With every new season comes an opportunity to change up your look, and as a beauty editor, one of the most common switch-ups I see is hair color. While many people prefer warm, vibrant tones in the summer (think “teddy bear blonde“), autumn calls most people to opt for cooler shades that have depth to them. If you don’t believe me, take it from master colorist Tiffanie Richards of Louise O’Connor Salon.
“People usually go from bright, sun-kissed tones to something richer,” she says. “Softer blondes turn buttery, and brunettes get a little more chocolaty and dimensional. Fall feels cozier, and people want their hair to match that vibe.”
While some people have a very clear idea of what they want to request during their next salon appointment, others might not be so sure. And if you were dreading the thought of spending hours hunting for inspo images across social media, you’re in luck. I saved you some time by chatting with Richards and Leslie Shores, a color specialist at Eric Marshall Salon in Nashville, to find out which hair colors will actually be trending this fall. See the full trend report.
1. Bright Cinnamon
This bright cinnamon color on Jessica Chastain is one of the more popular shades for fall. “This has warm, spicy brown tones with a hint of copper running through this look,” says Richards. “It’s perfect for fall because it literally looks like autumn in hair form.” She notes that this rich tone can be flattering on most skin tones and suggests using a color-depositing conditioner in warm brown or copper to keep this tone looking glossy and vibrant.
2. Soft Maple Blonde
Sydney Sweeney stunned on the red carpet for the Euphoria premiere with this soft maple blonde look. Richards best describes it as “a creamy blonde with golden-beige undertones that feels a little more grounded than summer platinum.” She notes that it works beautifully in fall light and won’t look harsh as the weather transitions into winter later on. “A purple shampoo used lightly (not overdone) keeps it from going brassy,” she adds.
3. Espresso Melt
In case you missed it, Zendaya recently appeared with loose waves and major volume at the Spider-Man: Brand New Day UK premiere. “This shade is a deep, dark brown with subtle lighter babylights added for dimension so it doesn’t fall flat,” says Richards. “It’s perfect for fall because it feels moody and low-maintenance while still looking intentional.” To bring the look back to life, she recommends using a shine oil or gloss spray.
4. Spiced Auburn
Emma Stone has always been known for her rich auburn hair, and as it turns out, the look is perfect for fall. “This is a red-brown blend that leans warm without being too bold or bright,” says Richards. “It’s basically like fall leaves but make it hair, and it photographs insanely well in natural light.” For the best results, she suggests using a sulfate-free shampoo for color-treated hair specifically. You can also follow up with a hair mask to replenish moisture while maintaining color such as the Revlon ColorSilk After Color Mask.
5. Velvet Brunette
When you think of fall, materials like velvet, suede, and leather might come to mind, which is why Shores thinks this brunette shade will be everywhere. “Richening up brunette and adding deep tones to the hair like this chocolate tone adds a velvety texture to the hair,” she says. “It reflects the light like no other.”
6. Golden-Hour Goddess
When Tate McRae showed up at this year’s Met Gala, people could not stop talking about how radiant she looked. Turns out that could’ve had something to do with her hair color. “As the natural sunlight begins to shift to more golden tones, I like to see hair that also changes with the light,” says Shores. “Big golden balayge highlights can really pop on a blonde or brunette.”
How to Maintain Your Hair Color This Fall
To keep your hair looking its best after coloring, here are some key tips from our pros:
Use a color-safe shampoo: “Color-treated shampoo or sulfate-free shampoo is great if you can only shampoo one to three times per week,” says Shore. “If you get oily, use a good dry shampoo or even a colored dry shampoo as an alternative.”
Don’t skip conditioner and masks: If you were thinking about skipping conditioner or masks, think again. “Deep conditioning and treatments are essential,” says Shore. “Healthy hair holds the color longer.”
Heat protectant is a must: In short, the less damage, the better your hair looks. “Minimize heat styling, and whenever possible, air drying your hair is the best option for brittle hair,” explains Shore. “If you do need to use a blow-dryer, prepare with a heat protectant and use a low temperature setting.”
Get a gloss: This step is optional but Richards notes that a quick gloss or toner refresh every so often will keep hair looking fresh instead of faded.
