Believe it or not, we are approaching autumn. Crisp leaves, crisp mornings, and pumpkin spice are all just a few weeks away—so it’s time to start searching for your signature fall hair color. The rich earth colors in changing landscapes give way to the cozy fashion and beauty trends of the season.
“The most popular colors this fall will be golden honeys, warm auburns, and bold auburn and copper tones,” says celebrity hairstylist Ashley Gomila. “These colors are always the most popular because of the ‘instant makeover’ factor. It’s really cool to transform from a run-of-the-mill balayage to something more exciting and vibrant.”
Feeling motivated to try a new ‘do this fall? We spoke to top colorists and hair stylists to uncover the best hair colors this season, from cherry cola red and dark chocolate brunette to old money blonde and more. Read on below for inspiration!
Bronde
@haileybieber
The perfect choice for natural-looking locks, you can create this adorable fusion between blonde and brown hair. Hailey Bieber, the ultimate trendsetter, rocks the bronze style for a look that’s striking yet effortless.
Burnt Auburn
@emrata
Rich auburn hair is always a good choice for fall, thanks to its bold and striking hue. “I recommend sealing the hair after each wash with argan oil to keep the cuticles closed so the red lasts longer,” says celebrity hairstylist Glennda Rommelaere.
Ice cold blonde
@dimitrishair
We’ve seen this bright, cool-toned style before, and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. À la Megan Fox, this ashy color is the chic, avant-garde alternative to typical blonde shades.
Honeysuckle Blonde
Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE
In autumn we dye our hair warmer and lighter. “Soft blondes with a creamy undertone, such as latte blonde and honey blonde, give off more natural vibes,” says Rommelaere.
Bomb black
@dimitrishair
Abrupt summer to abrupt autumn becomes an easy transition for black-haired girls and espresso brunettes. The key to this style? It’s all in the hair gloss, a treatment that prevents color from fading or losing shine.
Lion’s mane
@andrewfitzsimons
Wild, free and powerful, this color sported by the one and only Khloé Kardashian is an effortless style for natural brunettes. Add long, voluminous waves and you’ll quickly transform your boring, end-of-summer tresses into a glorious bombshell blowout.
Soft caramel highlights
@dimitrishair
This look is a flawless example of a lived-in brunette style, thanks to the soft caramel highlights. Ask your stylist for a seamless blend between the darker roots and lighter ends to achieve this look, says Rommelaere.
Brown rabbit brunette
Mike Marsland/Getty Images for Omega
The rich, deep shade of Kaia Gerber’s color adds a layer of sophistication and radiance without compromising on dimension, says colorist Renée Valerie. It basically oozes luxury.
Chocolate hazelnut
@karajillianbrown
Chocolate Hazelnut is a great color that matches every autumn background and activity. As our beauty editor Kara Jillian Brown points out, the warm, rich shade creates a golden hour effect, so you won’t be able to resist taking selfies at all times of the day.
Toffee Balayage
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation
Caramel, who? The new go-to color is all about toffee. Mimicking the sweet and enticing candy, Megan Thee Stallion’s hair color offers warm, rich tones that are good enough to eat.
Penny Lane Copper
@chappellroanesp
This vibrant copper is the quintessential it-girl shade to enhance your features and add shine to your hair. “I love this shade on all skin tones, especially for adding a glow and harmonizing with cooler undertones,” says Valerie.
Carrot cake
@dimitrishair
Mimic autumn leaves with this vibrant red hair color. Inspired by the iconic Ginger Spice, influencer and model Meredith Duxbury’s fresh kitty cut is the ultimate fall accessory.
Butterscotch Blonde
@dimitrishair
Staying true to fall’s luscious theme, this butterscotch hair color has notes of warm brown sugar and buttery blonde for the ultimate fall hair transformation.
Vanilla Chai highlights
@andrewfitzsimons
It’s all about the balayage this time of year. Khloé Kardashian has another iconic color that proves blondes just might have more fun. When you go to the salon, check with your colorist to find out what you need based on your natural hair color. Darker hair colors, for example, need a full bleach and tone to lighten the base before highlights can be applied, says Pervis.
Y2K Chunky Highlights
Todd Williamson/E! Entertainment/NBCUniversal/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Who better to take Y2K beauty inspiration from than Xtina herself? The singer’s iconic chunky highlights provide a stark contrast that perfectly mimics the moody, edgy feel that the changing of the seasons brings.
Golden honey cloth
Stefanie Keenan/FilmMagic for Sézane
Sofia Richie Grainge can do no wrong, especially when it comes to her hair and makeup. This golden hue is achieved with multiple blonde colors and toners to create a soft yet dimensional feel.
Vintage wood
@dimitrishair
Like toffee balayage, vintage wood brunette is an ideal option for brunettes looking for a more subdued but brighter shade for fall. Keeping dark roots adds depth to the hair while allowing for a softer growth phase.
Soft strawberry blonde
@dimitrishair
This light golden base with subtle reddish undertones resembles the pink shade of a strawberry, hence the name. Soft strawberry blonde gives off a natural, sun-kissed glow with a multidimensional quality.
Honey ginger
@vernonfrancois
Honey ginger hair refers to a warm, golden brown color perfectly blended with red and copper undertones. A rich and spicy variant shade, this color is a versatile shade that complements a range of skin tones and can add a vibrant, natural glow to your look.
Pumpkin spice
@vernonfrancois
A vibrant, multi-tonally colored pumpkin spice hair is aptly named after the heady spice synonymous with autumn. It combines rich copper and fiery red tones, creating a dynamic and eye-catching effect.
Cherry Cola
Pedro Gomes/Redferns
“Dua Lipa has become known for her dark cherry locks,” says colorist Clara Purvis. “Its deep cherry-cola shade is a more accessible red for those with naturally darker brown hair to achieve, but still packs a punch!”
Blonde with old money
Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Famous for several big hits this summer, Sabrina Carpenter is also known for her vintage bombshell ‘do that exudes coquette vibes. It makes for a 60s Playboy cover and we’re obsessed. “This shade is ideal for someone with warmer skin tones, creating a balanced and refined look,” says Valerie.
Smoke & mirrors
@andrewfitzsimons
Bold is the theme of this season’s beauty looks. This rich, chocolaty base has subtle hints of warmth for a twist on the classic dark and smoky style. Not to mention the color gives a multi-dimensional look thanks to the lighter streaks that create a natural, luminous effect.
Golden Cherry
Lionel Hahn/Getty Images
This beautiful shade mixes warm golden tones with darker red lowlights, creating this golden cherry shade.
Smooth espresso
Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Clarins
How could we not include it’s me, espresso? Like the deep, luscious shade of a good Italian brew, this near-black hair color has warm undertones for a bit of depth and shine, giving hair a sleek and polished finish.
French vanilla blonde
Monica Schipper/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images
For blondes, vintage bombshell shades in butter and cream tones – a la Julia Garner, Matilda Djerf, Zendaya and Beyoncé – are back and bolder than ever. Wearing a light, creamy, golden blonde l gives off both expensive and badass aura (the perfect combination, IMO).
Rockstar red
@vernonfrancois
Fire red might not be on your Pinterest inspiration board, but it should be. Natasha Lyonne’s striking color has an undertone of copper for a bolder contrast.
Beachy brunette
@andrewfitzsimons
Not ready to give up on summer yet? Try this beachy brunette shade à la Hailee Steinfeld for a sleek and sophisticated look that transitions seamlessly through the seasons.
Neon
@icespice
In the summer we saw neutral colors and pastels, but this autumn it’s all about eye-catching colours. “We love Ice Spice’s peachy cinnamon hair,” says Purvis. “It’s definitely a multi-step process to get there and requires significant maintenance, but thankfully it doesn’t fade as quickly as the dark red tones.”
Dark Chocolate
JB Lacroix/FilmMagic
Is dark chocolate hair ever not chic? The answer is of course no. Selena Gomez is super dark chocolate brown again. When you go to the salon, be sure to tell your colorist that you want a “darker chocolate brown that’s rich and shiny” to achieve this beautiful shade, says Pervis.
Whipped meringue
Astrida Valigorsky/Getty Images
Like meringue, this shade is simple and easy to achieve. Reneé Rapp wears the light shade with deeper roots for contrast and depth.
Baked peach
Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images
Baked Peach Hair is a soft, warm and inviting color that blends pale orange with subtle pink undertones. Resembling the delicate shade of the fruit it’s named after, it creates a light, pastel color that’s almost nude and almost orange, but not quite either.
Creamy Latte
@bobbyeliot
Like the delicious drink, creamy latte hair is all about the combination of tones that land somewhere between dark brown and light tones. Amanda Seyfried is a stunning, vibrant peachy pink that cuts this soft blend of pink and orange tones, creating a warm, sunlit effect.
Ash Brown
@bobbyeliot
This color is for natural brunette girls who want to soften their hair color to match the season. A criss-cross balayage technique with different browns is an easy application to achieve this color, says Rommelaere.
Apple cider
@vernonfrancois
A warm, rich blend of mid-brown and reddish undertones, this style resembles the delicious fresh fall drink we all know and love. With a deep golden brown base and sun-kissed highlights that add depth and dimension, it complements virtually any skin tone.
Mulled wine
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
This season we expect to see a lot of warm, vibrant and deep colors – and this mulled wine is no exception. Our favorite it girl Sophie Turner rocks the muted red shade, tempered with brown tones mixed throughout.
Dark color block
@vernonfrancois
The color does not have to be one-dimensional. And when you can’t choose just one color, try choosing two. A combination of a rich, warm brown base with coppery ends provides a vibrant, dimensional finish, perfect for those who enjoy intense color with a bit of an edge.
Charred chestnut
Taylor Hill/WireImage
Looking for a warm, cozy hair tone? Introducing your new favorite: charred chestnut brown. This shade offers a beautiful blend of warm brunette tones that are heady and rich to match the autumn mood.
Bright and bold
@oulfabeauty
Vibrant reds are predicted to be the big trend this fall. They’re playful and can come in any style, shape or form, ideal for daredevils who want a vibrant hue to shake up their style.
Parisian brunette
Mike Marsland/WireImage
Parisian brunette hair is a chic, sophisticated shade that captures the essence of French elegance. This color, graced by Lily Collins, typically has a rich, deep brown base with subtle, cool undertones, giving the hair a refined, almost understated quality.