Fall is the beginning of so many fun changes. The dog days of August give way to crisp autumn mornings and back-to-school shopping. You're probably ready to get bundled up in cozy layers and already on the quest for the perfect homecoming outfit. The fall is also the perfect time to mix up your look, and back to school is the perfect excuse to try one of the season's newest hair color trends.
If you're looking to try out a new shade for fall, we've rounded up the hottest fall hair color trends, plus tips from Maxine Salon colorist Lorena M. Valdes, professional hairstylist Jennifer Korab, colorist Nicole Lucero from Mahogany Grace Salon, and L’Oréal Professionnel Global Ambassador Min Kim for how to achieve the look, whether you're heading to the salon or doing it with some friends at home.
If you're a bestie that loves a good DIY moment, there are a few important things to remember before trying out one of these new hair color trend at home. Valdes suggests using gloves to protect your hands and towels to protect your clothes from staining and possible irritation. Once you've purchased all the goodies you need to get started, the Chicago-based expert recommends applying the color to one small section of your hair in a "strand test" to "prevent any unwanted color" or "reactions" that could be triggered by the dye. While some dye jobs can be achieved at home, Valdes says it's best to leave highlights and balayage processes to an expert.
More From Seventeen
To make sure your color lasts and your hair looks its best (especially since hair dye can damage strands), you want to treat your hair with extra TLC. Kim advises using a color-treatment shampoo like L’Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox Shampoo and following up with a deep conditioning treatment to double down on moisture. "The more you can protect the cuticle layer of the hair, the better," she says.
Switching up your hair for the new season and school year is a big decision. To help you pick the perfect shade, check out this list of stylist-approved hair color trends everyone will be obsessed with this fall.
Ash Blonde and Platinum
From Kim Kardashian to Dixie D'Amelio, the biggest celebs and influencers have been rocking cooler hues like ash blonde and platinum. According to Korab, these cool and ice shades will continue to serve modern and edge vibes this fall.
Balayage and Ombre
Balayage and ombre hues are back to slay another fall szn. Korab recommends this pairing because it's low maintenance and delivers a natural-looking color that can be customized.
Rich Copper Brunette
Copper is a go-to look for fall, but dimension is what makes this look, as seen on Jenna Ortega. Lucero recommends seeking out a professional to use different tonal shades to achieve this look. Once you've got your hair dyed with the perfect copper shades, Lucero recommends using color-safe shampoo and a shine spray to preserve the vibrant hues in between professional salon visits.
Colorblock
There's nothing like a two-toned look to accentuate your features. With one flip of your hair, you can go from cool, calm, and collected shades to bold, jaw-dropping hues. Lucero suggests using tones that complement your base color.
Carnelian Copper
This beautiful auburn hue with a copper cast is having the ultimate moment this fall. According to Valdes, this shade can be used as an "all over color, highlights or balayage" depending on your desired vibrancy.
Smoked Chestnut
Rich brown hues are a hit in the fall. Valdes recommends using a clear gloss after you've achieved your new autumn hair color to leave a shiny, glass-hair finish.
Pearl Blonde
This icy hue has taken over with everyone from A-listers like Kim Kardashian to characters from television series like House of The Dragon rocking pearl blonde. According to Kim, achieving pearl blonde requires pre-color prep, like "deep conditioning," and "at-home maintenance," like using a heat protectant and sleeping on silk or satin materials to preserve your new hair color.
Magenta
Add the perfect pop of color with magenta. This purple-meets-pink hybrid has received Joey King and Megan Fox's stamp of approval. If you don't want to take the full commitment of dying your whole head pink, you can add in pops of pastel with lowlights or clip-in extensions.
Pumpkin Spice Bronde
Zendaya, Khloé Kardashian, and Sofie Richie have all been bitten by the pumpkin spice bronde bug. Inspired by autumnal tones and fall themes, butter, honey, shadows, warm light, caramel, copper, and pumpkin hues are often used as the perfect autumn-time highlights. According to Kim, they "compliment not only the season, but fashion and makeup trends" and, ofc, everyone's fave pumpkin spice lattes.
Copper
There's no denying that copper is one of fall's undisputed hair color staples. According to Kim, the right copper hue enhances your skin's undertones. An ultra-inclusive shade, copper can be slayed across various skin complexions as you can "add dimension" with high-shining gold tints or go deeper with more dark red tones.
Black Coffee
Subtle brown highlights steal the show when paired with all-black tresses.
Glossy Chocolate
A brilliant, glossy finish can add the finishing touch to a classic fall hair hue.
All Black
I can't decide what I'm more excited about. Halsey's cropped pixie cut or their vibrant all-black hair color? Either way, I'm obsessed.
Copper Highlights
Warm chocolatey brown tresses paired with subtle cooper red accents are the ultimate sign of fall.
Chocolate Hazelnut
Dark roots are often at the top of autumntime hair inspo lists. Add warm dimension to the go-to look with hazelnut hues.
Reverse Highlight
If you're not ready to let completely let go of bright, bold shades, try out reverse highlights. You can darken things up top and keep these vibrant in a small section down below.
Blond Bombshell
Can't choose between one shade of blonde? This look rocked by TikTok fan fave Addison Rae is the perfect combination of multiple blonde hues.
Ash Brown
Fall is the optimal time to try out darker locs. Ash brown colored tresses, like the ones styled by KeKe Palmer in this fabulous cry 'fro, serve major volume and body.
Ginger
If you're looking to spice things up this fall, then ginger's the perfect shade. Warm and full of life, ginger hair just screams autumn equinox.
Caramel Highlights
This upcoming fall trend is an easy way to give your hair the appearance of more volume and gloss. Caramel highlights will add dimension while brightening up your look with a warm glow, no matter what your current hair color is.
Jasmine Gomez is the Commerce Editor at Women’s Health, where she cover the best product recommendations across beauty, health, lifestyle, fitness, and more. When she's not shopping for a living, she enjoys karaoke and dining out more than she cares to admit. Follow her @JazzeGomez.
Jasmine Washington is an Assistant Editor at Seventeen, where she covers celebrity news, beauty, lifestyle, and more. For the past decade, she has worked for media outlets, including BET, MadameNoire, VH1, and many others, where she used her voice to tell stories across various verticals. Follow her on Instagram.
