Bordeaux Brunette, Gingersnap Copper and 13 More Fall Hair Colors to Rock This Season

Fall is synonymous with richer hues, so it only makes sense that this wine-inspired color is already a top-requested shade of the season. “This is a deep brown with a red tint that only shows up in the light. Indoors it reads as brunette and outside it glows,” DeBolt shares. He adds that, for years, clients asked him to get every trace of red out of their hair. “Now they’re asking for it back and this is the easiest way to try red without going all in.” As for how to frame it to your stylist? DeBolt recommends asking for a dark brown base with a red-violet gloss. “Say you want the red to show in sunlight, but not indoors. Then, bring one photo taken outside and one taken inside to show what you mean.”

This warm, golden hue sits somewhere between strawberry blonde and true red, according to DeBolt. “I love it because it makes skin look healthy in the fall, when most of us are losing our summer color,” he explains. “It also fades softly, so it still looks good six weeks out. In fact, this color is a great way for a blonde to step into this tonal world because it can be done with a gloss that eventually fades to golden blonde.” Need celeb inspo to carry into the salon? Sadie Sink is the best example of Gingersnap Copper right now, says DeBolt. “Hers is natural, which is exactly why it works as a reference. It’s the shade we’re trying to recreate.” Still, be sure to describe it as “golden copper,” not “orange” or “red,” says DeBolt. “Tell your stylist whether you want it to lean more blonde or more red, since that one choice changes the formula a lot.”

The best way to describe this hue is brunette with caramel and coffee tones blended together so you can’t tell where one stops and the next starts, per DeBolt. “It’s for the client who wants a change, but doesn’t want anyone to say, ‘you colored your hair.’ It just looks like really good brown hair.” Ask your colorist for soft, blended dimension with no stripes or obvious highlights. “A good phrase is, ‘I want it to look like my natural color, just better,’” says DeBolt. (If you’re looking for a celeb to reference, Sofía Vergara’s newer chocolate brown is a great match. “It looks rich and glossy without going flat,” DeBolt confirms.)

This warm, blonde hue with honey and gold tones is a solid choice for fall and one that keeps the roots close to the client’s natural shade, DeBolt explains. “It’s the move for blondes coming off a bright summer, but who want something cozier for the fall season without going dark,” he says. “Gold also reflects light, so the hair always looks shiny, and the soft root means clients can go longer between visits.” Tate McRae is a great example of this, DeBolt adds. “Her golden blonde has just enough warmth to feel like fall, but it still looks bright and fresh. She’s also proof that blondes don’t have to go dark when the weather changes.” (DeBolt also recommends asking for a golden or honey blonde with a soft root. Say, “warm, not brassy,” so your stylist knows you want gold, not orange.)

It’s the fall shade that keeps on giving: Cherry Cola continues its reign as the most-requested shade of the season. Per Smartwood, “It’s a rich, dark red wine that catches the light and glows from within,” she explains. “It’s warm enough to complement the season without screaming ‘look at me’ from across the room. You get that cozy, spiced-up vibe that pairs perfectly with sweater weather, and it’s forgiving enough for people who want to dip their toes into bold color without going full commitment.” While you can go to the salon, Swartwood recommends the at-home route by mixing shades like Arctic Fox’s Wrath and Ritual to recreate Lipa’s hue above.

Like icon Sabrina Carpenter says, “That’s that me espresso.” Korab says this glossy tone is already ruling the season. It’s a deep brunette shade that offers warmth and a golden undertone to your natural base. Per Korab: “It’s rich, elegant and has just enough depth to make the hair look full and shiny. When done right, it reflects the light beautifully and gives a luxurious finish.” If you’re a natural brunette, you can request subtle golden lowlights or a hair gloss treatment for dimension, while blondes will need to do a full base shift to achieve the color. “As the weather cools down, clients start craving deeper, cozier tones that match the season. This shade is like your go-to fall sweater—timeless, comforting and effortlessly polished,” Korab adds. 

According to Hazan, buttery blonde is a great transitional shade for the season. “It’s a golden, warm and creamy shade that adds brightness and softness to the hair. Blondes can enhance their hair with golden tones for a subtle glow,” she says. From Amy Poehler to Gwyneth Paltrow, this shade is sure to be on everyone’s Pinterest board. 

Move over ‘Old Money Blonde,’ there’s a new luxurious hair color in town. “Billionaire Brunette is an elevated, rich chocolate brown with a glossy, luxurious finish,” shares Hazan. “All you need to do is add rich, neutral tones to achieve this deep, dimensional shade.” The most notable celebrities sporting the trendy hue include Selena Gomez, Anne Hathaway and Demi Moore. If you want to shine like the stars, Hazan suggests doing an at-home gloss treatment to enhance depth and vibrancy to your natural base.

This hair color for fall blends golden beige, cool undertones and soft neutrals for a multidimensional shade. Schwartz tells me, “The finish is glossy, luminous and looks almost velvety in texture, which is how it got its name. Fall always brings a shift toward richer, more grounded color and ‘Velvet Blonde’ delivers that in a fresh way. It’s this perfect neutral tone, that doesn’t feel flat. My clients also love it because it's a low-maintenance color.” It’s a great option for natural blondes since a stylist mixes lowlights and highlights throughout for a softer contrast and dimension without looking overprocessed. In order to extend the shade like Alex Cooper above, Schwartz recommends a gloss like IGORA Vibrance every 4 to 6 weeks. 

Amongst the rich brunettes and buttery blondes, this cool-toned hair color should be on your radar. “‘Smoked Suede Brunette’ is a cool-leaning brunette that feels soft, moody and sophisticated. It’s defined by layered tones, think earthy browns with a whisper of ash and muted warmth that create a natural, dimensional effect,” explains Schwartz. A great example is Chloe Fineman, where she has lowlights to bring softness and depth to her locks. And if you’re looking to recreate this dimensional look at home, Schwartz suggests a demi-permanent that will make your hair look rich and vibrant.  

Copper continues to be a popular hair color for fall and this latest variation has clients flocking to Everett’s salon chair. “It’s a rich, coppery orange with golden undertones that catch the light beautifully. Think warm cider, cinnamon and that bold-yet-classic fall glow,” she says. “The warmth enhances most skin tones and gives off confident, cozy vibes—especially when paired with fall fashion.” In order to achieve Keke’s hue, the stylist suggests a bonding color conditioner that deeply conditions, offers color protection and overall shine.

Patterson says this rich brown is already a favorite for fall 2026. “Mocha Mousse is still alive and thriving, making this fall the perfect time to lean in! This is a warm brown shade with some cool ash sprinkled into the formula which gives this shade a balance of warmth without tipping too brassy,” he explains. If you’re looking to maintain its vibrance, Patterson suggests a color-depositing mask to deepen the shade and extend the tone in-between color sessions.

You don’t need to star in Severance to rock this fall hair color. According to Perkins, it’s a truer expression of red than the previous soft coppers we’ve seen the last few years: “We are moving away from the strawberry blonde softness into a fuller-bodied, wine-inspired red that brings glam back. [It’s a] great option for softer reds ready to take a bolder step or brunettes who want to try on something different.” Whether you want to do a temporary gloss (like Madison Reed’s Color Reviving) or a demi-permanent shade, the stylist notes it’s easy to maintain red hair—plus, it’ll fade nicely over time. 

You’ve heard of ‘Cherry Cola’ (see above), so let me introduce you to its Gen-Z sister ‘Diet Pepsi Brunette.’ Although the bubbly beverage is not involved in any material way, we’re inspired by its bold coloring. “It’s an edgy, high-gloss brunette. Think cola tones with a drop of fashion week edge,” says Giannetos. “It’s dark without going flat. Fall is all about grounding—this is the sexy version of ‘going darker.’” The secret to achieving Meredith Duxbury’s rich hue right at home? A hair dye formula (like L’Oreal’s) in the darkest, coolest brown—along with a deep conditioner that protects locks and improves shine. 

This is the year of the brunettes and Kaia Gerber's recent hair color is on Lordet's mind. “I’m loving Kaia Gerber’s soft brunette with barely there highlights. It feels very Parisian, chic, understated and incredibly elegant. It’s a perfect reference for fall: low-maintenance but high-impact. Her color enhances her natural texture and bone structure, which is exactly what I strive for with every client to enhance, not overpower,” he shares.

Additional Experts Consulted for This Story:

• Gregory Patterson is a celebrity hairstylist and a DIY Color & Styling expert for Sally Beauty. He’s based in New York City and has previously worked as a lead stylist for Project Runway. His previous clients include Britney Spears, Anne Hathaway and Julianne Moore.
• Monaé Everett is a celebrity hairstylist, founder of the Texture Style Awards and spokesperson for Sally Beauty. She has two decades of experience in beauty, where her work has been featured in film, television, print and numerous New York Fashion Week shows. Her previous clients include Quinta Brunson, Mara Brock Akil and Method Man. 
• Meagan Swartwood is the community manager of Arctic Fox, a vegan hair color and nail polish brand. She specializes in trend spotting and brand strategy in art, beauty and fashion. 
• Shvonne Perkins is a master colorist and manager of training for Madison Reed. She has 18 years of experience in the industry, specializing in color services and educating future stylists on innovative techniques. Previously, she worked as a stylist in San Francisco for over a decade.
• Dimitris Giannetos is a celebrity hairstylist and colorist. He has more than a decade of experience in the industry, traveling around the world and working backstage for major fashion shows. His work has been featured on the covers of top publications such as Vogue, InStyle and ELLE. His previous clients include Lindsay Lohan, Demi Moore and Jennifer Lopez.