Katie Holmes just gave brunettes a major reason to rethink their hair color. The “Dawson’s Creek” star, 46, stepped out with glowing caramel highlights, and suddenly, "bronde" is the shade of the season. Katie Holmes transitioned from her signature rich brunette into something softer, lighter, and perfect for summer, without losing that classy, understated vibe she is known for.

However, this is not your basic sun-kissed look. It is rich, layered, and loaded with dimension. Think soft honey tones mixed into her deep chocolate base, styled with effortless beachy waves or sleek straight strands. The result? A color that looks natural, but catches the light in all the right places.

Real Simple / IG / Katie Holmes showed off the new look at Paris Fashion Week, where beauty editors noticed her hair had gone brighter but stayed blended.

The highlights framed her face with a creamy, golden tone that popped against her neutral brunette base.

By mid-2025, she leaned even more into the ‘bronde’ trend. The shade evolved with slightly ashier tones, adding a cooler twist. At the Chanel x Tribeca dinner, Katie Holmes styled it in beachy mermaid waves.

The color moved with her hair, glowing under the lights. The next day, she went pin-straight. Still flawless. The highlights kept their depth, proving how versatile the shade can be.

The Trend Is Taking Over

Katie Holmes is not the only one loving caramel highlights. Kate Middleton, Beyoncé, and Rihanna are all leaning into warmer tones, too. But there is a reason Holmes’s version stands out. She nailed that hard-to-get balance between low-maintenance and polished.

The key to her look is how natural it feels. These are not chunky, 2000s-era highlights. They are soft, seamless, and smartly placed. They catch sunlight in a way that makes the hair look fuller and healthier. It is a glow-up without going blonde.

Katie / Instagram / Bronde, short for brunette + blonde, is the sweet spot between light and dark. Katie Holmes makes a strong case for it.

Her stylist chose tones that worked with her natural hair, not against it. This made the shift subtle but powerful.

Caramel and honey tones add brightness, but they don’t scream for attention. They warm up the face, make skin look fresher, and bring movement to long hair. Katie’s waist-length waves showcase this perfectly. Whether loose or straight, the color keeps things interesting.

To copy the “Batman Begins” actress’s summer color, the base is essential. Start with a deep brunette shade that has either neutral or warm undertones. From there, soft caramel or chestnut balayage is layered in to create that signature bronde blend.

The technique is everything. Celebrity colorist Gina Gilbert, who worked with Holmes, used teasy lights and balayage. This combo gives hair a lived-in, luxe finish. It looks expensive, not overdone. A demi-permanent gloss keeps the shine high and the tone even.

However, one of the best parts of Katie Holmes’s new look is that it grows out like a dream. Because ‘bronde’ blends naturally with a brunette base, root regrowth doesn’t stand out. That means fewer trips to the salon, but your hair still looks fresh.