Caramel highlights are a hair colouring technique that adds warmth, depth and dimension to any hair colour. It compliments any style, from beachy waves to sleek bobs, offering an effortlessly chic look. Caramel highlights add warmth, depth and dimension to any hair colour, transforming your look with subtle or bold tones. They generally compliment most skin tones, particularly those with olive or yellow undertones.
They are extremely versatile, from golden hues to rich coppery tones, making them suitable for all hair types, lengths and textures. If you’re considering adding some warmth to your hair, this guide will help you explore a variety of caramel highlight options and provide tips on maintaining them.
Key Considerations for Caramel Highlights
Before making the change, consider factors such as hair type, skin tone and maintenance to ensure this is the perfect fit.
Hair Type
Caramel highlights can differ the way they look based on hair types, they work well for all hair types however styling will vary depending on your natural texture.
Straight Hair– highlights will appear brighter on those with straight hair.
Curly Hair– highlights will add extra dimension to curly hair and enhance natural texture.
Wavy Hair– blended highlights look effective on wavy hair and can enhance the movement and dimension of waves.
Skin Tone
Caramel shades are extremely versatile, ranging from golden to reddish tones, that compliment both cool and warm skin tones.
Warm Skin Tone– golden caramel tones will enhance the gold and yellow undertones in warm skin, creating a radiant and sunkissed look.
Cool Skin Tone– cooler copper hues with an ashy undertone work best for those with cool tone skin.
Hair Health
To maintain caramel highlights, it is important that hair is healthy prior to adding them to avoid damage and preserve the colour. Booking a consultation at your closest RUSH Salon for a professional assessment of your hair’s health and getting a tailored colour plan will ensure your hair is in the best condition.
Maintenance Level
Maintenance can vary when it comes to caramel highlights. Balayage and Ombre offer a low maintenance, natural looking colour with touchups being anywhere from 4-12 weeks. However, full head highlights may require more frequent touch ups. Selecting a style based on how much upkeep you are willing to commit to will ensure you enjoy your highlights without excessive maintenance.
Top 20 Caramel Highlight Hairstyles
1. Sandy Caramel
A warm, natural-looking shade that blends sandy blonde and caramel tones, typically featuring a base of light brown or dirty blonde. Seen on celebrities such as Gisele Bundchen.
Best for – most hair lengths and those with fine to medium hair.
Styling Tip – opt for a low heat when styling, use heat free options such as rollers.
2. Bright Caramel
Bright caramel is a warm, golden shade which is the perfect blend of blonde and brunette with a sunkissed effect. Seen on celebrities such as Jessica Alba.
Best for – those with wavy, textured hair may opt for a bright caramel shade to help enhance curls.
Styling Tip – to maintain the shade use a heat protector before styling with hot tools.
3. Light Chocolate & Caramel Strands
A base of light chocolate brown with caramel toned highlights woven through creates a multi-tonal effect, adding depth and dimension to the hair. Seen on celebrities such as Halle Berry.
Best for – straight or wavy hair, especially those with thicker hair, this will help add dimension.
Styling Tip – consider styling with loose waves or curls to enhance the dimension and shine of the colour.
4. Reddish Caramel
A dimensional shade with the dominant colour typically being a warm, reddish brown with golden caramel highlights added throughout. Seen on celebrities such as Amy Adams.
Best for – reddish caramel best compliments those with warm undertones. It adds depth and dimension to those with darker hair looking to add some warmth.
Styling Tip – use products that add shine to give a healthy, glossy finish.
5. Golden Caramel
Golden Caramel is a warm toned shade which blends both brown and blonde to create a natural looking finish. It is an extremely versatile shade and can be customised easily. Seen on celebrities such as Zendaya.
Best for – those with brunette hair who are looking to add some warmth and dimension. This also works for blondes who are looking to transition into a darker shade.
Styling tip – soft waves will enhance the natural movement and dimension of golden caramel tones.
6. Medium Caramel
This versatile shade is often described as mid-toned brunette with golden, amber undertones. It adds dimension to the hair and can be customised to flatter many different skin tones. Seen on celebrities such as Kendall Jenner.
Best for – this shade blends beautifully into brunette hair, creating a soft contrast and adding depth and dimension.
Styling Tip – consider incorporating loose, tousled curls or waves to accentuate the caramel highlights.
7. Caramel Auburn
A gorgeous blend of caramel and auburn for a striking, natural look. This rich and dimensional colour combines the warmth of caramel and the red undertones of auburn. Seen on celebrities such as Sophie Turner.
Best for – caramel auburn hair is best for those with warm and neutral undertones. It adds depth to darker hair and creates a sun-kissed effect.
Styling Tip – using a shine serum can help enhance the warm, reddish tones and create a healthy, glossy shine.
8. Toasted Caramel
Toasted Caramel typically features a brunette base with caramel highlights placed throughout the hair, adding warmth and dimension. Seen on celebrities such as Chrissy Teigen.
Best for – best for people with golden, warm complexions.
Styling Tips– focus on enhancing the warm tones by using a styling cream to define curls.
9. Caramelised Walnut Brown
A warm, rich brunette with subtle caramel highlights. This sophisticated look creates a rich, multi-tonal effect, with the caramel highlights adding a sun-kissed effect. Seen on celebrities such as Lucy Hale.
Best for – this shade is best for those with thicker hair types and enhances warm and neutral undertones.
Styling Tip – consider styles that showcase the highlights. Adding volume will help emphasise this.
10. Reddened Caramel
Reddened Caramel adds warmth and depth to a lighter base, with the reddish tones being subtly woven throughout the hair. This adds dimension and visual interest. Seen on celebrities such as Emma Stone.
Best for – those with fine to medium hair may benefit from this shade as it adds depth and fullness to finer hair.
Styling Tip – adding some subtle waves to the hair will help enhance natural movement and shine.
11. Honey Dipped Caramel
This golden-brown shade blends deeper caramel tones to give a flattering, sun-kissed look with dimensional colour and a warm, radiant glow. Seen on celebrities such as Jennifer Lawrence.
Best for – this shade works best for those with warm and neutral skin tones and can be adapted to suit various hair types and lengths.
Styling Tip – incorporating natural waves will create a lived in, beachy look.
12. Caramel Dipped Balayage
This technique adds golden caramel highlights to a darker base and blends them seamlessly to mimic the way hair naturally lightens in the sun. Seen on celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez.
Best for – this style is extremely versatile and can compliment various skin tones and base colours.
Styling Tip – balayage grows out more naturally than traditional highlights so less frequent touch ups are required.
13. Coppery Caramel
A mix of caramel and copper tones, giving the hair a fiery, autumnal glow. This colour often features golden undertones, resembling a glowing, bronzed effect. Seen on celebrities such as Megan Fox.
Best for – this shade is best for those with fair to medium complexions and can also be adapted to those with darker skin tones, especially deeper, copper shades.
Styling Tip – using a red enhancing shampoo will maintain vibrancy.
14. Caramel and Ash Blonde
Caramel and Ash Blonde hair blends the warmth of caramel with the coolness of ash blonde. This combination of both warm and cool tones creates a natural, luxurious effect. Seen on celebrities such as Gigi Hadid.
Best for – caramel and ash blonde typically works for most skin tones, the caramel offers a warmer look while ash blonde provides a cooler, edgier style.
Styling Tip – using products that protect the vibrancy of the highlights and maintain hair health.
15. Caramel- Kissed
Caramel- kissed hair describes hair that has been subtly highlighted with warm, golden tones. It is a way to add dimension and warmth throughout brunette hair. Seen on celebrities such as Beyonce.
Best for – generally best suited for brunettes with warm and neutral skin tones. It is a great option for those looking to brighten up dark hair.
Styling Tip – experimenting with texturising products will enhance the natural movement and dimension of caramel highlights.
16. Blended Golden Kiss
This style seamlessly blends blonde and brunette shades to create a warm, dimensional and natural result. This low maintenance look uses golden and honey tones to give a radiant and inviting appearance. Seen on celebrities such as Margot Robbie.
Best for – this is a great style for those with straight hair as the gradient can be seen more clearly.
Styling Tip – focus on enhancing warmth and dimension by introducing a moisturising serum to help boost shine.
17. Melted Cool Caramel
This colouring technique creates a seamless blend of warm and cool tones. It features a base of medium brown hair with cool toned highlights blended through. Seen on celebrities such as Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.
Best for – those with pink, red and blue undertones will benefit from this shade as it will harmonise well with your complexion. This is also a great style for those with darker hair wanting to add some dimension.
Styling Tips– focus on enhancing natural shine with gentle waves.
18. Barely There Highlights
These highlights are applied in very fine sections to create a soft, natural effect. This style adds dimension and brightness without any harsh lines. Seen on celebrities such as Hailey Bieber.
Best for – this low maintenance style is best for those looking for a subtle way to add dimension and brightness to the hair.
Styling Tips– regularly condition the hair to maintain moisture and prevent dryness.
19. Caramel Contrast
This style incorporates caramel toned highlights into a darker base colour. The contrast between the darker base and lighter highlights creates a soft, sun-kissed look. Seen on celebrities such as Eva Mendes.
Best for – this style is best for those with warm and neutral undertones, however, can be adapted for cooler undertones with the right shade selection.
Styling Tip – a dark brunette base is ideal for this style as it allows the highlights to stand out more.
20. Strawberry Caramel
Strawberry Caramel blends strawberry blonde and caramel tones to create a warm, vibrant colour with a base of golden blonde and subtle red or copper hues running through. Seen on celebrities such as Isla Fisher.
Best for – compliments most skin tones, especially those with fairer skin. A sleek, straight finish will emphasise the colour.
Styling Tip – using a colour safe shampoo and conditioner will help prevent fading.
Maintaining Your Caramel Highlights
Use Colour-Safe Products
Using sulphate-free shampoo and conditioners will help prevent colour fading and dryness and preserve the vibrancy of caramel highlights. Sulphate-free shampoo is generally gentler on the hair and scalp and reduces the risk of irritation. A weekly deep-conditioning mask will also help keep hair hydrated, nourished which will prevent any colour fade.
Avoid Excessive Heat Styling
Excessive heat styling can strip moisture and protein from the hair, leading to dryness and breakage, all which can cause caramel highlights to lose their shine. Limiting heat styling and choosing methods such as air drying or using tools on a lower temperature will help maintain healthy, vibrant highlights.
Regular Trims and Touch-Ups
Visiting the salon every 6-8 weeks for regular trims and touch ups will help keep highlights fresh and maintain healthy hair. Trims help prevent split ends from travelling up the hair shaft, which can make highlights look frayed and uneven, regular trims keep the hair looking smooth and clean.
Book Your Caramel Highlights Appointment at Rush
Fancy brightening up your look with some highlights or need a refresh? Book an appointment at your closest RUSH Salon and let our expert stylists work their magic.
FAQ’s
Caramel highlights are honey, golden shades that are blended through darker hair to create a natural, sun-kissed look.
What’s the difference between caramel balayage and highlights?
Caramel balayage is softer and more natural looking compared to highlights. Balayage creates a soft blend, whereas highlights result in a more defined and bolder look.
Caramel highlights can effectively blend and conceal grey hair. The golden tones can soften the contrast between grey and dark hair, creating a subtle, natural transition.
Caramel highlights compliment most skin tones, however, with their golden, warm undertones they naturally compliment warm and neutral skin tones the best, especially those with olive and yellow undertones.
Traditional foil highlights may need to be touched up every few weeks whereas caramel balayage has the potential to last three to four months.
Are caramel highlights low-maintenance?
The natural looking blend of caramel highlights allows for a seamless grow-out, minimising the need for frequent touch ups. Proper hair care is also essential for maintaining the vibrancy of highlights and extending the time between touch ups.
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