They say fall is the season of change. For myself and many others, that means just one thing—a new hair color. When the temperatures begin to dip and the leaves start to change, the itch for a seasonal shade kicks in. Sure, there are colors for every season (ahem, Playboy Blonde), but autumn is different. Many of the hues are inspired by nature and instantly give you that cozy feeling. With so many fall hair colors, it can be hard to find a shade that suits you. Fortunately, we tapped the experts for the season’s top trends. Ahead, the best autumn hair colors for every shade from blonde to red and brunette.
Featured Experts
- Sierra Kener is a celebrity hairstylist and colorist
- Kelly Novobielski is a hairstylist and color expert
The Trending Hair Colors for Fall 2024
Butter Yellow
If you’re not ready to ditch your summer look, a transitional shade like butter blonde is a good option. Unlike the vibrant colors of summer, it has a softer, lived-in feel while still being on the lighter end of the blonde shade spectrum. However, as the season settles in, you can easily enrich the color with highlights for a more dimensional look. Plus, the buttery elements will keep your hair looking sun-kissed and glowy.
Icy Platinum
Platinum blonde may not be the easiest shade to achieve, but it is one of the most alluring. The cool-toned hue lacks warm tones and has an icy look that’s perfect for fall. For starters, it has range. Celebrity colorist Min Kim previously told NewBeauty that shades can vary from silver to nearly white depending on the color. Whether you’re opting for an extreme version like the Targaryen blonde look or a slightly softer color, a consultation with your stylist will go a long way to finding the right shade.
Cashmere Blonde
Like the cashmere cardigans that dominate fall, this shade of blonde is the epitome of soft and luxurious. Celebrity colorist and hairstylist Sierra Kener notes that the look is centered around honeyed tones of blonde and low lights that enrich the color. She explains that the hue is also great for those transitioning from sun-soaked summer shades. “The sun tends to lighten blondes during the summer, but this shade has more depth, giving the hair a healthy shine for fall.”
Old Money Blonde
“With fall coming and summer ending, a lot of blondes are shifting to old money blonde, which is more lived-in and low-maintenance. The shade features a more natural root that melts into a multidimensional shade,” says hairstylist and color expert Kelly Novobielski.
Dishwater Blonde
Remember dirty blonde? The muddled blonde that falls somewhere between sandy brown and straw yellow is having a renaissance and is now known as dishwater blonde. Take a cue from Taylor Swift and opt for a toned-down hue this season.
Golden Blonde
Platinum isn’t the only bold blonde look trending for fall. A golden blonde shade can have the same eye-catching appeal. Novobielski notes the look is ideal for those with a super bright blonde color. Golden blonde can be achieved by breaking up overly saturated ends with low lights while keeping the ends bright.
Cowboy Copper
By now, most people are well acquainted with Cowboy copper. The shade debuted in 2023 and quickly became the year’s most talked about hue. If you’ve been dying to try the trend, the coming season is the perfect excuse.
Ginger
Ginger is a softer shade of copper that falls in line with the subdued beauty trends we’re seeing this year. The color blends tones of brown and clay-like reds and has a more natural feel to it. “It’s the perfect shade for an autumnal color story and makes your hair the statement of your look this fall,” says Novobielski.
Copper Penny
Think of this as the copper-equivalent to old money blonde. Like the latter, it has an effortless look that exudes luxury. Talk with your stylist to find the right shade and plan for regular touch-ups to maintain its vibrancy.
Copper Brunette
Color maintenance is important with copper hair, but Kener says that selecting a shade close to your natural color will make things easier. To prolong this brunette-toned copper, she recommends using nourishing wash-day products and a leave-in conditioner like #mydentity MyHero Collagen Shield Spray ($28) to protect from seasonal elements and hot styling.
Pumpkin Copper Spice
Think of this shade as the older sister to Cowboy Copper. Instead of a bright copper color, it has warmer undertones that give it a rich, spice-like hue that’s universal. “These tones help bring out the warmth in your skin and make your facial features pop,” says Novobielski.
Honeycomb Copper
Honeycomb copper is trending for autumn, and it’s not hard to see why. According to famed celebrity colorist Rita Hazan, “it’s an incredibly rich and vibrant ginger that emulates the same exact vibes as a warm pumpkin spiced latte.”
Smoky Brunette
Brunette is beloved for bringing warmth and dimension to brown hair. But this smoky shade is different. It has cool undertones that give it a more edgy ash effect—think thin streaks of gray that uniquely reflect light.
Chestnut Brown
Who can resist a shiny true brunette color during the fall? This chestnut shade has all the makings of an autumn hair color—it’s multidimensional, glossy and embraces the earth tones of the season.
Caramel Drizzle
Brown hair is a great base for adding dimension to your color with high or lowlights. Take a cue from this look, which uses honeycomb-colored streaks to uplift the shade. The key is to focus the lighter color towards the ends of the hair to give it a drizzled effect.
Rich Chocolate
“Another trend for fall is toning the hair with chocolate and caramel colors,” says Novobielski. The blend isn’t just good for desserts, as the shades also mix beautifully with brunette hair. He recommends adding a deep conditioner, like Better Natured’s Color Care Deep Conditioning Balm ($21) to your routine to make your hair silky smooth.
Honey Brown
This honey brown hue proves that brunette doesn’t have to be one hue. Celebrity hairstylist and colorist Reece Walker previously told NewBeauty that the shade is a great option for anyone as it takes inspiration from natural tones. Whether you prefer a deeper amber or a more golden color, there’s an option for you.
Espresso
If Sabrina Carpenter‘s hit song is any indication, Espresso is the brown to try this season. Soft and supple, the hue feels expensive and sophisticated. This color looks best with lots of shine, so be sure to prioritize glossing appointments and conditioning treatments.
Wild Cherry
Cherry cola hair was very popular in 2023. From lipsticks to purses, the hue was everywhere. However, this season, wild cherry is the shade to covet. Deeper and enriched with more dominant red pigments, it’s the perfect way to sport the 2024 cherry trend.
Chili Pepper
Looking for a bold, eclectic hair color that’s anything but basic? Enter this fiery chili pepper shade. It borders ember and copper for an enchanting hue that’s bound to be show-stopping.
Cherrywood
This deep dark expression screams fall. It effortlessly blends burgundy hues with smoky brown for a distinctly seasonal look.
Cherry Blonde
This cherry blonde color is the softer version of the fantasy shades that ruled the festival season. The unique blend incorporates a vibrant red hue with blonde to deliver a dusty pink that’s subtle and much more appropriate for fall.
Bordeaux
This wine tone is perfect for sweater season. Though it works on any skin tone, Kener adds that the rich shade is ideal for those with cooler undertones. “Warm reds and rich browns bring depth to the color,” she says.
Auburn
When choosing a new hair color, Novobielski says that your eye color can play a big role. “The deeper the eye color, the richer, deeper and warmer we can go with hair color,” he says.