There isn’t even a hint of foliage or a breath of crispness in the air, but the talk about fall hair colors has already begun. Can you blame anyone for wishing for a change of seasons—at any time of year, but especially now?
“After the summer months have passed, and people are returning from vacations and adventures where their hair has been tied up in a bun, sun-drenched, and bleached out, they’re preparing to get back to the real day-to-day world,” says Mauricio Bermudez, senior colorist at Suite Caroline salon in New York City. “The first days of fall are like the first episode of a new season, and people want to make a good first impression with a revitalized sense of vitality. Debuting a new hair color signals to yourself and others that you are ready for the change that comes with a new season.”
It is totally up to you to decide where you want to take your new style. Autumn, for some, is an encouragement to put on more gloss. “Summer evokes a lazy laid-back vibe, whereas fall delivers sophistication,” says Douglas Cornwall, also known as Discolourist, master colorist at Treehouse Social Club, of the allure of a new, luxuriously rich back-to-school dye job. Others are looking forward to kicking off the season with a fresh color palette. “People normally desire warmer or darker hair colors in the fall because their wardrobe changes and their complexion goes a little paler,” explains Alex Brownsell, co-founder and creative director of Bleach London.
Whatever the case may be, fall is the season of fresh beginnings, and change is change… It doesn’t have to follow norms or trends, which explains the slew of fantasy color treatments, ranging from candied dip dyes to brilliant neon colours. Pros weigh in on the most popular fall hair colors and trends, ranging from “controlled gold” to “copper orange.”
Controlled Gold
“When the fall approaches, and we desire to go deeper and more sophisticated with our shades, golden blondes are a great place to start,” explains Cornwall, who recommends skipping purple conditioners and swapping them out for a gold one.
Jaded Brown
“I adore a brunette that is anchored in jade, which reflects a peacock green like a Tahitian black pearl, instead of red-brown, which can muck up a rosy complexion,” explains Cornwall.
Honey Wheat Blonde
“Wheat-toned blondes are diffused with a person’s natural color, rather than contrasting against it,” explains Jenna Perry.
Copper Red
“It’s all about copper this year,” says Brownsell. “Copper red is equal parts sexy and playful,” she explains. “I think this color is most popular among people who want and are ready for a bold change.”
Warm Espresso
“I see a lot of people around this time of the year asking for depth, whether it be through low lighting or deepening their entire shade all around,” explains Los Angeles colorist Matt Rez, the master behind the dimensional brunette lengths of Eiza González and Camilla Marrone.
Soft Auburn
“In summer we saw a lot of bright looks in our community using [vivid red] or [true orange], but for fall, people are also gravitating to softer gingers,” explains Brownsell.
Vivid, Dip-Dyed Ends
“This is a great style for anyone trying an experimental color for the first time,” she explains.
Tea-Light Candle Blonde
“Blonde can be warmed up a bit or finished with a soft root shadow to achieve a tea-light-candle blonde shade,” explains Bermudez. “It gives a rested, vacation-like glow and avoids the pale and sallow cooler-month complexion.”