30 Hair Color Ideas for Curly Hair with Highlights and Lowlights
Curly hair already makes a bold statement, but the right hair color can elevate those spirals to an entirely new level. From soft highlights that add dimension to rich lowlights that define texture, there’s a perfect shade for every curl pattern.
This guide by Hairstyle Inspirations brings you 30 stunning hair color ideas for curly hair, thoughtfully curated to complement coils, waves, and everything in between. Whether you’re looking to brighten your look or add depth with subtle tones, these combinations are sure to inspire your next salon visit.
1. Honey Blonde Highlights on Dark Brown Curls
Honey blonde highlights add a sun-kissed warmth to dark brown curls, creating dimension and movement with every bounce. This contrast enhances the natural curl definition while offering a radiant, youthful glow. Ideal for medium to deep skin tones, it’s a great way to brighten without overpowering your natural base color.
2. Caramel Balayage on Loose Curls
Caramel balayage on loose curls blends effortlessly into darker roots, adding a soft gradient of golden brown tones. This look offers a low-maintenance color that enhances the natural curl structure. It gives your hair that effortless beachy vibe, perfect for those who love subtle but stunning hair transformations.
3. Auburn Lowlights with Chestnut Base
Auburn lowlights on a chestnut base bring warmth and richness to curly hair. The deeper red tones create depth, especially in tighter curls, while the chestnut base softens the contrast. This combination works wonderfully for fall and adds a cozy, vibrant feel to any curl pattern, especially medium and tight coils.
4. Ash Blonde Highlights on Cool Black Curls
Ash blonde highlights on jet black curls deliver a striking contrast with a modern edge. The cool tones prevent brassiness, making this a chic choice for cooler undertones. These highlights give the illusion of more volume and texture, perfect for those with looser curls looking for a sophisticated color update.
5. Bronze and Copper Blend for Voluminous Curls
A mix of bronze and copper tones adds dimension and vibrancy to voluminous curly hair. The metallic warmth plays beautifully under natural light, making curls look shinier and more alive. This duo suits both warm and neutral skin tones and brings a glamorous glow to thicker, bouncier curls.
6. Golden Highlights on Dark Blonde Curls
Golden highlights can illuminate dark blonde curls, giving the hair a multidimensional effect that catches the light beautifully. This look is soft, romantic, and ideal for anyone wanting a summer-inspired upgrade. It enhances curl separation, adding a textured appearance that looks especially dreamy with naturally wavy or spiral curls.
7. Soft Mocha Lowlights in Light Brown Curls
Soft mocha lowlights add depth to light brown curls without creating harsh contrast. These cool, chocolatey tones enhance the curl’s structure, making the hair look fuller and more defined. It’s a great choice for anyone seeking dimension with subtlety, offering a refined look that works well year-round.
8. Platinum Tips on Tight Ringlets
Adding platinum tips to tight ringlets gives your curls a fashion-forward flair. This edgy highlight technique draws attention to the ends, showcasing curl shape and movement. While bold, the placement allows for easy regrowth and maintenance. Best paired with a moisturizing routine to keep lightened ends soft and healthy.
9. Burgundy Lowlights in Black Curls
Burgundy lowlights introduce a deep, rich hue into natural black curls, creating a sultry look that’s both bold and refined. This dark red shade catches the light subtly, enhancing texture and volume without overpowering the base color. It’s perfect for fall or winter and suits cool and neutral undertones.
10. Champagne Highlights on Light Brown Waves
Champagne highlights bring a soft, bubbly shimmer to light brown waves. The neutral blonde tone blends beautifully with warmer bases, offering a luminous finish. Ideal for fine or loose curls, this look gives a luxurious feel without being too loud, making it perfect for everyday elegance or special occasions.
11. Chestnut Highlights on Red Curls
Chestnut highlights enhance the warmth of natural red curls by adding dimension and gloss. These golden-brown streaks soften fiery red tones and work particularly well with thick or coarse hair. The combination results in a rich, earthy color palette that feels grounded yet eye-catching with every bounce of your curls.
12. Rose Gold Balayage on Curly Lob
Rose gold balayage brings a playful and modern vibe to a curly long bob (lob). The pinkish tones blend with blonde and copper, offering a pastel-inspired look that’s both trendy and flattering. It works especially well with fine or medium curls, giving a soft pop of color without overwhelming the cut.
13. Dark Roots with Light Caramel Ends
Leaving the roots dark while fading into light caramel ends offers a stunning gradient on curly hair. This high-contrast look works great with all curl types, providing easy maintenance as it grows out. The caramel tone adds warmth and brightness to the overall look, perfect for a year-round glow.
14. Ash Brown Lowlights on Dirty Blonde Curls
Ash brown lowlights can bring a smoky depth to dirty blonde curls, neutralizing brassiness while enhancing movement. This cool-toned blend works well with cool or neutral undertones and gives a more refined appearance. It’s subtle but impactful, ideal for those looking for a polished yet natural-looking transformation.
15. Red Highlights on Dark Copper Curls
Add red highlights to dark copper curls for a fiery, bold look that enhances vibrancy and warmth. This pairing creates a rich tapestry of red tones that shimmer in the light and bring curls to life. It’s dramatic and full of personality, perfect for anyone wanting a standout color style.
16. Sandy Blonde Highlights on Light Brown Curls
Sandy blonde highlights work beautifully with light brown curls to create a beach-inspired, sun-kissed effect. The soft contrast adds brightness without harshness, making curls look naturally highlighted. It’s an ideal look for spring and summer and flatters warm and neutral skin tones with a laid-back, breezy vibe.
17. Jet Black Base with Violet Lowlights
Violet lowlights add a mysterious, edgy element to jet black curly hair. The purple tones shimmer subtly, catching the light without clashing with the deep base. This color combo is great for cooler undertones and gives your curls a creative twist while maintaining a polished and put-together look.
18. Toffee Highlights in Medium Brown Curls
Toffee highlights in medium brown curls add warmth, depth, and a sweet golden tone that flatters many skin tones. This color pairing gives the hair a natural, sunlit feel, especially effective on medium-density curls. It brings life to dull hair and is a perfect year-round color choice.
19. Chocolate Lowlights in Golden Blonde Curls
Chocolate lowlights can tame overly bright golden blonde curls by adding depth and contrast. These darker streaks enhance the appearance of volume and structure, making curls look fuller and more defined. It’s a great option for balancing a too-bright blonde or transitioning into a richer, more grounded tone.
20. Beige Blonde Highlights on Soft Curls
Beige blonde highlights offer a neutral, flattering tone that works wonders on soft curls. The understated shade blends easily with natural hair colors, adding light without brassiness. This versatile look suits almost any skin tone and gives a polished, modern update to naturally curly or wavy hair.
21. Cinnamon Highlights on Black or Dark Brown Curls
Cinnamon highlights add a warm spice to black or deep brown curls, creating a cozy, dimensional look. The reddish-brown tones brighten the overall style without clashing against darker roots. It’s a rich yet natural color upgrade that brings warmth and depth, ideal for fall and winter or year-round radiance.
22. Golden Brown Lowlights in Blonde Curly Hair
Golden brown lowlights offer an elegant way to soften very light blonde curls. This gentle shift in tone gives structure and definition to looser curls, preventing the hair from looking flat. It’s perfect for blondes who want to deepen their look while still maintaining a bright and warm overall appearance.
23. Mahogany Highlights on Natural Curls
Mahogany highlights introduce a deep, reddish-brown hue that enhances natural curls with a rich vibrancy. This luxurious tone complements deeper skin tones beautifully and brings out the movement in thick or coarse curls. It’s a bold yet classy option for those wanting to add depth without going too bright.
24. Pastel Purple Streaks on Bleached Curls
Pastel purple streaks on bleached curls create a fun, whimsical vibe. Perfect for festival season or bold everyday style, this color adds personality and contrast to lighter hair. It’s best maintained with color-safe products and suits creative, fashion-forward individuals looking for something unique to showcase their textured curls.
25. Dimensional Balayage with Mixed Blonde and Brown
A mixed blonde and brown balayage creates beautiful depth and dimension on curly hair. The seamless blend mimics natural sun exposure, giving curls a vibrant, multi-tonal appearance. It works well on medium to long hair and is a smart choice for those seeking a natural yet noticeable hair color upgrade.
26. Face-Framing Highlights in Warm Blonde
Face-framing highlights in warm blonde instantly brighten the face and bring attention to your curl pattern. These strategically placed highlights work wonders for enhancing features while giving your hairstyle more definition. The effect is subtle yet eye-catching, offering a fresh look without a full head of color.
27. Blue-Black Base with Teal Lowlights
A blue-black base paired with teal lowlights is perfect for those craving an edgy, artistic vibe. The cool tones play well together, creating a deep, ocean-inspired aesthetic on curly hair. This look especially pops on tighter curl patterns and suits individuals who love dark yet bold color combinations.
28. Espresso Base with Walnut Highlights
Espresso and walnut create a sophisticated and earthy color palette for curly hair. The dark brown base offers richness, while lighter walnut highlights add contrast and movement. This combination works for all curl types and is an excellent choice for a polished, natural look that grows out beautifully over time.
29. Strawberry Blonde Highlights on Light Auburn Curls
Strawberry blonde highlights bring a gentle sweetness to light auburn curls, enhancing their natural vibrancy. This warm, golden-reddish tone blends beautifully and adds brightness without overwhelming the base. It’s a romantic and playful option, especially flattering on fair to medium skin tones with freckles or peach undertones.
30. Olive Green Tips on Deep Brown Curls
Olive green tips offer an unexpected yet stunning pop of color on deep brown curls. The earthy tone adds artistic flair without being too loud and looks especially cool with short or medium-length curls. Perfect for those who love experimenting with unconventional colors while still keeping their roots natural.
Conclusion
Finding the perfect hair color for your curls doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With so many highlight and lowlight options available, there’s a shade that can bring out the natural beauty of your curls while reflecting your personal style. We hope these 30 hair color ideas for curly hair from Hairstyle Inspirations helped spark your creativity. Whether you go bold or keep it subtle, let your curls shine with color that enhances every twist and turn.
