When I first saw reddish brown hair with highlights trending everywhere from Pinterest to my local coffee shop, I thought it was just another fleeting hair color moment. But after diving deep into beauty forums and watching countless transformation videos, I’m completely obsessed.
This color combo is like the perfect fall latte for your hair: warm, dimensional, and impossibly chic. Whether you’re team subtle caramel ribbons or bold copper balayage, reddish brown hair with highlights offers that “I woke up like this” vibe while actually requiring zero effort to style.
10 Stunning Reddish Brown Hair with Highlights Ideas
Before we dive into each look, let me tell you—these aren’t your basic highlight jobs. Each option brings its own personality, from workplace-appropriate elegance to weekend-warrior boldness.
I’ve included styling tips, face shape recommendations, and real talk about maintenance because nobody wants a high-maintenance color that looks amazing for two weeks then fades into oblivion.
Caramel Red Fusion
This is the gateway drug to reddish brown hair with highlights, and I mean that in the best way possible. Imagine your base color as a rich chocolate brown with caramel red ribbons woven throughout—not too spicy, not too sweet. The caramel tones catch light beautifully while the red undertones add warmth that makes your complexion glow. I’ve seen this look transform people from “washed out winter mode” to “just back from vacation” instantly.
Best for: Oval and heart-shaped faces. The dimensional color draws attention to cheekbones and creates movement around the face.
Styling tip: Use a curling wand to create loose waves. The texture lets those caramel highlights peek through and creates incredible depth. Pair this with earth-tone outfits—think olive greens, rust oranges, and cream—to really make the color pop.
Maintenance reality check: This color combo is surprisingly low-maintenance. The blend between brown and caramel means regrowth looks intentional rather than tragic.
Light Auburn Glow
Light brown hair with red highlights gets a major upgrade when you go the auburn route. This look features a medium brown base with lighter auburn highlights concentrated around the face. It’s like someone turned up the saturation on your natural color—brighter, bolder, but still believable.
Perfect for: Square and rectangular face shapes. The lighter pieces around the face soften angular jawlines and add feminine movement.
Occasion pairing: This is your “important meeting then happy hour” color. Professional enough for corporate settings but fun enough to transition into evening looks effortlessly. Pair it with jewel tones—burgundy, emerald, sapphire—for maximum impact.
Styling advice: A middle part with face-framing layers showcases the auburn highlights beautifully. Use a heat protectant before styling because these lighter pieces can be more prone to damage.
Dark Copper Balayage
Warm copper balayage on brunette hair creates this ridiculously luxurious, multi-dimensional effect. Your base stays dark—think espresso or dark chocolate—while hand-painted copper highlights gradually lighten toward the ends. The balayage technique means it looks expensive and editorial, not stripey or dated.
Face shape magic: Works for literally everyone, but especially stunning on round faces. The vertical placement of color creates lengthening effects.
Style it with: Leather jackets, denim, and anything with texture. This color has major cool-girl energy, so lean into edgy, confident styling. For special occasions, a sleek low bun shows off the copper dimension beautifully.
Real talk: Balayage grows out gorgeously, making it perfect if you hate frequent salon visits. However, copper can fade fast, so invest in color-depositing shampoo.
Medium Brown Red Highlights
Medium brown hair with red highlights is the Goldilocks of this trend—not too light, not too dark, just right. Think of your natural medium brown enhanced with strategically placed red highlights that add warmth without screaming for attention. This is subtle sophistication at its finest.
Best suited for: Diamond and triangle face shapes. The color placement can be customized to balance wider foreheads or chins.
Outfit synergy: This versatile color works with everything, but it particularly shines with neutrals—camel coats, white tees, black blazers. The red highlights provide all the visual interest you need.
Styling secrets:
- Straight hair shows off the individual highlight placement
- Curly or wavy styles blend the colors for a more uniform warm tone
- Try a side part to showcase more of the highlighted sections
Maintenance: Touch-ups every 8-10 weeks keep this looking fresh. Use purple shampoo occasionally to prevent any brassiness in the lighter red tones.
Ombre Red Brown
Light brown hair with red lowlights that gradually intensify into richer red tones at the ends creates this stunning ombre effect. It’s like a reverse sunset—starting light and cool at the roots, then deepening into warm, fiery ends. This technique works especially well on long hair where you have room for the color transition to develop naturally.
Face shape considerations: Long faces benefit from the horizontal color gradient, which adds width. Keep some face-framing pieces lighter to avoid elongating further.
Perfect occasions: Music festivals, beach vacations, creative workplaces—anywhere you want to make a statement. Pair with bohemian prints, flowing fabrics, and lots of gold jewelry.
Styling must-knows:
- Beach waves are non-negotiable with ombre—they show off the color transition beautifully
- Avoid high ponytails that hide all that gorgeous color work
- Regular trims prevent the ends from looking fried (ombre ends can be more porous)
Bob with Caramel Highlights
Short hair doesn’t miss out on this trend. A bob with caramel red highlights combines sophisticated structure with playful color. The shorter length makes the highlights more impactful—you’re seeing all that dimensional color work in a compact, polished package.
Face shape flattery: Oval and heart-shaped faces look incredible with this. Add some longer pieces in front if you have a round face to create slimming angles.
Style advice: A textured, piecey bob shows off individual highlights better than a blunt cut. Use texturizing spray and scrunch while drying for that effortlessly cool vibe. Pair with statement earrings since your neck is exposed—the hair color and jewelry will frame your face beautifully.
Outfit pairings: Structured blazers, turtlenecks, anything that emphasizes your neckline. This look is inherently chic and modern.
Pixie with Red Accents
Who says short hair can’t have drama? A pixie with strategically placed caramel red highlights concentrated on the longer sections creates incredible movement and dimension. This is for the confident, low-maintenance person who still wants their hair to have personality.
Best for: Oval, heart, and diamond face shapes. The short style emphasizes facial features, so make sure you’re ready for that spotlight.
Styling reality: Five minutes with some texturizing paste and you’re done. The highlights catch light from every angle, creating dimension even on super short hair. This look pairs beautifully with minimalist outfits—let your hair be the statement piece.
Bonus: Short hair means less product, less drying time, and color touch-ups require less dye. Your wallet and schedule will thank you.
Natural Curly Dimension
Medium length curly hair with auburn hair and caramel highlights is absolutely chef’s kiss. The curl pattern naturally showcases the color variation—each ringlet catches light differently, creating this constantly shifting kaleidoscope of warm tones. If you have natural curls, this coloring technique enhances your texture rather than fighting against it.
Face shape notes: Curly hair generally works for all face shapes, but the color placement can be customized. More highlights around the crown add volume; face-framing pieces soften features.
Curl care meets color care:
| Challenge | Solution |
|---|---|
| Color fading | Use sulfate-free, color-safe products |
| Dryness | Deep condition weekly, focus on ends |
| Frizz | Leave-in conditioner with UV protection |
| Definition | Gel or mousse applied to soaking wet hair |
Outfit vibes: Embrace your natural texture with flowy, romantic pieces or contrast it with structured, tailored items. Both approaches look amazing.
Long Straight Balayage
Long, straight hair with warm copper balayage is pure elegance. The length provides the perfect canvas for a gradual color transition, while the straight texture shows off every subtle shift in tone. This is the “expensive hair” look you see on Instagram influencers and celebrities.
Face shape friendly: Works for everyone, but particularly stunning on long faces where the vertical lines of straight hair are balanced by horizontal color placement.
Styling for impact: Ironically, slightly wavy or textured styling actually shows off balayage better than poker-straight hair. But for formal events, a sleek straight style is undeniably sophisticated. Pair with monochromatic outfits to keep attention on your hair, or with bold colors that complement the copper tones—think navy, forest green, or deep plum.
Investment piece: This look requires:
- Quality color-safe shampoo and conditioner
- Heat protectant (non-negotiable for daily straightening)
- Gloss treatments every 6-8 weeks to maintain shine
- Trims every 8-10 weeks to prevent split ends from traveling up
Money Piece Perfection
The money piece trend—those face-framing highlights that frame your face like, well, money—works beautifully with reddish brown hair. Keep your base a rich auburn or reddish brown, then add lighter caramel or copper money pieces. It’s face-brightening magic without committing to full highlights.
Universal appeal: This works for every face shape because it’s customizable. Wider pieces for more impact, thinner for subtlety. The placement naturally draws attention to your eyes and cheekbones.
Low commitment, high impact: Perfect if you’re nervous about going full highlight. You get major dimension with minimal maintenance. Pair with literally anything—the money piece adapts to every style from athleisure to evening wear.
Styling tip: Any hairstyle that keeps hair forward-facing (loose waves, middle part, face-framing layers) maximizes the money piece effect. Avoid slicked-back styles that hide your investment.
What Highlights Go Best with Reddish Brown Hair?
Okay, so you’re sold on reddish brown hair, but what highlights should you actually ask for? This is where it gets fun because you have options, and the right choice depends on your base color depth, your natural undertones, and how dramatic you want to go.
For lighter reddish brown bases (think auburn): Caramel highlights are your best friend. They add brightness without clashing with the red undertones. Golden blonde highlights can also work beautifully, creating a sunset effect that’s warm and dimensional. I’ve seen people go too platinum with their highlights on auburn hair, and it just looks… confused. Stay in the warm family.
For medium reddish brown: Copper highlights are absolutely stunning here. They intensify the red while adding variation in tone. Light brown with warm undertones also blends seamlessly, creating subtle dimension that’s noticeable in sunlight but not overwhelming. Some people add burgundy lowlights for extra depth—this creates incredible richness, especially on medium length or long hair.
For darker reddish brown (mahogany territory): Auburn highlights bring life to darker bases without requiring heavy bleaching. Warm chestnut tones add dimension while staying in a similar depth range. If you want more drama, cinnamon or bronze highlights create beautiful contrast. The key with dark hair is placement—you want enough highlights to see the variation, but not so many that you lose that rich, deep base color.
Techniques matter too:
- Balayage: Hand-painted, natural-looking, grows out beautifully
- Foil highlights: More precise placement, brighter contrast, traditional technique
- Babylights: Super fine, subtle highlights that mimic natural sun-lightening
- Money piece: Face-framing only, maximum impact with minimum commitment
Here’s my honest take: bring reference photos to your stylist, but also trust their expertise about what will actually work with your hair’s condition and your lifestyle. The prettiest highlight in the world isn’t worth it if your hair is fried or if you can’t maintain it.
Does Reddish Brown Hair Make You Look Younger?
Short answer? Absolutely yes, when done right. Let me explain why this color is basically a time machine for your face.
The science-ish part: As we age, our skin tone often becomes less vibrant and our hair naturally loses pigment. Cool-toned hair colors (think ash brown, stark black) can emphasize paleness and make skin appear more sallow. Reddish brown hair with warm highlights does the opposite—it reflects light onto your face, creating a healthy, radiant glow. It’s like having a permanent ring light around your face.
The specific ways it works:
Skin tone boost: Warm red and brown tones complement most skin undertones, particularly those with golden, olive, or peachy hues. The color literally reflects warm light onto your complexion, minimizing the appearance of redness, dark circles, and dullness.
Softening effect: Stark, solid colors (especially very dark or very light) can be harsh and emphasize fine lines. Dimensional color with highlights creates movement and softness that’s inherently more youthful and forgiving.
Modern and fresh: Single-process color can look flat and dated. Highlights add depth and dimension that reads as current and well-maintained—two things strongly associated with youthfulness.
But here’s the caveat: The wrong shade of reddish brown can age you. Orange-y reds or muddy browns without proper toning can actually emphasize ruddiness or make you look tired. This is why professional color is worth the investment—a skilled colorist will customize the exact shades to complement your specific skin tone and face shape.
Who should consider it:
- Anyone wanting to cover gray without going completely solid color (the dimension disguises regrowth)
- People with warm or neutral skin undertones
- Those looking to add vibrancy without going blonde (which often requires damaging bleach)
- Anyone who wants a lower-maintenance color that grows out gracefully
I’ve genuinely watched people drop years off their appearance with the right reddish brown formula. It’s less about the color itself and more about finding dimensional, warm tones that make your complexion look alive and healthy.
What is Reddish Brown Hair with Highlights Called?
Let’s talk terminology because walking into a salon and saying “I want reddish brown hair with highlights” is like ordering “food” at a restaurant—technically accurate but not particularly helpful.
The most common names:
Auburn highlights: When you have reddish brown highlights on brown or darker hair. Auburn specifically refers to a reddish brown color, so this is probably the most accurate term for what we’re discussing.
Copper balayage: If you’re going the hand-painted route with warm, coppery highlights, this is your term. Balayage refers to the technique (hand-painted) while copper describes the color tone.
Warm brunette with caramel highlights: This describes a brown base (brunette) with warm undertones, enhanced with caramel-colored highlights. It’s a mouthful, but colorists will know exactly what you mean.
Chestnut highlights: Chestnut refers to a warm, reddish brown tone. If your base is darker and you want warmer highlights, asking for chestnut is a safe bet.
Mahogany with bronze tones: Mahogany is a rich, dark reddish brown. Adding bronze highlights creates dimension while staying in the warm, reddish family.
Here’s what to actually do: Stop stressing about having the perfect terminology. Instead:
- Bring photos: Multiple references from different angles and lighting situations
- Describe your lifestyle: How often you can come in for touch-ups, how much time you spend styling
- Discuss your natural color: Your base color affects what’s achievable and how it will grow out
- Talk about tone: “Warm,” “coppery,” “golden”—these descriptors matter more than specific color names
- Ask questions: “What would you call this color?” helps you learn proper terminology from a pro
Regional differences exist too: What’s called “auburn” in the US might be called “titian” in the UK. What one salon calls “copper balayage,” another might call “warm ombre.” The photos do the talking better than any terminology ever will.
Professional color lines also have their own names: Your colorist might reference specific shades like “7RC” (level 7 red-copper) or brand-specific names like “Cinnamon Spice” or “Autumn Ember.” These are helpful for consistency if you return to the same salon, but they’re not universal.
Bottom line: Don’t get too hung up on calling it exactly the right thing. Bring pictures, communicate openly with your stylist, and together you’ll create exactly the reddish brown highlighted look you’re dreaming of.
FAQs
How long does reddish brown hair with highlights last?
The color itself can last 6-12 weeks depending on your hair care routine, but here’s the thing—this color combo grows out beautifully. Unlike stark blonde highlights or dark roots on platinum hair, reddish brown with highlights becomes more subtle and natural-looking as it fades. Use color-safe shampoo, wash in cool water, and limit heat styling to extend your color. Most people find they can go 8-10 weeks between salon visits comfortably.
Will reddish brown highlights work with my cool skin tone?
Controversial take: yes, but you need to choose the right undertones. Cool skin doesn’t automatically mean warm hair colors won’t work—it just means you need cooler versions of warm colors. Look for auburn with violet undertones, mahogany with berry notes, or reddish brown with cooler caramel (not golden caramel). Avoid anything too orange or brassy. A skilled colorist can absolutely create a reddish brown highlighted look that complements cool skin.
Can I get reddish brown highlights if I have gray hair?
Absolutely! In fact, reddish brown highlights can be a gorgeous way to blend gray rather than completely covering it. The dimensional color disguises gray better than single-process color, and the warm tones add life to graying hair. Some people even leave some natural gray pieces for contrast, creating a trendy “salt and pepper” effect with warm tones. Just know that gray hair has a different texture and porosity, so discuss this with your colorist—they may need to adjust their technique or timing for best results.
Final Thoughts
Listen, I get it—committing to a new hair color feels like a big deal, especially when you’re adding multiple tones and dimensions. But reddish brown hair with highlights is genuinely one of the most forgiving, flattering, and versatile color combinations out there. Whether you’re going full copper balayage or just testing the waters with a subtle caramel money piece, you’re choosing a color that works with you, not against you.
My advice? Screenshot your favorite looks from this list (I’m partial to the dark copper balayage and money piece perfection, but I’m not biased or anything). Book a consultation with a colorist whose work you admire—and seriously, stalk their Instagram first. Bring your references, ask about maintenance, discuss your hair’s health, and trust the process.
And look, if you hate it? Hair grows. Color fades. Nothing is permanent except bad tattoos and student loans. But I have a feeling you’re going to love watching your hair catch the light in new ways, seeing those warm tones frame your face, and getting compliments from complete strangers in Target. That’s the reddish brown highlight experience, and it’s pretty great.
Now go forth and glow, my warm-toned friends.
