Summer Highlights for Dark Brown Hair 2025: Trendy Ideas for Every Length and Skin Tone

Sunshine season is the perfect excuse to elevate your style, and summer highlights are the go-to refresh for anyone with dark brown hair. Whether you’re lounging seaside or heading out for rooftop cocktails, adding dimension with natural colors, face-framing streaks, or bold blonde ribbons brings light to your strands and your entire look.

In 2025, it’s all about embracing textures—curly, straight, or softly wavy—with customized highlighting techniques that enhance your features and complement your lifestyle. Below, you’ll find a collection of standout summer-ready hairstyles designed for women who love effortless sophistication with a twist of glam.

Dimensional Curls with Ashy Blonde Highlights

These cascading curly waves showcase a bold take on summer dimension. The strategic placement of blonde streaks creates a glowing, ribbon-like effect that works beautifully on long layered wavy cuts. The highlight tone leans toward an ashy beige, softening the deep brown base and giving the curls dynamic texture without overwhelming the natural depth.

This look pairs perfectly with sun-kissed skin tones and is a dream for anyone with olive skin, adding contrast that brings radiance to the complexion. The curls bounce effortlessly and can be styled for both casual and formal settings with minimal effort.

Soft Layers with Face-Framing Caramel Lights

This sophisticated style features expertly blended face framing caramel and natural colors over a rich chocolate base. The long layered cut gives movement, and the highlights softly wrap around the face to brighten your features in the most flattering way.

The finish is smooth with voluminous waves that give this look an airy, summer vibe. Perfect for brunch dates or spontaneous weekend getaways, it’s a wearable style that adds polish without looking too done. Pair this with oversized sunnies and dewy skin for a head-turning moment.

Cool-Toned Elegance with Subtle Light Ash Highlights

For lovers of minimalism and modern edge, this style leans into cooler tones with hints of silver-ash woven throughout. The color melt gives the illusion of long layered straight strands with lightness toward the ends, creating flow without the need for curls or waves.

This look feels timeless yet fresh, ideal for those who want something that grows out gracefully. The refined placement makes it suitable for the office, while still turning heads at after-hours events. A fantastic option for those exploring shoulder length to long lengths who crave understated drama.

Rich Chocolate Base with Copper Warmth

Chocolate and copper—what could be more delicious for summer? This luscious medium length style captures the richness of dark brown hair with subtle warm highlights that add depth without harsh contrast.

The waves are thick and full, styled in soft, natural curves that move easily from day to night. This look is particularly flattering on women with olive skin tones, as the copper undertones enhance the golden warmth in the skin. For best results, use a shine-enhancing serum to keep those strands gleaming all summer long.

Bold Front-Lit Brunette with Blonde Money Piece

One of the boldest takes in this list, this money piece blonde moment is perfect for the confident trendsetter. The chunky blonde strands light up the face, contrasting with a rich brunette base that adds intensity and structure.

Styled in large long layered wavy curls, this look delivers full glam while still feeling wearable. It’s perfect for making a statement—whether you’re attending a wedding or heading to a summer festival. Pair it with golden jewelry and a bold lip for maximum impact.

Sunlit Bronde with Hollywood Curls

This style finds the perfect balance between brown and blonde, creating a gorgeous bronde harmony. The voluminous, long layered curls cascade in soft waves, catching the light with every movement thanks to the sunlit streaks throughout.

It’s a style that flatters virtually all face shapes and works exceptionally well on medium length to longer hair. The blend is seamless, and the styling hints at old-Hollywood glam with a fresh 2025 twist. A total win for those who love timeless beauty with a little summer glow.

Sun-Melted Balayage with Soft Texture

This look is the definition of effortless summer beauty. The long layered wavy cut features a seamless balayage that softly melts from dark brown roots into light caramel tips. The transition is so smooth it looks kissed by the sun itself, with just enough contrast to make the movement pop.

A favorite for women who want that just-back-from-vacation glow, this style works beautifully on natural colors and flatters olive skin with its warmth. The barely-there waves are casual yet sophisticated—perfect for day-to-night versatility.

Shadowed Brunette with Blonde Whisper Highlights

If you’re after dimension without drama, this style delivers. Featuring long layered straight hair with minimal waves, the deep brunette base is delicately lightened with soft blonde and beige streaks that give the illusion of fuller, thicker strands.

What makes this look stand out is the depth at the roots—creating that on-trend “shadow root” effect that grows out effortlessly. It’s ideal for women who want low-maintenance upkeep but high-impact shine. This one’s a win for office-to-evening transformations.

Light Ash Flow with Face-Framing Shine

Here, we see a cooler, modern twist on summer highlights. The ash-blonde tones wrap delicately around the face in a classic face framing technique, while the rest of the hair keeps a muted, earthy base. The soft styling and feathered long layers make the entire look feel ethereal and airy.

A dream choice for those who love natural colors but crave a little drama in the detail. The finish is polished but not overdone—think gallery opening or a casual date night with a blazer and jeans.

Golden Copper Waves on Shoulder-Length Cut

If you’re looking to embrace warmth this summer, this look is it. This shoulder length cut with tousled, curly waves shows off golden copper highlights that glow in every light. It feels earthy, grounded, and beautifully radiant.

The balance between softness and structure makes it a great transitional look—whether you’re moving into lighter shades or dialing up your current color. Perfect for women who want to highlight natural textures while keeping styling easy.

Smoky Cool-Toned Lob with Subtle Blonde Contrast

This chic lob (long bob) with curly definition and soft wave structure is summer-cool at its finest. The dark brown base is complemented by muted, blonde ash streaks that add icy dimension—without taking away from the natural richness of the base color.

It’s a stunning option for women who love modern styling but prefer short or medium length hair. Easy to air-dry, great for humid climates, and packed with style—this is your city-chic summer staple.

Glossy Mocha Glam with Rose Gold Tones

This look is pure luxury. The deep mocha base is elevated with soft rose gold hues blended into voluminous, blown-out long layered strands. It’s high shine, high glam, and perfect for those who want to feel like a showstopper without shouting for attention.

This rich blend suits warm undertones and olive skin beautifully, and the bouncy shape frames the face with natural movement. Style it with a tailored blazer or a sleek cocktail dress—this hair is the finishing touch that makes every outfit feel intentional.

Wavy Lob with Mocha Swirls

This medium length, textured lob is a masterclass in soft dimension. The waves flow loosely, enhanced by warm mocha highlights that are feathered in with care. The face-framing layers add lift, while the soft contrast makes this an excellent option for brunettes wanting a subtle yet noticeable refresh.

Ideal for hot summer months when you want your hair off your back but still looking effortlessly styled. It’s breezy, cool, and incredibly flattering—especially for those with natural colors and a touch of sun on their cheeks.

Toasted Almond Balayage with Flowing Volume

Think creamy espresso swirled with almond milk. This style brings softness and sophistication together with a smooth long layered cut and flowing waves. The color leans warm with a hint of blonde at the ends, but never loses its brunette richness.

It’s a universally flattering shade, but particularly brings out the beauty of olive skin. Use a heat protectant spray before curling to keep those strands shiny and healthy all season long.

Earthy Ash Tones with Dark Blonde Ends

This modern brunette look keeps it grounded in cool ash tones, with subtle blonde peeking through the ends. The long layered wavy finish gives this style that perfect undone texture—effortless, breezy, and packed with edge.

A great option for women in urban settings who want something trend-forward without going full platinum. It balances natural elegance with a modern touch, and it pairs perfectly with sleek neutrals or structured summer outfits.

Soft Chestnut Waves on Layered Mid-Length Cut

Rich chestnut and auburn shades blend beautifully in this softly curly style. The shoulder-skimming length is slightly longer than a bob, offering styling flexibility while maintaining a light, airy summer feel.

It’s the kind of color that glows golden in sunlight and adds life to natural colors. Pair it with soft linen looks and subtle jewelry for a romantic, slow-summer vibe that’s equal parts refined and effortless.

Rooted Brunette with Soft Dimension and Volume

If you love long layered hair but want a look that grows out seamlessly, this rooted brunette with blended highlights is your match. The volume is concentrated at the crown, and feathered face framing pieces soften the front.

The waves are smooth and defined, giving this look a touch of classic Hollywood meets contemporary elegance. Use a large-barrel curling iron to recreate the shape, and finish with a glossing mist for salon-level shine.

Luxe Waves with Glossy Cocoa Finish

This rich, dimensional brunette captures the essence of a luxurious summer refresh. The curls are deep and defined, and the blend of chocolate and caramel gives the hair a mirror-like shine. Think of this as your go-to “event” hair—glamorous, polished, and unforgettable.

The look feels high-maintenance in appearance, but it’s actually quite easy to style with a good round brush and volumizing mousse. A flawless choice for women who love statement looks that still stay close to their natural colors.

Summer Bounce with Golden Brown Light

This voluminous blowout brings movement and sunshine warmth to the forefront. With bouncy long layered waves and a mix of honey and golden tones, it gives the illusion of naturally sunlit hair. The mid-shaft lift adds body, making it a go-to look for women craving volume without losing smoothness.

A great style for brunch dates or summer celebrations. The touch of blonde feels lived-in rather than dramatic—just the way real hair would lighten over time in the sun.

Dimensional Cinnamon Glow with Soft Ends

For women who love warmth but don’t want to go full copper, this rich natural color palette hits the sweet spot. The base is a deep brunette while the ends shift into a cinnamon-hued cascade, styled with silky curly volume that hugs the face softly.

It’s a romantic, timeless look—easy to dress up or down—and perfect for enhancing medium to light olive skin tones. The curls are touchable and refined, not too structured, which adds to the natural allure.

Mushroom Brunette with Cool Ashy Highlights

This ultra-cool toned style embraces the “mushroom brunette” trend, one of 2025’s biggest hits. With neutral ash-blonde accents throughout, this long layered look appears soft and smoky—ideal for women wanting a subtle but fashion-forward transformation.

The blend is so flawless it almost reads like a filter. The neutral tones work wonderfully on cooler complexions, especially paired with soft makeup and minimalist outfits.

Silky Greige with Smooth Curls

Looking for the intersection of edgy and classic? This is it. The curly, high-shine finish is incredibly polished, while the mix of beige and gray undertones (aka greige) gives the color an editorial twist.

This look works exceptionally well on medium length or longer hair and pairs effortlessly with neutral-toned wardrobes. Add a smoothing serum and soft brush styling for that extra bounce and shine.

Beachy Mid-Length with Root Shadow Contrast

There’s a cool-girl edge to this shoulder length cut with soft waves. The shadowed roots add dimension, while the cool-toned blonde highlights frame the face for an effortless summer effect.

Ideal for low-maintenance styling that doesn’t sacrifice on trendiness. Wear it tousled for daytime chic or pin one side for an easy evening look.

Soft Taupe Brunette with Balanced Warmth

Rounding out the list is this delicate taupe-toned beauty. With a sleek long layered straight base and warm-bronze ribbons that catch light with movement, this style is quietly stunning. There’s just the right balance of cool and warm undertones, making it adaptable for various skin tones.

For the woman who wants polish without flash, this style brings effortless elegance and year-round wearability. It’s the kind of color that makes people ask, “Who’s your colorist?”

Balanced Brunette with Ash Mocha Ribbons

This style features a classic deep brunette base, elevated with subtle face framing ash mocha highlights that bring light right to the cheekbones. The styling is softly curly, with each wave defined but not overworked, allowing the tones to blend naturally.

It’s an ideal option for women who want to keep the depth of their natural colors while still participating in the summer highlight game. Bonus points for the sleek finish that makes it work-ready yet Instagram-worthy.

Warm Blonde Soft Lift on Smooth Waves

Here’s a beautiful take on the long layered straight trend, styled with loose waves to showcase the high-contrast lightening. With a warm blonde infusion toward the mid-length and ends, this look radiates a sun-drenched finish without the damage of full-on bleaching.

This style’s softness makes it perfect for women looking to transition from a deep brunette into lighter summer tones gradually. It’s flattering on many complexions and brings out the glow in olive skin effortlessly.

Ribbon Highlights with Caramel Blend

This look is made for summer soirées. Featuring deep brunette roots with strategically placed long layered wavy caramel ribbons, the styling is voluminous and full of movement. The warm tones add depth while framing the face and cascading seamlessly through the curls.

It’s an ideal look for women who love a bold yet wearable style—whether you’re headed to a rooftop party or simply elevating your everyday chic.

Sleek Chocolate Bob with Copper Glimmers

Short doesn’t mean simple, and this short bob proves it. With sleek styling and soft copper strands peeking through the chocolate base, this look offers just the right balance of polish and flair. It’s sharp, modern, and super low-maintenance for hot summer days.

Perfect for women who want a clean, lightweight cut but still crave dimension and glow. Pair with gold accessories and a bold lip to make this one pop even more.

Summer 2025 is all about embracing individuality and enhancing the natural beauty of dark brown hair with subtle light-catching touches. Whether you’re drawn to blonde ribbons, curly textures, or ultra-smooth long layered straight finishes, there’s a perfect highlight style out there for every woman. Remember, the key to pulling off any look is confidence—and the right colorist.

Which style speaks to you most? Let us know in the comments below—we love hearing what inspires your next salon visit!