We spoke with the best colorists and hair stylists to uncover the top hair colors this season, from cherry cola red and dark chocolate brunette to old money blonde and more.

Did someone say pumpkin spice?

Believe it or not, we’re somehow nearing autumn. Crunchy leaves, crispy mornings, and pumpkin spice everything is only a few weeks away—so it’s time to start the search for your signature fall hair color. The rich, earthy tones of changing landscapes give way to cozy fashion and beauty trends of the season.

“The most popular colors this fall will be golden honey hues, warm chestnut browns, and bold auburn and copper tones,” says celebrity hairstylist Ashley Gomila. “These colors are always the most popular due to the ‘instant makeover’ factor. It’s really cool to transform from a balayage that has run its course to something more exciting and vibrant.” 

Meet the expert

• Ashley Gomila is a celebrity and editorial hairstylist.
• Glennda Rommelaere is a celebrity hairstylist and an education manager at Balmain Hair.
• Renée Valerie is a colorist and R+COLOR education director and collective member.
• Clara Purvis is a colorist and owner of Noordwyck Salon.

Feeling motivated to try a new ‘do this autumn? We spoke with the best colorists and hair stylists to uncover the top hair colors this season, from cherry cola red and dark chocolate brunette to old money blonde and more. Read on below for inspiration!

Bronde

The perfect choice for natural-looking locks, you can create this adorable fusion between blonde and brown hair. Hailey Bieber, the ultimate trend setter, rocks the bronde style for a look that is striking yet effortless. 

Burnt Auburn

Rich auburn hair is always a great choice for fall, thanks to its bold and striking hue. “I recommend sealing the hair after every wash with argan oil to keep the cuticles closed so that the red lasts longer,” says celebrity hairstylist Glennda Rommelaere. 

Icy Blonde

We’ve seen this bright, cool-toned style before, and it’s not going anywhere any time soon. À la Megan Fox, this ashy color is the chic, avant-garde alternative to typical blonde hues.

Honeysuckle Blonde

This fall we're dying our hair warmer and brighter. “Soft blondes with a creamy undertone, such as latte blonde and honey blonde, give off more natural vibes,” says Rommelaere.

Bombshell Black

Brat summer to brat fall is going to be an easy transition for black-haired girls and espresso brunettes. The key to this style? It’s all in the hair gloss, a treatment that prevents color from fading or losing shine. 

Lion’s Mane

Wild, free, and powerful, this color adorned by the one and only Khloé Kardashian is an effortless style for natural brunettes. Add long, voluminous waves, and you’ll quickly transform your dull, end-of-summer locks into a glorious bombshell blowout. 

Soft Caramel Highlights

This look is a flawless example of a lived-in brunette style, courtesy of the soft caramel highlights. Ask your stylist for a seamless blend between the darker roots and lighter ends to achieve this look, says Rommelaere.

Brown Bunny Brunette

The rich, deep shade of Kaia Gerber's color adds a layer of sophistication and radiance without sacrificing dimension, says colorist Renée Valerie. It basically oozes luxury. 

Chocolate Hazelnut

Chocolate hazelnut is a stunning color that matches every fall backdrop and activity. As seen on our beauty editor Kara Jillian Brown, the warm, rich hue creates a golden hour effect, so you won’t be able to resist snapping selfies at all hours of the day.

Toffee Balayage

Caramel, who? The new go-to color is all about toffee. Mimicking the sweet and enticing candy, Megan Thee Stallion’s hair color offers warm, rich tones that are good enough to eat.

Penny Lane Copper

This vibrant copper is the quintessential it-girl shade to enhance your features and add shine to your hair. “I love this shade on all complexions, particularly for adding a glow and creating harmony with cooler undertones,” says Valerie.

Carrot Cake

Mimic the autumn foliage with this vibrant red hair color. Taking inspiration from the iconic Ginger Spice, influencer and model Meredith Duxbury’s fresh kitty cut is the ultimate fall accessory. 

Butterscotch Blonde

Staying true to fall’s scrumptious thematic, this butterscotch hair color has notes of warm brown sugar and buttery blonde for the ultimate autumn hair transformation.

Vanilla Chai Highlights

It’s all about the balayage this time of year. Khloé Kardashian sports another iconic color that proves blondes just may have more fun. When headed to the salon, consult your colorist to learn what you need based on your natural hair color. Darker hair colors, for example, need a full bleach and tone to lighten the base before highlights can be applied, says Pervis.

Y2K Chunky Highlights

Who better to take Y2K beauty inspiration from than Xtina herself? The singer’s iconic chunky highlights provide a stark contrast that perfectly mimics the moody, edgy feeling that the changing of the seasons brings. 

Golden Honeydew

Sofia Richie Grainge can do no wrong, especially when it comes to her hair and makeup. This golden hue is achieved with multiple blonde colors and toners to create a soft yet dimensional feel. 

Vintage Wood

Much like the toffee balayage, vintage-wood brunette is an ideal option for brunettes looking for a more low-key yet brighter hue for fall. Retaining dark roots adds depth to the hair while also allowing for a softer grow-out phase.

Soft Strawberry Blonde

This light, golden base with subtle reddish undertones resembles the pinkish tint of a strawberry, hence the name. Soft strawberry blonde gives off a natural, sun-kissed glow with a multi-dimensional quality.

Honey Ginger

Honey ginger hair refers to a warm, golden-brown color perfectly blended with red and copper undertones. A rich and spicy variant hue, this color is a versatile shade that complements a range of skin tones and can add a lively, natural glow to your appearance.

Pumpkin Spice

A vibrant, multi-tonal color, pumpkin spice hair is appropriately named after the intoxicating seasoning that is synonymous with fall. It combines rich copper and fiery red tones, creating a dynamic and eye-catching effect. 

Cherry Cola

“Dua Lipa has become known for her dark cherry locks,” says colorist Clara Purvis. “Its deep cherry cola red hue is a more accessible red for those with naturally darker brown hair to achieve, but still packs a punch!”

Old Money Blonde

Famous for several major hits this summer, Sabrina Carpenter is also known for her vintage bombshell blonde ‘do that exudes coquette vibes. It’s giving '60s Playboy cover and we’re obsessed. “This shade is ideal for someone with warmer skin tones, creating a balanced and refined look,” says Valerie.

Smoke & Mirrors

Bold is the theme of this season’s beauty looks. This rich, chocolatey base has subtle hints of warmth for a twist on the classic dark and smokey style. Not to mention the color gives a multi-dimensional look thanks to the lighter streaks that create a natural, luminous effect. 

Golden Cherry

This beautiful shade blends warm, golden tones with darker red lowlights, creating this golden cherry shade.

Glossy Espresso

How could we not include that’s that me, espresso? Just like the deep, delicious hue of a good Italian brew, this nearly black hair color features warm undertones for a bit of depth and shine, giving hair a sleek and polished finish.

French Vanilla Blonde

For blondes, the vintage bombshell hues in buttery and creamy tones— a la Julia Garner, Matilda Djerf, Zendaya, and Beyoncé—are back and bolder than ever. Wearing a bright, creamy, golden blonde l gives both expensive and badass aura (the perfect combination, IMO). 

Rockstar Red

Fiery red may not be on your Pinterest inspiration board, but it should be. Natasha Lyonne's striking color has an undertone of copper for a more daring contrast. 

Beachy Brunette

Not ready to give up summer just yet? Try this beachy brunette shade à la Hailee Steinfeld for a sleek and sophisticated look that can transfer seamlessly throughout the seasons.

Neon

In the summer we saw neutrals and pastels, but this fall it’s all about eye-catching colors. “We love Ice Spice’s peachy cinnamon hair,” says Purvis. “It is definitely a multi-step process to get there and requires considerable upkeep, but it luckily doesn’t fade as quickly as the dark red tones.” 

Dark Chocolate

Is dark chocolate hair ever not chic? The answer is no, obviously. Selena Gomez is once again super dark chocolate brown. When headed to the salon, be sure to tell your colorist you want a “darker chocolate brown that is rich and shiny” to achieve this gorgeous hue, says Pervis. 

Whipped Meringue

Just like meringue, it is simple and easy to achieve this hue. Reneé Rapp wears the light-as-air shade with deeper roots for contrast and depth.

Baked Peach

Baked peach hair is a soft, warm, and welcoming color that blends pale orange with subtle pink undertones. It resembles the delicate shade of the fruit it’s named after, creating a light, pastel color that is almost nude and almost orange, but not quite either.

Creamy Latte

Just like the delicious drink, creamy latte hair is all about the combination of tones that lands somewhere in between dark brown and bright tones. A stunning, vibrant peachy pink, Amanda Seyfried rocks this soft blend of pink and orange tones, creating a warm, sunlit effect.

Ashy Brown

This color is for natural brunette girls who want to soften their hair color to match the season. A crisscross balayage technique with different browns is an easy application to achieve this color, says Rommelaere.

Apple Cider

A warm, rich blend of medium brown and reddish undertones, this style resembles the deliciously fresh fall drink we all know and love. With a deep, golden brown base and sun-kissed highlights that add depth and dimension, it complements just about any skin tone.

Mulled Wine

This season we expect to see a lot of warm, vibrant, and deep colors—and this mulled wine hue is no exception. Our favorite it-girl Sophie Turner rocks the subdued red shade, calmed with brown tones mixed throughout.

Dark Color Block

Color doesn’t have to be one-dimensional. And when you can’t pick just one color, try picking two. A combination of a rich, warm brown base with coppery ends provides a lively, dimensional finish, perfect for those who enjoy an intense color with a bit of edge.

Charred Chestnut

Looking for a warm, cozy hair tone? Introducing your new fav: charred chestnut brown. This shade offers a beautiful blend of warm brunette tones that are intoxicating and rich to match the moodiness of fall.

Bright & Bold

Vibrant reds are predicted to be the big trend this fall. They’re playful and can come in any style, shape or form, ideal for daredevils who want a lively hue to shake up their style. 

Parisian Brunette

Parisian brunette hair is a chic, sophisticated shade that captures the essence of French elegance. This color, adorned by Lily Collins, typically features a rich, deep brown base with subtle, cool undertones, giving hair a refined, almost understated quality.