Katie Holmes Just Debuted New Caramel Highlights—and We’re Calling Our Colorist, Stat

If you don’t have a salon appointment lined up, now might be the time. Katie Holmes just gave her signature brunette hair a fresh, understated upgrade—and it’s the kind of effortless color refresh that’s about to be everywhere.

Instead of a dramatic change, Holmes kept her rich, chocolatey base intact and added seamless face-framing highlights for a soft, sunlit effect. Debuting the look at Paris Fashion Week, she proved that sometimes, the best hair transformations are the subtle ones. The creamy, hand-placed highlights add just the right amount of contrast, enhancing her natural waves and giving her deep brunette shade a fresh look.

But don’t mistake this for just another set of highlights – this is about intentional placement. “The depth in her color creates movement and texture, while the multi-tonal highlights add that fresh, lived-in effect,” says Wella Professionals Brand Ambassador Daniel Mora. “It’s the kind of color that works for any season and flatters a wide range of skin tones, which is why it’s such a go-to look right now.”

If you’ve been craving a color update but don’t want the upkeep of a full dye job, take this as your cue. A few well-placed highlights can add dimension, warmth, and just the right amount of glow without the stress of constant touch-ups. Keep reading to see how to bring this look to life.

How to Get the Look

Katie Holmes’ new color is all about adding subtle, natural-looking dimension. The secret to such flawless hair lies in the right mix of warm, sunlit tones – think golden copper and warm mocha blonde, hand-painted for that seamless, lived-in effect. A balayage or freehand technique “works best to keep it looking natural and subtle,” says L’Oréal Professionnel and Color Expert, Min Kim. The goal is to keep the highlights soft and blended—nothing too stark or high-maintenance. 

Though Katie’s look typically features soft caramel and honey blonde highlights, you may need a different combination based on your base color, so be sure to talk with your stylist before diving head first into the dye, says Mora. And because healthy, shiny hair makes all the difference, a leave-in treatment is key. It helps nourish the hair, lock in moisture, and keep that fresh color glowing long after you leave the salon.