. Cinnamon Spice Highlights for Warmth
Cinnamon spice highlights bring warm, reddish-brown tones to brunette curls, creating a cozy, inviting appearance. This shade family adds richness without being as bold as copper or red.
- Cinnamon contains red and brown pigments in balanced proportions for a spiced appearance
- The warm tones complement warm and olive skin tones particularly well
- These highlights add vibrancy to brown hair without requiring dramatic lightening
- The color appears particularly rich in sunlight, revealing red undertones
- Cinnamon maintains its tone reasonably well but benefits from color-depositing treatments
- The warm family creates a approachable, friendly appearance
- This shade works across seasons, feeling cozy in fall and warm in summer
- Application throughout curls creates an all-over warm glow
20. Mushroom Brown Highlights for Trendy Brunettes
Mushroom brown highlights offer a trendy, cool-toned alternative that’s gaining popularity among fashion-forward brunettes. This shade combines gray and brown tones for a unique, modern appearance.
- Mushroom brown contains taupe, gray, and cool brown undertones
- The trendy shade suits cool-toned and neutral-toned individuals
- This color choice creates subtle dimension without warmth
- The fashion-forward appearance works well for those wanting current, Instagram-worthy color
- Mushroom tones require toning to prevent them from appearing too warm or brassy
- The sophisticated shade works in professional and creative environments equally well
- Application should be strategic to avoid appearing washed out on some skin tones
- The cool family of colors pairs beautifully with cool-toned makeup and wardrobe choices
21. Golden Bronze Highlights for Sun-Kissed Curls
Golden bronze highlights create a sun-kissed, vacation-ready appearance on brunette curls. This warm combination suggests time spent in the sun, delivering a healthy, radiant glow.
- Golden bronze combines yellow-gold and copper tones for a warm, luminous result
- The shade family works particularly well on warm and neutral skin tones
- These highlights create the appearance of naturally sun-lightened hair
- The warm tones require less maintenance than cooler shades because slight fading appears natural
- Golden bronze complements the natural warmth in brown hair rather than fighting against it
- The beachy, vacation-inspired color works across seasons but feels particularly appropriate in summer
- Application concentrated around the face and crown maximizes the brightening effect
- The warm glow photographs beautifully and translates well on camera
22. Soft Amber Highlights for Gentle Dimension
Soft amber highlights provide gentle, warm dimension to brunette curls without dramatic contrast. This understated approach adds interest while maintaining a natural appearance.
- Amber contains orange-gold undertones that appear soft and muted rather than bright
- The gentle lift creates dimension that’s noticeable without being obvious
- This color choice suits those wanting subtle enhancement rather than transformation
- Amber tones complement most skin tones because of their balanced warmth
- The soft dimension works well in professional environments where dramatic color isn’t appropriate
- Maintenance requirements are minimal because the subtle color blends with natural regrowth
- Application throughout curls creates all-over warmth and glow
- The gentle approach serves as an excellent transition for those going lighter gradually
23. Chocolate Cherry Highlights for Bold Brunettes
Chocolate cherry highlights combine brown and burgundy tones for a bold, luxurious appearance on curly hair. This rich combination adds drama and sophistication to brunette curls.
- The color contains both brown and red-violet pigments for a complex, multidimensional result
- Cherry tones appear more vibrant in bright light and deepen to chocolate in dim lighting
- This bold choice suits confident individuals wanting their hair to make a statement
- The rich colors require color-depositing treatments to maintain vibrancy
- Chocolate cherry works beautifully on warm and neutral skin tones
- The sophisticated palette feels appropriate for fall and winter but works year-round
- Application should balance the two tones to prevent either from overwhelming
- The dramatic combination photographs exceptionally well
24. Butterscotch Blonde Highlights on Dark Curls
Butterscotch blonde highlights create striking contrast on dark brunette curls, offering warm, golden dimension. This shade provides significant lift while maintaining warmth and richness.
- Butterscotch contains deep golden and caramel tones that appear rich rather than pale
- The warm shade requires lifting dark hair 3-4 levels, necessitating professional application
- These highlights create dramatic dimension while maintaining a natural, warm appearance
- The golden tones complement warm and olive skin tones particularly well
- Butterscotch maintains its tone better than cooler blondes, requiring less frequent toning
- The contrast works beautifully on thick, voluminous curls that can showcase the dimension
- Placement throughout curls creates an all-over sun-kissed effect
- Maintenance includes regular conditioning treatments to maintain hair health after lightening
25. Ribbons of Platinum Throughout Brunette Curls
Platinum ribbons woven throughout brunette curls create an edgy, high-fashion appearance. This technique involves placing thin to medium sections of bright platinum blonde strategically throughout darker hair.
- Platinum ribbons create dramatic contrast without the commitment of all-over blonde
- The technique requires significant lightening and professional expertise to avoid damage
- Strategic placement creates dimension and movement throughout curls
- Purple shampoo and regular toning are essential to maintain bright platinum without yellowing
- The high-contrast look suits those wanting an editorial, attention-getting appearance
- Ribbons can be placed where curls naturally catch light for maximum impact
- The bold technique works on all curl patterns but appears most striking on defined curls
- Maintenance includes root touch-ups every 8-10 weeks and toning every 4-6 weeks
26. Natural-Looking Highlights Using Foilyage Technique
Foilyage combines traditional foil highlighting with balayage painting techniques to create natural-looking dimension on curly hair. This hybrid approach delivers the best of both methods.
- The technique involves hand-painting color like balayage, then wrapping in foils for processing
- Foils allow for more lift than open-air balayage, creating brighter highlights
- The painted application ensures natural placement that works with curl patterns
- This method creates more dimension than traditional foiling while maintaining natural appearance
- The technique works particularly well on resistant hair that requires more processing
- Results appear natural and sun-kissed despite achieving significant lift
- Foilyage suits those wanting noticeable highlights with natural placement
- The hybrid technique requires an experienced colorist trained in both methods
27. Layered Highlights in Multiple Brown Tones
Layered highlights using multiple brown tones create subtle, sophisticated dimension on brunette curls. This technique uses various shades within the brown family for a nuanced, elegant result.
- Multiple brown shades ranging from light to dark create depth without dramatic contrast
- The monochromatic approach appears refined and sophisticated rather than bold
- This technique suits those wanting dimension without venturing into blonde or fashion colors
- The subtle variation creates texture and movement throughout curls
- Maintenance is minimal because all shades remain within the natural brown family
- The elegant approach works in conservative professional environments
- Layered browns complement all skin tones because the color family is so versatile
- Application throughout curls creates all-over dimension and interest
Maintenance Tips for Highlighted Curly Hair
Maintaining highlighted curly hair requires specific care to preserve both color and curl health. Proper maintenance extends the life of your color while keeping curls hydrated and defined.
- Use sulfate-free shampoos specifically formulated for color-treated hair to prevent premature fading
- Purple or blue shampoos neutralize brassiness in blonde, ash, or cool-toned highlights
- Deep conditioning treatments should be performed weekly to combat the drying effects of chemical processing
- Color-depositing conditioners help maintain vibrancy between salon visits, especially for reds and coppers
- UV protection products prevent sun damage that can fade highlights and dry out curls
- Minimize heat styling, which can accelerate color fading and damage curl patterns
- Sleep on silk or satin pillowcases to reduce friction that causes both frizz and color fading
- Regular trims remove damaged ends and keep highlighted curls looking fresh and healthy
- Professional toning appointments maintain the desired shade and prevent unwanted color changes
- Clarifying treatments remove product buildup that can dull highlighted colors
Choosing the Right Highlight Shade for Your Skin Tone
Selecting highlights that complement your skin tone ensures a harmonious, flattering result. Understanding undertones helps you choose colors that enhance rather than clash with your natural coloring.
- Warm skin tones (golden, peachy, yellow undertones) look best with caramel, honey, golden, and copper highlights
- Cool skin tones (pink, red, blue undertones) are flattered by ash, platinum, pearl, and mushroom brown highlights
- Neutral skin tones can wear both warm and cool highlights, offering the most versatility
- Olive skin tones typically look best with warm to neutral highlights like toffee, bronze, and amber
- Deep skin tones are beautifully complemented by rich highlights including caramel, honey, and burgundy
- Fair skin tones can wear a wide range but should avoid highlights that are too similar to skin tone
- Testing a small section before committing to all-over highlights helps ensure satisfaction
- Professional colorists can assess your undertones and recommend the most flattering shades
- Seasonal color analysis provides guidance on which color families suit your natural coloring best
- Multiple consultation photos showing your desired look in various lighting help communicate preferences
Conclusion
The journey through these 27 Cute Brunette with Curly Hair Highlights demonstrates the incredible versatility available to those with brown curly hair.
From subtle babylights that whisper sophistication to bold platinum money pieces that demand attention, the right highlights can transform your look while celebrating your natural texture.
Whether you choose warm caramel ribbons, trendy mushroom brown, or dramatic sunset-inspired hues, understanding placement techniques, maintenance requirements, and skin tone compatibility ensures beautiful results that last.
Remember that healthy curls are the foundation for stunning color, so prioritize moisture, protection, and regular trims alongside your highlighting journey.
With professional application and dedicated maintenance, your highlighted brunette curls will remain vibrant, dimensional, and absolutely gorgeous.
