Have you seen this hair trend lately? It’s everywhere and honestly I can’t stop swooning over it when I see it in my feeds. Peek a boo hair color is basically hidden color tucked underneath your natural brunette hair, so nobody knows it’s there until you move or lift a section. Which is kind of the whole point, ha!
There are so many stunning bold or subtle colors you can do this with, from soft peachy tones to full on bright green or electric blue. I’ve been doing this technique on clients for years and the reaction never gets old, they always gasp when they see it. Below I rounded up some of my favorite peek a boo looks for brunettes, there really is something for everyone in here.
Magenta to Royal Blue Hidden Ombre
This one has two colors hiding under the brown and that’s what makes it so cool. Long wavy hair is just flopping around looking totally normal and then you lift it and wow, magenta and blue all the way down. I honestly love when clients go for something this bold underneath. Thick wavy hair is perfect for this because it really hides everything until you want to show it off.
Hot Pink Underlayer on Long Wavy Brown Hair
Hot pink under brown is like the classic version of this whole thing. The pink is completely hidden when the hair is just hanging there, which I think is so fun. You would never know it’s there just looking at someone from across the room. Long waves make it look really natural and easy, not overdone at all. This is the one I tell people to start with if they’re nervous about color.
Lavender Purple Sleek High Ponytail Reveal
Ponytails are actually really good for showing off peek a boo color and this look is proof. The lavender purple weaves through the dark brown sections as they fall down in a long straight tail. When the hair is down you barely see it, but put it up and suddenly there it is. People with straight or slightly wavy hair are going to get the most out of this one. It’s a really smart way to wear color without it being in your face all day.
Coral Salmon Peek-a-Boo on Dark Curly Layers
Warm coral hiding inside dark curls is just such a pretty combo. The color sits at the ends of the layers and every time the curls bounce you get this little flash of warm peachy orange. Curly hair is actually amazing for this technique because the movement keeps revealing the color over and over. It almost looks like a sunset is tucked inside the hair which sounds cheesy but it’s really true. Naturally curly brunettes are going to love this one so much.
Bright Pink Hidden Layer in a Brown Lob
Short hair girls, this one is for you. A lob with a bright pink underlayer is honestly such an underrated combo. The pink sits right underneath and stays hidden until you push the top section back. It’s not a tiny little streak either, it’s a good chunk of color so when it shows it really shows. You can totally wear this to work and nobody has to know unless you want them to.
Peachy Coral Underlayer with a Half-Up Reveal
The styling here is doing so much of the work and I love that. Pinning the top half up just automatically shows all that peachy coral hiding underneath. Long soft waves carry the color really nicely and it flows and moves so beautifully. The warmth of the peach against the cool brown base is just a really nice contrast. This is the kind of hair you put up at dinner and everyone at the table notices.
Sandy Ash Blonde Underlighting on a Brown Lob
Not every peek a boo has to be a crazy bright color, and this look is a great example of that. A sandy ashy blonde underneath warm medium brown with curtain bangs is so pretty and soft. It almost looks like the sun just hit that part of your hair a little more than the rest. Collarbone length hair works really well here because you can see the contrast without it being too much. This is my go-to suggestion for someone who wants something different but isn’t ready to go bold.
Icy Silver Lavender Underlayer on Sleek Dark Brown Hair
Okay this one is really striking and I think about it a lot. Deep cool brunette on top with a thick silver lavender section underneath and everything is super straight and sleek. Lifting that top layer honestly feels like a magic trick. The sections are so defined and clean that the contrast is almost dramatic. If you like things to look polished and editorial this is really the move.
Mint Green Peek-a-Boo on Long Wavy Brown Hair
Mint green is one of those colors that works way better on brunettes than people expect. The soft mint tucks under long medium brown waves and you only catch little glimpses of it from the side. It’s whimsical without being too out there. Someone who wants a fantasy color moment but doesn’t want to go fully bold is going to love this. I think it’s really sweet and pretty in a way that a lot of the brighter colors aren’t.
Rose Gold Hidden Streaks on Sleek Dark Long Hair
Long straight near-black hair with rose gold and peachy copper hiding underneath is just so elegant. When the hair moves those warm tones catch the light and it honestly looks expensive. Everything is very sleek and intentional looking, not scattered or random. This is the peek a boo look for someone who wants color but still wants to look really put together. I recommend this one a lot for people who have a more polished style.
Emerald Green Underlayer on Dark Wavy Brown Hair
Rich deep emerald green under dark chocolate brown waves is giving full mermaid and I’m so here for it. The green is jewel toned, not neon, which makes it feel more sophisticated even though it’s such a bold choice. It peeks through the ends and lower layers of the waves in a way that looks really natural. Dark brunettes especially look amazing with this color combination. This one is for people who want to make a real statement.
Hot Magenta Pink Peek-a-Boo on a Short Brown Bob
Short bobs can absolutely do peek a boo color and this look proves it. A couple of thick magenta pink sections sit right under the top layer and flash through as the hair moves. You don’t need a lot of color to make a big impact and this is a perfect example of that. It’s fun and a little surprising without being too much for someone with a shorter cut. The low maintenance factor here is also really appealing.
Kelly Green Peek-a-Boo Through Dark Layered Hair
This one is a little different because the green isn’t just hidden under one top layer. It’s woven through the layers of a choppy medium-length dark brown cut so you can actually see it from different angles. The kelly green is bright and clean toned against all that dark hair. Combined with the shaggy layered texture it looks really effortless and cool. This is for the person who wants their peek a boo color to actually show more, not less.
Bright Teal Underlayer on Straight Dark Brown Lob
Clean and intentional is the best way to describe this look. A bright almost electric teal underlayer sits under a smooth straight dark brown lob and the contrast is really beautiful. Because the top is so flat and straight it hides the color completely like a curtain. Someone lifts it and suddenly there’s all this vivid blue-green sitting underneath. Straighter hair types are going to get a really crisp clean result with this.
Bright Purple Underlayer on Near-Black Wavy Hair
Near-black hair with bright purple hiding inside it is such a moody beautiful combo. The purple is really saturated so when the waves move you get these flashes of violet that look almost glowing. It bleeds into the ends a little which makes the whole thing feel really cohesive. This one has kind of a witchy vibe to it which I personally love. Dark brunettes who want something dramatic without being too out there should really consider this.
Electric Yellow Peek-a-Boo on a Medium Brown Lob
Yellow hair sounds wild, I know. But a full underlayer of vivid electric yellow under medium brown is honestly one of the coolest things I’ve seen in a while. When that top layer gets pushed back the yellow just hits and it’s so unexpected and fun. This is absolutely not a subtle look and that’s kind of the whole point. The bold ones are going to love this one so much.
Icy Platinum Layer with Dark Brown Top
This is a really creative take on the whole concept and I think it’s so clever. The bottom section is bleached all the way out to an icy platinum and the dark brunette top is twisted up into a little bun. What’s left is this sleek blunt platinum bob that almost looks like a totally separate haircut. It’s really editorial and fashion-forward in a way that feels very intentional. Finer hair is going to look especially polished with this because the blunt ends sit so perfectly.
Cherry Red Underlayer on Straight Dark Brown Hair
This is bold and graphic and I love how clean it looks. Thick cherry red sections run through the underlayer of a straight medium-length dark brown cut and there is zero blending, just pure contrast. Dark brown and cherry red together is such a strong combination. It’s more rock and roll than whimsical which makes it stand out from a lot of the other looks on this list. If you want something with an edge, this is the one.
Magenta Fuchsia Peek-a-Boo on a Wavy Brown Lob
This is such a pretty and wearable version of hidden color. Hot magenta and fuchsia peek out at the ends of a medium-length wavy brown lob and it looks really natural and easy. The waves blend the color in softly so it doesn’t feel like a hard line or a stark block. It’s fun and feminine without being overwhelming at all. This would be a really great first peek a boo for someone who’s never done color before.
Royal Blue Peek-a-Boo on Dark Wavy Brown Hair
Classic combination and it works every single time. Rich electric royal blue sits underneath dark almost-black wavy hair and when you lift the top section it just pops. The blue is saturated enough to look really intentional but the dark base keeps it from looking overwhelming. Wavy texture makes everything look relaxed and cool, not too try-hard. This is one of those looks that somehow always comes out looking great no matter what.
Burnt Orange Copper Streaks on Sleek Long Dark Hair
This one is my fall obsession and I don’t care who knows it. Long glossy dark brown hair with burnt orange and copper sections swept forward looks like actual fire when it moves. The sleek finish makes it look really high end, not like a Halloween costume at all. Adding warmth to dark hair without lightening everything is something a lot of my clients ask for. This is honestly one of the best ways to do it.
Cerulean Blue Streak on Straight Near-Black Hair
One single clean cerulean blue section under long straight near-black hair is the most minimal version of this whole trend. You barely see it until the hair parts just right and then there’s this flash of bright blue. Minimalist people who still want to do something a little unexpected are going to love this. It works especially well on thick straight brunette hair where it can stay really hidden. Sometimes one stripe is all you need.
Pink to Blush Ombre Hidden Layer on Dark Hair
Long dark wavy hair with a hidden underlayer that goes from deep magenta near the top to soft blush pink at the ends is just really dreamy. It’s like a mini ombre living secretly underneath all that dark hair. The waves and the gradient together make the whole thing look really complex and beautiful. This one has such a romantic, soft energy to it that I think a lot of people are going to want.
