Summer 2024 is here, and our best advice? Embrace everything the season brings! Beyond enjoying longer days, planning fun weekend getaways, and updating your summer wardrobe, you might also consider a fresh, summer-ready hair color. While vibrant reds and bright blondes are always fun, there’s something special about sun-kissed brunette hair. The secret to nailing that warm, effortlessly chic vibe? Caramel highlights—one of TikTok’s most adored hair color trends. But before you head to the salon, keep reading to discover all the details about this popular hue, from who it flatters best to how it can be customized to suit your hair goals.
What Should You Ask for If You Want Caramel Highlights?
Communicate With Your Stylist
Achieving the perfect caramel highlights requires clear communication with your stylist, starting with knowing what you want. Caramel highlights are versatile and can be tailored to various preferences, from soft and subtle to bold and high-contrast. However, because the term “caramel” can be interpreted in many different ways, it’s essential to be specific about the look you’re going for.
Caramel highlights can blend seamlessly with your natural hair color for a soft, sun-kissed effect or be more pronounced, adding contrast and dimension. Additionally, caramel can vary in tone, ranging from warm, reddish-brown hues to more fabulous, blonde-leaning shades. Knowing where you want your highlights to fall on this spectrum will help your stylist create a look that complements your base color and overall aesthetic.
Tones of Your Highlights
Celebrity hairstylist Jerome Lordet of Jerome Lordet Salon advises that deciding whether you want warmer, redder caramel tones or more fabulous, blonder highlights is essential before your appointment. “Caramel can range from redder to blonder, so decide where you want your highlights to fall on that spectrum,” he says. Once you know the tone you’re aiming for, explain it clearly to your stylist, along with how light you want the lightest points of your highlights to be. Whether you’re aiming for subtle brightness or dramatic pops of caramel, specifying this will help your stylist fine-tune the look to meet your expectations.
Bring Pictures
One of the best ways to ensure you’re both on the same page is to bring along reference photos. As Lordet explains, visuals are essential when describing your ideal caramel highlights. “Depending on your base color, the shade of caramel that will suit you best might be different from someone else’s, so the more reference photos and clear communication you have with your stylist, the happier you will be,” he emphasizes. These images will give your stylist a concrete idea of the tone, placement, and style you’re aiming for, making it easier for them to tailor the highlights to your specific preferences and hair type.
Placement of the Highlights
It’s also important to discuss the placement of the highlights. Do you want a more traditional foil highlight that starts at the root, or are you interested in a more lived-in balayage technique that gradually lightens toward the ends? Both approaches can work beautifully with caramel tones, but the result will vary significantly depending on the technique. Balayage, for example, tends to create a more natural, sun-kissed effect, while foil highlights can offer more precision and brightness from the root to the tip.
Maintenance Level of Your Highlights
Don’t forget also to consider the maintenance level of your highlights. Caramel highlights, especially those on the lighter or more dramatic side, may require regular touch-ups to maintain their vibrancy. If you’re looking for something lower maintenance, you might want to ask your stylist about techniques that grow out gracefully, such as soft balayage or highlights that blend closely with your natural color.
Which Hair Colors Are Best Suited for Caramel Highlights?
Caramel highlights are most flattering on brunette hair colors. Celebrity colorist Sharon Dorram, owner of Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger Salon, explains, “Caramel hair color looks best on a light brown to medium or dark brown base.” This is because brunettes tend to have the proper depth for caramel tones to blend seamlessly and enhance their natural color. For those with dark blonde hair, Dorram warns that the base may be too light or fair to pull off caramel highlights effectively. The rich, warm undertones of caramel are better suited for medium to dark brown bases, where they can create a natural-looking contrast.
In terms of tone, celebrity stylist Jerome Lordet adds that caramel highlights complement warmer brunette shades the best. “If your hair is too dark or too cool-toned, the caramel highlights won’t blend as seamlessly as they would with warm, medium-to-darker brown tones,” he explains. This is because the warmth in caramel highlights harmonizes with similarly warm undertones, creating a cohesive, sun-kissed look. Cooler-toned brunettes may find that caramel highlights stand out too starkly, leading to less natural results.
However, that doesn’t mean lighter hair colors can’t enjoy caramel highlights. For light brown hair, the contrast with caramel may be softer and less dramatic. Lordet says, “Caramel highlights can work on light brown hair, but the contrast won’t be as noticeable. Depending on the shade you and your stylist choose, caramel tones on lighter brown shades can create a soft, coppery color.” This subtle warmth can be perfect for those looking for a more understated, natural-looking change rather than a bold transformation.
It’s also worth noting that the flexibility of caramel highlights allows for various applications, from soft, blended balayage to more defined foiled highlights. Depending on how the highlights are applied, caramel tones can add dimension and warmth, making them a versatile choice for brunettes of all shades. Whether you have dark brown hair and want subtle, glowing enhancement or lighter brown hair and desire a touch of warmth, caramel highlights can be customized to suit your hair goals.
Before dismissing the trend, consider the wide range of options available. There are many ways to rock caramel highlights, and the right approach for you will depend on your hair’s base color and your desired level of contrast. With the right shade and application technique, caramel highlights can add depth, warmth, and a radiant glow to your hair, making them a perfect choice for a summer refresh.
Do Caramel Highlights Make You Look Younger?
Caramel highlights, a warmer blonde variation, are often associated with a more youthful appearance. The soft, sun-kissed tones can brighten your overall look, giving your face a subtle glow and creating the illusion of vibrancy. However, as with any hair color, how youthful you appear really depends on how the color works with your natural tones and how you feel about the result.
Celebrity stylist Jerome Lordet explains, “Some people believe lighter hair always makes you look younger, but this really depends on each individual and their natural hair color.” For those starting to go gray, caramel highlights can serve as an excellent option for naturally blending gray strands. A technique known as “herringbone highlights,” where new blonde or caramel tones are woven into the hair, can seamlessly incorporate gray hairs and help maintain a youthful look without fully covering them. The caramel highlights can act as a soft transition, brightening the hair and creating a natural, more dimensional color that still feels youthful.
Whether or not caramel highlights make you look younger ultimately depends on how they blend with your skin tone and natural hair color, as well as how confident and refreshed you feel wearing them.
Caramel Highlight Ideas
1. Chocolate Caramel Ombre
A chocolate caramel ombre is a perfect choice for those with a darker brown base who want to lighten their hair while still subtly showcasing their natural color. Celebrity colorist Sharon Dorram recommends this rich, dimensional look, like Jessica Biel’s signature style. “In this look, chocolate hues at the root gradually blend into lighter caramel tones at the mid-lengths and ends, creating a luxurious and decadent ombre,” she explains. This style offers a great way to experiment with lighter tones without fully committing to an all-over color change. It’s ideal for anyone seeking a low-maintenance yet stylish way to brighten their hair.
2. Subtle Caramel Babylights
Caramel highlights don’t have to be bold to make a difference. Subtle caramel baby lights can deliver a soft, natural enhancement to your hair. “These subtle, blended baby lights add dimension for a fuller, more vibrant look,” says celebrity colorist Sharon Dorram. This technique gently lightens strands for a delicate, sun-kissed effect, offering just enough brightness to refresh your look without a drastic change. Perfect for anyone looking to add subtle warmth and depth to their hair while keeping it natural and low-maintenance.
3. Golden Caramel Brown
For years, Gisele Bundchen’s golden mane has been an iconic source of hair inspiration, showcasing the perfect blend of blonde and caramel tones. Her signature look is the epitome of sun-kissed, effortless beauty, and it demonstrates how caramel highlights can add warmth and depth without overpowering natural hair color. Sharon Dorram explains, “This is an effortless, natural-looking blend of lighter blonde tones with warm bronde hues, accentuated by caramel highlights to complement Gisele’s skin tone.” This expertly crafted combination allows the warmer caramel hues to highlight the depth of her natural brown base while the lighter blonde streaks add dimension and movement.
Gisele’s golden caramel brown is appealing because the highlights are tailored to bring out her skin’s natural glow. The caramel highlights seamlessly blend into her overall look, enhancing her complexion and giving her that radiant, beachy, sun-kissed appearance that has become so iconic. This look demonstrates that well-placed caramel highlights can bring out the best in a person’s facial features, subtly lifting the face and drawing attention to the eyes and cheekbones.
For those looking to emulate this style, it’s essential to consider how the blend of caramel, blonde, and brown can be customized to match your natural hair color and skin tone. The goal is to create a multidimensional, layered look that feels natural yet polished. Caramel highlights in this context are strategically placed to enhance the hair’s movement and add a touch of golden warmth, making the overall style feel effortlessly chic.
4. Curly Caramel Highlights
If you want to add more caramel to your curls, take a cue from Taraji P. Henson, who flawlessly demonstrates how caramel highlights can elevate a curly updo while embracing natural dark roots.
Caramel highlights on curly hair are especially effective because they emphasize the movement and shape of each curl, creating a dynamic and voluminous look. Whether styled in an updo or worn loose, the highlights catch the light differently, making the hair look fuller and more defined. For those with dark roots, caramel highlights offer the perfect balance of brightness and warmth without overpowering the natural beauty of your curls.
5. Caramel Coils
Curly hair truly shines with caramel highlights, bringing out the natural texture in a beautifully backlit way. Cleo Wade’s caramel coils are a prime example of how this hue can add depth and dimension. “Subtle ombre highlights add interest to her shorter curls,” says Jerome Lordet, highlighting how the caramel tones enhance her natural hair pattern.
Caramel highlights in coily hair accentuate each twist and turn, giving the hair a luminous quality that catches the light at every angle. The warmth of the caramel color contrasts perfectly with darker roots, creating a natural gradient that enhances the hair’s natural beauty without overwhelming it. The ombre effect in shorter curls also adds a touch of visual intrigue, giving the style movement and vibrancy even with minimal length.
For those with curly or coily hair, caramel highlights are a great way to add richness and dimension without compromising your hair’s natural bounce and volume. The highlights enhance the curls’ texture, giving them a dynamic, backlit appearance that looks effortlessly radiant.
6. Blended Caramel
Cara Delevingne’s caramel highlights offer a subtle twist, incorporating a slightly ashier undertone for a more modern, neutral look. “I adore this look that seamlessly blends from root to bottom,” says Sharon Dorram. “It’s traditional and timeless.” This style is perfect for those who want a more understated version of caramel highlights that transition smoothly from the roots, offering a soft, natural glow.
The ashy undertones in Delevingne’s highlights look more neutral and versatile, making it an excellent choice for any season, not just summer. The blended effect provides a low-maintenance option for those looking to add dimension and warmth to their hair without committing to bold, high-contrast color. The smooth transition from root to tip gives the hair depth and richness while maintaining a sophisticated and timeless appearance.
This style works well across different hair types and lengths, offering a polished yet effortlessly chic result that can be worn year-round. Blended caramel highlights are the perfect way to achieve a natural, glowing look, whether you’re aiming for a subtle refresh or a touch of warmth.
7. Caramel Toffee
Gigi Hadid’s caramel toffee hair color is a stunning example of a more prosperous, all-over caramel look. While the overall color appears consistent, subtle ribbons of lighter tones are woven throughout, giving the style dimension and depth. “Caramel and toffee tones blend seamlessly to create a beautifully warm, light brunette shade with a little depth,” explains Sharon Dorram.
This blend of caramel and toffee hues offers a slightly lighter, more luminous brunette that feels natural and sun-kissed. The strategic placement of lighter ribbons throughout the hair enhances movement, adding a soft, radiant glow without creating a stark contrast. The result is a warm, flattering shade that gives the hair a multi-dimensional, polished look.
Caramel toffee hair is an excellent option for those who want a light brunette shade with a bit of warmth and richness. It’s a versatile, low-maintenance color that can transition easily between seasons, offering a timeless, sophisticated look with just enough brightness to keep it fresh and vibrant.
8. Caramel with Cool Undertones
Halle Berry’s cool-toned mane with caramel highlights is a perfect example of how to balance cooler hair shades with warmth. “By applying caramel highlights, it offsets the coolness to prevent the color from appearing overly dark and one-dimensional,” explains Sharon Dorram. The subtle caramel tones introduce warmth that brightens the hair without overpowering the cool base.
This combination adds depth and complexity to the color, ensuring it doesn’t appear flat or harsh. The warmth of the caramel highlights also enhances Halle’s complexion, providing a balanced contrast that makes her skin tone pop. It’s ideal for anyone with cool undertones who wants to keep their hair looking vibrant while incorporating warmth for a more radiant and youthful appearance.
The blend of cool and warm tones offers a sophisticated look that maintains the freshness of cool-toned hair but softens it with the subtle glow of caramel, making it a flattering choice for a wide range of skin tones.
9. Allover Caramel
Jessica Alba’s beautifully blended caramel highlights create a radiant look that exudes warmth and a natural glow. “These caramel highlights are blended beautifully to make her look sunny and natural; they suit her coloring well,” says Jerome Lordet. The highlights are subtly distributed throughout her hair, giving the illusion of a seamless, sun-kissed effect.
This allover caramel style is perfect for those looking for a natural, luminous result without harsh contrasts. It brightens the complexion, enhances facial features, and adds depth and dimension to the hair. The result is a glowing, effortless look that works year-round, making it ideal for anyone seeking a warm, flattering hairstyle that complements their natural beauty.
10. Sun-Kissed Caramel Highlights
Model Hannah Davis flaunts a perfect example of sun-kissed caramel highlights that look so natural that it seems like she was born with them. “This sun-kissed look blends naturally to frame the face while adding dimension and warmth,” says Sharon Dorram. The subtle caramel tones are strategically placed to mimic the natural lightening effect that happens when hair is exposed to the sun, giving her hair a radiant, glowing finish.
This effortless, sun-kissed style is ideal for those who want a natural-looking enhancement that adds dimension without being too bold. Perfect for summer or any time you want to bring a little warmth and brightness to your look, these caramel highlights offer a fresh, sunlit glow that enhances your natural beauty.