The term "balayage" may be best associated with blonde highlights , but it's undeniably the best coloring technique to take your hair to a sun-kissed color regardless of your base — without anyone ever knowing it came from the salon. "Balayage is a great option for dark hair looking to go just a touch lighter," says celebrity colorist George Papanikolas. "But instead of blonde, you should opt for warm caramel tones that are still in the brown color family. Too much contrast will look harsh, so a warm brown is almost always flattering."