Highlights may have ruled the past seasons, but lowlights are here to redefine brunette beauty in 2025.
Every summer seems to call for lighter, brighter hues, especially for brunettes. Golden blonde strokes, bright caramel accents, and sun-kissed balayage dominate the season. But as the cooler months approach and tans fade, many brunettes long for a return to richer, deeper tones while maintaining dimension.
The perfect solution? Lowlights.
Unlike highlights, which lighten your hair by a few shades, lowlights add depth by going darker—at least two shades deeper than your natural color. They bring back the drama of darker hues while maintaining that multidimensional allure. Whether you go solo with lowlights or pair them with highlights, your hair becomes a masterpiece of texture and contrast.
From classic chocolate to edgy mushroom tones, here are 18 stunning lowlight ideas to inspire your next brunette transformation.
1. Cool Brunette Waves
Inspired by Joanna Gaines’s signature look.
Why it works: These flowy waves incorporate dark ash brown and cool brown-black lowlights, creating a sophisticated and effortless vibe.
Pro Tip: Ask your stylist for hand-painted lowlights to add movement and depth, especially if you have long, wavy locks.
2. Warm Lowlights with Cool Highlights
The perfect balance of warmth and coolness.
This style features warm lowlights blended with cool-toned highlights for a dimensional look that’s far from ordinary.
Pro Tip: Consult your stylist on choosing complementary shades based on your skin tone.
3. Warm Brown Medley
A blend of autumnal hues.
Rich chocolate, medium brown, and honey tones create a luscious medley of color. Adding mocha lowlights balances out brighter honey highlights.
Pro Tip: Perfect for medium brown bases looking for an autumn-ready refresh.
4. Mushroom Brown Lowlights
Effortless and modern.
Cool mushroom brown lowlights paired with an ashy brown base create subtle, natural dimension.
Pro Tip: Works beautifully with straight or wavy hair to enhance natural textures.
5. Dark Brown Lowlights with Red Highlights
A sleek and striking contrast.
Dark brown lowlights provide depth, while red highlights offer a fiery edge to this chic chin-length bob.
Pro Tip: This look is ideal for those with warm undertones who want a bold statement.
6. Gradient Lowlighting
A blend of opposites that harmonize perfectly.
Cool dark brown and warm chestnut shades collide in a gradient effect, offering dimension and versatility.
Pro Tip: This look transitions seamlessly from casual daytime to elegant evening events.
7. Lowlighted Shag
Add some edge to your shag.
Cool-toned mocha lowlights accentuate the layers of a modern shag haircut. Tousled styling highlights the texture.
Pro Tip: Ask for balayage lowlights to ensure the color moves naturally with your hair.
8. Hazelnut Blending
A seamless seasonal transition.
Blending existing hazelnut or caramel balayage with dark brown lowlights keeps things fresh yet grounded.
Pro Tip: Add a gloss treatment to enhance shine and vibrancy.
9. Darkest Mocha
Rich, bold, and dramatic.
Deep mocha lowlights create an espresso-inspired effect. Adding subtle babylights around the face softens the overall intensity.
Pro Tip: Best for brunettes who want a moody, monochromatic look.
10. Chocolate Brown Elegance
Dimensional and inviting.
Dark chocolate lowlights complement a natural chocolate brown base, creating a warm and cozy vibe.
Pro Tip: Avoid highlights entirely for a sophisticated monochromatic style.
11. Shadow Rooting
A bold yet natural transition.
This technique darkens the roots to create contrast and depth while preserving natural tones in the mid-lengths and ends.
Pro Tip: Opt for a clear gloss to lock in shine and prevent fading.
12. Blended Espresso Bob
Short and striking.
Dark espresso lowlights enhance the structure of a bob haircut, adding richness without overpowering.
Pro Tip: Pair this color with soft bangs for a chic, Parisian-inspired look.
13. Espresso Infusion
A touch of richness.
Dark espresso strands woven into a chocolate or chestnut base create a sophisticated balance of light and dark.
Pro Tip: Use a curling wand to define waves, showcasing the color contrast.
14. Ashy Lowlights
Cool, earthy tones.
Mushroom brown and dark ash brown lowlights evoke autumnal earthiness, perfect for cooler seasons.
Pro Tip: Maintain the ashy tones with a purple shampoo to counteract brassiness.
15. Smoky Brown Lowlights
Elegant and timeless.
Brown-black lowlights blend seamlessly into smoky gray tones, resulting in a refined, graceful look.
Pro Tip: Ideal for those transitioning to gray or embracing ashy hues.
16. Subtle Lowlighting
The art of minimalism.
Barely-there lowlights darken chocolate brown hair just enough to add dimension without altering the overall tone.
Pro Tip: Ideal for first-timers looking for a low-maintenance color update.
17. Dimensional Chocolate Bob
Rich tones, simple styling.
This chocolate-toned bob is enhanced with dark brown lowlights, perfect for busy professionals who love low-maintenance elegance.
Pro Tip: A lightweight texturizing spray can add volume and showcase the dimensional hues.
18. Dark Caramel Lowlights
Transition from summer to fall.
Dark caramel lowlights tone down summer blonde highlights, shifting the overall look toward deeper, warmer tones.
Pro Tip: Request a gradual balayage for a seamless seasonal transition.
Lowlights are the secret weapon for brunettes looking to enhance their natural beauty while embracing the depth and richness of darker hues. Whether you’re aiming for bold contrast or subtle sophistication, there’s a lowlight look here to inspire your next hair transformation.
