Curly brown hair with highlights is a gorgeous and popular look that can add dimension, depth, and style to your natural curls. Highlights help accentuate your curls’ texture while giving your hair a sun-kissed, multi-tonal appearance. Whether you’re looking to go blonde, add some subtle lowlights, try balayage, or experiment with vivid colors, highlights are a great way to transform your curly mane.
Curly Hair Color Ideas to Liven Up Your Look
If you’re ready to take the plunge with highlights for your curly brown hair, there are endless options and color combinations to consider. Here are some of the most popular curly hair color ideas to inspire your next salon visit:
Honey Blonde Highlights
Adding honey blonde highlights to brown curly hair can give you a beautiful natural-looking color without being too brassy. The warm golden tones will accentuate brown eyes and darker complexions beautifully. Ask your stylist for fine highlights throughout the length of your hair and concentrate the blonde pieces around your face to frame your features.
Copper Tones
Spice up your dark curly mane with copper and auburn tones blended throughout. The warm reddish hues will make brown eyes pop and add vibrance to your curls. Focus the copper pieces around the front and on the ends for maximum impact. This is a great option if you want to gradually transition to being a redhead!
Two-Tone Curls
For naturally curly-haired girls, a two-tone look with lighter ends can look amazing. Ask your colorist to keep your roots and mid-lengths a rich chocolate brown and lighten up the ends to a caramel blonde. The contrast between the two shades will enhance your spirals and coils.
Curly Blonde Shag with Highlights
Add some rock n’ roll edge to your curly hair with a curly shag cut that has heavily highlighted blonde pieces blended with brown. Concentrating brighter baby lights around the crown and face will give this bold look a beautiful contrast. It’s an edgy style that works for thick or fine curls alike.
Subtle Highlights for Brunettes
If you’re looking for a subtle change, go for thin ribbons of buttery highlights throughout your dark curly hair. Concentrate the small pieces of light brown and caramel tones around your face and ends to give your curls added dimension. This will liven up your hair while still looking polished and natural.
Vivid Colors
Curly hair is the perfect canvas for vivid colors like violet, pink and bold copper. Highlights in fun colors not only pump up the volume of your curls, but they also allow you to express your creative side! Work with an experienced colorist at a curly hair salon to choose the right semi-permanent options for your hair.
Find the Best Shades for Your Skin Tone
With so many curly hair color ideas to choose from, it can be tricky finding the right shades to complement your complexion. Schedule a consultation with a professional stylist and come armed with plenty of inspiration pics. Your colorist can then make recommendations based on your skin’s undertones and help you find a look that will make you glow.
In general, warm copper and golden blonde tones pair beautifully with darker complexions, while cooler ash blondes and lighter browns flatter lighter skin tones. But don’t be afraid to push the boundaries – curly hair looks gorgeous in any color!
Maintaining Healthy Hair When Coloring
One concern that many curly-haired girls have when it comes to highlights is damaged and dry hair. Chemical processing, heat styling and frequent lightening treatments can take a toll on your delicate strands. Here are some pro tips for maintaining the health of your hair while still getting the colors you crave:
Use a Low Developer and Stretch Out Processing
Rather than having your stylist use a high volume developer to achieve super light highlights in one session, opt for low volume developers (10 or 20 volume) over multiple sessions. This will gradually lighten your hair while minimizing damage to the cuticle. Stretch out your highlight or color appointments to every 8-12 weeks. Slow and steady color changes are gentler on curls.
Clarify Before and After Coloring
Be sure to clarify your curly hair 2-3 days before a color appointment to remove any buildup. This allows the hair color to penetrate evenly for best results. Then clarify again a few days after coloring to seal in moisture and vibrant color. Avoid heavily coating the hair with conditioner right before highlighting.
Try Olaplex Treatments
Using Olaplex as a salon service and at home can help rebuild broken bonds in the hair that get compromised during chemical processing. Many curly hair salons now offer Olaplex No. 0, 1 and 2 during color services to limit damage from lightening and highlighting. Follow up with the Olaplex No. 3 hair perfector treatment once a week.
Deep Condition Weekly
One of the keys to maintaining healthy curly hair with highlights is deep conditioning every week with a hydrating hair mask. Look for formulas containing moisturizing oils and butters to nourish your dry strands. Cover hair with a shower cap and let the mask soak in for at least 15-20 minutes before rinsing out thoroughly.
Limit Heat Styling
Frequent blow drying, flat ironing and hot tools should be avoided to keep highlighted curls healthy. Let your hair air dry or use a diffuser on low heat to limit damage between salon visits. If you must use hot tools, always apply a thermal protectant product first to shield strands from excessive heat.
By following these pro tips, you can achieve the highlighted curly hair color you love while still maintaining soft, hydrated strands. Be sure to communicate with your stylist so they understand your hair health goals and schedule color services responsibly. Your curls will thank you!
Curly Hair Highlight Techniques for Dimension and Style
There are seemingly endless highlighting techniques that can be used to give curly manes beautiful dimension, depth and vibrance. Working with an experienced stylist at a curly hair salon will ensure you get a look that flatters your individual coloring and texture. Here are some of the most popular techniques for curly hair highlights along with inspiration pictures to show off to your colorist:
Lowlights for Dark Hair
Adding lowlights underneath hair is a great way to add dramatic contrast and an almost ombré appearance as your natural color transitions into your highlights. The lowlights also lend depth and richness to darker curly hair colors.
Balayage Highlights
Hand-painted balayage highlights swept throughout curly hair create a seamless, natural-looking transition between the lightened pieces and your base color. The freehand technique leaves soft wispy ends to mimic sun-kissed hair. Ask your stylist to concentrate the lighter ends around your face.
Partial Highlights
For a low maintenance option, consider partial highlights just around the face and crown to bring light and vibrance where it’s needed most. Keeping your base dark not only saves on frequent root touch-ups, but it prevents that obvious line of demarcation some curly girls hate.
Maximum Blonde Highlights
If you’re looking to go lighter with your curly mane, all-over chunky bright blonde highlights will give you a bold, striking look. Discuss the use of balayage, foils, slicing or weaving techniques with your colorist to achieve different effects. A curl-enhancing shampoo keeps curls bouncy.
Vivid Color Highlights
For the curly-haired girl who wants to stand out, vivid highlights in shades of pink, purple and more lend plenty of drama. Have your colorist alternate between slices of your natural hair color and the vivid color for punky mermaid-worthy locks. This works great on bleached blonde curls too.
Describe Your Routine to Your Stylist
When planning curly hair highlights, be sure to have an in-depth discussion with your colorist beforehand. Explain how you typically style your curls, including products used and heating tools. Bring examples of styles and colors you love. This helps the stylist understand your hair’s texture and needs to recommend the best highlighting techniques.
Getting the right highlights not only improves the look of your curly hair, but also defines and accentuates your gorgeous natural texture. With so many options from subtle to vivid, you can find a look that expresses your personal style. Embrace your inner curly mermaid!
Conclusion: Curly Hair Highlights for Added Style and Beauty
Whether you have loose waves or tight spirals, curly brown hair with highlights can give your locks a gorgeous makeover. Highlights provide depth and dimension that celebrates your natural texture. Popular curly hair color ideas include honey blonde highlights, copper tones, bold partials around the face, and even vivid colors like pink and purple.
When undergoing chemical services, be sure to safeguard the health of your curls by stretching out color appointments, using Olaplex, deep conditioning regularly, and avoiding excessive heat styling. Work with a knowledgeable stylist to select the right highlighting technique and placement to enhance your unique color and curl pattern. With the right care and coloring, your curly mane will be eye-catching, vibrant and healthy. Embrace the beauty of curly hair highlights and take your style to the next level!
