25+ Gorgeous Cherry Brown Highlights Taking Over 2025

As a stylist, I get asked for “something different” all the time, especially from my brunette clients. Let me tell you, my absolute favorite answer right now is **cherry brown highlights**. This look is everything—it’s rich, it’s vibrant without being screaming-loud, and it adds this incredible, juicy dimension to brown hair that I just can’t get enough of.

Stunning Cherry Brown Hair Ideas

1. Subtle Cherry Balayage on Dark Waves

This is the perfect “gateway” to red tones. A soft, hand-painted balayage adds a hint of cherry that only catches the light. It’s low-maintenance and looks incredibly sophisticated on dark, wavy hair.

2. Black Cherry Peekaboo Highlights

Now this is what I call drama! **Peekaboo highlights** are hidden under the top layer of hair, giving you a flash of color when you move. Black cherry is a deep, vampy shade that looks stunning against dark espresso or black-brown hair.

3. Cherry Cola Money Piece Hairstyle

Want an instant face-brightener? The **money piece** is your answer. By concentrating that rich, bubbly cherry cola shade right at the front, you get a high-impact look that highlights your eyes and cheekbones with minimal commitment.

4. Chunky Cherry Highlights on a Shag

The 90s are back, and so are **chunky highlights**! This look is bold, confident, and anything but subtle. Pairing vibrant cherry streaks with the effortless texture of a modern shag cut creates such a cool, rocker-chic vibe.

5. Deep Burgundy Ombré on Long Hair

An **ombré** is a beautiful way to wear this trend, especially if you have long hair. This seamless melt from a dark, natural root down to rich burgundy or cherry ends is dramatic and surprisingly low-maintenance since you don’t have to worry about root grow-out!

6. Bright Cherry Highlights on Dark Curls

Let me just say: **cherry highlights on curly hair** are magic. The way the color spirals and defines each curl is absolutely breathtaking. Using a brighter cherry shade really makes the texture pop and adds so much dimension.

7. Subtle Wine Balayage on a Lob

If “cherry” feels a bit too bright, think “**wine**” or “**merlot**.” This is a deeper, more purple-toned red that blends beautifully into medium brown hair. A soft balayage on a textured lob (long bob) is the definition of effortless chic.

8. Bright Cherry Streaks on a Dark Pixie

Who says you need long hair for highlights? A few well-placed, vibrant **cherry streaks** in a dark pixie cut add so much personality. It’s edgy, it’s fun, and it draws all the attention right to your eyes.

9. Cherry Brown on Sleek, Straight Hair

Sometimes you want subtlety and shimmer. Very fine “**babylights**” in a **cherry brown** tone woven through sleek, straight dark hair create a glossy, dimensional effect. It’s not obvious, but it looks incredibly rich and healthy.

10. Frosted Cherry on a Textured Bob

This isn’t the chunky frosting of the early 2000s, I promise! This is a modern take, with fine cherry highlights painted more heavily toward the ends of a textured bob. It gives a beautiful, slightly grown-out look that enhances the tousled style.

11. Black Cherry on a Wolf Cut

The **wolf cut** is all about layers and texture, and what better way to show them off? Placing deep **black cherry highlights** on those shaggy layers makes the haircut even more dynamic. It’s the perfect pairing of a trendy cut and a trendy color.

12. Cherry and Caramel Swirl Balayage

Can’t decide between red and blonde tones? Do both! I love mixing **cherry and caramel highlights** in a balayage. The warmth of the caramel and the spice of the cherry play off each other beautifully, creating a super-rich, multi-tonal look.

13. Rich Cherry on a Short Wavy Bob

A **short, wavy bob** is the perfect canvas for a saturated cherry balayage. Because the hair is shorter, the color feels more impactful and vibrant. It’s playful, chic, and looks amazing when tousled.

14. Faded Cherry or Rose Brown

Maybe you want something softer, more ethereal. A “faded” cherry, which reads as a **dusty rose brown**, is incredibly beautiful on light to medium brown hair. It’s a subtle, romantic take on the trend that has a gorgeous, vintage feel.

15. High-Contrast Cherry Streaks

This look is not for the faint of heart! We’re talking bold, defined, **high-contrast cherry streaks** against a very dark (even black) base. It’s a deliberate, edgy statement that throws all ideas of “natural blending” out the window, and I love it.

16. Cherry Cola Curls

“**Cherry Cola**” is that perfect shade of deep red-brown, and it’s stunning on coily hair. It’s not as bright as cherry red, but it adds an incredible warmth and richness that makes dark, coily textures look even more defined and luminous.

17. Burgundy Babylights on Mocha Brown

This is the ultimate in subtle sophistication. We’re talking tiny, micro-fine **babylights** in a deep **burgundy** shade, sprinkled all through a rich mocha brown base. It doesn’t scream “highlights,” it just whispers “expensive hair.”

18. Cherry Face-Framing Layers

This is a bit different from a money piece. Instead of just the front two strands, we’re coloring all those shorter, **face-framing layers** (think butterfly cut). It’s a softer, more blended way to brighten your face and show off a great layered cut.

19. Cherry Wine Ombré on a Lob

An ombré isn’t just for long hair! A dark-to-**cherry-wine gradient** looks incredibly sharp and intentional on a sleek lob. The straight, sharp lines of the cut really show off that beautiful color melt.

20. Subtle Cherry Glaze on Chestnut Hair

Maybe you don’t want “highlights” at all. A semi-permanent **cherry glaze** over your natural brown hair (especially a warmer chestnut brown) will give you an all-over reddish tint. It’s the lowest commitment possible and just adds a beautiful, warm, cherry-kissed glow.

Savor the Sweetness of Red-Hot Brunette Hair

Phew! Are you as in love with these cherry brown looks as I am? We’ve gone through so many gorgeous options, from those subtle, sun-kissed **cherry balayages** to the bold, dramatic **black cherry peekaboo highlights**. It just proves how incredibly versatile this color trend is for brunettes. It’s the perfect way to add personality and warmth to your hair without a full-on color commitment.

What I’m seeing for **2025** is that clients want rich, dimensional color that still looks (somewhat) natural, and **cherry brown** fits that brief perfectly. Looks like the “**cherry cola**” money piece and the soft “**black cherry**” ombré are definitely having a huge moment, giving off that perfect blend of edgy and sophisticated. It’s a trend I’m fully backing in the salon. (And if you’re looking for a celebrity reference, check out the deep cherry tones that **Dua Lipa** has occasionally experimented with—it’s pure hair goals!)

So, whether you’re tempted by a few subtle wine-colored streaks or ready to rock a full set of vibrant cherry highlights, I hope you found your perfect inspiration! If you loved these ideas, don’t forget to sign up for my weekly newsletter. I send out my top hair tips, trend alerts, and more exclusive looks every single week! 💌