Talking about the onset of autumn can be fairly stressful when you’re still enjoying the dog days of summer and the lovely relishes that come with it: socially distanced s’more assemblage, daylight at 8 p.m., and pleasant temps at 8 a.m. Alas, fight though we did, it’s officially time to start thinking about fall and how our skincare routine, wardrobe, nail game, and hair colour can be adapted as we prepare to ring in the new season. (If you’re so inclined, of course.)
ICYMI, we already published a pretty extensive guide to 2020 autumn hair colour, but we thought we’d round it out with an expert-led side serving of haircut, hairstyling, and hair accessory inspiration. Below, we’re recapping the autumn colour trends we discussed earlier this summer in addition to sharing a fresh new crop of autumn hair trend predictions from some of the best celebrity hair experts in the industry. Ready your camera, and keep scrolling!
“From knee socks and platform sneakers to wide-legged pants, the ’90s are back,” notes celebrity colourist Jeremy Tardo. “This matten stripe hair-colour trend is bringing us ’90s vibes with a twist. Think Ginger Spice meets Rogue from X-Men, and a few modern-day references include Beyoncé, Jackie Aina, and Sable Yong, who credits Elizabeth Hiserodt at Cutler Salon for her stunning colour.”
“After all of the quarantine hair disasters, lots of people are opting to get back to their roots,” shares Tardo. “A return to more natural colours will give overprocessed strands a healthy break. Celebrities like Jane Fonda, Jourdan Dunn, and Julianne Hough are great examples.”
It seems as though every celebrity has been debuting a new, ultra-juicy iteration of red this summer, and according to pro colourists such as Tardo and Chris Appleton (who just took Kim Kardashian West to her stunning shade of cherry!), this hue will have legs well into autumn. FKA Twigs and Sarah Hyland have also tried the trend. “Summer’s pink hair colour trend is making way for this bright hue,” emphasises Tardo. “Because shades like poppy and cherry are more pigmented than the pastel colours of late, it will have more wearability, and it will still look rich even as it fades.”
Bright blonde is timeless, but Tardo tells us to expect glowing shades of wheat blonde (à la Chrissy Teigen, Jennifer Lopez, Jasmine Sanders, and Ciara) as autumn sets in. Plus, this tone, he notes, is easier on the shade and will add more shine and gloss back into sun-bleached or damaged strands.
Yes, more red! But, according to Tardo, this autumn colour trend is a deeper, richer, more “natural” take on the aforementioned juicy hues like poppy or cherry. Celebrities such as Issa Rae, Zendaya, and Madeline Brewer all have iterations of it. “Auburn tones make this hair colour look natural and rich,” explains Tardo. “It is great for adding depth to the hair while maintaining more brightness than we get from darker brunette shades or ultra-light red tones.”
Dua Lipa, Amandla Stenberg, Billie Eilish, Kristen Stewart—what do all of these celebrities have in common? Eye-catching, juxtaposed hair colour. “For autumn, the fashion-forward can expect to begin seeing more high-contrast hair colour trends,” predicts Tardo. “Colour blocking in hair is about to have a big moment. We are beginning to see panels and large sections of hair coloured differently than the hair that lies right next to them. Boredom with balayage is creating a space for creativity in hair colour.”
“It might sound crazy, but the modern mullet worn by celebrities such as Miley Cyrus and Barbie Ferreira is making a major comeback,” celebrity hairstylist Justine Marjan tells us. “This look is shaggy, edgy, easy to style, and can be cut to work with your natural hair texture.” As far as styling the cut, Marjan suggests using R+Co’s Aircraft Pomade Mousse (£28) and the diffuser attachment on your hair dryer. (This one from GHD is a favourite.) To finish, give your strands a bit of hold using Tresemmé’s Extra Hold Hairspray (£4).
“As salons start to reopen, everyone is ready for a big chop, and the classic lob isn’t going anywhere,” Marjan predicts. “We’re seeing versions that range from the chin to the collarbones and lots of straight variations that are worn behind the ears.” Marjan suggests looking to celebrities such as Dua Lipa and Olivia Culpo for inspiration. “This cut will be going strong for the rest of 2020 due to its ease and versatility,” adds celebrity hairstylist Cynthia Alvarez. “It’s a great option for people who want shorter length hair but still want the option of pulling it up and off their face. It can be worn straight or wavy and can even be worn in a cute half-up style.”
“A face-framing fringe is the perfect transitional haircut to get you through the seasons,” explains Marjan. “This cut draws attention to the eyes, opens up the cheekbones, and is perfect for growing out that DIY fringe you cut during quarantine.” Once you book with your stylist, Marjan suggests asking them for “soft, eyebrow-grazing bangs” that are longer at the temples but blend smoothly into the rest of your haircut.
“During this pandemic, monthly trims might not be realistic, so switching to a low-maintenance cut is key,” says Alvarez. “Since curtain bangs grow out gracefully, you won’t need to trim them every two weeks like you would with shorter bangs, which typically require more maintenance. This cut works well with any length of hair or texture.”
According to Marjan, volume will be back in a major way this fall. To perfect your blowout, you can opt for Wet Brush’s Volumising Round Brush (£15), or you can try out GHD’s Rise Hot Brush (£169) to fake a blowout on already dry hair.
This summer, celebrities like Addison Rae and Hailey Bieber (who was styled here by hairstylist Amanda Lee) have proved pigtails to be anything but childlike, and Marjan predicts the whimsical trend will have legs into autumn. “Make them modern by wearing them half up and putting the placement toward the back of your head,” she notes. “They’re also the perfect way to camouflage dirty hair in a pinch.”
“The two-strand tendrils of the ’90s are getting a vamp up this autumn,” predicts Alvarez. “You can wear this style in so many ways: with a fresh, bouncy blowout or paired with beachy waves to create a more lived-in vibe. To recreate the trend, plait a tiny section of hair on each side of your part, leaving the rest of your hair down or pulled back. Add some thread or ribbon to the braid for an eye-catching effect. To finish, spritz Amika’s Un.Done Volume and Matte Texture Spray (£18) all over.”
“I’m loving delicate and elegant hair accessories like the chiffon scrunchies and headbands from Kitsch,” Marjan shares.
“Diamanté hairpins can easily be worn alone or mixed and matched to create a soft, romantic touch to any look,” says Marjan.
“Make a statement with your style, and opt for a bold logo or written word hair slide.”
Headbands have been trending for a while now, but according to Alvarez, the trend for this fall will be super-sized headbands—the bigger the better. “I love big, attention-grabbing ones that are luxurious and heavily adorned or beaded. Some can even be worn upside down to embellish an updo.”
“Long scarves tied around your head like a bandana are great for autumn,” Alvarez shares. “All scarves are welcomed, whether they’re plain, printed, or covered in vintage logos.” Up next, Alexa Chung’s hairdresser just told me the best haircut for my face shape.
