FALL HAIR

6 Fall Hair-Color Trends That Are About to Pop Off

There's nothing better than a color refresh and some pretty highlights to brighten up your autumn style.

September 30, 2020

With a new season comes new drink orders, footwear choices, makeup, and, of course, hair-color options. My color chameleons feel me: Fall would be way less fun without some fresh new hues to choose from. As we mourn the (naturally or not-so-naturally) sun-kissed strands we wore for the last few months, there's nothing like a new slate of celebrity inspiration to get us excited for a new aesthetic.

This fall is a little different, however. When you're in the throes of a global pandemic, you've got to be way more decisive and strategic about what kind of dye job you get. With many places going in and out of stay-at-home orders, and plenty of people too nervous to make too many trips to the salon, the trending hair colors reflect these uncertain times. This season, it's all about hues that bring joy, are easy to maintain at home, and dye jobs that take us back to a much simpler time — one when the world wasn't so topsy-turvy.

Regardless, if you're thinking of switching up your hair color and want to know what's trending, you came to the right place. See the shades colorists predict will be all the rage this fall.

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Instagram | Elle Fanning
1/18
Pandemic Pink
Once stay-at-home orders went into full effect, celebrities, bored like the rest of us (except in their mansions), started dyeing their hair themselves. The color of choice? Pink. "Pinks are so dreamy, light, and fun," says New York City-based colorist Julia Elena, who has recently tried the hue on herself. "I actually had pink around May during isolation, and I felt my soul lifted."
Elle Fanning was one of the first celebrities to dye her hair pink, which she gracefully documented for us on her Instagram page. Hers has a peachy tint to it, a version of the color that Elena says she's been seeing a lot of.
Anna Camp/Instagram
2/18
Pandemic Pink
"Seeing how the state of the world is right now, we're looking for some escapism," Elena says. And playing colorist, especially with a bold, rainbow hue like pink is a great way to do so. It was good enough for Anna Camp, who debuted her pink mids and ends to her Instagram followers back in early May.

To preserve this hue at home, Elena suggests using a hair oil. "For upkeep, hair oils like Jamaican black castor oil and almond oil would be great, especially when you wash your hair," she tells Allure. "Towel-dry gently and then use a generous amount."
Instagram | Keke Palmer
3/18
Pandemic Pink
According to Brooke Jordan, hairstylist and cofounder of Brooklyn's The Bird House Salon, pink is one of those colors that is "safely rebellious," which explains why it's been trending through the pandemic and will continue to do so through the fall.
Keke Palmer showed out on social media with this ombré peach-to-pink wig, uplifted by her matching eye shadow and long lashes. Wigs are a great option for anyone who doesn't want to risk damaging their hair with bleach and dye — just be careful when you're applying your unit. You don't want it to be too harsh on your precious hairline. Try wearing the WiGrip comfort band underneath your wig to protect your edges.

Getty Images
4/18
Warm Highlights
Highlights are a beautiful way to give dimension to any hair color, especially brown hair. Adding some warm highlights to your brunette hue is a great choice for a fall refresh, especially these days.
"Colors [are] a bit warmed up — not brassy, of course," explains colorist Rita Hazan. If you're able to reach the salon, ask your colorist for hues like "caramel, chocolate, [and] warm ginger." Of course, execution will depend on your skin tone, but golden, caramel, warm-toned highlights will add a spiciness to your hair color like they do here for Mandy Moore.
Giovanni Delgado/Instagram
5/18
Warm Highlights
Even if you're a cool-toned brunette, warm highlights can still boost your color. Kacey Musgraves's stylist Giovanni Delgado updated her typically jet-black hair with a cool brown hue and some golden highlights.

"What's interesting about fall hair is that it tends to follow cues from everything else people are changing up — chunkier texture sweaters, hats, scarves, etc.," notes Shvonne Perkins, manager of training and education at Madison Reed. "These tone adjustments make the hair appear richer, juicier, and more reflective against the more muted colors of a fall wardrobe."
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Getty Images
6/18
Warm Highlights
Obviously, in these COVID times, some people might be too nervous to hit up a salon, but don't worry — you can also give your color a bit of an update at home. "Transitioning color between seasons like summer to fall can be just a simple toner to add warmth to your hair," says Hazan.

And if you really want those highlights to stand out, Perkins suggests also asking your colorist to add a few lowlights to the mix as well. "As we are coming out of summer, some of us can get overly lightened up, thanks to too many highlights or sun exposure," she explains. "Adding deeper lowlights in the rich golden tones can bring back some dimension."

Hilary Duff/Instagram
7/18
Intense Blue
It may not be the easiest color to maintain, but if pink isn't your thing, Blue might be the option for you. Hairstylist and Xmondo Hair founder Brad Mondo says he's seeing deep blues like turquoise and royal blue trending for fall.

Hilary Duff may have been on to something back in April when she tried this exact combination of blue hues on for size. Best of all, Mondo says it's a color that will look cute on a range of textures. "Sleek and straight, bedhead, wavy, extra curly — anything," he shares.
Just be sure your stylist is coloring your hair in a way that works for your texture. Maintain this look at home with a color-safe shampoo as well as "masks and treatments to keep the health of your hair." Overtone has color-depositing hair masks that will keep your hue fresh and add a boost of hydration.
Spice/Instagram
8/18
Intense Blue
Wigs and extensions are also a great way to play with color without having to risk damaging your hair. Dancehall queen Spice has been wearing blue hair for years. She stunted on Instagram in this box braid wig, which required absolutely zero bleaching to her natural hair.
Cardi B/Instagram
9/18
Intense Blue
Cardi B's colorful wigs are the joy of our Instagram feed. She wore this one for a chat with Bernie Sanders. Instead of space buns, her hair is styled in the shape of two bows.

But whether or not you decide to wear a wig or bleach and dye your hair blue, it's imperative to get the color right. "Bring in references of blue tones you like on other people," Mondo says.
"Tell your [colorist] what you like about that specific blue so that you can be on the same page to achieve the perfect look."

Taraji P. Henson/Instagram
10/18
Well Red
Several of the pros we asked are seeing red for fall 2020 — red hair, that is. "There is a shade of red out there for almost everyone," says New York-based colorist Rachel Bodt. "It's all about the tone." Taraji P. Henson dyed her hair red a few months back, and has been wearing it natural as well as adding extensions in the forms of twists and, as you see above, these space buns.
"The best way to maintain color during this season is to nourish and moisturize, then moisturize some more," adds hairstylist and African Pride Ambassador Kee Taylor. "It's best to use shampoos and conditioners that don't strip your hair and have nourishing, hydrating properties. Some of my favorites are African Pride, Moisture Miracle, Honey and Coconut Shampoo, along with Deeper Than Hair salon’s First Class to Morocco Conditioner."
Saweetie/Instagram
11/18
Well Red
The great thing about red hair is its warmth — which as the weather gets cooler, we'll be craving in all forms. "Warm colors look good on most skin tones, especially people with freckles and light eyes," says Mondo.
Of course, you don't have to be fair-skinned to look amazing with red hair. Saweetie's bangs and red ponytail are a lovely complement to her caramel skin tone. But when you are working with your stylist to choose a color, be sure you discuss what hues are most flattering to your skin tone. "Clear communication is key during a consultation," says Elena. "Knowing exactly what you want is important. That way, there's no miscommunication along the way."
Getty Images
12/18
Well Red
If you're not sure which kind of red to get, try one with "lots of depth," as Mondo advises. Take a cue from Cardi B, who wore this deep red unit which has cabernet tones that really make the lighter red shades stand out.
"To keep your red looking fresh and modern, add a lot of dimension to it," adds Bodt. "Highs and lows make this [color] look interesting and sexy."

Kylie Jenner/Instagram
13/18
Chunky Highlights
Stylists forecasted chunky highlights as a trend for 2020 and the look is going strong through the fall. "Tell your stylist you're going for the early 2000s vibe with a 2020 twist," Mondo suggests.
Kylie Jenner's hair here is a perfect example of how to modernize this look. Her highlights are chunkier toward the front of her hair, but you can see in the back that they meld into a pretty ombré.
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Megan Thee Stallion/Instagram
14/18
Chunky Highlights
Megan Thee Stallion gave us the ultimate 2020 version of 2000s chunky highlights. Her look here combines shades of black, silver, and blue for a modern take on the retro classic. When you ask for chunky highlights, be very specific with your colorist. "Tell them you don't want your highlights too blended and more impactful," Mondo says. "Ask for deep lowlights and bright highlights."
Cleotrapa/Instagram
15/18
Chunky Highlights
Cleotrapa's blonde streaks are a perfect example of how to update this old-school dye job. Here, the highlights are chunkiest at the roots, and then as you go towards the mids and ends, the color blends in more — but not too much. You do still want to be able to clearly see the difference in color with the highlights.

Courtesy Jill Buck
16/18
Earth Blonde
With the status of, well, being able to leave the house changing all the time, figuring out when you can get your hair done can be tricky. It's more important than ever to be smart about what you're getting because you don't necessarily know if the salon will actually be open by the time you're ready to go back.

"Blondes want less maintenance," says Nine Zero One Salon senior colorist Jill Buck. "That platinum vibe is oh so cool, but became unattainable in a lot of ways." She sees blondes sticking to more natural, lower-maintenance tones — the kind of hues you can preserve at home with a good brass-busting shampoo or mask. We like the 2020 Best of Beauty-winning Beachwaver Co. BRB Blonde Purple Shampoo.
Courtesy Jill Buck
17/18
Earth Blonde
"I see our blondes transitioning to tones we see all around us like mushroom, driftwood, and sand," explains Buck. Be sure to ask your colorist to give you highlights that will grow out seamlessly, so maintenance is even easier.
Courtesy Jill Buck
18/18
Earth Blonde
To refresh your blonde hair, you can use a purple shampoo or conditioner. You can also give yourself a clear gloss. We love Kristin Ess's In-Shower Signature Glosses — she has four options for blondes, plus a clear one for those who aren't looking for any added color.