The Pros Have Spoken: These 6 Hair Colors Will Be Everywhere This Fall
Our take
The cyclical nature of trends is undeniable, and few areas demonstrate this more clearly than the beauty landscape. As the leaves begin to turn and the air grows crisp, the predictable shift away from summer’s sun-kissed vibrancy towards cooler, more grounding tones in hair color is upon us. The recent article, "The Pros Have Spoken: These 6 Hair Colors Will Be Everywhere This Fall," confirms this expectation, highlighting a move towards shades with depth and complexity – a welcome departure from the fleeting intensity of earlier months. This seasonal recalibration isn’t merely about aesthetics; it’s a reflection of a broader cultural mood, a subtle mirroring of nature’s own transition. It also aligns perfectly with the quiet luxury aesthetic we’ve been observing, where understated elegance and timeless appeal take precedence over fleeting, attention-grabbing displays. Consider how this sentiment resonates with the recent focus on minimalist wardrobes, as explored in [My Minimalist Friend Likes to Looks Expensive—7 Pieces Perfect For Her Autumn Capsule Wardrobe], where intentionality and quality over quantity reign supreme.
The emphasis on “cooler shades with depth” signals a maturing of the hair color trend cycle. We’ve seen the rise and fall of pastel fantasies and aggressively bright hues; now, the desire appears to be for something more enduring, more integrated with a personal sense of style. This isn't about a dramatic transformation, but rather a nuanced enhancement of existing features and a subtle elevation of one's overall appearance. The article’s reliance on "pros" – stylists and colorists – further reinforces this shift. Consumers are increasingly seeking expert guidance, indicating a move away from DIY experimentation and towards a more curated, considered approach to beauty. The popularity of the “teddy bear blonde” mentioned within the article suggests a continued appreciation for blonde tones, albeit in a softer, more muted iteration – a perfect example of how trends evolve rather than disappear entirely. The connection to a sophisticated, timeless aesthetic is further exemplified by the recent piece on a fashion-designer bride who chose a gown inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s iconic Ascot dress, as detailed in [This Fashion-Designer Bride Wore a Wedding Gown Inspired by Audrey Hepburn's Ascot Dress in My Fair Lady], demonstrating a pervasive desire for classic beauty.
What’s particularly interesting is the implicit message conveyed by these evolving color trends: a rejection of performative beauty. The focus isn’t on broadcasting a new look, but on cultivating a quiet confidence rooted in a well-considered aesthetic. This aligns with the broader cultural conversation around authenticity and self-expression, where individuals are increasingly prioritizing inner wellbeing and genuine style over chasing fleeting trends. The shift towards deeper, more complex colors also speaks to a desire for sophistication and maturity. These aren’t the colors of youth; they are the colors of someone who understands their own style and isn’t afraid to embrace it. This aligns with the growing consumer interest in products and services that enhance, rather than mask, natural beauty. The South of France accessories trend, highlighted in [I Just Got Back From the South of France—These 5 Accessories Made Every Summer Outfit Look More Expensive], embodies this same principle – subtle, luxurious details that elevate an outfit without screaming for attention.
Looking ahead, the emphasis on depth and nuance in hair color suggests a continued move away from the overtly flashy and towards a more refined, understated aesthetic. We can anticipate seeing a rise in customized color formulations, tailored to individual skin tones and hair types, further emphasizing the personalized nature of beauty. Will we see a blurring of the lines between hair color and hair glossing, creating a spectrum of subtle, shimmering shades? Or will the focus shift to enhancing natural hair textures and tones, celebrating individuality rather than striving for a uniform ideal? The next season promises to reveal more about the evolving relationship between beauty, self-expression, and the enduring allure of quiet luxury.
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.
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