14 Stunning Caramel Balayage Ideas to Rock in 2025
If you’re looking to freshen up your brunette shades without committing to full blonde maintenance, caramel balayage might be your perfect solution. This chic technique adds warmth and dimension to any hair color, creating a sun-kissed effect that’s naturally stunning and low-maintenance. Celebrities like Zendaya, Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Hailey Bieber, and Kaia Gerber have all rocked their own takes on caramel balayage, and now it’s your turn.
What is caramel balayage?
Caramel balayage involves hand-painting warm, golden-brown highlights onto darker hair for a dimensional, sun-kissed look. It’s not a full blonde transformation, but rather a blend of golden, honey, and toffee tones that create depth and richness, adding dimension to brunettes and blondes alike. Whether your base is dark blonde, brunette, or lighter tones, caramel balayage offers a subtle contrast that looks effortlessly beautiful.
Ready to be inspired? Check out these 20 caramel balayage looks for 2025, and get ready to book your next salon appointment.
1. Caramel Ribbons
Instagram/ @jessicaalba
A classic take on caramel balayage is adding ribbons of caramel to a warm brunette base, similar to Jessica Alba’s signature look. Caramel highlights are focused around the face and mid to end-lengths of the hair, with the root and inner sections remaining a deep brown. This technique brightens your face, adds movement, and complements your skin beautifully.
Instagram/ @jiordyn
Caramel balayage works wonders on curly hair, especially for deeper complexions. The strong stripes of caramel highlight your natural curls without blending into the hair. Ask your stylist for heavy caramel highlights, particularly around the face or hairline, to create a bold contrast with the deep curls.
Instagram/ @jennanicoleofficial
For a softer, low-maintenance look, try lived-in caramel balayage. Subtle honey caramel highlights blend seamlessly with a light brown or dark blonde base to create a soft contrast with great depth. This natural look is perfect for both sleek styles and loose curls.
Instagram/ @chrisappleton1
Jennifer Lopez is known for her iconic caramel balayage, and recently, she’s been rocking a caramel face-frame that enhances her golden complexion. This style is both chic and effortless, with caramel accents around the face for an immediate glow.
Instagram/ @cwoodhair
You don’t have to start with brunette hair to enjoy caramel balayage. If your base is lighter or blonde, consider butterscotch caramel blonde. This rich color gives you a golden depth, unlike cooler blonde shades, and adds warmth to your overall look, like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s.
Instagram/ @karayoshimotobua
For a more subtle sun-kissed effect, ask for soft caramel balayage with warm, golden highlights that blend naturally into your base. This low-key approach to balayage focuses on painting highlights on the mid-lengths and ends for a seamless, lived-in look.
Instagram/ @hoshounkpatin
Caramel balayage adds a soft, golden warmth to dark hair, creating a natural glow. This is perfect for anyone seeking a minimal-maintenance style that adds brightness and dimension without requiring constant upkeep. Kaia Gerber’s caramel highlights are a prime example of this effortlessly chic style.
Instagram/ @dimitrishair
Chestnut hair pairs beautifully with caramel balayage, creating a mix of golden, copper, and deep chestnut hues. This look maintains a deeper root, adding shine and movement, and provides longevity without needing frequent touch-ups.
Instagram/ @daniellepriano
Brownie batter caramel features soft blonde highlights around the face, mixed with a few caramel or mocha pieces throughout. This warm blend keeps the overall look rich and brunette, with just a hint of lighter color around the face.
Instagram/ @maryphillips
Hailey Bieber’s cool caramel balayage is perfect for those who want a sophisticated, modern twist on the trend. This style features cooler caramel tones transitioning into cooler blonde tips, creating a chic and edgy vibe.
Instagram/ @hairinel
Neutral toffee caramel balayage, as seen on Chrissy Teigen, works well on medium skin tones. The rich caramel toffee with golden undertones gives a warm, inviting look that complements a variety of complexions and hair textures.
Instagram/ @dereksyuen
For brunettes who want a bit of warmth without turning red, caramelized brunette balayage is ideal. Ask for midlights one or two levels lighter than your base with neutral-warm caramel highlights to create a balanced, natural warmth.
Instagram/ @maryphillips
Deep caramel balayage, like Priyanka Chopra’s, creates a rich, dimensional effect that brightens up dark hair without overwhelming it. This shade adds an instant glow to the complexion while still maintaining a deeper, darker root for longevity.
Instagram/ @zendaya
Zendaya’s toffee caramel balayage is the perfect example of a warm, deep-toned look. This style features rich, warm caramel accents that flatter medium to dark hair tones and provide a natural, low-maintenance finish for both warm and neutral skin tones.