
With the cooler months approaching, easy-to-maintain hair colors are making a comeback. Updating your hair with a fresh or slightly altered shade for the season is a great way to add some lightness to your life. Low-maintenance doesn't have to be dull, and when it comes to fall hair colors, there are bold options you can try at home (just make sure you check out our guide to coloring your hair at home first).
To sum it up, whether you’re aiming for a dramatic change or a subtle adjustment, there are plenty of beautiful hues to experiment with this fall. For some inspiration, check out these eight colors that experts say will dominate the season.
1. Syrup Blonde
Is your fall feeling sweet? As the weather cools, syrup blonde offers a luminous and deep hue that enhances blonde hair with richness. Brunettes can also embrace this tone for a touch of warmth and shine. Celebrity stylist Sunnie Brook advises, "To prevent this beautiful shade from becoming brassy, use a clarifying shampoo to clear away buildup and preserve the richness of your color."
2. Licorice Black
If you're ready to dive into the dark side, licorice black is a bold, deep color with striking shine that embodies both elegance and mystery. For the best results, focus on strengthening your hair from the inside to build a solid foundation before adding this rich hue.
3. Strawberry Brown
Strawberry brown is a wonderfully adaptable shade that works across different complexions, allowing you to adjust it to be lighter or darker, warmer or cooler, depending on the look you're aiming for. "Strawberry brown is a delightful mix of warm browns and red undertones, resembling chocolate-dipped strawberries," explains celebrity stylist Jack Luckhurst, ambassador for Glaze. "Though it tends to lean towards a reddish-brown hue, the exact shade can vary from lighter strawberry blondes to richer, deeper browns with subtle red tones."
4. Copper Hair
Copper hair is an excellent choice for fall, reflecting the warm tones of orange sunsets and the glow of golden hour. "Though it’s a brighter shade, it can be customized to suit any skin tone and undertone," say the experts at Hey Discount.
5. Soft Strawberry Blonde
That #SoftLife trend taking over social media? Think of this look as the perfect rose gold counterpart to a soft-inspired lifestyle. It’s warm enough to complement a range of skin tones without showing any brassiness. "To achieve this look, ask your stylist to create a strawberry blonde tone that’s almost like a deep pastel," says Brittany Johnson, licensed hairstylist and senior content manager for Mayvenn.
6. Low-Maintenance Shadow Root
The best thing about this trend is that it gives off a high-effort look while being low-maintenance. "Ask your stylist for a blended shadow root that smoothly transitions into the mid-lengths and ends with the shade of your choice," says Johnson.
7. Caramel Blonde
This shade is ideal for those who prefer a warm, more muted blonde without crossing into brunette territory. Johnson suggests having your stylist tone your strands with a warm to neutral level 8 blonde to achieve this look.
8. Chunky, Caramel Highlights
You don't need to let go of warmth just because the seasons are shifting. Keep it with a delicious caramel bronde, and adjust the highlights to complement your natural hair color. "Caramel highlights are flattering on all skin tones and brighten the complexion," says celebrity hairstylist Guy Tang, creator of Guy Tang Mydentity. "Additionally, a chunky balayage gives you a fresh look without needing to visit the salon frequently."
9. Mahogany Merlot
A mahogany merlot is right in line with autumn hues, making it the perfect complement to foliage, sweaters, and boots. "Mahogany merlot will be a hot trend for this fall," predicts Laura Gibson, professional colorist and RUSK Artistic Director. "It's perfect for anyone looking to see more tonality and warmth on darker base colors." Tang adds that reddish hues are a great fall option for olive skin tones because the contrast enhances the rich color.
10. Soft Cinnamon Copper
Brighter than auburn hair but more wearable than red, this rich color features a warm base of yellow gold and orange shades that suits practically every skin tone. "Soft cinnamon copper will be the perfect color this fall for fair skin tones with green eyes," notes Gibson. "The warm tones really make green eyes pop whilst the copper will bring a bit more color to the skin, defining facial features."
11. Bronde Blends
For brunettes, this may be the ultimate low-maintenance hair color for fall. "Bronde blends are a perfect choice for anyone looking to add depth and movement to their brunette locks," says Gibson. "You can ask your stylist for a bronde balayage to achieve this look. To keep the color vibrant at home, it's essential to use a color-depositing conditioner to maintain the hue's integrity."
12. Dark Chocolate
As summer fades, fall is the perfect season to try out deeper, richer tones. "Dark chocolate is an ideal shade for brunettes with medium-dark skin tones this fall," says Gibson. "There’s something undeniably alluring and exotic about deep, glossy chocolate brunettes. Be sure to ask your stylist for a dark chocolate gloss to enhance the shine of this bold color." You can also preserve its richness with an at-home gloss or toner.
13. Mauve Brown
For those seeking more light and depth in a dark, solid color, consider adding mauve highlights. "Brunettes often find it challenging to change up their style. This mauve mushroom shade by #mydentifier Kim Pham is a fantastic way to elevate brunette hair without straying too far from your natural tone," says Tang.
14. Dusty Rose
Dusty rose is a sultry, moody take on the bright pink hues we’ve seen throughout summer. While you can opt for an all-over single process, platinum blondes who want something a bit more playful can try a dusty rose shadow root, says Gibson.
15. Mushroom Tones
Mushroom tones are a timeless fall favorite, and it’s easy to understand why. This multi-dimensional shade mirrors the earthy, neutral brown of a Portobello mushroom, which is where the name comes from. "It’s gentler on the hair compared to over-lightening, which can lead to more damage," says Gibson. To create this look, start with an ashy brown base and add depth with beige blonde lowlights.