From “controlled gold” to copper orange, pros weigh in on the most in-demand fall hair colors and looks of the season.
The 11 Biggest Fall Hair Color Trends of 2021
There isn’t so much as a hint of foliage or whisper of crispness in the air, but the buzz around fall hair colors has already begun. Can you really blame anyone hankering for a turn-of-the-season change—ever, but especially right now?
“After the summer months have come and gone, and people are returning from their vacations and adventures where hair has been tied up in a bun, sun drenched, and bleached out, they’re preparing to get back to the real day-to-day world,” explains Mauricio Bermudez, senior colorist at Suite Caroline salon in New York City. “Early days of fall are like the first episode of a new season, and people want to make a fresh impression with a renewed sense of energy. Debuting a fresh hair hue immediately communicates to yourself and to others that you’re ready for the change that comes with a new season.”
Deciding what direction to take your new look is an entirely individual decision. For some, autumn is an invitation for more polish. “Summer tends to evoke a languid laidback vibe, whereas the fall brings sophistication,” says Douglas Cornwall, also known as Discolourist, master colorist at Treehouse Social Club, of the appeal around indulging in a fresh, luxuriously rich back-to-school dye job. For others, it’s about starting off the season with a new color palette. “In fall, your wardrobe changes and your complexion usually gets a bit paler, so people typically want warmer or deeper hair colors,” says Alex Brownsell, co-founder and creative director of Bleach London. Regardless, fall is the season of new beginnings and change is change...it doesn’t necessarily need to adhere to rules or trends, hence the spate of fantasy color treatments, from candied dip dyes to bright neon shades. From “controlled gold” to copper orange, pros weigh in on the most in-demand fall hair colors and looks of the season.
Peachy Rose Blonde
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“I have been getting a lot of requests for pink in different shades,” explains colorist and R+Co collective member Richy Kandasamy. Of all the hues on the saccharine sweet spectrum, it’s peachy rose blonde he’s forecasting as the most popular for fall. “Working on platinum hair as a base or canvas adding delicate peach warm rose tones will light up everyone’s face during autumn,” he explains.
Inky Raven
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While a deep raven black is always a natural choice for the cooler months, Kandasamy foresees the classic shade getting a slight tweak. “We’re going to see inky black with a shiny warm glaze,” explains the pro. “Natural warmth-infused red undertones will help make the black hair turn into a multi-tonal look.” To give curly, coily, and kinky textures more dimension, Kandasamy recommends less chunky, more delicate and seamless highlights to get a more “glowy and regal look.”
Controlled Gold
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“When the fall approaches, and we desire to go deeper and more sophisticated with our shades, golden blondes are a great place to start,” explains Cornwall, who recommends skipping purple conditioners and swapping them our for a gold one, like Christophe Robin’s Golden Blonde mask. “Keep a bit of bright around their face to avoid color shock. The done to death money piece can be easily softened by a little delicate painting on the top of it.”
Jaded Brown
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While red-toned brunette shades are synonymous with fall, a cooler, verdant-tinged alternative is also worth considering. “I adore a brunette that is anchored in jade, which reflects a peacock green like a Tahitian black pearl instead of red brown, which can muck up a rosy complexion,” explains Cornwall.
Honey Wheat Blonde
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When it comes to finding that pitch-perfect shade of natural blonde, sometimes finding the right balance between warm and cool is the answer. Enter: Honey wheat blonde. “Wheat toned blondes are diffused with a person's natural color, rather than contrasting against it,” explains Jenna Perry, the colorist behind Chloë Sevigny’s blonde lengths. “It gives off that ‘I just left the salon’ look while looking effortless.”
Mocha Chocolate
This story originally appeared on: Vogue - Author:Lauren Valenti
