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Fall is the perfect season to transition from bright, sun-kissed tones to richer, autumn-inspired shades.
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“Heading into fall, I’m loving darker versions of my client’s current colors,” says celebrity hair expert Chris Appleton.
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Some of the biggest hair trends include toasted honey blonde and smoked suede brunette.
As someone who savors every last second of summer, the onset of 7 p.m. sunsets brings one silver lining: a chance for my dry skin and hair to recover from months of sun, salt, and chlorine. With our strands finally getting a break from all that fun damaging exposure, there’s no better moment to transition your color from summer brightness to fall richness.
Autumn is great for a natural, lived-in look, “summer is always such a fun, carefree time, so fall color appointments become the perfect reset for my clients,” says celebrity hairstylist Jacob Schwartz. Blondes are transitioning into rich, golden hues, while highlighted brunettes darken into glossy espresso shades. The result is hair trends that feel polished and perfectly aligned with the cooler season ahead.
Ahead, all of the best hair color ideas to try this fall, according to celebrity hair colorists.
Copper Pumpkin Hair
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As soon as I saw Leighton Meester step onto the Emmys carpet with her bouncy blowout, I was immediately obsessed with her orange-copper hair color. The shade strikes the perfect balance between vibrant and warm, embodying the season of pumpkin and crisp leaves. If you have red hair and want to warm it up, or are a brunette looking to spice it up with a more amber tone, this statement color is rich and ideal for autumn.
Toasted Blonde Hair
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If you’re blonde, fall is the perfect time to add some warmth and depth with a honey-toasted shade. We want golden tones that make your hair look sun-kissed, but not overly bleached by the summer sun. Schwartz loves “golden blondes that lean a little warmer and look expensive,” for his clients like Sydney Sweeney and Margot Robbie. Toasted blonde is the ultimate upgrade for autumn, with less maintenance needed than a bright blonde.
Caramel Hair
John Shearer – Getty Images
I love this in-between caramel shade of blonde and brunette for fall. The uniform blend of gold and brunette tones adds instant warmth, giving your color that fresh finish without feeling too dark or too light. It’s a low-maintenance way to transition from brighter summer highlights into something cozier for autumn, while still keeping plenty of brightness around the face.
Smoked Suede Brunette Hair
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“I’m loving brunettes with soft highlights,” explains Schwartz. “This is the most-stunning look for those looking to go a little bit darker this fall.” The subtle highlights with contrasting brunette add just the right amount of dimension, giving the hair an effortless look. Whether you have some grown-out or bleached highlights that you’re looking to darken, or you’re fully brunette and wanting some warmth, smoked suede brunette is so chic for autumn.
Deep Brunette
Stefanie Keenan – Getty Images
Espresso brown shade is the perfect way to go bold for autumn. “I love a deep brunette this fall, there’s something about it that just feels luxe without trying too hard,” says Appleton. “I think Selena Gomez is a great example of a deep brunette that almost appears black.” It’s pretty much just your hair, but bolder if you don’t want a major change.
Meet the Experts:
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Chris Appleton is a celebrity hair stylist and Schwarzkopf Global Color Ambassador. His clients include Nicole Kidman, Kim Kardashian, and more.
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Jacob Schwartz is a celebrity hair stylist and Schwarzkopf Professional U.S. Hair Color Trend Ambassador. His clients include Bella Hadid, Margot Robbie, and more.
Why Trust Cosmo?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmopolitan where she writes about the best hair products and trends. For this story, she did hours of IG scrolling and chatted with hair color experts to uncover the season’s biggest trends.
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