The fall hair color trend approved by It-Girls conquers Pinterest

Instagram/@georgiamayjagger; Instagram/@sooparkmakeup

Pumpkins and apples may be fall’s most popular fruits—yes, pumpkins are fruits—but this year, cherry blonde is the next big food-inspired hair color trend for fall.

How do we know? According to Pinterest’s Fall 2024 trend report, online searches for the hair color “cherry blonde” increased by a whopping 6,300% ahead of the fall season. This tells us that people are seriously interested in trying this shade for their post-summer hair transformations. We can’t blame them. The cool look is cool without being over the top (or like the “How do you do, friends kids?” meme), while still being super low-maintenance.

But what does cherry blonde hair color actually look like? “Cherry blonde is a beautiful shade that can vary slightly in depth and saturation, but is generally characterized by a soft red-copper tone with a warmer pink undertone,” says Renée Valerie, hair colorist, member of the R+Color Collective, and director of R+Color Education. “This color is more intense and vibrant compared to pastels, offering a rich shade with a more unique feel.”

That’s why Lauren Mildice, a colorist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, defines it as more of a mix between papaya and cherry. “Think of it like when you dilute pure cherry juice with water,” she explains. “That brings out the pink and ginger tones. That means the pigment isn’t as dark and the color underneath is visible.”

Why is cherry blonde trending now? “As summer comes to a close, many people gravitate toward warmer, fall-inspired hues for their next color choice,” says Valerie. “This switch is a wonderful way to add warmth to your complexion as the cooler months approach. With a few subtle adjustments, these tones can be tailored to suit any skin tone.”

Plus, deep reds were all over the place last year, so according to Mildice, it’s only natural that “everyone is diluting it into a lighter color this time for fall.” “This color is on the rise because it offers a perfect blend of fall tones,” explains Mildice. “The papaya red color, along with the soft blend of light red and/or pink, creates a harmonious hair color.”

It is also worth mentioning that cherry blonde is quite similar to the Pantone Color of the Year 2024, “Peach Fuzz,” so they were obviously on the right track.

A big advantage of cherry pink is how incredibly customizable it is: you can go all out with the “pink” (or peach) of it all, or opt for a more ginger-based tint. Or, for a less over-the-top look, blend it into your natural shade with balayage, weave just a few pops of color into your hair, or try subtle highlights over a more neutral base like papaya or auburn to make it almost of course, but not entirely.

It also doesn’t hurt that so many celebrities have been sporting cherry blonde-inspired looks lately: Kate Beckinsale, Georgia May Jagger, Karol G, Lana Condor, Kaia Gerber, Ava Phillippe and Blackpink’s Rosé have all experimented with pink and cherry hair colors, while Megan Fox and Dua Lipa in particular are known for their groundbreaking cherry tones.

Feeling inspired? I can’t blame you. Here’s how to achieve your very own cherry blonde hair color for fall.

“To achieve the ideal cherry blonde, ask your colorist for a warm, three-dimensional pink-copper shade that’s more intense than, say, a soft pastel,” says Valerie. As always, bring photos for inspiration (or feel free to screenshot this story).

However, if you prefer a more interwoven balayage look or want your cherry hair to lean a little red or ginger, Mildice advises asking your colorist “for a soft ginger brown mixed with a rich rose tone” and booking it as a highlight or balayage service instead.

Alternatively, if you’d rather do it yourself, you could try a semi-permanent hair color like The Big Pink Super Cool Color by Bleach London, which Jagger uses, or a semi-permanent color mask like Color Fresh Mask in Pink by Wella. (Valerie prefers Star Sign Demi-Permanent Crème Hair Color by R+Color to create cherry blonde, but that’s for professionals only.)

Either way, when it comes to maintenance, cherry blonde hair color can be refreshingly low-maintenance if you want it to be. “Highlights are typically touched up every eight to 10 weeks, with glosses in between to maintain the tone, and balayage can be touched up every few months,” says Mildice. “I recommend booking a gloss every four weeks or so to maintain the tone.”

However, this depends on your preferred hair coloring technique as well as your natural hair color. If your hair is naturally dark, you should schedule an appointment with the colorist every five to seven weeks, says Valerie, adding, “This regular schedule will help maintain the shade and keep your hair looking fresh and nourished.”

Don’t let that put you off though: the beauty of cherry blonde is that it doesn’t have to look perfect. Just look at how good Georgia May Jagger looks after letting her semi-permanent Bleach London x Heaven by Marc Jacobs pink dye fade for several months (see below).

To keep your cherry blonde shade low-maintenance and last as long as possible, Valerie recommends incorporating R+Co Gemstone Color Shampoo and Conditioner into your routine. “These products are specifically designed to prolong and enhance shades like cherry blonde, helping you maintain the rich color and shine that make this shade so popular and perfect for fall,” she says.

Finally, be sure to use a heat protectant when styling your hair with heat. “Look for hot tools that minimize damage, like Trademark Beauty Sunny Stylers, which have air vents to cool the style and reduce damage,” concludes Mildice.

Get ready to match your cake this Thanksgiving and shop everything you need to start your cherry blonde journey below.

Bleach London – The big, super cool pink colour

$13.00, Amazon

Wella Color Fresh Masks, vibrant shades, pink

$26.00, Amazon

R+Co Gemstone Color Shampoo

$34.00, Amazon

R+Co Gemstone Color Conditioner

$33.00, Amazon

Danielle Sinay is Glamour’s deputy beauty editor. Follow her on Instagram @daniellesinay.

Originally published on Glamour