Brown hair with pink highlights is simply the hottest new trend in hairstyles right now.
It’s a fun and flirty look that will make heads turn at your next party or event. The best part about this style is that it works for any type of hair, from straight to curly, thick to thin. You can even use this style safely on kids!
If you’re looking for an easy way to update your look without going through a major transformation, then this hot look might be just what you need.
With this guide, we help you work out whether this style is for you, give you some ideas and inspiration and show you how simple it is to achieve this trendy look at home!
And check out our tips and tricks for how to make your fabulous new style last for longer.
Let’s take a look at how to get this look in your life right now!
Table of Contents
- 1 What is the brown hair with pink highlights trend?
- 2 What makes brown hair with pink highlights so popular?
- 3 8 On-trend Brown Hair With Pink Highlights Ideas
- 4 How do I get brown hair with pink highlights?
- 5 Best pink hair colors for brown hair.
- 6 Do you need to bleach brown hair to get pink highlights?
- 7 Which pink color will suit me?
- 8 Take the quiz!
- 9 What hair color suits me?
- 10 Can I get the brown with pink highlights look at home?
- 11 How to do pink highlights on brown hair DIY.
- 12 Best pink hair dye at a glance.
- 13 Best pink hair dye at a glance.
- 14 DIY Home Coloring Guide for Brown Hair with Pink Highlights.
- 15 How long will brown hair with pink highlights last?
- 16 Tips for Maintaining Your Pink Highlights.
- 17 Parting words
What is the brown hair with pink highlights trend?
Brown hair with pink highlights is a creative and modern hair trend that combines the natural richness of brown hair with the playful and edgy look of pink streaks.
The contrast between the two colors can range from subtle to bold, depending on the shades chosen.
And the best thing is – there’s a shade for everyone.
This trend is perfect for those looking to add a pop of color and personality to their look without committing to a full head of pink hair. It’s a fun way to experiment with color and express your personality.
What makes brown hair with pink highlights so popular?
Brunette hair with pinks highlights has been seen on fashionistas like Gigi Hadid, influencers like Jenna Marbles, and uber fab hairdressers like Jen Atkin- inspiring others to try it out and share their unique takes on the style.
We love it because of its:
- Versatility: This style can be easily customized, from soft pastel pinks for a subtle look to bright neon pinks for a bold statement.
- Dimension: Pink highlights add depth and texture to brown hair, giving it a vibrant and dynamic appearance.
- Low Maintenance: Unlike a full head of pink hair, pink highlights on brown hair require less upkeep, making them a more practical option for those with busy lifestyles.
Check out the latest brown hair with pink highlights looks on our Pinterest board for ideas and inspiration.
8 On-trend Brown Hair With Pink Highlights Ideas
Ready to explore some of the most stylish brown hair with pink highlights ideas? Take a look through and find your new look.
#1 Subtle Streaks in Deep Chocolate Brown Hair
Deep chocolate brown hair serves as a luxurious, velvety canvas for subtle streaks of blush pink.
The rich, dark tones of the deep chocolate brown will make even the softest blush pink highlights appear more vibrant, offering a beautiful contrast without overwhelming your look.
#2 Pink Balayage on Rich Mocha Brown Hair
Rich mocha brown, with its full-bodied hints of coffee and cocoa, provides a warm base for a pink balayage.
The smooth transition from the deeper rich mocha tones to the lighter cotton candy pink ends can mimic the creamy blend of a well-crafted mocha latte, creating a deliciously sophisticated look.
#3 Dip-Dyed Ends on Cool Ash Brown Hair
Cool ash brown hair, known for its muted undertones, pairs beautifully with dip-dyed ends in a bold hot pink shade.
The cool ashy base provides a subtle backdrop that allows the hot pink tips to pop, resulting in a striking contrast that’s both edgy and chic.
#4 Chunky Highlights in Honey Brown Hair
The golden hues of luminous honey brown hair can be beautifully accentuated with chunky highlights in a rich magenta pink.
The warmth of the honey brown blends with the vibrancy of the magenta pink, creating a look that’s both bold and glam!
#5 Rose Gold Glow on Caramel Brown Hair
Gleaming caramel brown hair, with its luscious golden undertones, is the perfect foundation for a rose gold glow.
The metallic sheen of the rose gold highlights will add a luxurious dimension to the caramel tones, resulting in a look that’s super on-trend.
#6 Pastel Ribbons in Soft Light Golden Brown Hair
Soft light golden brown hair, with its gentle and sunny disposition, can be enhanced with pastel bubblegum pink ribbons.
The gentle play of light pinks weaving through the golden strands creates a dreamy, fairytale-like effect that’s both delicate and enchanting.
#7 Vivid Underlights in Dark Espresso Brown Hair
Dark espresso brown hair, known for its deep and intense color, makes a dramatic statement when paired with vivid fuchsia pink underlights.
The boldness of the dark espresso provides a stark contrast to the playful fuchsia pink, creating an element of surprise and an undeniably modern edge.
#8 Pink Ombre on Warm Chestnut Brown Hair
Warm chestnut brown hair, with its rich red and brown tones, offers a cozy and inviting base for a pink ombre.
The natural warmth of the chestnut color enhances the pink’s vibrancy, creating a seamless and stunning gradient that transitions from a deep rose pink to a soft peachy pink, both eye-catching and elegant.
How do I get brown hair with pink highlights?
First things first, remember that perseverance is key if you’re looking for any kind of new hair color or hairstyle.
- If your hair is dark it will need bleaching to get the right base to show pink. This could take a few separate applications of bleach to achieve the desired look.
- If your hair is light brown, ask your stylist about balayage. This doesn’t have to involve bleach and gives the look we’re going for here! It’s also a more natural option because the color isn’t applied directly to the roots so they don’t need covering up which would result in obvious regrowth at any point.
- If your hair is blonde – you’ll need to dye it your chosen shade of brown first! Or just add pink highlights to your blonde base for the same gorgeous effect.
If this is new territory for you then it’s important to have a chat with your stylist. They are experts who know best!
Best pink hair colors for brown hair.
- Rose gold
- Pastel pink
- Shocking pink
- Neon pink
- Flamingo
- Raspberry
Do you need to bleach brown hair to get pink highlights?
To ensure those pink highlights truly pop, then yes, bleaching might be necessary.
It’s important to know that bleaching is a commitment—it’s not just time-consuming but can also be tough on your tresses.
If you want to go from brown or dark-blonde locks, then definitely take the plunge – the results are totally worth it.
If you’re not sure, just chat to your hair stylist who can assess your hair color and condition and advise you what you can do.
Which pink color will suit me?
The most popular shades right now are light pinks like powder, bubblegum and candy floss tones.
They contrast really well with darker tones and give a fun contrast rather than clashing with them.
The hue you use will depend on the case color of your hair.
- If you have dark brunette hair then opt for brighter, more intense shades like fuschia, mauve and candy floss pink. Go for chunky ribbons and streaks to make an impact.
- If you’ve got lighter hair like light brown or blonde, then go for lighter hues like rose quartz or pastel toned pinks. This way they will blend into your hair better and give a softer effect.
When selecting these shades of pink it’s important to think about your skin tone.
If you have cool complexion, choose cool pink hues like lavender or fuschia. And if you have a warm skin tone go for orange/pinks or corals!
If you have warm undertones:
- You have red or golden undertones in your hair.
- Your skin tone will be golden, tan or olive.
- You have green veins in your wrist.
- You suit bright or rich shades.
- You probably have freckles.
- Gold jewellery looks awesome on you.
Choose warm pinks and pretty pastels like lilac, neon pinks and bold, hot pinks.
If you have cool undertones:
- Your skin tone is pink or pale.
- You prefer wearing jewel and pastel colors.
- The color yellow does not look good on you.
- You have blue veins in your wrist.
- Pearls and silver jewellery look awesome on you.
Choose cool, richer color pinks like Deep rose, fuschia, dusty pink and ravishing raspberry.
Take the quiz!
If you’re not sure if you have warm or cool undertones or what kind of colors are best for you, you can take our quiz to get some fabulous hair color ideas!
What hair color suits me?
You can also try on some virtual hair colors with the Best hair color changing apps you need to use this year!
Can I get the brown with pink highlights look at home?
Now, the good news is that you can get this look at home! You’ll need some pink hair dyes to add that extra splash of color and then simply use a balayage highlighting technique.
The video below shows how to achieve this look on dark hair easily. Just remember that if you’re going from brunette locks straight into pinks, then you might need to bleach your hair first using a 40 vol developer.
How to do pink highlights on brown hair DIY.
Here’s a great video tutorial that shows you just how to get pink highlights on dark hair without using bleach!
Best pink hair dye at a glance.
A good quality hair dye is all you need! These are our tried and tested. You can find out more about each one in our best pink hair dye reviews.
Always follow the instructions carefully and check out some tutorials before trying anything for yourself.
Be sure to use gloves when applying any dyes too or else your fingers will be stained pink forever. And do a strand test before you start to check the level of colour you’ll get.
Best pink hair dye at a glance.
| Hair dye | Looks like | Best for | Buy it now |
|---|---|---|---|
| L'Oreal Paris Feria, Rosy Blush (Smokey Pink) |
| Subtle tones and accents. | |
| Schwarzkopf Live Color Xxl Ultra Brights 93 Shocking Pink Semi-Permanent Pink Hair Dye |
| Experimenting with pink hair. | |
| L'Oreal Paris Colorista Makeup Hot Pink Neon, Semi-Permanent Hair Dye |
| Strong dark pink colour. | |
| Garnier Olia Deep Rose Hair Dye Permanent, Deep Rose |
| Cool rich rose. | |
| Manic Panic High Voltage Colour Hair Dye, Fuschia Shock |
| Super bright pink. | |
| Schwarzkopf Live Ultra Bright or Pastel Colour Semi-Permanent, Raspberry Rebel |
| Longer lasting colour. |
DIY Home Coloring Guide for Brown Hair with Pink Highlights.
Thinking of trying this trend at home? Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you achieve brown hair with pink highlights:
Step 1: Choose Your Pink Shade
Select the pink shade that best suits your style. Remember, the lighter your brown hair, the more vibrant the pink will appear. For dark brown hair, you may need to lighten your hair first for the pink to show up.
Step 2: Gather Your Supplies
You’ll need the following items:
- Pink hair dye (we recommend Arctic Fox Semi-Permanent Hair Color in Virgin Pink)
- Bleach and developer (if you need to lighten your hair)
- Tinting brush
- Mixing bowl
- Gloves
- Aluminum foil or plastic wrap
- Old towels and clothes (to protect your skin and clothing)
- Petroleum jelly (to protect your hairline and ears from staining)
- Shampoo and conditioner
Step 3: Prepare Your Hair
Wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo to remove any build-up and oils. Dry your hair completely before applying the dye.
Step 4: Section Your Hair
Divide your hair into sections where you want the highlights to be. Use clips to keep the sections separate.
Step 5: Bleach (If Necessary)
If you’re adding highlights to dark brown hair, you’ll need to lighten the sections with bleach first.
Follow the instructions on the bleach kit, apply the bleach to the selected sections, and wait for the recommended time before rinsing.
Step 6: Apply the Pink Dye
Mix the pink dye according to the instructions. Apply the dye to the bleached sections (or directly to lighter brown hair) using the tinting brush.
Wrap each dyed section in foil or plastic wrap to prevent the color from bleeding.
Step 7: Wait and Rinse
Leave the dye in for the recommended time, then rinse your hair with cold water until the water runs clear. Use a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to wash and condition your hair.
Step 8: Style and Enjoy
Dry and style your hair as usual, and admire your new pink highlights!
Pros of this look
- It’s easy to manage and grows out well
- It brightens your face
- It suits all skin tones
- It doesn’t damage your hair like all-over hair dye
Cons of this look
- Pink is a colour that can fade quickly
- You have to be careful to match your base colour to the right pink
- The wrong pink could look orange
- You need to bleach your hair if it’s very dark
How long will brown hair with pink highlights last?
Before you commit to this style, it’s important you know that it’s a look that can fade quickly. You’ll probably need to get them touched again in 4-6 weeks.
Tips for Maintaining Your Pink Highlights.
To keep your color looking vibrant:
- Use Color-Safe Products: Opt for sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners that are formulated for color-treated hair to prevent fading.
- Cold Water Rinse: Rinse your hair with cold water to seal the cuticles and keep the color vibrant.
- Limit Heat Styling: Excessive heat can cause the color to fade faster. Use heat protectant sprays and limit the use of heat styling tools.
- Touch-Ups: Pink highlights may fade over time, so be prepared to touch up the color every few weeks to keep it looking fresh.
- UV Protection: Protect your hair from the sun’s UV rays, which can cause the color to fade. Wear hats or use hair products with UV protection.
And always read up on our top tips for keeping your color looking fabulous!
Parting words
Remember that brown hair has more natural undertones compared with blonde so if your hair isn’t naturally dark, don’t be afraid to experiment! The results will speak for themselves.
