Brown hair with pink and blonde highlights is a playful way to add color without going all in. Blonde brightens the brown, and pink adds a soft, fun tone on top. Together they look softer than pink alone, and the blonde keeps the look polished as the pink fades.
Below are eight brown, pink and blonde looks, with exactly what to ask your colorist for. For a single bold color, see our light brown hair with blue highlights, and for classic blonde, our shoulder-length brown hair with blonde highlights.
How do you get pink and blonde highlights on brown hair?
Your colorist lightens sections of brown hair to a pale blonde, then tones some of them pink and leaves the rest blonde. Pastel or rose gold pink looks softest; hot pink looks boldest. Ask for the pink placed between the blonde pieces or on the ends, so the look still works as the pink fades.
Brown hair with pink and blonde highlights
Save the color closest to what you want. That's the photo to show your colorist.
1. Rose gold and blonde balayage
Soft blonde balayage with rose gold tones through the ends of brown hair. It's subtle, warm and very pretty.
Ask for:brown base, blonde balayage on the ends, toned rose gold on some pieces.
2. Pastel pink and blonde ribbons
Alternating ribbons of pastel pink and pale blonde through brown hair. It's soft and playful.
Ask for:brown base, alternating pastel pink and pale blonde ribbon highlights.
3. Pink and blonde money piece
A blonde face-framing piece with a pink section beside it. It brightens your face with a pop of color.
Ask for:brown base, a blonde money piece with a pastel pink piece next to it.
4. Pink-tipped blonde ends
Brown roots, blonde lengths and soft pink at the very ends. It's an easy three-tone ombre.
Ask for:brown roots, blonde mid-lengths, soft pink on the ends.
5. Peekaboo pink under blonde
Blonde highlights on top with a hidden pink layer underneath. The pink shows when your hair moves.
Ask for:brown base, blonde highlights on top, a pink underlayer at the nape.
6. Hot pink and blonde streaks
Bold hot pink and bright blonde streaks through dark brown hair. It's high-contrast and fun.
Ask for:dark brown base, bold hot pink and bright blonde streaks.
7. Strawberry blonde and pink
Warm strawberry blonde with soft pink pieces on brown hair. It's warm and natural-looking for a fun color.
Ask for:brown base, strawberry blonde highlights with a few soft pink pieces.
8. Pink and blonde on curls
Pink and blonde highlights through natural brown curls. Each spiral catches a different color.
Ask for:brown curls, pale blonde and pastel pink highlights through whole curls.
Who it suits
- Warm skin: rose gold and strawberry pink look glowing.
- Cool skin: pastel and baby pink look softest.
- Low commitment: choose peekaboo pink or pink-tipped ends.
Keeping pink bright
Pink is a semi-permanent color, so it fades with every wash. Wash with cool water, use a sulfate-free shampoo, and refresh with a pink color-depositing conditioner every few washes. As it fades, it softens toward blonde, so the look still works.
FAQ
Do pink and blonde highlights look good on brown hair?
Yes. Blonde brightens the brown, and pink adds a soft pop of color. Together they look softer than pink alone.
Do you need to bleach for pink highlights?
Yes. The sections need to be lightened to blonde first so the pink shows.
How long do pink highlights last?
About four to six weeks. Cool water and a pink color-depositing conditioner help.
What is the most subtle pink and blonde look?
Rose gold and blonde balayage, or peekaboo pink under blonde highlights.
The bottom line
For brown hair with pink and blonde highlights, start with rose gold balayage or pastel ribbons, and keep the pink bright with cool washes. Save the look you like and browse more hair ideas.
