Fall is when hair color gets richer. After a summer of brighter, sun-lifted shades, most of us want something deeper, glossier and warmer, and the darker shades of fall are also easier to keep up through winter.
Below are eight fall hair colors worth booking, who each one suits, and the exact words to use at the salon. If you're already brunette, our dark brown hair with brown highlights guide covers softer ways to add dimension.
What is the best hair color for fall?
Rich, deep shades lead in fall: espresso and chocolate brown, cherry cola, copper and auburn, and soft mushroom brown. Warm skin tones suit chocolate, copper and auburn, while cool skin tones suit espresso, mushroom brown and cool cherry cola. A gloss is the easiest way to try a fall shade without a big change.
Fall hair colors to try
Save the shade closest to what you want. That's the photo to show your colorist.
1. Espresso brunette
A deep, glossy brown that sits just short of black. It looks expensive, reflects light beautifully, and grows out softly if your natural color is dark.
Ask for:all-over espresso brown, one to two shades darker than my natural, finished with a clear gloss.
2. Chocolate brown with a warm gloss
A rich mid-brown with warm undertones. It's the easiest fall shade to wear and flatters almost everyone, especially warm and olive skin.
Ask for:rich chocolate brown, warm gloss, keep it even from root to ends.
3. Cherry cola
Dark brown with a red-violet tint that shows up in the light. Indoors it reads as brunette, and outside it glows burgundy. It's the boldest shade here without being bright.
Ask for:dark brown base with a red-violet cherry cola gloss, more visible in the lengths.
4. Copper
A warm orange-red that suits fair skin with freckles and anyone with warm undertones. It fades faster than brown, so plan for a gloss every four to six weeks.
Ask for:soft natural copper, not too orange, glossed for shine.
5. Auburn
A deeper, browner red than copper. It's easier to keep up and looks especially rich on medium-length and long hair.
Ask for:medium auburn, a red-brown base, warm gloss.
6. Mushroom brown
A cool, ashy light-to-medium brown with a soft grey tone. It's the fall shade for cool skin tones and anyone whose brown tends to turn brassy.
Ask for:cool mushroom brown, ash toner, no warmth.
7. Chestnut balayage
A dark base with soft chestnut painted through the lengths. It keeps a little of summer's brightness while going deeper overall, and it grows out softly.
Ask for:dark brown base, hand-painted chestnut balayage from mid-length down, soft root.
8. Cinnamon brown
A warm medium brown with a hint of red, between chocolate and auburn. It brightens warm skin and adds warmth without committing to a full red.
Ask for:warm cinnamon brown, a soft red tint, glossy finish.
Which fall shade suits your skin tone?
Start with your undertone. Look at the veins on your inner wrist in daylight: greenish usually means warm, bluish or purple means cool, and a mix means neutral.
- Warm undertones: chocolate, copper, auburn and cinnamon brown.
- Cool undertones: espresso, mushroom brown and a cool, violet-leaning cherry cola.
- Neutral undertones: most shades work. Chocolate and chestnut balayage are the safest.
Gloss, all-over color or balayage?
- Gloss: sheer, conditioning color that adds tone and shine for four to six weeks. The easiest way to try cherry cola or a warmer brown.
- All-over color: one even shade from root to ends. Best for espresso, chocolate and auburn.
- Balayage: hand-painted pieces through the lengths. Best for chestnut or caramel dimension on a darker base.
Keeping fall color rich
- Use a sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo and wash in cool water.
- Book a gloss halfway between appointments to refresh the tone.
- Reds fade fastest, so use a color-depositing conditioner for copper, auburn and cherry cola.
- Protect against heat with a heat protectant before blow-drying or curling.
FAQ
What hair color is trending for fall?
Rich brunettes lead every fall: espresso, chocolate and cherry cola, plus warm copper and auburn. Mushroom brown is the go-to for cool skin tones.
Should I go darker for fall?
Most people do, because deeper shades look rich in softer light and are easier to keep up. A gloss one to two shades darker is a low-commitment way to try it.
Is cherry cola hair hard to maintain?
It fades faster than brown, like most reds. A color-depositing conditioner and a gloss every four to six weeks keep it rich.
What fall hair color suits blondes?
Go a little warmer rather than fully dark: honey, golden or caramel blonde, or add lowlights for depth. Our golden brown hair with blonde highlights guide has warm bronde ideas.
The bottom line
For fall, go deeper and glossier. Chocolate brown suits almost everyone, espresso and mushroom brown suit cool skin, and copper and auburn suit warm skin. Save the shade you like, show it to your colorist, and ask for a gloss to keep it rich. Browse more hair ideas when you're ready.
