As the end of August approaches, you will notice that everything tastes like pumpkin spice, the weather gets cooler, and gossip Girl Marathons are back in style. Don’t know what that means? These are all signs that fall is coming. And because the season is fast approaching, you’ll see a lot of changes—but not just in the temperatures outside or your TV choices. Makeup tones will become more seductive, nail polish colors will become more sinister, and most excitingly, hair colors will start to represent the rich and dynamic palette that fall brings. Think deeper, warmer tones that will add contrast and moody vibes to your look. And the best hair color trends for fall 2024 take inspiration from these big hallmarks, like the vibrant foliage or classic scents like sweet, warm vanilla.
To give you an overview of some of the trending options, TZR tapped three hair color experts to compile a list of six shades you’ll be seeing all over social media. There’s everything from espresso-inspired browns to toasted blondes to shaded auburns. It goes without saying that you’ll be running to the hairdresser to have your colorist recreate these vibrant hues. Ahead: the fall hair colors that will define the season.
Smoky espresso brunette
In the summer, you’ll find many chasing a sun-kissed beach look, but once fall approaches, the angelic blonde is often replaced with a darker, more somber brown. This year, smoky espresso is the color taking the top spot. Seen on celebrities like Hailee Steinfeld, the dynamic brown combines “deep, luxurious browns with a high-shine finish,” says Redken Master Artist and Global Brand Ambassador Sean Godard. The pro predicts this shade will be on trend due to its high-quality look and timelessness. “This is ideal for anyone who wants a low-maintenance, high-impact color for fall and wants to avoid damage during the colder, drier months,” adds Godard.
Butterscotch Blonde
Warm up your strands by switching to a rich yellow butterscotch blonde. According to New York City-based celebrity colorist and hairstylist Reece Walker, this is achieved by mixing a golden hue with caramel undertones to give your base tone a radiant feel. Walker adds that butterscotch is great for a variety of skin tones because there is room for adjustment depending on personal preference. He notes that Its versatility is why the style is so popular during the cozy season. “Butterscotch blonde is ideal for brunettes looking for a warm blonde, or icy blondes who want to warm up their color to match the fall palette,” says Walker.
Embrace the grey
Instead of coloring the graying strands that are mixed in with your colored hair, Matt Rez, Moroccanoil’s Global Celebrity Colorist, recommends letting them grow out, because fall is all about embracing the gray. To maintain the silvery-fresh look, Rez recommends a purple shampoo, “as it will block out any yellow undertones that gray hair can have.” For the best results, the colorist recommends using a gray hair gloss to add even more stormy intensity. “This service must be performed by a professional in a salon and can be customized to a light or dark gray (depending on what you want) that complements your complexion,” says Rez.
Smoky chestnut brown
Match your hair to your vampy burgundy lipstick or your black cherry nails. opt for a decadent auburn. This blend of deep red and brown features cool, smoky undertones that create a “sophisticated and multi-dimensional look,” Walker says. Because it’s highly adaptable, it adds warmth and dimension to hair no matter your skin tone, Walker says. He also notes that while it’s not as bold as a bright copper or red, it still stands out due to the vitality of the color blend. “If you love the depth and complexity of auburn but prefer a cooler, more sophisticated option, smoky auburn is perfect,” Walker says. “It’s a great option for anyone looking to freshen up their look with something that’s both on-trend and timeless for the fall season.”
Bronde
“Imagine spending the summer in Bora Bora, living life to the fullest in the sea under the sun,” says Rez. “You visit the islands with the lightest brown hair and come back in the fall with ribbon-like honey blonde highlights that gradually lighten until they finally become a light golden blonde.” That’s how Rez describes the very popular and celebrity-approved “bronde” look. This shade is a mix of brown and blonde and is perfect for those looking for something darker but not quite ready to give up their warm tones. “It’s the ultimate marriage of brown, dark blonde and light blonde patches that come together to create an ‘unidentifiable hair color’ where the viewer’s eye can recognize the look as brunette or blonde,” says Rez. He adds that the colors blend seamlessly into one another, creating a “high contrast” and “multi-dimensional” look.
Golden shine
Godard describes this vibrant strawberry blonde as a “warm, light copper hair color that captures the essence of natural sunlight during the golden hour.” This offers a stunning contrast to darker fall palettes with burgundy or dark green to maintain that “sun-kissed” energy, but with a warming twist. The pro recommends this trend “for anyone who wants to achieve a natural, radiant glow that enhances their complexion.”
