24 Ways to Wear Caramel Highlights on Different Hair Textures

Flirting with getting caramel hair color? We show our fave versions of this warm, sexy look on different hair textures.

Eunice Lucero | February 27, 2019

an afro woman with ombre curly hair smiling at the camera

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Caramel highlights are by far one of the most popular colors to come out of the scene in the last few seasons, and with good reason. Warm and rich without being too overwhelming, caramel hair color is fairly democratic, flattering a ton of complexions across the board, particularly those with yellow undertones.

If you’re on the market for this fan favorite hair shade, look no further: We put together a list of all the possible variations and ways caramel hair color can look on different hair textures. Read on for the best ways to wear this pumpkin-spice inspired hue:

Caramel Highlight for Straight Hair

Blend, blend, blend! If you typically wear your hair straight, then it’s imperative you get highlights that are expertly smudged or massaged into your natural shade (some stylists actually tease hair while highlighting to avoid a harsh “line”). A subtle foil technique or better yet, some artfully done balayage helps nail that warm, natural sun-streaked look of brown hair with caramel highlights without any jarring demarcations.

1. Full Color

In the event you’re truly in love with the sweet appeal of caramel hair (or have the warmth in your skin tone to rein it in).

2. Angled Bob

Leave the shading towards the mid-lengths to tips for a more seamless look.

3. Blunt Bangs

Wear your caramel highlights on the fringe area and around the hairline for a face-framing glow.

4. Blunt Bob

A few subtle streaks on the underside give a nice surprise.

5. Ironed

For straight dark brown hair with caramel highlights, it’s better to keep the strips skinnier. Sections that are one to two shades lighter keep the look from being too streaky.

6. Hairline

For minimalists, super-thin caramel highlights around the face and fringe area subtly brighten up your features.

7. Sombré + Balayage

A sombré (“subtle ombré”) combined with some lighter balayage on the mid-lengths gives a smudgy, molten effect.

8. Sombré

You can also leave the highlights towards the ends, for a sexy, natural end-of-summer feel.

Caramel Highlights for Wavy Hair

Perhaps the easiest way to wear caramel highlights, wavy textures have the benefit of making the changes in your hair color look just naturally sunlit. To keep your locks from frizzing, a cut with not-too-crazy layers—plus the help of a great serum, like TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Color Smoothing Serum, helps keep flyaways away and puts the spotlight on your luscious caramel color hair instead.

9. Air-Dried

Loose waves incur a bit of second-day sex appeal when left to dry on their own.

10. Rich-Girl Bends

Rich caramel highlights give this morning-after wave just the right touch of presence.

11. Fringe Roll

Feeling a bit retro? A tinge of a highlight is just the right touch of rockabilly to a victory roll.

12. Wavy Balayage

Polished yet effortless, a.k.a. how we wish we all looked on the weekends.

13. Loose Waves

Recreate a set of relaxed, airy waves by prepping hair with a salt spray, such as Suave Professionals Sea Mineral Infusion Texturizing Sea Salt Spray, before air-drying.

14. Subtle Sombré

Ends that are one to two levels lighter than the base have a more natural effect. In this case, opt for a more muted caramel shade.

15. Wavy Lob

Wispy, delicate foil highlights definitely offer a super pretty contrast on darker hair.

Caramel Highlights for Curly Hair

Getting medium brown highlights is a clever way to freshen up curly hair without resorting to a cut or full color. Not only does it enhance your ringlets and gives them some definition and dimension, it also appears natural while not sacrificing style. A gel serum, like Suave Professionals Luxe Style Infusion Curl Defining Gel Serum, helps keep your curls in check while providing a nourished gleam.