20 Stunning Ideas For Summer Highlights For Dark Brown Hair 2025 With Blonde, Money Piece, Subtle Copper And Other Styles

This summer, dark brown hair is getting its moment in the sun—literally. Whether you’re chasing effortless beach vibes, experimenting with a bold money piece, or subtly blending in natural colors, summer 2025 is all about adding movement, dimension, and a glow that complements every skin tone. From bold and daring to soft and subtle, this guide features the season’s most stunning highlight styles to inspire your next salon visit. Each look has been carefully curated to suit real women with real lives, featuring long layered, medium, and even short cuts that elevate brunette beauty.

Face-Framing Blonde Ribbons with Soft Waves

This look is the perfect definition of “effortlessly glamorous.” The rich dark brown base is elevated with face framing blonde ribbons that brighten the complexion without overpowering it. These lighter streaks subtly contour the face, bringing attention to the eyes and cheekbones—especially flattering for women with blue eyes or olive skin. Styled in long layered wavy texture, it’s a versatile look that transitions seamlessly from beach days to rooftop evenings. For a wearable style that feels sun-drenched yet professional, this one tops the list.

Shoulder-Length Shag with Lived-In Contrast

A modern take on the medium length shag, this hairstyle features edgy dimension through bold highlights that blend caramel and blonde against a chocolate brown canvas. The long layered wavy cut makes this style incredibly flattering for women who crave texture and volume. Bonus: this look works beautifully for tan skin and pairs well with neutral-toned makeup and gold jewelry for a trendy, low-maintenance finish. Think French-girl cool with a West Coast edge.

Dimensional Blonde Balayage with Volume

There’s something striking about high-contrast money piece highlights, especially when paired with volume and layers. The darker roots ground the look while buttery blonde ends and midlights create lift and energy. This long layered cut exudes summer glam and works especially well for those with straight or lightly wavy hair. The side-swept styling adds drama, perfect for cocktail parties or weddings on warm summer nights.

Tousled Waves with Subtle Honey Highlights

Proof that less really is more, this look is built around subtle honey-toned strands that melt into a dark brown base. The undone, wavy finish is ideal for women who like to keep things relaxed but polished. It’s also incredibly flattering on pale skin, giving a soft glow that looks natural yet intentionally styled. Add some dry texture spray and you’ve got a salon-worthy finish in under 10 minutes.

Rose Gold Peekaboo on Long Layers

If you’re looking to add a playful twist to your color this summer, this style’s delicate rose gold panels steal the show. Perfectly woven into long layered straight strands, the pink hues peek through rich brown tones, giving a feminine and fashion-forward feel. Great for bold personalities or anyone looking to shake things up with color while keeping it semi-subtle. Plus, it’s ultra-flattering on both pale and tan skin.

Beachy Lob with Copper and Honey Melt

A softly textured bob cut never goes out of style, especially when paired with a melt of copper and honey tones. This medium style brings warmth to olive skin tones and brightens up dark brown hair with sunlit brilliance. The tousled ends offer volume and edge, while the overall tone remains wearable and elegant. Pair with hoop earrings and a breezy blouse for an elevated summer daytime look.

Ultra Glamorous Blonde Bombshell Waves

This long layered wavy style is a showstopper. A deep money piece paired with a mix of blonde and caramel ribbons adds major drama to the rich brunette base. Ideal for formal events or when you simply want to turn heads, this look suits tan and olive skin especially well. Keep makeup warm and bronzy for a cohesive glow. It’s bold, it’s glamorous, and it’s very 2025.

Warm Brunette with Dimensional Ash

Looking for a color refresh that doesn’t scream transformation? This look’s multi-dimensional natural colors create depth without going overboard. Cool-toned ash highlights blend seamlessly into the base for a fresh, modern finish. With long layered styling and flowing wavy texture, this one is ideal for everyday wear—and pairs beautifully with minimalist fashion or casual denim outfits. Great for women who want low-key luxe.

Rooted Blonde Swirls for Classic Appeal

If you love vintage glamour with a contemporary twist, this style delivers. The blonde swirls begin at the midshaft and cascade into voluminous long layered curls, with rich roots adding contrast and dimension. It’s a flattering option for anyone with blue eyes or olive skin, and the bouncy styling complements both curly and straight textures depending on your mood. This look is made for statement earrings and summer cocktail nights.

Classic Blowout with Bold Front Highlights

Clean, polished, and professional, this style is for women who want to infuse their classic aesthetic with a splash of trend. The standout money piece in a golden blonde hue adds a youthful edge to the otherwise sleek blowout. With its medium length and softly flipped ends, it’s ideal for work settings, brunches, or even business travel. The look works especially well with pale or tan skin, bringing an approachable elegance to everyday styling.

Blended Lob with Buttery Blonde Shine

This softly angled bob is brought to life with a seamless transition from deep chocolate roots to warm, buttery blonde ends. It’s a modern classic for anyone craving something fresh yet office-appropriate. The medium length gives it versatility, while the face framing pieces highlight cheekbones beautifully—especially flattering for blue eyes and pale skin. The lived-in waves make it ideal for both casual and elevated settings.

Lush Long Curls with Golden Threads

This ultra-voluminous look combines long layered curls with thin golden highlights for maximum dimension. The gentle movement of the waves makes it perfect for curly hair lovers or anyone aiming to add texture and drama to long layered wavy styles. These subtle highlights give the illusion of fullness and reflect light in the most flattering way—especially stunning against olive or tan skin.

Amber and Caramel Ribbon Highlights

A beautiful balance between richness and brightness, this style features sleek waves with natural colors like amber and caramel woven through a brunette base. The dimension in this medium length cut makes it an ideal option for those wanting low-maintenance grow-out and a color refresh. Perfect for summer events or everyday wear, this look exudes polish and warmth with a soft, feminine finish.

Ultra-Textured Boho Glam Waves

This one’s for the long layered wavy hair fans who love movement and texture. Chunky, face framing pieces in honey and blonde tones offer brightness without harsh contrast. Ideal for pale skin tones, this effortlessly cool look feels laid-back yet styled—perfect for brunch, beach trips, or casual get-togethers. Pair with oversized linen or cotton tops for a breezy, effortless feel.

Soft Highlights with Freckled Glow

There’s a soft radiance to this style that feels both innocent and chic. Cool-toned blonde highlights are feathered gently into a neutral brunette base, giving a barely-there touch of brightness that plays beautifully with blue eyes and natural freckles. Styled into a tousled medium cut with soft waves, it’s the ideal go-to for summer simplicity—low maintenance, flattering, and fresh.

Fringe-Forward Dimensional Drama

If you’re ready to embrace something bold, this look brings serious impact. The money piece effect is magnified with wide blonde streaks that frame the face and extend into full-bodied, curly layers. The addition of a wispy fringe gives this long layered look a French-chic edge. Great for tan and olive skin, it’s glamorous but wearable—especially with minimalistic, monochrome outfits.

Smoky Blonde Ends on Cool Brunette

This high-impact style blends natural colors with icy blonde tips, creating an ombré-inspired gradient that’s edgy yet elegant. Designed for long layered wavy hair, the cool-toned shades make it a standout for pale skin. It’s a power move for women who want a bit of rebellion in their summer style. Keep your fashion clean and structured to offset the dramatic color story.

Subtle Mushroom Brown with Soft Curls

This medium length style is a masterclass in subtle sophistication. Mushroom brown tones interspersed with ash-blonde create a muted, smoky vibe that works incredibly well on straight or wavy textures. This look is all about quiet luxury—think tailored blazers, cashmere, and minimalist accessories. If you’re not into bold contrasts but still want something fresh for 2025, this is a perfect choice.

Freckle-Framing Champagne Blonde

A youthful, radiant look that mixes long layered wavy texture with champagne blonde streaks. The lighter tones illuminate pale skin and bring out freckles, giving that no-makeup, summer glow aesthetic. This look would suit a neutral palette wardrobe—think linen jumpsuits, soft pastels, and classic denim. For those who want to enhance their features in a natural way, it doesn’t get better than this.

Ash Brown Dimension with Sculpted Layers

Ending strong with a layered medium style that blends cool natural colors with defined shape and body. The subtle ash tones enhance volume and suit olive skin perfectly. The soft bends and precise placement of the highlights give this style structure without stiffness, ideal for women who want something stylish but professional. Pair with minimalist makeup and tailored outfits for a modern, boss-energy finish.

Summer 2025 is shaping up to be all about intentional brightness and personalized expression. Whether you’re drawn to the bold allure of copper, the softness of subtle highlights, or a playful rose gold twist, there’s a way to enhance your dark brown hair that feels fresh, elevated, and unmistakably you.