17 Stunning Ideas for Highlights on Every Hair Color

There's a reason you rarely see solid shades of blonde — it just looks so pretty with selected strands of lighter tones. See: Reese Witherspoon.

Instead of fully gradient color like a true ombre, only the lower third of Olivia Munn's dark brown hair is highlighted with a medium brown shade.

Margot Robbie's face is beautifully framed by the lightest shade of blonde, drawing attention to her eyes. To keep cool blonde highlights from going brassy, try a purple shampoo like Redken Blonde Idol Shampoo ($19, ulta.com).

Rich mahogany highlights give Maya Rudolph all the complexion-flattering benefits of an auburn shade without fully changing her dark brown base.

Leslie Mann's strawberry blonde shade is brightened by lighter, less-red highlights concentrated toward the lower half of her length.

A classic combo: medium-brown hair and warm, not-quite-blonde highlights. No wonder it's a favorite of Leah Remini and so many other salon-goers!

Greta Gerwig's highlights are strategically intensified toward the ends of her short hair so the darkness at her roots looks intentional, not clashy. 

The variations in Kate Walsh's bronzy auburn are so seamless and subtle, we wouldn't be surprised if her colorist used the color-melting technique.

If you don't love yellower blondes but aren't interested in something as cool as platinum, soft shades of beige, like Brie Larson's, keep your blonde warm without looking too lemony.

Kerry Washington's sporadic streaks are a fun way to add a jolt of noticeable color without resorting to a whole head of highlights or a crazy shade.