If you want your brunette to glow without going blonde or looking brassy then go for Dark brown hair with hazelnut highlights. The dark brown base is the same, the highlights are just two shades lighter and they really catch the light in the photos. It grows out very gently, requires very little maintenance and looks great on all skin tones.
What Is Dark Brown Hair with Hazelnut Highlights?
This look combines a rich dark brown base with soft, golden-bronze hazelnut highlights for natural-looking dimension.
Dark Brown Base
Levels 3–5 create a deep, rich foundation while keeping the roots natural-looking.
Hazelnut Highlights
Levels 6–7 add warm, neutral golden-brown brightness without looking too blonde or red.
Why It Works
A controlled lift helps maintain a soft blend, reduce unwanted brassiness, and create an easier grow-out.
Hazelnut vs. Similar Hair Colors
Compare the tones to find your perfect highlight shade.
Quick Color Guide
Hazelnut is balanced, caramel and honey are golden, chestnut is reddish, and mocha and walnut are cooler.
Color swatches are illustrative. Actual results vary with your base color, lighting, and hair history.
Let’s dive into 17 dark brown hair ideas with hazelnut highlights for some style inspiration.
1. Classic Hazelnut Balayage Glow
This is the classic look. From the front you’ve got long full waves with a dark brown top that gently blends into warm hazelnut ribbons. The colorist called it the Avelã Glow (hazelnut glow) which is a hazelnut balayage that grows out softly.
For even more warmth, have a look at the dark chocolate brown hair with mocha caramel highlights .
✓ Wear It If
You want balanced color and a soft grow-out that lasts for months.
✕ Skip It If
You want bright roots, as balayage keeps the top darker.
2. Warm Hazelnut Highlights Rich and Glossy
From the front you see the hazelnut at its very best. The waves have their dark roots and the warm hazelnut pieces really do shine through the length. The caption is Castanho avelã (hazelnut brown).
For an all over look see the dark caramel brown hair color ideas. This is a very dark brunette with a natural base.
✓ Wear It If
You have warm, neutral, or golden skin and want glossy brunette warmth.
✕ Skip It If
You dislike golden tones. Choose neutral hazelnut with subtle warmth instead.
3. Deep Brown With Soft Hazelnut Tones
This is the most sophisticated and refined version, the one offered by the major salon. Long, deep waves fall past the shoulders with a soft hazelnut throughout the length to add dimension as the hair moves.
The caption refers to it as AVELÃ blond but on this level 3 base the highlights are actually a soft hazelnut rather than any kind of blonde.
✓ Wear It If
You have level 3–4 hair and want subtle, polished dimension.
✕ Skip It If
You want a dramatic, photo-visible before-and-after result.
4. Hazelnut Melt With Babylights
From the back you see a proper colour melt. The crown is still a deep dark brown and the fine hazelnut babylights blend into luminous ribbons which are at their brightest at the ends. T
he stylist lifts the top section to show there’s no hard line. The caption is just ‘hazelnut melt’. The point is a soft natural grow.
✓ Wear It If
You want a seamless blend and are happy to maintain shine with gloss treatments.
✕ Skip It If
You prefer a quick, one-technique appointment. A color melt takes longer.
5. Illuminated Hazelnut Brunette
This is the front view of the Brazilian Morena iluminada (illuminated brunette) in hazelnut. The long, full wavy hair is lit with warm hazelnut highlights, the highlights being pulled away from the face and the rest of the hair remaining quite dark.
The caption is ‘Morena iluminada avelã’. There’s no blonde at all, just a very sun-kissed brunette with lots of glow.
✓ Wear It If
You want glossy, salon-worthy hazelnut highlights on dark brown hair.
✕ Skip It If
Your hair is fine or fragile and struggles to maintain healthy-looking shine.
6. Hazelnut Partial Highlights
This is the most low commitment option that still makes a difference. It’s known as the Hazelnut Partial with the colourist. It leaves the dark brown hair underneath completely untouched and simply adds in some fine hazelnut pieces to the front and top layers where the light will fall.
It’s a very low maintenance partial which is ideal if you’d like to try out hazelnut highlights before moving on to a more full blown look at a later date.
✓ Wear It If
You want affordable, low-commitment highlights or are trying hazelnut for the first time.
✕ Skip It If
You often wear your hair up and want matching color underneath.
7. Hazelnut Foilyage (Full and Bright)
Foilyage is balayage done with foil which helps the dark hair become brighter and cleaner. In this back view you can see a full head of hair, a dark brunette base with glossy hazelnut ribbons from the crown to the ends.
The caption is HAZELNUT BRUNETTE, Full Foilyage. If open air balayage didn’t give you enough lift then this dimensional brunette technique is worth a try.
✓ Wear It If
Your hair is very dark, coarse, or resistant to color, or balayage hasn’t lasted before.
✕ Skip It If
Your ends are fragile from past lightening. Choose a gentler plan with bond care first.
8. Hazelnut Latte Highlights (Fine and Soft)
Latte means soft, milky and blended and this back view is a perfect example. Fine hazelnut ribbons run through long waves on a dark brown base with a stylist lifting one section to show off the dimension and sheen. It’s labelled a Hazelnut Latte and the fine highlights are absolutely looking like moving light rather than stripes.
✓ Wear It If
You want soft, blended dimension that looks beautiful on wavy hair.
✕ Skip It If
You want bold contrast. Latte hazelnut is soft and subtle.
9. Toasted Hazelnut Highlights
Toasting gives the hazelnut shades a warmer, deeper tone. In this back view from a salon chair the dark brown top flows into toasted hazelnut ribbons through the lengths and ends. It’s warm and glossy (not at all orange). The caption is ‘Toasted Hazelnut’.
This warm brunette highlight is perfect on golden skin and really enhances hazel and green eyes.
✓ Wear It If
You have warm or golden skin and want cozy, autumn-inspired hazelnut tones.
✕ Skip It If
You have cool, rosy undertones. Choose neutral hazelnut instead.
10. Hazelnut Brew Balayage
From the side you can see how the color is actually placed (a hand lifts the long wavy hair to reveal the warm hazelnut balayage on the darker brown underneath). The caption is ‘Hazelnut brew’ which is a rich, layered brunette balayage with warmth throughout.
Take this photo to your colorist and show them exactly where you want that painted glow.
✓ Wear It If
You want hand-painted warmth and a reference photo showing the placement.
✕ Skip It If
You want face-framing brightness. This look spreads warmth through the lengths.
11. Toasted Hazelnut Ribbons
This back view is all about the hair: long waves in rich dark brown with toasty hazelnut ribbon highlights which get progressively brighter as you go down.
The caption is ‘Toasted Hazelnut’. Ribbons are a mid way option really (more obvious than babylights but less so than full foils) and work best when the waves are catching the light.
✓ Wear It If
You want defined dimension and usually wear your hair wavy or curled.
✕ Skip It If
You need a soft root blend while growing out old color. Choose a melt instead.
12. Hazelnut Hues With a Bright Face Frame
From the front, you see a face-framing effect with a deep dark brunette base and lighter hazelnut pieces along the face. The caption describes it as a hazelnut bronde, giving a soft money piece look.
For a brighter option, check out the dark brown hair color with light brown highlights.
✓ Wear It If
You want face-framing brightness, a quick appointment, and easy touch-ups.
✕ Skip It If
You wear ponytails daily, as the face-framing highlights may be less visible.
13. Hazelnut Espresso Dimension
This side and back view shows the hazelnut highlights on the darkest base (long wavy espresso brown hair) with the hazelnut really coming through even in real sunlight. The caption is Whipped Biscoff Hazelnut Espresso.
If hazelnut can glow on level 3 hair in the daylight then it will work on any dark brunette.
✓ Wear It If
Your hair is level 3–4 and you want hazelnut highlights that show on dark hair.
✕ Skip It If
You need dimension in indoor lighting. Choose higher-contrast highlights instead.
14. Hazelnut Mocha Highlights (Sleek and Fine)
Straight hair really does show everything and this back view is very good indeed. Long, sleek, straight deep dark brown hair with fine hazelnut streaks from the upper lengths to the ends, giving a warm sheen rather than stripes.
The caption is a rich brunette with a hazelnut glow. Fine highlights and a demi-gloss to keep it soft.
✓ Wear It If
You wear your hair straight or smooth and want subtle, glossy dimension.
✕ Skip It If
You want bold, noticeable highlights. Mocha hazelnut is intentionally subtle.
15. Hazelnut Highlights Painted for Curls
This back view is perfect for curls, showing defined, glossy curls in rich dark brown with hazelnut highlights painted over each curl. One thing to note: the color can look a bit warm and red under salon lights, so if you want less red, check out Idea 17.
✓ Wear It If
You wear natural curls and want defined, multi-tonal dimension.
✕ Skip It If
You usually straighten your hair, as curl-focused highlights may look different when flat.
16. Hazelnut Choco Highlights (Soft and Low)
In this back view from a salon chair, you see long, full wavy hair in hazelnut chocolate brown with lighter hazelnut balayage and fine babylights at the ends. The caption reads: Hazelnut choco, balayage and babylights.
The result is a very soft, subtle brunette glow that looks completely natural.
✓ Wear It If
You want subtle hazelnut glow on chocolate-brown hair with fine, blended highlights.
✕ Skip It If
You want strong contrast. This blend is designed to look soft and seamless.
17. Hazelnut Dimension (Fine and Natural)
This is the most wearable option. The side profile shows long, wavy dark brown hair with fine hazelnut highlights that are brighter around the face and deeper through the back, as seen in a salon shot.
The caption refers to ‘hazelnut dimension.’ The neutral soft golds help prevent brassiness for olive skin and cool tones.
✓ Wear It If
You want natural, neutral hazelnut highlights that suit a wide range of skin tones, including light olive.
✕ Skip It If
You want a dramatic transformation. This look enhances your natural color subtly.
Explore More Light Brown Hair Color Ideas
Discover beautiful brunette shades, highlight techniques, and hair color inspiration for your next salon visit.
Light Brown Hair with Caramel Honey Highlights
Explore Caramel Honey Hair Ideas ↗ SKIN TONE GUIDELight Olive Skin Tone Hair Color Ideas
Explore Hair Colors for Olive Skin ↗ BALAYAGE INSPIRATIONWarm Honey Brown Hair Balayage
Explore Honey Brown Balayage ↗ RICH CHOCOLATE SHADESLight Chocolate Brown Hair Color Ideas
Explore Chocolate Brown Hair Ideas ↗How to Tell If Hazelnut Highlights Suit You
Try these three quick tests in natural daylight.
1. Jewellery Test
Gold suits warm undertones, silver suits cool undertones, and both suit neutral undertones.
2. Vein Test
Greenish veins suggest warm undertones, blue or purple suggest cool, and a mix suggests neutral.
3. White Shirt Test
Cream often flatters warm undertones, while bright white suits cool undertones. Neutral hazelnut can work well for olive skin.
Hazelnut Shade Map for Dark Brown Hair
| Undertone | Best Hazelnut Shade | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Warm | Soft golden bronze, level 6–7 | Adds natural warmth and glow. |
| Cool | Neutral hazelnut, level 6 | Adds dimension without excess gold. |
| Neutral | Any hazelnut shade | Balances warm and cool tones. |
| Light olive | Neutral hazelnut, level 6–7 | Avoids overly golden or ashy tones. |
| Medium / golden | Toasted or honey-kissed hazelnut | Enhances golden undertones. |
| Deep | Level 6 hazelnut | Creates a warm glow while staying brunette. |
Eye Colour Tip
Hazelnut complements hazel, green, and brown eyes. Blue and grey eyes pair well with neutral, non-orange tones.
How to Get Hazelnut Highlights From Any Starting Point
Your starting hair color determines the lifting process, timing, and results.
1. Natural Dark Brown
Lift selected pieces to level 6–7 and tone them hazelnut. Often achievable in one session.
2. Natural Black
Selected strands need more lifting. A strand test helps manage orange undertones and choose the right toner.
3. Box-Dyed Dark Hair
Old dye can lift unevenly. Expect a strand test and possibly color removal or multiple sessions.
4. Old Caramel or Blonde Highlights
Tone existing light pieces to hazelnut and add highlights where needed. This can be a quicker option.
5. Medium or Light Brown
Deepen the base to level 4–5, then weave level 6–7 hazelnut highlights for contrast.
6. Grey Hair
Fine hazelnut babylights around the parting and temples can soften grey regrowth and blend it with a dark base.
Share your hair-color history and request a strand test, especially if your hair is box-dyed, previously lightened, or fragile.
Balayage, Foilyage, Babylights, Ribbons or Foils?
Choose the right hazelnut highlighting technique for your hair and desired finish.
1. Balayage
Hand-painted highlights with dark roots and soft grow-out. Refresh every 12–16 weeks.
Ideas: 1, 5 and 10
2. Foilyage
Balayage wrapped in foil for brighter lift. Ideal for very dark or resistant hair.
Idea: 7
3. Babylights
Ultra-fine highlights for natural dimension, especially on fine hair. Takes longer but looks subtle.
Ideas: 4 and 16
4. Ribbon Highlights
Wider, visible highlights that create bold dimension on wavy or curly hair.
Ideas: 8 and 11
5. Face Frame / Money Piece
Brightens the front while keeping the rest dark. A low-commitment way to try hazelnut.
Ideas: 6 and 12
6. Partial Highlights
Highlights the top and sides while leaving underneath hair dark.
Idea: 6
7. Classic Foils
Provide precise placement and controlled lift for resistant dark hair. Plan refresh visits around every 8–10 weeks.
Placement Guide
- More brightness: Highlight the face and surface.
- More dimension: Add ribbons through the lengths.
- Fine hair: Choose many fine highlights.
- Straight hair: Keep highlights fine and blended.
- Curly hair: Paint the curl surface (Idea 15).
The At-Home Path: What You Can and Cannot Do
Box dye cannot lift dark hair to hazelnut. Creating new highlights requires a separate lightening step.
✓ What You Can Do at Home
- Refresh a dark brown base at level 4–5.
- Gloss existing hazelnut highlights.
- Use a blue toning mask on brassy pieces.
! What Requires Lightening
- Creating new hazelnut highlights on dark hair.
- Toning lifted pieces afterward.
- Correcting uneven or overly orange results professionally.
Before You Try It
Follow product instructions and complete the required allergy and strand tests. Dark hair can lift unevenly or turn orange, so professional help is safest if the result is unpredictable.
Shades and Placements to Approach With Caution
1. Too Golden on a Very Dark Base
Hazelnut lifted carelessly on level 3 hair can turn orange. If test strands look orange, ask for controlled lightening and a neutral toner—not more golden dye.
2. Too Ashy
An ash-heavy gloss can mute hazelnut’s golden-bronze warmth and create a dull, muddy brown. Choose a neutral-golden toner instead.
3. Unwanted Red Reflects
Warm hazelnut can look chestnut in direct sunlight. Discuss your red-tone limits with your colorist and check test strands outdoors.
4. Highlights Too Light
Highlights lifted more than two levels above your base may look caramel or blonde rather than hazelnut. Make sure that extra contrast is intentional.
5. Chunky Highlights on Fine, Straight Hair
Wide ribbons can look stripey without enough hair density or movement. Fine, straight hair often suits babylights, partial highlights, or fine mocha-hazelnut ribbons better, as seen in Ideas 6, 14, and 16.
6. All-Over Hazelnut Instead of Highlights
Coloring the entire head hazelnut changes the look and creates a more noticeable regrowth line. Keep the dark brown base: it is half the dimension and contrast that define hazelnut highlights.
Colorist tip: Agree on the desired warmth, brightness, and highlight thickness before coloring. Check your test strand in natural daylight to avoid surprises.
What to Say to Your Colorist
“I want to keep my dark brown base around level 4, with dark roots. I want hazelnut highlights around levels 6–7, roughly two shades lighter than my base, in a neutral golden-bronze tone. I prefer [balayage / foilyage / babylights / ribbons / partial highlights / face-framing highlights]. I don’t want blonde, caramel, copper, or chestnut tones. My hair history is [virgin / previously coloured / box-dyed / grey at the roots].”
Ask These Two Questions
1. “Will my hair lift cleanly to hazelnut in one session, or should we plan two?”
2. “How will this tone fade, and when should I book a gloss to prevent brassiness?”
Colorist tip: Choose someone experienced with dark bases who can explain the lifting process, number of sessions, and gloss maintenance.
Maintenance: Brass, Fade, and How to Slow It
Hazelnut highlights on dark brown hair typically lose toner first, then shine, while the dark base fades more slowly. Focus your routine on preserving the highlights’ tone and gloss.
Give fresh colour time to settle before your first shampoo.
Aim for two to three washes weekly using sulfate-free, colour-safe shampoo. Hot water and frequent washing can fade toner faster.
Blue pigment helps neutralize orange tones in brunette highlights. Use a blue shampoo or mask about once a week on highlighted lengths, following the product directions and rinsing thoroughly.
A hazelnut demi-permanent gloss can refresh the tone and shine between highlighting appointments.
Protect highlighted hair before blow-drying or using hot tools, and choose the lowest effective temperature.
Wear a hat in strong sunlight. If mineral buildup dulls your highlights, use a suitable clarifying treatment occasionally and follow with conditioner.
Cost and Time Calendar
Illustrative US-dollar planning estimates; actual prices and timing vary by salon, location, hair length, and color history.
| Service | Cost | Time | Refresh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face frame / money piece | $60–$120 | 45–75 min | 6–8 weeks |
| Partial highlights | $120–$200 | 1.5–2 hrs | 8–10 weeks |
| Full balayage / foilyage | $180–$320 | 2–3 hrs | 12–16 weeks |
| Full babylights | $200–$350 | 2.5–3.5 hrs | 10–12 weeks |
| Gloss refresh only | $50–$90 | 30–45 min | 8–10 weeks |
Your 12-Week Maintenance Plan
Get your hazelnut highlights and begin colour-safe care.
Introduce blue shampoo if orange brassiness appears.
Refresh face-framing highlights if needed.
Book a gloss to restore tone and shine if fading is noticeable.
Assess whether your main highlight appointment is due.
Note: If you blend grey at the roots, you may need separate root appointments every 4–6 weeks. Your exact schedule depends on regrowth and your desired finish.
Final Thoughts
Dark brown hair with hazelnut highlights brings a warm, natural look while keeping your dark base. Pick a shade that matches your undertone, choose a highlighting method that works for your routine, and use gloss and blue shampoo to keep your colour looking fresh.
Which of these 17 hazelnut highlight ideas do you like best? Share your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to save this guide for your next salon visit!
Dark Brown Hair with Hazelnut Highlights FAQs
Q1. Can hazelnut highlights be done over henna or metallic dye?
It’s not safe to do this without a strand test first. Henna and metallic dyes can react with lightener and may turn the highlighted sections green or patchy.
Q2. I have a keratin or smoothing treatment booked. Which should come first, color or treatment?
Do your color first, then wait about a week before getting the treatment. The heat and clarifying wash from the treatment can fade fresh hazelnut toner.
Q3. Will swimming change my hazelnut tone?
Yes, chlorine and sun can make hazelnut highlights turn brassy quickly. Wet your hair with clean water before swimming, and use a clarifying shampoo after swim days.
Q4. Can I build from hazelnut highlights up to caramel or blonde later, if I change my mind?
Yes, you can lighten the hazelnut highlights further to reach caramel or dark blonde later, while your dark base will remain the same.
Q5.Can I go back to one solid dark brown color after hazelnut highlights?
Yes, in most cases your colorist can match the hazelnut highlights back to your dark base in just one visit.
