Style Hair 10 Brown Balayage Ideas for Beautifully Blended Hair The hand painting technique instantly adds dimension. By Wendy Rose Gould Wendy Rose Gould Wendy Rose Gould is a freelance lifestyle reporter based in Phoenix, Arizona. For the last 10 years, she's covered beauty, health, wellness, and travel for leading lifestyle outlets, including NBC, The Zoe Report, Bustle, Glam, TripSavvy, and others. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Published on January 31, 2024 Close Photo: Jacob Wackerhausen/Getty Images Balayage is a hair coloring technique that involves painting color directly onto your hair versus using foils or a cap. This method comes straight from France, so you know that it’s effortlessly chic and infused with artistry. “In this technique, hair color is applied by hand, typically using a sweeping motion,” explains Jennifer Korab, celebrity hairstylist and salon owner. “The goal of balayage is to create a natural and sun-kissed look with softer, less noticeable regrowth lines.” Brown balayage, naturally, involves creating a beautiful blend of brown tones in the hair. The result is a seamless transition between dark and light tones, which lends a naturally sun-kissed result. While the finished effect is gorgeous, another benefit is that it’s pretty low-maintenance. “You can expect to revisit the salon every six to eight weeks for a toner, and 12 to 16 weeks for a balayage retouch,” notes Brandie Devillier, a hair colorist with Aveda Hair Color Purefessional. She adds that you’ll want to visit a colorist who’s experienced in this technique and has the client results to prove their chops. Once you’re in the chair, you can expect to spend anywhere from one to three hours depending on the length and density of your hair, and the cost will run you anywhere from $150 to $500. 01 of 10 Natural Medium Brown Balayage This brown balayage beautifully melts from dark to medium to light-medium. The base is a natural medium brown, and the balayage technique infuses a multidimensional effect that’s captivating. 02 of 10 Cool Toned Brown Balayage If you prefer to embrace cooler undertones, consider this spin on brown balayage. A medium brown base sets the stage for iced ribbon-like highlights painted from top to bottom. 03 of 10 Warm-Toned Brown Balayage On the opposite end of the brown balayage spectrum comes an infusion of warmth. This gorgeous color feels light and bright and is flattering across a range of hair colors and complexions. 04 of 10 Neutral Brunette Balayage For a little bit of both, try a "neutral" brunette balayage that pairs warm and cool tones together. 05 of 10 Coppery Brunette Balayage There's no mistaking the copper tones in this brown balayage dye job—perhaps a nod to the cowboy copper trend that's so popular right now. The warmth is exaggerated around the face. 06 of 10 Subtle Honey Brown Balayage Calling all dark brown brunettes. The very subtle honeyed balayage work done here gives a very "just got back from St. Tropez" sunkissed vibe that we're here for. 07 of 10 Mahogany Brown Balayage Speaking of a sun kissed effect, set your eyes on this glorious, sun-drenched brunette balayage. It features shimmery mahogany tones concentrated from the upper-mid shaft and gets even brighter toward the ends. 08 of 10 High Contrast Brown Balayage Craving a dramatic hair moment? Tell your colorist you want to go bold with a major dose of contrast. The dark brown brunette base features a quick transition into caramel blonde tones that lends itself to a real wow moment. 09 of 10 Ash Brown Balayage An ashy brown balayage will definitely turn heads. This one starts with a medium-toned brunette and the lighter, brighter section is focused toward the bottom. 10 of 10 Black-Brown Balayage Here’s a gorgeous brown balayage idea for this with natural, very dark brown or black strands. The hand-painted highlights are extremely subtle, offering a little warmth and sparkle throughout while still championing a rich, luxe base. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit