25 Best Winter Highlights for Brown Hair to Try This Winter

Winter highlights for brown hair offer the ultimate way to transform your look as the weather cools. These seasonal color updates help soften, brighten, or deepen your natural brunette base while adding dimension and shine. Whether you want a cozy caramel hue or a frosty ash tone, winter highlights allow you to experiment without committing to a full color change. The colder months are ideal for adding richness and personality to your hair while keeping it stylish and manageable.

From face-framing babylights to bold balayage transitions, brown hair with winter highlights offers endless styling options. These curated looks work for every shade of brown—from deep espresso to soft chestnut—and every texture, whether curly, straight, or wavy.

Winter Highlights for Brown Hair

If you’re ready to turn heads with subtle sophistication or bold contrast, these 25 handpicked highlight ideas will keep your hair glowing all season long.

Icy Ash Tones for Brunettes

If you’re craving a cooler twist on your natural brunette, icy ash tones are a go-to winter option. These highlights blend muted silvers and soft grays into brown hair, creating a chic contrast that feels both modern and seasonal. They’re especially flattering on cooler skin tones and pair beautifully with a dark brown base for high visual impact.

What makes this style work so well during winter is its subtle drama. The cool ash tones reflect the frosty atmosphere outside while elevating your natural color. Regular gloss treatments help maintain their silvery hue, and purple shampoos will combat any unwanted brassiness. It’s a low-maintenance yet high-style look that’s undeniably winter-ready.

Soft Caramel Ribbons on Brown

Caramel ribbons are the sweet solution for brunettes who want warmth without going blonde. These soft, golden strands weave through your natural base to create dimension and movement, lighting up your entire hairstyle. The effect is cozy, inviting, and ideal for brightening dull winter tones.

Caramel tones are incredibly versatile and complement most brunette shades, from dark chocolate to warm chestnut. They add a soft contrast and are easy to maintain with color-safe shampoo. Pair them with loose curls or waves to really show off the highlighted strands. This is a classic winter highlight that never goes out of style.

Chestnut Melt on Medium Brown

For brunettes who prefer rich and subtle color transitions, a chestnut melt is a must-try. This look blends warm reddish-brown hues into your base color, creating a seamless gradient that adds depth and elegance. It’s ideal for medium brown hair that needs a winter lift without bold contrast.

The chestnut tones bring warmth to your overall look, making it feel softer and more dimensional. It’s especially flattering on olive and neutral skin tones. Ask your stylist for a soft balayage technique to keep the blend natural and lived-in. The chestnut melt is perfect for anyone who loves low-effort glam.

Golden Honey Highlights for Warmth

Golden honey highlights add the perfect kiss of sunlight to brown hair during winter. These golden tones lift your base color and provide a radiant glow, even on the grayest days. They’re great for brunettes wanting to warm up their look without drastic changes.

When done right, honey highlights bring out your skin’s natural glow and make your eyes pop. They’re easy to blend into medium or light brown hair and look stunning on layered cuts. Maintenance is minimal—just tone every few weeks and keep your hair hydrated for shine and softness.

Add a festive, feminine twist to your winter-highlighted strands with these adorable bow hairstyles — perfect for any cold-weather outing.

Mocha Balayage with Light Ends

A mocha balayage offers a luxurious winter upgrade for brunettes. This technique blends deep mocha shades into the roots and gradually lightens the ends for an elegant, grown-out effect. The tonal range adds depth and is perfect for women who want a change without commitment.

This look works particularly well on medium to long hair, where the contrast can truly shine. It flatters both cool and warm undertones and can be styled with waves or sleek finishes. Mocha balayage delivers richness and sophistication while keeping your look soft and wearable all winter long.

Cinnamon Swirl Highlights for Depth

Cinnamon swirl highlights are a spicy upgrade that adds richness to your winter look. Blending warm cinnamon tones into brown hair creates a stunning swirl of color that feels festive and flattering. The vibrancy pairs beautifully with wavy textures and gives a multi-tonal effect that shines under winter light.

Adding winter highlights for brown hair in cinnamon tones works especially well on medium to dark brunettes. These shades bring warmth and glow to your complexion, making them perfect for the colder months. Use sulfate-free shampoos to protect the richness of the color and maintain shine all season.

Bronde Babylights Around the Face

Bronde babylights offer the perfect balance between brunette and blonde. These fine, sun-kissed strands are subtly painted around the face to frame and brighten your features. The soft lift adds lightness to your overall appearance without overpowering your base.

This technique is ideal for adding subtle winter highlights for brown hair without the commitment of a full blonde transformation. It suits all face shapes and is particularly striking on shoulder-length cuts. Babylights also grow out naturally, requiring minimal upkeep between salon visits.

Ash Brown Tones with Shine

Ash brown highlights are a fantastic cool-toned option for brunettes during the colder months. These smoky tones enhance natural brown shades with muted dimension and a glossy finish. The look is sophisticated, understated, and perfect for office-to-evening transitions.

When applying ash-based winter highlights for brown hair, the goal is to create a modern and polished effect. Use a purple-infused gloss every few weeks to maintain that cool tone. This style looks best on straight or slightly tousled hair, giving a sleek winter-ready vibe.

Honeyed Copper for Warm Radiance

If you’re seeking warmth and energy this winter, honeyed copper highlights are your answer. These radiant tones combine golden blonde and soft copper for a look that’s both fiery and refined. The mix is ideal for brunettes wanting to go warmer without too much red.

These warm winter highlights for brown hair look particularly stunning under natural daylight and bring instant vibrancy to tired winter strands. The hue complements medium skin tones beautifully and requires toning every few weeks to prevent fading. Style with loose curls for an effortlessly romantic finish.

If you love soft golden tones, explore the glow of this honey brown balayage — it’s the perfect blend of warmth and dimension for brunettes.

Espresso Base with Chestnut Ends

A bold blend of espresso and chestnut creates a rich ombré effect perfect for winter. Starting with a dark, roasted base and gradually lightening to a chestnut finish, this look adds contrast and flair to your brown locks without feeling too bright.

These dimensional winter highlights for brown hair are best suited to those who love low-maintenance yet high-impact styles. With the darker roots, upkeep is minimal, and the color transitions beautifully. Wear it straight for sleek definition or curled for extra movement and depth.

Soft Beige Highlights for Subtlety

Soft beige is an elegant way to bring dimension to naturally dark hair. These highlights provide just enough contrast to create visual interest without veering into blonde territory. The result is smooth, subtle, and timeless—especially flattering on medium brown bases.

Opting for soft winter highlights for brown hair in beige tones ensures a graceful grow-out and polished effect. It works wonderfully on layered or bob-length cuts. Pair this look with smooth, straight styles or light waves to show off the delicate blending of tones.

Bronze Glow for Brunette Hair

A bronze glow adds a sunlit finish to winter hair without going too warm or bright. The metallic undertone offers a glossy, reflective quality that enhances natural brown shades beautifully. Perfect for dull winter hair that needs reviving, it adds shine and richness with every turn.

These bronze-toned winter highlights for brown hair are excellent for medium to dark brunettes who want a vibrant touch without dramatic contrast. They’re especially flattering when styled with big curls or polished waves, catching the light and drawing attention to healthy, dimensional strands.

Sandy Blonde Balayage Placement

Sandy blonde tones work like a winter beach escape for brunettes. This balayage technique focuses light blondish-beige highlights through the ends and mid-lengths, giving brown hair a sun-kissed finish while remaining winter-appropriate.

Blending sandy balayage winter highlights for brown hair ensures your base remains rich while the tips lighten and brighten. This style works well on long layers or medium-length hair with texture. Add a salt spray or glossing mist for a soft, effortless finish with coastal flair.

Deep Toffee Shine on Layers

Deep toffee tones are a cozy update for brown hair that enhances dimension and warmth. These medium golden-brown shades blend into your base with a natural, glazed effect, ideal for brunettes who want shine and subtle richness during the colder months.

These toffee-inspired winter highlights for brown hair bring out the best in wavy and curly textures, making your strands appear glossier and more voluminous. Regular moisturizing masks will enhance the glazed finish and keep your highlights looking salon-fresh for weeks.

Maple and Auburn Ribbon Lights

Maple and auburn ribbons give brown hair a fiery elegance that’s rich and dimensional. Placed in thin streaks or painted with a light hand, they deliver a seasonal warmth that’s bold yet wearable. The reddish hues look stunning against dark bases and lift the overall tone beautifully.

These vibrant winter highlights for brown hair add instant energy and make facial features pop. They work especially well on olive or warm undertones and complement a variety of winter outfits—from cozy knits to sleek neutrals. Style with shine spray to emphasize the fiery blend.

Prefer something a bit lighter? These winter highlights for blondes deliver icy brightness for anyone craving contrast this season.

Mushroom Brown with Cool Accents

Mushroom brown is the ultimate cool-toned shade for brunettes who want a modern winter update. This ashy-neutral hue blends dark taupes and light grays into brown hair for a multidimensional, urban look. It’s edgy, fashion-forward, and flattering on all hair textures.

When opting for cool-toned winter highlights for brown hair, mushroom brown offers depth without brassiness. The color complements silver accessories and neutral clothing palettes perfectly. Use a toning conditioner weekly to maintain the ashy finish and avoid fading into warm tones.

Creamy Mocha Highlights Throughout Hair

Creamy mocha tones add softness and shine to brown hair without overpowering its natural richness. These highlights melt seamlessly into darker bases and give your hair a velvety, plush texture that looks luxurious all winter long.

These creamy winter highlights for brown hair suit brunettes looking for dimension without going blonde. They also blend well into straight, wavy, or curled hair and are easy to maintain with gloss treatments. Mocha tones offer the perfect mix of neutrality and warmth.

Butterscotch Blonde Around the Ends

Butterscotch blonde highlights focus on lifting the lower half of the hair, adding lightness and glow to brunette strands. The creamy golden hue is rich without being too warm, offering a flattering contrast against a deep base.

This approach to light winter highlights for brown hair works well on long or mid-length cuts with movement. It draws attention to the ends, especially when styled with loose curls or layered waves. To keep the tones bright, use toning products and avoid excessive heat.

Rich Amber with Deep Contrast

Amber tones bring vibrant dimension to brown hair, infusing it with glowing copper-gold undertones. These highlights create a vivid pop of color that’s perfect for brunettes seeking warmth and boldness during winter.

These eye-catching winter highlights for brown hair are best applied as a balayage or soft ombré. They’re perfect for long, textured cuts and look especially radiant when styled with bounce and volume. Amber hues also reflect beautifully in indoor lighting, making them ideal for winter events.

Dark Blonde Streaks on Brown

Dark blonde streaks provide a classic high-contrast look that adds brightness without going too far. Strategically placed throughout the top and front, these streaks offer lift, light, and energy to deeper brunette bases.

For brunettes looking to try classic winter highlights for brown hair, this streaked style is timeless and elegant. It’s versatile enough for both casual and formal looks, and it pairs wonderfully with layers or curtain bangs. Keep it vibrant with glosses and cool-tone refreshers.

Whether you’ve recently gone shorter or want a holiday-ready glow-up, these Christmas hairstyles for short hair pair beautifully with your fresh color.

Soft Chestnut Lowlights for Contrast

Chestnut lowlights add a refined depth to naturally medium or light brown hair. Instead of lifting the color, this technique enhances it with a slightly darker, red-brown hue that adds luxurious shadowing and richness. The result is subtle but deeply dimensional—perfect for the cooler seasons.

These are excellent low-maintenance winter highlights for brown hair that still make a noticeable difference. The darker accents blend beautifully into layers and bobs, creating visual texture. They’re especially flattering on cooler complexions and look great when styled with soft waves or updos.

Golden Brown Touches with Shine

Golden brown highlights bring warmth and brightness without drifting into blonde territory. This radiant hue glows naturally under winter lighting and offers a youthful, healthy look. It’s a fantastic way to add brightness without needing too much upkeep.

For a fresh take on golden winter highlights for brown hair, ask your stylist to feather the color in from mid-length to ends. This technique maintains natural roots while lifting the overall tone. Use gloss treatments to keep the golden shine looking salon-fresh all season long.

Dirty Blonde Tips for Texture

Dirty blonde tips provide a grungy, lived-in feel that adds modern texture to brunette hair. This technique is perfect for those who like contrast but still want something wearable and soft. It gives the illusion of a natural grow-out while enhancing the ends with lighter tones.

These cool winter highlights for brown hair are perfect for shaggy layers, curtain bangs, or lob cuts. They also work well with straight or tousled styles, making them highly versatile. Keep the tone from turning brassy by using a purple toning shampoo once weekly.

Caramel Streaks Framing the Face

Face-framing caramel streaks are a flattering way to highlight features and bring warmth to your overall look. They’re especially beneficial in winter when skin tones tend to look paler, as the golden hues balance and soften facial contours.

If you’re considering face-brightening winter highlights for brown hair, caramel is a winning choice. It pairs well with ponytails, waves, and buns by drawing attention upward. You can also customize the thickness and placement of streaks for a bolder or more subtle effect.

Toasted Almond Blend for Dimension

Toasted almond is the perfect neutral-warm blend for winter months. It brings together soft beige, golden honey, and light chestnut tones in a balanced way that flatters medium to dark brunettes. The finished look is luxe, dimensional, and ideal for all skin tones.

As one of the most wearable neutral winter highlights for brown hair, toasted almond blends work well across all textures. Whether straight, curled, or braided, the tone remains sophisticated and seasonally appropriate. Use leave-in treatments to enhance shine and prevent fading.

Can’t decide on just highlights? These rich winter hair colors for brunettes offer stunning full-color inspiration beyond the balayage.

Winter Haircare Tips for Brunettes

Maintaining your winter highlights for brown hair isn’t just about color—it’s about care. Here are essential tips to help your color last and your hair stay healthy through the season:

• Deep Condition Weekly: Cold air and indoor heating strip moisture fast. Use hydrating masks to keep your strands nourished and vibrant.
  
• Use Color-Safe Shampoos: Stick to sulfate-free formulas that won’t dull your tones or dry out your hair.
  
• Tone as Needed: If your highlights lean warm or cool, use a color-depositing conditioner (blue or purple-based) to keep the hue balanced.
  
• Avoid Overwashing: Washing 2–3 times a week helps prevent color fade and maintains your hair’s natural oils.
  
• Use Silk or Satin Accessories: Swap cotton pillowcases and hats for silk or satin to reduce friction, frizz, and color dullness.

Conclusion: Embrace Winter Radiance with Color

These 25 styles prove that winter highlights for brown hair can be just as vibrant, dimensional, and beautiful as any summer shade. From subtle chestnut and creamy mocha to bold amber and toasted almond, there’s a hue for every vibe and every brunette.

Whether you want soft elegance or head-turning color, the right highlights will refresh your look, enhance your natural tone, and keep your hair glowing all season. Try one of these tailored styles to bring warmth, contrast, and undeniable style to your winter hair game.