Looking for hair color for olive skin with a little something extra? Think chocolate brown with fine highlights, golden curls or even a whole head of lavender.
These 20 looks give you plenty to choose from, whether you want a small change or something much bolder.
You can keep things dark or go all out with color. Save your favorites to discuss with your colorist.
Lighting can change how hair and skin look in photos, so use these as color inspiration rather than an exact complexion match.
Hair colors worth saving for your next appointment
deep brown and subtle highlights
We’re starting off strong with these gorgeous dark brown layers. I love the fine lighter strands around the face and through the lengths.
There’s just enough color to notice without big blonde streaks.
If you want to keep your brunette shade, ask about narrow brown highlights rather than a much lighter all-over look.
Read also: Scandi Hair 101: The “Expensive, Effortless” Finish (+ How)
golden ends and dark roots
How pretty is this golden brown combination? The roots stay dark while the sweeping layers get lighter toward the ends.
Those curved front pieces are my favorite part.
Bring this one along if you want plenty of blonde through the lengths without taking the whole look blonde.
dark bob with lighter tips
Don’t want to go all out with highlights? No problem!
This dark bob has little touches of lighter brown around the lower lengths and ends. I love how the parted fringe curves away from the face.
Read also: Scandi Bob: My Full Guide - How to Ask for It & Style It
honey brown curls
I am obsessed with this honey brown color. The golden strands run through the curls from near the top, with darker brown still showing between them.
Ask for a mix of honey and brown if you like this look rather than one solid blonde shade.
bright copper layers
If you are looking for a bigger change, then this one is for you. The orange-copper color is so pretty with the feathered layers and parted bangs.
I’d keep this photo handy for both the color and the cut. Those flipped-out ends are worth saving too!
silver front pieces
The silver and black pairing is so striking here. Broad pale sections frame the face against very dark lengths.
I love how the silver starts right at the front of the part.
Try asking about silver face-framing panels if you want this same bold placement. The wide sections are the detail I’d keep.
ash brown blunt bob
If you’re looking for a lighter brown without a golden finish, save this ash brown bob. The muted beige-brown shade looks lovely with the straight lengths and blunt ends.
You don’t need bold streaks for this one.
Read also: 10+ Stunning Blonde Bob Haircuts That Are Insanely Chic
burgundy ringlets
How gorgeous are these burgundy curls? I am quite literally obsessed with the berry-red color and the ringlets swept over to one side.
This is a lovely reference if you want a red that leans purple rather than orange.
beige ribbons through brown waves
This highlighted look may just be one of my favorites here. I love the thin beige ribbons around the face and the darker brown between the waves.
Ask to keep visible brown sections through the lengths if you want this mix rather than a mostly blonde finish.
Read also: 20 Hair Color Ideas for Pale Skin, From Soft Blonde to Pastel Pink
caramel face-framing layers
Here’s another pretty way to mix brown and gold. The caramel pieces are especially bright beside the face, with more golden streaks following the long curled layers.
If you like a noticeable face frame, point out those wide front pieces to your colorist.
golden blonde pixie
Who says you need long hair to show off blonde? This short cut has a pale golden top swept to the side, with darker roots and darker hair near the nape. I love that long swoop at the front.
Read also: 9+ Stunning Blonde Hairstyles That Are SO Gorgeous
chestnut and copper waves
Don’t want to choose between brown and copper? This is such a pretty middle ground.
The chestnut lengths have reddish-gold ribbons running through the big waves.
For a similar color, ask about copper-brown highlights while keeping a deeper brown base.
blonde underneath
This is a different way to wear two colors. I love it!
The hair is held up to reveal a wide beige-blonde underlayer beneath the dark top section.
If you want to try this placement, bring the photo rather than asking for regular highlights. That light underlayer is the whole idea.
rosy pink waves
How cute is this pink and brown combination? The rosy streaks weave through the shoulder-length waves, with more pink showing toward the ends.
You could ask for just a few pink sections if you want a smaller change. I’d keep the brown between them either way.
long beige blonde highlights
I love these long beige-blonde pieces with the darker roots. The pale face frame and loose waves are so pretty together.
Read also: 15 Stunning Old Hollywood Hair Styles You Need to Try
Save this one if you want a lighter overall look but still like seeing brown through the middle and underneath.
chocolate curls with golden accents
These curls are gorgeous all on their own, but the little golden accents make them even prettier. Most of the hair stays deep chocolate brown, with lighter strands winding through individual ringlets.
Ask about scattered highlights if you want a similar touch of color without making every curl lighter.
honey brown layered ends
If you love lighter ends, this honey brown look is for you. The darker crown leads into golden-brown lengths, with a few narrow pale streaks starting higher up.
My favorite part is the stack of curved layers at the bottom. They show off all those lighter shades.
glossy black layers
Don’t want blonde pieces or bright colors? No problem there! This glossy black look has long sweeping layers and curtain bangs.
I love the nearly blue sheen where the light catches the top. Save the photo if you prefer this inky look to a softer dark brown.
soft lavender waves
Okay, this lavender is so pretty! The pale purple lengths have a slightly deeper shade at the roots, with loose bends around the shoulders.
If you’re ready to step away from browns and blondes, bring this along as a pastel color reference.
silver and white curls
Last but definitely not least, we have this gorgeous silver bob. I love the bright white pieces around the forehead and the darker gray tucked between the curls.
The swept-back front is just as lovely as the color.
Just a little note - some of the links on here may be affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you decide to shop through them (at no extra cost to you!). I only post content which I'm truly enthusiastic about and would suggest to others.
And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Frida