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As the leaves begin to turn and a crispness fills the air, thoughts naturally drift towards cosy nights by the fireplace, long walks outdoors, hot chocolate and swapping your wardrobe around.
For many of us, the changing season also makes us want to embrace rich, warm autumn hair colours that reflect the feeling that autumn brings with it. If you’re feeling the transformative power of this time of year, here are four trending autumn shades that you’ll see everywhere.
If cool-toned, icy blonde is the reserve of winter, then honey and golden blonde tones definitely belong to autumn. Think the warm tonal shades of winter leaves, the inviting richness of melted butter and the soft sunshine that comes at this time of year. That’s the essence of honey and golden blonde.
It has a touch of warmth to it and radiates a gorgeous glow that’s perfect for a blonde look that’s bright but has some added depth. There are no flat or single shades here, just strands that catch the light perfectly.
Already have light to medium blonde hair? Mention that you want to add warmth and richness. And specify that it’s those honey and golden tones that you’re looking for. For dark blonde and brown hair, you might need to ask for highlights and toning to get the warm, rich colour you’re looking for. If you have darker hair, you might need more than one appointment to get the honey or golden blonde shade you are looking for, but this isn’t always the case.
It’s lighter than chestnut brown and adds a little fiery spice to your colour without going overboard. Cinnamon and soft ginger shades are the perfect way to add a touch of red without full commitment, and it’s definitely a nod to nature’s autumnal colour palette.
Mention to your hairdresser that you want warmer, red tones with a softer touch, and don’t be afraid to take in some photos of the exact shade you have in mind. Achieving a cinnamon or soft ginger shade is easier with a lighter base as the likelihood is you’ll just need subtle tint or highlight.
Darker hair might need lightening, highlights or a full head of colour to get the cinnamon or soft ginger shade you’re looking for. Talk to your stylist about the level of red you want to achieve, and whether that’s a subtle ginger shade all over or something more tonal.
For the bold and adventurous, mahogany or maroon hair offers a sultry and sophisticated look that’s a little deeper for autumn. This colour boasts glossy, vibrant shades of red with a subtle purple undertone. It's perfect for those who want to make a more dramatic change to their hair in the autumn months, and still stay inspired by an autumn palette.
Depending on how intense you want to go with your colour, you might find that this is a multi-step process. Dark hair might need a little lightening for the maroon or mahogany to be visible, or you might decide to keep it more subtle instead. Lowlights can also give you a richer depth of colour rather than a single shade.
Also known as “expensive brunette” this is a glossy, rich and multi-dimensional hair colour with a high shine and a glossy finish. This low-maintenance autumn hair colour trends almost every single autumn and winter as people move over to the dark side as the weather gets cooler.
To get the deep, multi-tonal look the likelihood is that brown highlights or lowlights are the answer. This gives that rich layer of depth and dimension that adds shine and makes your hair colour look expensive and shiny. If you already have medium or dark brown hair, a gloss or semi-permanent colour can help you achieve that rich, shiny finish.
As the summer sun fades and cooler weather sets in, your hair care routine needs to adapt to the changing season. We asked our expert, Mathew Watt, Co-Owner of Socially Painted, Edinburgh, for their best autumn hair colour care tips to keep your trending autumn colour looking its best.
“To keep your colour looking fresh throughout autumn, use our Re:Fresh Colour Bond Mask. It’s a non-permanent colour conditioner mask that comes in a range of shades and helps to boost your colour between salon visits. It refreshes your colour and builds strength from the inside, leaving your hair healthy, shiny and strong.”
They also added that hair can end up feeling dried out in the autumn and winter months, which can have an impact on your hair care routine and styling.
“Autumn air can be quite dry and the weather can be a bit unpredictable, leading to frizz and breakage. Combat this by switching to a moisturising shampoo and conditioner, like the Re:Nourish Duo. With rice protein and a blend of organic oils, it’s a hydrating and nourishing pairing that’s perfect for the cooler months. The All:In Oil is another autumn fave to keep dried-out hair shiny, defined and smooth with less frizz.”
Speaking of routine changes, just because the weather’s cooler it doesn’t mean your hair gets the chance to beat the heat. They added:
“You’re more likely to blow dry or use heated stylers in autumn, as air drying or having wet hair can feel more uncomfortable. Always use a heat protectant spray like the Pro:Tect Smoothing Mist to minimise heat damage and dryness. Follow with our Re:Bond Serum to add strength and shine back into your hair when styling. And finish with a spritz of Full:Proof Hairspray can help to keep frizz at bay and your style in check too."
