Fall has a way of sneaking up on us—just as we’re enjoying soft copper and other pretty summer shades, it’s suddenly time to think about autumn hair colors.

The good news is, this season doesn’t require a dramatic change. Blonde and red tones will be big, like “rooty blonde” and “penny rust.” Many spring and summer favorites—such as honey blonde, Chantilly blonde, and cowboy copper—will also stay popular as the weather cools. (And who doesn’t love a low-maintenance look that still feels fresh and cool?)

Ultimately, the best hair color is the one you love. If you’re looking for inspiration this season, you’re in the right place. Below are 15 trending fall shades, straight from the experts. Scroll to find your perfect match.

Key Takeaways
– For fall 2025, watch for shades like recession blonde, root beer blonde, and dark velvet.
– Classic colors like smokey brunette and ’90s honey highlights will also be popular.

Champagne Blonde
Blonde tones—from platinum to highlights—will be everywhere this fall. Celebrity colorist Jenna Perry loves this champagne shade, a soft beige-blonde that’s luxurious and flattering on all skin tones. Think Margot Robbie’s Barbie blonde, which balances depth and cool tones perfectly.

Smokey Brunette
Deep shades like dark chocolate and espresso brown are fall staples, but that doesn’t make them any less special. Perry describes smokey brunette as a rich, dimensional brown that’s ideal for transitioning into cooler weather.

Apricot Blonde
Perry calls this an updated take on strawberry blonde—a mix of golden blonde and copper that adds a bit of edge. Evan Rachel Wood’s long, wavy apricot blonde shows how the red tint can really elevate the look.

’90s Honey Highlights
Inspired by the ’90s and pre-Y2K era, these warm honey and caramel highlights add depth and golden tones. Colorist Olivia Casanova points to Jessica Alba and Jennifer Lopez’s ’90s styles as references. They work well as lowlights or natural-looking balayage to brighten hair. To maintain vibrancy at home, Casanova recommends the Davines Alchemic System, which uses pure pigments to protect color—and covers most shades.

Crimson Red
Perry loves this deep, jewel-toned red for fall. To keep it vibrant (or any color, really), she suggests the Olaplex Hair Repair System, including fan favorites No. 0 Bond Building Treatment and No. 7 Bonding Oil. These products help strengthen hair and protect its integrity.

Scandinavian Hairline
Both Perry and Casanova expect this viral summer shade to stay popular through fall. Casanova even sees it expanding beyond the hairline to cover all over—think beige-toned baby lights blended seamlessly to the roots.”The head has a brighter hairline that blends into even lighter ends,” she explains.

Chantilly Blonde
“It’s a light, warm blonde with subtle creamy undertones,” says Redken ambassador Sean Godard. “It gives a natural, sun-kissed look and is often used to brighten and soften the hair.” Godard recommends using color-safe shampoos like Redken’s Acidic Color Gloss Shampoo. Another tip: rinse with cool water to help prevent color from fading too quickly.

Recession Blonde
Arguably the most talked-about hair color trend of 2025, “recession blonde” is both a style and a practical choice during economic uncertainty. It simply means letting darker roots grow out to avoid the cost of frequent touch-ups. As more people rethink their spending, expect to see deeper, more natural shades.

Bronde
Perry describes last year’s bronde trend as timeless, now with more dimensional roots and golden highlights. “It’s great for transitioning summer highlights into fall,” she says.

Gray Blending
Casanova predicts more people will embrace their natural gray hair as the weather cools. “Gray blending is becoming more popular,” she notes. “Not just because it’s low-maintenance and cost-effective, but because more women are encouraging each other to age gracefully and naturally.”

Plush Velvet
For darker hair, Perry suggests going for a velvety dark shade. It adds a cool tone and is a low-maintenance fall color, especially if you want to add depth to your natural brunette as temperatures drop.

Strawberry Tint
Strawberry blonde remains a classic, and Casanova expects it to be especially popular this fall. “It’s a happy medium between blonde and copper—just as fun but with less commitment,” she says. She recommends light styling with hot tools to enhance natural waves or curls. Products like IGK’s Rich Kid Coconut Oil Gel can add body when air-drying.

Penny Rust
Building on strawberry blonde, Perry suggests taking the shade a bit deeper. “This color uses strategic highlights to bring out a client’s natural warmth,” she explains. To keep the color vibrant, she recommends Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Hair Oil and No. 5 Moisturize & Mend Leave-In Conditioner.

Vacation Golden Hour
Casanova calls this shade “vacation blonde”—timeless and flattering on everyone. “Think Mary-Kate and Ashley’s California blonde, but with more golden, surfer-like tones,” she says. Best of all, it’s relatively low-maintenance, needing touch-ups only every three months or so.

Have a beauty or wellness trend you’re curious about? Let us know! Email Vogue’s senior beauty and wellness editor at beauty@vogue.com.

Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About The 15 Best Fall Hair Colors According to Experts

Q1 What are the best fall hair colors this year
A According to experts popular choices include rich auburn warm caramel deep chocolate burgundy honey blonde and chestnut brown among others

Q2 Why do experts recommend certain colors for fall
A Fall colors often complement the seasons cozy earthy tones and work well with autumn fashion and lighting

Q3 Can I achieve these colors at home or do I need a professional
A Some shades like darker browns or subtle highlights can be done at home but complex colors like multidimensional reds or blondes are best left to professionals

Q4 Will these colors work for all skin tones
A Yes experts suggest variations for different skin undertoneswarmer shades for golden undertones and cooler tones for pink or neutral undertones

Q5 How long do fall hair colors typically last
A Depending on the dye and hair care they can last 48 weeks Using colorsafe products helps maintain vibrancy

Q6 What if I want to try a bold fall color but am nervous
A Start with temporary or semipermanent dyes or add subtle highlights or lowlights instead of a full change

Q7 Are there lowmaintenance fall hair color options
A Yes shades like balayage ombre or rootfriendly colors grow out gracefully and require fewer touchups

Q8 How can I protect my hair during coloring
A Use deep conditioning treatments before and after avoid overwashing and choose ammoniafree dyes if possible

Q9 Can I go from a very light summer blonde to a dark fall color easily
A It may require filling the hair with a reddish or orange pigment first to prevent dullness so consult a stylist

Q10 What are some trendy fall hair color techniques
A Techniques like babylights color melting and money piece highlights are popular for a seamless autumninspired look

Q11 Will coloring my hair damage it
A Any chemical process can cause some damage but using quality products and