French Highlights Are Having a Moment: Is This the Brunette Refresh You've Been Looking For?

You've saved the photos.

You know you want something lighter.

You want dimension, movement, and shine, but you still want to feel like a brunette.

You don't necessarily want to be blonde. You don't want obvious stripes. And you definitely don't want a color that requires you to live at the salon.

So now you're wondering:

French highlights or balayage?

The good news? You don't have to know the answer before you sit in your stylist's chair.

At Finesse Spa Salon in Ames, Iowa, we look at your current hair, your goals, and your lifestyle to create a color plan that's customized to you.

French Highlights Are Having a Moment

And this isn't just something we're seeing in the salon.

French highlights are trending nationally, with Byrdie recently highlighting the technique as a subtle, low-contrast approach to dimensional hair color.

The idea?

Create brightness that feels soft, blended, natural, and almost effortless—the kind of color that makes people wonder if you were simply born with really beautiful hair.

Read Byrdie's take on the French highlight trend →

And honestly, we can see why.

French highlights can be especially beautiful on brunettes who want to feel lighter without losing the richness and depth that makes brunette hair so beautiful.

What Exactly Are French Highlights?

Think subtle ribbons of lightness woven into your existing color.

French-inspired highlights are designed to create a soft, dimensional effect rather than a dramatic contrast between your base color and highlights.

Depending on your starting color and goals, that might mean:

• Soft caramel
• Beige
• Honey
• Warm brunette
• Neutral blonde
• Face-framing brightness
• Subtle lighter pieces throughout the lengths

The result can be polished and dimensional without looking overly done.

You're still a brunette. You just look a little brighter.

But What About Balayage?

Balayage is another beautiful way to create dimensional color.

Rather than using one specific shade or placement, balayage is a technique that allows your stylist to strategically place lighter pieces throughout the hair.

It can be incredibly subtle—or much brighter.

That's why you may see two completely different heads of hair both described as "balayage."

The technique is customizable.

And that's exactly why your consultation matters.

French Highlights vs. Balayage

So which one is right for you?

French Highlights May Be Your Look If You Want:

Soft brightness

You want to lighten your brunette without making a dramatic change.

Refined dimension

You want your hair to have movement and variation without obvious contrast.

A polished brunette

You want to remain noticeably brunette while adding lighter pieces.

Subtle warmth

Think caramel, honey, beige, or other tones that complement your natural color.

A blended finish

You want the lighter pieces to melt into your overall color.

Balayage May Be Your Look If You Want:

More noticeable dimension

A sun-kissed effect

Brightness throughout the lengths

More flexibility with placement

A softer grow-out

But here's the thing:

You don't have to choose based on the name of the technique.

Your stylist may use one technique, the other, or a combination of techniques to create your desired result.

The Best Color Plan Starts With Your Hair—Not Your Pinterest Photo

We love an inspiration photo.

Please bring it!

But your photo is inspiration—not a prescription.

Your stylist also needs to consider:

• Your natural hair color
• Previous color
• Box dye
• Gray coverage
• Previous highlights
• Hair texture
• Hair condition
• Porosity
• Your desired level of brightness
• How often you want to maintain your color

All of those things can affect your final result.

That's why the same inspiration photo can look completely different on two people.

Your hair is your own canvas.

What If You Want to Stay Low Maintenance?

Tell your stylist.

This might be one of the most important things you can say during your consultation.

If you want to visit the salon every six weeks, your stylist can create a different color plan than if you'd rather come in every three or four months.

Maybe you want brightness that grows out softly.

Maybe you want your natural root to remain part of the look.

Maybe you'd rather have fewer, strategically placed highlights with a gloss between bigger appointments.

There are options.

Beautiful color should fit your life—not create another obligation.

Don't Forget the Gloss

You've created beautiful dimension.

Now let's make it shine.

A professional gloss can be a beautiful finishing touch to dimensional color. It can refresh the tone, enhance shine, and give your hair that polished finish we all love after leaving the salon.

Sometimes you don't need a completely new color.

You just need your existing color refreshed.

French Highlights on Brunette Hair

This is where we think the trend gets really exciting.

Brown hair doesn't have to go blonde to feel lighter.

You can keep the richness of your brunette while adding carefully placed dimension.

Imagine:

Deep brunette + caramel ribbons.

Chocolate brown + beige highlights.

Rich brunette + soft honey pieces.

Natural brown + subtle face-framing brightness.

The possibilities are endless because your color should be customized to your starting point and your goals.

So... French Highlights or Balayage?

Here's our answer:

Let's figure it out together.

You don't need to walk into Finesse knowing exactly what technique you want.

Instead, tell us what you want your hair to look and feel like.

“I want to be lighter.”

“I want more dimension.”

“I want my brunette to look richer.”

“I want brightness around my face.”

“I want something that grows out beautifully.”

“I want to look like I have naturally gorgeous hair.”

Those are the conversations that help your stylist create the right plan.

Find Your Version of Dimensional Color

At Finesse Spa Salon in Ames, Iowa, we believe great hair color isn't about choosing the trendiest technique.

It's about choosing the technique, placement, tone, and maintenance plan that work for you.

Maybe that's French highlights.

Maybe it's balayage.

Maybe it's traditional highlights.

Maybe it's a combination.

Maybe it's simply a beautiful gloss.

Your stylist can help you find the difference between what you like in a photo and what will actually work beautifully on your hair.

Ready to Take Your Brunette a Little Lighter?

Bring your inspiration photos, tell us what you're hoping for, and let your Finesse stylist create the plan.

Explore Hair Color at Finesse Spa Salon →

Finesse Spa Salon | Ames, Iowa

Hair Color • Balayage • Highlights • Haircuts • Extensions • Smoothing • Treatments

Beautiful color isn't one-size-fits-all. It's customized to you.