Brown Hair Highlights for Brunettes – 21 Celebrity Examples of Perfect Professional Highlights

Brown Hair Highlights

Brown hair highlights are very popular, especially on the red carpet. Many of your favorite brunettes have professionally highlighted hair in many different styles. Some choose obvious chunky highlights, while others choose subtle highlight that adds dimension and depth. There are several styles of highlighting as well, including balayage and ombre.

Here you will find photos of our favorite brown hair highlights for brunettes. We also share insider information, including which celebrity hairstylists styled the hair (not always the colorist) and the tools and products used to create the style.

Click on the link with the celebrity name and event to learn more about the hairstyle, including stylist and makeup artist info and social media feedback about the look.

Eiza Gonzalez – Dark Brown Hair/Soft Chestnut Highlights

Celebrity Hairstylist: Daya Ruci

Eiza Gonzalez’s dark brown hair looks shiny and full of “natural” dimension, with soft chestnut highlights subtly incorporated throughout.

[Pictured: Eiza Gonzalez’s Long Curled Hairstyle – Netflix BAFTA 2022 Party – Chiltern Firehouse – London, England – [Hairstylist: Daya Ruci]]

Jessica Alba – Reverse Ombre Highlights

Celebrity Hairstylist: Brittney Ryan

Jessica Alba’s glamorous side-sweeping hairstyle is a great example of ombre highlights in reverse, which starts with dark at the top and blends the highlights to a lighter color.

[Pictured: Jessica Alba – Glamorous Side Sweeping Hairstyle – [Hairstylist: Brittany Ryan] – 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards – The Beverly Hilton Hotel – Beverly Hills, CA]

Vanessa Hudgens – Darkest Brown Hair/Chunky Light Brown Highlights

Celebrity Hairstylist: Danielle Priano

Vanessa Hudgens’s hair is darkest brown/black at the roots, sharply changing to medium brown at the chin line with a few strands of each strewn throughout for balance.

[Pictured: Vanessa Hudgens’ Long Beach Waves Hairstyle – 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party – Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts – Beverly Hills, CA – Hairstylist: Danielle Priano]

Kate Beckinsale – Caramel and Honey Highlights/Dark Brown Base

Celebrity Hairstylist: Scott King

Total Recall actress Kate Beckinsale’s highlights are bold and beautiful, with thick bangs of caramel and honey highlights painted throughout dark brown hair.

Tools & Products Used to Create This Hairstyle

• Color Wow Hair

[Pictured: Kate Beckinsale’s Medium Length Curled Hairstyle – [Hairstylist: Scott King] – Vanity Fair and Lancôme Women In Hollywood Celebration – Soho House – West Hollywood, CA]

Jessica Biel – Subtle Underside Highlights

Hairstylist: Adir Abergel

Limetown actress Jessica Biel’s highlights are hidden within the underneath layers of hair, seen when the hair moves a certain way or is styled to expose them purposely.

Tools & Products Used to Create This Style

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• Virtue Labs Hair Products

[Pictured: Jessica Biel’s Long Straight Deep Side Part Hairstyle – Facebook Watch’s “Limetown” Photocall – The Hollywood Athletic Club – Los Angeles, CA – Hairstylist: Adir Abergel]

Kelly Clarkson – Light Brown Hair/Honey Highlights

Celebrity Hairstylist: Robert Ramos

Kelly Clarkson’s medium brown hair looks almost blonde, with these heavy honey highlights especially prominent around her face.

[Pictured: Kelly Clarkson’s Long Curled Hairstyle – NBC’s “American Song Contest” Week 4 – Universal Studios Hollywood – Universal City, CA – Hairstylist: Robert Ramos]

Dianna Agron – Light Brown Hair/Blonde Highlights

Hairstylist: Christopher Naselli

Acidman actress Dianna Agron’s blonde highlights are heavily peppered throughout her light brown hair.

[Pictured: Dianna Agron’s Long Beach Waves Hairstyle – 2022 Tribeca Festival – SVA Theater – New York City, NY – [Hairstylist: Christopher Naselli]]

Selena Gomez – Dark Brown Hair/Medium Brown Highlights

Celebrity Hairstylist: Marissa Marino

Another Cinderella Story actress Selena Gomez has plenty of face-framing highlights in her long curled hairstyle styled by celebrity hairstylist Marissa Marino.

[Pictured: Selena Gomez’s Long Curled Hairstyle – Music Choice – New York City, NY – Hairstylist: Marissa Marino]

Daniella Pineda – Dark Brown Hair/Light Brown Highlights

Hairstylist: Kristin Heitkotter

Jurassic World Dominion actress Danielle Pineda has heavy highlights starting right above the eyebrow.

[Pictured: Daniella Pineda’s Short Bob – Universal Pictures’ “Jurassic World Dominion” Los Angeles Premiere – the TCL Chinese Theater – Hollywood, CA – [Hairstylist: Kristin Heitkotter]]

Alessandra Ambrosio – Tiger Stripes Highlights

Celebrity Hairstylist: Dimitris Giannetos

American model Alessandra Ambrosio looks like a sexy tiger with her exposed dark roots cascading into several highlight shades.

[Pictured: Alessandra Ambrosio’s Long Beach Waves Hairstyle – 75th Annual Cannes Film Festival – Palais des Festivals – Cannes, France – [Hairstylist: Dimitris Giannetos]]

More: Alessandra Ambrosio Hairstyles

Ashley Park – Darkest Brown Hair/Chestnut Highlights

Celebrity Hairstylist: Clayton Hawkins

Emily in Paris actress Ashley Park’s highlights create a shiny, chestnut ponytail against her dark brown hair.

[Pictured: Ashley Park’s High Ponytail – 2022 Met Gala Celebrating “In America: An Anthology of Fashion” – The Metropolitan Museum of Art – New York City, NY – [Hairstylist: Clayton Hawkins]]

Jennifer Lopez – Light Brown Hair/Golden Highlights

Celebrity Hairstylist: Lorenzo Martin

Selena actress Jennifer Lopez warmed up her entire look with these glowing highlights strewn throughout her long curled hairstyle styled by celebrity hairstylist Lorenzo Martin.

[Pictured: Jennifer Lopez’s Long Curled Hairstyle – 2021 MTV Video Music Awards – Barclays Center – New York City, NY – Hairstylist: Lorenzo Martin]

Maude Apatow – Medium Brown Hair/Chesnut Highlights

Hairstylist: John D

Euphoria actress Maude Apatow’s wavy bob has a hint of chestnut around her face, styled by celebrity hairstylist John D.

[Pictured: Maude Apatow’s Long Wavy Bob – [Hairstylist: John D] – HBO’s “Euphoria” Season 2 Photo Call – Goya Studios – Los Angeles, CA]

More: Maude Apatow Hairstyles

Natalie Portman – Brown Hair/Blonde Highlights

Celebrity Hairstylist: Mara Roszak

Pride & Prejudice actress Natalie Portman’s hair is heavily highlighted, making her more a blonde than a brunette.

[Pictured: Natalie Portman’s Long Textured Bob – [Hairstylist: Mara Roszak] – AFI FEST 2019 “Queen & Slim” Premiere – TCL Chinese Theatre – Hollywood, CA]

Julia Roberts – Multicolored Highlights

Celebrity Hairstylist: Serge Normant

Pretty Woman star Julia Roberts has a full head of curls and multiple layers of highlights in this medium-length hairstyle styled by celebrity hairstylist Serge Normant.

[Pictured: Julia Roberts’ Medium Length Curled Hairstyle – The Fashion Awards 2019 – Royal Albert Hall – London, England – Hairstylist: Serge Normant]

Ruby Rose – Subtle Highlights

Celebrity Hairstylist: Riawna Capri

John Wicke actress Ruby Rose attended iHeartRadio’s KIIS FM Wango Tango By AT&T with a chic spiky pixie haircut styled by celebrity hairstylist Riawna Capri.

[Pictured: Ruby Rose’s Spiky Pixie – iHeartRadio’s KIIS FM Wango Tango By AT&T – Banc of California Stadium – Los Angeles, CA – [Hairstylist: Riawna Capri]]

Olivia Wilde – Subtle Highlights

Celebrity Hairstylist: John D

Tron actress Olivia Wilde attended the Inaugural Janie’s Fund Gala & GRAMMY Viewing Party with a sleek short bob styled by celebrity hairstylist John D.

[Pictured: Olivia Wilde’s Short Bob – [Hairstylist: John D] – Inaugural Janie’s Fund Gala & GRAMMY Viewing Party – Los Angeles, CA]

Demi Lovato – Darkest Brown Hair/Chestnut Highlight

Celebrity Hairstylist: David Babaii

Demi Lovato’s dark brown hair is subtly highlighted with a few strands of chestnut around her face.

[Pictured: Demi Lovato’s Medium Length Curled Hairstyle – [Hairstylist: David Babaii] – 2016 Global Citizen Festival – Central Park – New York City, NY]

Ariana Grande – Chunky Top Highlights Graduating to Blonde

Celebrity Hairstylist: Aaron Light

M.A.C Viva Glam Spokesperson Ariana Grande made an appearance at the M.A.C. North Robertson Store with her iconic ponytail a much lighter color. Her hair was styled by celebrity hairstylist Aaron Light.

Ombre is a hair coloring technique where the hair color gradually goes from dark to light. The dark hair on the top is often the natural hair color, then it progressively gets lighter at the bottom.

Lisa Rinna – Dark Brown Hair/Ash Blonde Highlights

Celebrity Hairstylist: Scott King

Description: Lisa Rinna’s flirty short wispy shag haircut is back! This time around, the cut has plenty of highlights.

[Pictured: Lisa Rinna’s Flirty Short Wispy Shag Haircut – [Hairstylist: Scott King] – 2022 MTV Movie & TV Awards: UNSCRIPTED – Barker Hangar – Santa Monica, CA – ]

Addison Rae – Long Curled Brunette Hairstyle with Highlights (2023)

Celebrity Hairstylist: Bryce Scarlett

“Thanksgiving” actress Addison Rae attended the 2023 Variety Power Of Women with a bouncy curled hairstyle by celebrity hairstylist Bryce Scarlett.

[Pictured: Addison Rae – Long Curled Brunette Hairstyle with Highlights (2023) – [Hairstylist: Bryce Scarlett] – 2023 Variety Power Of Women – Los Angeles, CA]

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