These Sunkissed Brunette Styles Look Like Summer All Year

Sun-kissed brunette hair captures the essence of summer, blending natural brown tones with subtle, warm highlights to mimic the gentle lightening effects of the sun.

This look adds dimension and a vibrant touch to your hair, creating an effortlessly radiant and healthy appearance.

It’s the perfect choice for adding depth and a hint of brightness, enhancing your natural color with a fresh, luminous twist.

Sunkissed Brunette Hair Advice

The sunkissed look is a great way to elevate a typical brunette do. However, unless you’re able to spend hours in the sun, you’ll likely need a little help to get the look.

• While it’s not impossible to get the sunkissed look from the comfort of home, you’ll have a much more natural and long-lasting style if you go to a professional for help. Salons will also be able to color-match dyes better to ensure you choose to highlight colors that truly look like they could be natural.
• One of the best ways to pull off the sunkissed brunette look is by adopting a “less is more” attitude. Overdoing the color will make it more obvious your hair is dyed and not naturally light.
• Since hair dye tends to change color the more it settles, and as it’s washed, you’ll want to opt for shades that are either slightly lighter or slightly darker than your desired tones as well.
• The sunkissed brunette hairstyle is pretty simple to maintain since it doesn’t typically involve drastic changes to your already dark hair. However, you’ll still likely be using bleach to lift the natural color of your locks.
• To combat dryness, which can lead to dullness, make sure you use a shampoo that’s specially designed for colored hair, like this one from Redken.
• You’ll also want to avoid overwashing your hair to keep from stripping color and oils from your locks. Most people can wait 2-3 days between washes, but a stylist will be able to help you figure out your ideal shampooing routine.
• Incorporating a nourishing conditioner for color-treated hair will also extend the life of your dye job. This one from Biolage helps maintain shine, giving your hair a healthy glow.
• When you do wash your hair, try to avoid using hot water, since that can cause the color to fade faster while also drying your hair out.
• Shine is one of the hallmarks of healthy hair. Though this particular style isn’t too damaging in and of itself, it can still cause dullness, especially if your hair isn’t naturally brunette. Kenra makes a hair gloss that helps tame flyaway hairs while also adding a little shine to your tresses.
• The sun can also lighten dyed hair. In this case, it can make your natural-looking style seem much more artificial and extreme. To avoid this, try to wear a hat or stay in the shade when the sun is out. Alternatively, you can use an SPF for hair, like this one from COOLA, to maintain your color for longer.
• One of the best ways to really notice the sunkissed quality of this brunette style is by adding dimension to your hair.
• Use a texturizing spray, like this one from Moroccanoil, to help give your hair a little natural grip to your hair, so you can style it into curls or waves more easily. This dye job is also the perfect opportunity to try out a new haircut, like layers, to fully accentuate your solar.

Sunkissed Brunette Hair Ideas

Soft Brunette with Golden Highlights

This long layered style is full of movement, and I love how the golden ribbons of highlight catch the light just right.

The soft waves make the brunette base look dimensional and natural, almost like it’s been lightened by the sun over time. It’s one of those looks that feels effortless but polished at the same time.

Honey-Toned Brunette Waves

These waves have a beautiful blend of deeper brunette at the roots melting into honey-blonde ribbons toward the ends.

I always say this type of contrast is what makes a color feel alive and eye-catching. The placement frames the face in the best way while still keeping everything soft and sunkissed.

Sleek Brunette Lob with Subtle Glow

This sleek, angled lob shows how even a more structured cut can feel light with the right color work.

The fine, sunlit strands painted through the front give it that warm glow without ever overpowering the brunette base. I like how this style balances chic and easygoing.

Voluminous Brunette with Natural Shine

This shoulder-length style has that soft, full body that makes brunette shades look rich and glossy. The lightest strands are subtle, almost like the hair naturally caught the sun.

It’s perfect for anyone who wants that sunkissed touch but still wants their hair to feel very natural.

Long Glossy Brunette with Caramel Threads

I love how the caramel pieces in this long, wavy style peek through as the hair moves. It’s not heavy-handed at all, just a perfect accent that warms up the overall tone.

It’s a great choice if you want to brighten your brunette without fully committing to lighter hair.

High-Contrast Brunette Waves

This style has a bold mix of deep roots with golden brunette highlights woven throughout.

The waves give the color more depth, and I like how the lighter pieces fall around the face to brighten the complexion. It feels both glamorous and relaxed at the same time.

Golden Brunette with Dimensional Waves

This look is all about soft, flowing waves that showcase a brunette base with golden accents.

The blend here is seamless, so it doesn’t feel stripey or harsh, just luminous and natural. It’s the kind of color that looks amazing in both sunlight and softer indoor light.

Tousled Medium Brunette with Highlights

This shoulder-grazing style is playful and relaxed, with soft highlights running through to add brightness.

I like that it’s not overly polished. The texture gives it that easy, lived-in vibe. It’s definitely a go-to look for a casual, sunkissed finish.

Soft Wavy Brunette with Delicate Highlights

Here we’ve got loose, defined waves with just the right amount of golden shimmer throughout.

The highlights are placed in a way that looks really natural, almost like they grew in with the waves themselves. It’s subtle but makes the whole look more dimensional.

Mid-Length Brunette with Warm Glow

This cut sits right above the shoulders with soft waves that really show off the warm brunette base.

The lighter accents are minimal but perfectly placed, giving it that healthy, sun-warmed finish. I always think this kind of look works beautifully for everyday wear.

Soft Caramel Waves

This look is all about blending brunette depth with sunlit caramel highlights. The waves add movement and dimension, making the color pop beautifully.

I love this style because it feels effortless yet polished, perfect for anyone wanting that natural glow.

Golden Face-Framing Highlights

Here the soft golden tones around the face brighten the complexion instantly. The loose waves give it that beachy, undone vibe that I always recommend for an easy, lived-in finish.

It’s a low-maintenance style that still looks elevated.

Subtle Sun-Kissed Ends

This brunette keeps most of its natural depth with just a hint of lighter tones towards the ends. It’s a great option if you want to try highlights without a huge commitment.

I like how it creates a soft, natural contrast that flatters the skin.

Glossy Brunette with Warm Shine

The big bouncy curls here really show off the multi-dimensional tones of brunette with warm, sunkissed ribbons throughout.

This is the kind of hair that catches the light beautifully and looks healthy and luxurious.

Dimensional Brunette Lob

This shoulder-length style has the perfect mix of rich brunette and lighter caramel touches. I love how the waves open up the face and make the highlights pop.

It’s chic and modern while still feeling really approachable.

Golden Brunette Glam

These glamorous curls are a great example of how highlights can completely transform brunette hair.

The lighter pieces woven through add warmth and shine, making the whole style look radiant. It’s one of those looks that works for both everyday and special occasions.

Natural Glow Brunette

This style is all about subtlety, with soft waves and natural golden-brown accents. It gives the hair dimension without looking overdone.

I love how fresh and healthy this finish looks, perfect for someone who wants just a touch of sun-kissed brightness.

Brunette with Curtain Bangs

Adding face-framing bangs to sunlit brunette waves gives this style a modern twist. The highlights are blended so seamlessly that they almost look natural.

It’s youthful and stylish while still very easy to wear day-to-day.

Sunkissed Balayage Brunette

This style melts from dark roots into warm, golden brunette mid-lengths and ends.

I love this kind of balayage because it grows out beautifully and doesn’t need constant touch-ups. The result is relaxed, soft, and glowy.

Radiant Brunette Waves

These soft, cascading waves are enhanced with a hint of sunkissed brightness throughout.

The highlights are subtle but just enough to give the hair extra dimension. It’s that kind of hair that looks good whether it’s styled or air-dried.