Top Highlights and Lowlights for Every Hair Color, as Recommended by Hair Experts

Announcement: A dramatic color change isn't necessary for a stunning hair makeover. Instead of completely altering your hair color, adding highlights or lowlights during your next salon visit can introduce depth and movement to a single-tone color. We've gathered the best expert tips on highlights and lowlights for every hair shade to ensure you're ready for your next salon session.

Brown hair

Best highlights for brown hair

The general guideline for the most flattering highlights is to stay within four shades of your natural color. According to George Papanikolas, celebrity colorist and Matrix Brand Ambassador, 'Bronde,' a blend of brown and blonde, is particularly flattering for brown hair. 'Brown hair has the advantage of being in the middle of the color spectrum, offering the widest and most versatile range—it pairs beautifully with caramel, golden, or baby blonde highlights,' Papanikolas says. 'The lighter you go, the cooler the tone, while caramel hues tend to lean warmer.'

A key principle when selecting hair tones is to go for shades that contrast your skin tone. For instance, if your complexion is warm-toned, consider cooler, ashier highlights, and if you have cool undertones, opt for warmer tones. 'Soft caramel or honey-colored highlights look stunning in medium brown hair,' says Paul Cucinello, celebrity hairstylist and co-founder of Cucinello Beauty. 'If you're concerned about red or copper undertones, your colorist can lift the highlights to a lighter shade than your target and then gloss or tone them to the perfect shade—this technique helps to avoid brassiness as your color fades. I advise avoiding extremes like very dark shades (black, red, deep brown) or very light shades (platinum, silver), as they can appear overly bold.'

For light brown or dark blonde hair, you're in an ideal spot to experiment with highlights. First, decide whether you want to go darker or lighter. 'To darken, rich chocolate brown slices can add depth without making the hair appear too heavy,' suggests Cucinello. 'To lighten, opt for soft golden blonde balayage highlights for warmth. If you're after a cooler look, mushroom-colored highlights are an excellent choice.'

Best lowlights for brown hair

When it comes to lowlights for a glowing brunette, Papanikolas recommends mocha, ash brown, caramel, or deep chocolate shades, which complement brown hair beautifully. 'Adding rich brown lowlights that are tone-on-tone works wonderfully with warmer skin tones to brighten the complexion without overloading it with warmth,' he says. 'I generally wouldn't advise using lowlights darker than your natural color, as this can appear too harsh and unnatural.'

Dark brown or black hair

Best highlights for dark brown or black hair

For those with very dark hair, it's crucial to keep highlights within one or two shades of the base color for a harmonious look. Rich auburn or chocolate brown highlights can infuse warmth and depth to an otherwise solid color, according to Cucinello. 'On dark hair, even espresso brown highlights can provide the ideal touch to lift the color and prevent it from feeling too flat,' he says. 'If you're after a bolder, edgier style, you can go for strategic chunks of cherry or blue-black highlights. I recommend using chunks since fine or woven highlights will hardly be visible on black hair.'

Best lowlights for dark brown or black hair

For lowlights on darker shades, Cucinello enjoys experimenting with black tones on dark brown hair. Dark mocha lowlights can also add depth and dimension to darker hair colors.

Blonde hair

Best highlights for blonde hair

For those with light blonde hair, Cucinello suggests first deciding whether you're open to compromising the health of your naturally light blonde hair. 'This is the color many people spend a fortune trying to achieve and maintain,' he explains. 'If you're looking to avoid frequent maintenance, I recommend opting for richer, semi-permanent highlights. This eliminates the long-term commitment to color while providing great value for your money.'

Your highlight choices are best based on your skin tone and eye color. If you have a warm skin tone and want a richer color, Cucinello recommends golden apricot or honey blonde. 'If your skin is cooler, consider fun tones like pink or silver,' he suggests. 'For those willing to maintain their color and go even lighter, white gold, pearl, or platinum highlights are ideal.'

If you have light to medium blonde hair, Cucinello says you have more flexibility to experiment compared to other blonde shades. 'To make your color bolder, you can add some light vanilla blonde highlights, concentrating more around the hairline,' he suggests.

For copper blonde hair, your colorist can add soft golden or strawberry blonde highlights to brighten the shade. 'For a richer effect, consider incorporating deeper auburn tones,' advises Cucinello.

Best lowlights for blonde hair

'Honey, caramel, or amber lowlights are ideal for blondes, as going too ashy can make the color look dull and flat,' says Papanikolas. 'Adding lowlights to blonde hair brings depth and movement, but they should only extend from the roots to the mid-shaft—keeping the ends the lightest and brightest. Bringing lowlights all the way to the ends can create a zebra-like effect and dull down the blonde.'

Red hair

Best highlights for red hair

Redheads are best suited with golden or copper highlights in shades like strawberry blonde, amber, copper, or rust. 'The red-infused tones in the highlights enhance red hair, providing movement and depth while preserving the overall red hue,' says Papanikolas. 'As with brunettes, highlights should complement the main color and be placed thoughtfully around the face, natural part, and ends. A delicate copper-gold gloss over the highlights provides a polished, tone-on-tone finish, similar to pantyhose.'

To refresh natural auburn hair, Cucinello recommends adding babylights that are either slightly lighter or darker, but still within the same color range. 'Brassy yellow highlights or dark streaks in auburn hair are a definite no,' he advises. 'Instead, opt for a lighter copper or a deeper warm red.'

Best lowlights for red hair

Copper, auburn, and burgundy shades are perfect for lowlights, but they should never be darker than the base color. 'Adding too dark lowlights can create a harsh, unnatural look,' explains Papanikolas. 'Blending these red tones into your hair will add vibrancy and depth, making the color pop.'