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20 Caramel Balayage Ideas to Inspire Your 2025 Hair Color

 

From caramel ribbons to toffee chestnut.

If you're feeling bored with brown and brunette but don't have time for all the upkeep that comes with full-on blonde, you might want to try caramel balayage.

The best of both worlds, caramel balayage instantly adds warmth and dimension to even the most plain and one-note hair colors. Despite how chic and luxurious it appears, it's actually one of the most natural-looking and low-maintenance ways to color your hair. It's no wonder so many celebrities are known for wearing variations on the shade: Zendaya, Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Hailey Bieber, Kaia Gerber, and more have all sported various takes on caramel balayage as of late.

What is caramel balayage?

Not sure what we mean when we say caramel balayage? “Caramel balayage involves hand-painting warm, golden-brown highlights on darker hair for a sun-kissed effect,” Chase Kusero, co-founder of IGK Hair Care, tells Glamour. “While it complements brunette tones, it adds dimension and warmth beyond a standard brown color.”

More specifically, it blends tones of golden, honey, and toffee to add dimension and richness, says colorist Richy Kandasamy, vice president of R+Color development. “While it’s often applied to dark blonde or brunette bases, caramel balayage is not the same as a solid brown or brunette color—it’s all about the subtle and dimensional sun-kissed contrast and depth it brings to the hair,” he says.

Why caramel balayage?

As for why you should consider caramel balayage over, say, a one-dimensional dark brown? “Adding pops of caramel to brown hair instantly elevates your look. Caramel highlights add multi-dimensional tones, making hair look fuller and more textured,” says Kandasamy. "The warm undertones of caramel create a radiant, sun-kissed effect that flatters any season. It’s very a flattering tone!"

Kusero says that it also adds brightness and dimension without needing full-color changes, works well with natural hair texture—whether straight, wavy, or curly—and grows out gracefully, reducing maintenance needs.

Who is a good candidate for caramel balayage?

“This look is perfect for those with brown or dark blonde hair and works especially well with warm or neutral skin tones, as it can be tailored to enhance any complexion,” says Jennifer Korab, celebrity hairstylist, colorist, educator, and founder of Renaissance Salon & Spa, “Caramel highlights add dimension, movement, and a radiant glow, making them a great choice for anyone seeking a low maintenance yet impactful style.”

Thus, it’s perfect for anyone looking to enhance their natural base with a warm or cool radiant finish, without the upkeep of traditional highlights, says Kandasamy. “It’s versatile and can be tailored to suit different skin tones and hair types specifically during winter season.”

How to find the best shade of caramel balayage for your skin tone

As is often the case with finding flattering shades for each individual, it's best to identify your skin's undertone. “While consulting with my clients, the easiest way to determine their preference of warm, cool or neutral is their jewelry: more gold, warm, more silver, cool, and often mixing metals leans towards a neutral tone,” says Ryan Dickie, a colorist at IGK Salon Miami.

That said, it's important to note that most of the time, caramel shades tend to lean warm. “When discussing caramel tones, I first mention to every client that if you imagine biting into a caramel filled chocolate bar, the caramel will be golden and glossy with a tan brown base. Thus, a true caramel will lean warm,” Dickie explains. “That said, your colorist can create the same value within any color family.”

Caramel balayage maintenance

"To help keep caramel balayage looking fresh, I recommend using sulfate-free shampoos like Pureology Strength Cure," says Korab. “I also suggest toning treatments to prevent brassiness, along with regular in salon gloss refreshes.” You could also try a shampoo gloss hybrid, such as IGK More Life Color Extending Gloss Shampoo and Conditioner to maintain vibrancy, adds Kandasamy.

Also keep in mind that water and heat are the biggest culprits to fading color, says Dicky. “That's why I recommend Seaweed Bath Co. Heat Care Shampoo and Seaweed Bath Co. Heat Care Conditioner for hydration and protection in addition to a good heat protectant like IGK Good Behavior, which can also help with the longevity of your color,” he says. “Heat protection is key for having the best results at maintaining your color at home.”

Feeling inspired? Same. Ahead, see 21 trending ways to rock caramel balayage in 2025, and get ready to screenshot.

Caramel Ribbons

One of the most popular and classic ways to wear caramel hair? Adding caramel ribbons to a warm brunette base—think: Jessica Alba. “Most often, most of the caramel is concentrated around the face and towards the mid to end-lengths of the hair while the root and most of the interior remains a deep brown,” he says.

“Adding caramel ribbons will brighten the face, compliment the skin, and add movement into a darker base. This can benefit a client with extra full hair to illuminate and add shine and flow, but is what I would consider, as a colorist, the most versatile color way for any client looking for a change. ”

Caramel Curls

Lauren Mildice, a colorist specialist at Maxine Salon, is especially fond of caramel balayage on clients with naturally curly hair and deeper complexions. “The curls need heavier dimension, meaning you don’t highlight small strands since they’d blend too much,” she says. “The strong stripes of caramel accentuate the curl pattern.” To get the look, ask your colorist for heavy highlights, and perhaps some balayage around the face or hairline. “Tell them you want a warm caramel tone for the brightened stripes.”

Lived-in Caramel

“This lived-in balayage on dark hair with subtle neutral honey caramel highlights against a light brown or dark blonde base creates a soft contrast with great depth,” says Kandasamy. Plus, it doesn't hurt that it's especially low maintenance. “Ideal for a sleek, polished style or loose curls, it brightens her dark hair while keeping it natural.”

Caramel Face-Frame

Jennifer Lopez is often cited as one of the best known caramel balayage pioneers. “Lopez is known for her signature warm caramel balayage that enhances her golden complexion," Kandasamy says. While she's worn a more golden take on the shade in the past, she's been wearing a caramel face-frame over the past few months that looks super chic.

Butterscotch Caramel Blonde

You don't need to have brown or brunette hair to pull off caramel balayage. If you're starting with a lighter or even blonde base, consider butterscotch caramel blonde, as seen on Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. “This rich, balanced color allows for a beautiful golden depth, instead of an icy pop," says Madison Reed master colorist Shvonne Perkins.

The best part? It’s so easy to DIY. If you’re starting with a light blonde base and looking to add richness, opt for Madison Reed Color Reviving Gloss in Prosecco. “When golden is present, violet tones are key for keeping color balanced,” she continues. “To maintain the color, choose the ColorSolve Shampoo and Conditioner flavor best suited for your personal hair needs and add the Color Depositing Shot in Blonde for toning and vibrancy.”

Soft Caramel Balayage

Want a super soft caramel balayage? “Ask for warm, golden highlights that blend naturally with your base for a subtle, sun-kissed look,” says Korab. “Specify that you prefer a hand painted, lived-in effect over chunky highlights. Your stylist will focus on painting highlights on the mid lengths and ends, ensuring a seamless blend.”

Golden Caramel

"Golden caramel consists of rich golden hues on brunette hair, inspired by Beyoncé',” says Kusero, who adds that it's an ideal match for her skin tone due to its deep caramel and toffee shades for contrast.

Subtle Warmth

“Caramel balayage is a soft sun kissed golden color. Think golden hour hair,” says Christine Bellemare, co-founder, owner and lead stylist at Maven A Collect. “Anyone who want a warm glow to their hair with minimal upkeep. Adding caramel to brown hair helps to break up the density of dark hair, adds instant glow to complexion and requires little to no maintenance because most hair fades warm.” One of her favorite examples of the look is Kaia Gerber.

Chestnut Caramel

According to Lorena M. Valdes, a colorist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, caramel balayage and chestnut hair go hand in hand. “It tends to be golden and with hints of copper and depending on the starting point, it may go as deep as a golden chestnut,” she says. “But caramel balayage creates shine and movement while maintaining a deeper root, which creates longevity.”

Brownie Batter Caramel

“The brownie batter color trend has soft blonde money piece and a few blonde highlights around the face,” says Korab, who coined the brunette shade's name. “It can also have some softer caramel or mocha pieces throughout the hair while still maintaining mostly the rich brunette look.”

Ombré Caramel

Ombré caramel is perfect for anyone looking to enhance their natural base with a warm, radiant finish—and without the upkeep of traditional highlights, says Kandasamy. “It’s versatile and can be tailored to suit different skin tones and hair types specifically during winter season,” he says. One of our favorite takes on the look is courtesy of Mandy Moore.

Caramel Dimension

“The contrasting colors make a bold dimensional look on such a classic technique,” Mildice says of caramel. “I love this color since it is not ‘too blonde’; it is incorporating natural color with heavy caramel strands.”

Mildice believes this look works best on someone with naturally curly hair and deeper complexions. “The curls need heavier dimension, meaning you don’t highlight small strands since they’d blend too much,” she says. “The strong stripes of caramel accentuate the curl pattern.” To get the look, ask your colorist for heavy highlights, and perhaps some balayage around the face or hairline. “Tell them you want a warm caramel tone for the brightened stripes.”

Cool Caramel

Kandasamy points to Hailey Bieber as another great example of how to wear the shade. “Hailey Bieber’s look exhibits cool caramel balayage that exudes an effortlessly chic vibe,” he says. “Cooler caramel tones transitioning into cool blonde tips, offering a modern, sophisticated twist.”

Neutral Toffee

One of Korab's favorite ways to wear caramel balayage? “In a textured lob like Chrissy Teigen’s neutral toffee,” she says. This style is perfect for anyone with a medium skin tone, Kusero adds, since it's a rich caramel toffee with deeper golden undertones.

Warm Caramel Waves

Kandasamy is especially fond of styling caramel balayage in what he calls warm waves. “A soft beachy wave that showcases the warmth of the caramel tones blended with your natural hair,” he says. “It's perfect for an effortless, sun-kissed look.” For a celebrity example, see Jessica Biel.

Caramel Brunette

“I love a good brunette that doesn’t read red but has elements of warmth throughout—it gives a really balanced result,” celebrity colorist Matt Rez says of caramel brown hair. If you’re a natural brunette, ask your stylist for midlights one or two levels lighter than your base and neutral-warm caramel highlights.

“The combo of the two will pick up so beautifully without unwanted warmth taking over and reading as a red,” he says. “Done right, warmth on brunettes is unbeatable.”

Caramel Honey Highlights

“This look is perfect for those with brown or dark blonde hair and works especially well with warm or neutral skin tones, as it can be tailored to enhance any complexion,” says Korab. Caramel highlights add dimension, movement, and a radiant glow, making them a great choice for anyone seeking a low maintenance yet impactful style."

Sun-Kissed Caramel

If you have a lighter or paler skin tone, Kusero recommends trying a sun-kissed caramel. “Something like a light golden caramel with hints of honey,” he says. Bellemare agrees, pointing to Tate McRae's hair as a prime example.

Deep Caramel

Korab points to Priyanka Chopra’s deep caramel highlights as another fantastic way to wear the trend. “Adding caramel to brown hair helps to break up the density of dark hair, adds instant glow to complexion and requires little to no maintenance because most hair fades warm,” adds Bellemare.

Toffee Caramel

Zendaya pretty much put toffee caramel on the map. “Toffee caramel has deep, warm accents, like Zendaya has,” says Kusero. “It’s perfect for brunettes or those with medium to dark hair tones and flatters warm and neutral skin undertones and provides a natural, low-maintenance look.”