Fall is coming in hot, along with a cool breeze that we honestly wish was cooler. And as the seasons change, so does our hair. We’re already pinning all the fall hair color trends for 2023 that we want to try out, because we’re nothing if not trend followers.
What? Following gives you more time for the important things in life, like playing Mario Kart. You’re welcome.
We chatted with a few professional hair stylists to get their takes on what is (and is not) trending when it comes to hair this autumn. Overall, things are leaning more natural and less artificial, according to Khamis Maiouf, CEO of Book of Barbering and professional hairstylist with over 20 years of experience.
“With the previous emphasis on bold, artificial shades, the pendulum is swinging back towards more natural, subdued colors that blend seamlessly with one’s original hair color,” says Maiouf. This lends itself to a “low-maintenance, high-impact look.” We (along with our budgets and alarm clocks) are all for low maintenance.
Looking for some inspo? Read on for what are sure to be some of the hottest hair colors this season.
Fall Hair Color Trends for 2023
1. Spiced Honey Blonde
Honey blonde is a “warm and rich hue” that pairs well with the earthy autumn season, so we should expect to see a lot more of it this year, according to Maiouf.
Fair warning, if you get this hair color, you will be reminded of pumpkin spice lattes every morning when you wake up. Is Starbucks in cahoots with Big Hair?
2. Copper Balayage
“Copper balayage has been so popular this summer, and it’s actually an awesome color to carry into fall,” says Nicola Freeman, Creative Director and owner of Hair Color Experts. “This multidimensional metallic style can be blended with dark roots for an effortless, grown-out look.”
We’re hearing “effortless” come up a lot with these trends, and we’re here for it. It complements our Goblin Mode lifestyle nicely.
3. Chocolate Almond Brunette
“The once popular unicorn and mermaid hair trends – vibrant blues, pinks, and purples – are fading out,” says Maiouf. They require a ton of upkeep and “may cause damage due to frequent touch-ups.” he explains. So more common this season will be the “your hair, but better” kind of looks.
If you’re already a natural brunette, try this deep shade that’ll add some shine and depth to your locks. It looks like melted chocolate, but it’s way less messy. And less delicious. Not that your coconut-scented shampoo isn’t tantalizing!
4. Burgundy Hair Color
Burgundy, a deep and rich shade with hints of red, brown, and purple, is practically the unofficial color of fall. So why not define the relationship this year? Oh, your commitment issues? Word.
“We love this look all-over on dark hair in a shoulder-length bob,” says Freeman. That sounds so very femme fatale, and we’re so very obsessed.
5. Bold Purple Hair Color
Remember when we said the pendulum was swinging in a more natural direction? For the bold among us, bright hair colors are still an option, and purple has been majorly trending for the past year. Plus, the deeper color fits in with the vibe of fall, with vibrant shades taking the forefront.
You’ll be ready for Halloween before the calendar strikes October 31. That’s how calendars work, right?
6. Freehand Highlights
Across the hair color spectrum, Lauren Udoh, hairstylist and Creative Director of WigReports.com, thinks that highlights will remain popular. However, “instead of traditional foil techniques, they are more likely to be done using freehand painting methods, like balayage or ombré,” she clarifies.
The freehand technique allows for a more natural look. Because the hair coloring starts below the root, it’ll look like you woke up like this and didn’t spend three hours at the hair salon yesterday. Morning breath not included.
7. Rich Red Ombré
This bold hair color is “a stunning gradient from a deeper red at the roots to a lighter tone at the ends,” says Freeman. The effect? “A fiery look that makes you think of autumn leaves.”
Or…fire. But we aren’t one to argue, at least not with you. Has anyone seen our cat?
8. Hazelnut Hair Color
Your coffee’s favorite flavor companion now comes in a hair color! Just add espresso.
According to Freeman, last year, chestnut brown was all the rage, and hazelnut is “a warm and cozy variation” of the shade. We’d rather be described as a cold and callous variation, but as hair descriptions go, we suppose it’s a pretty good one.
9. Golden Blonde
Golden blonde is a bit more yellow than our other trending honey blonde tone, which is slightly darker. For this shade, think Reese Witherspoon and Blake Lively, or a sort of Old Hollywood look.
Either way, they’re both good choices for fall, and also tasty barbecue sauce flavors. Honey and golden, not Blake and Reese. We…assume.
10. Rich Brunette Hair
When we first heard about this color, we assumed “rich” meant deep in color. And it does, but it’s also a double entendre: rich also literally means expensive looking. Shiny, sleek, and healthy. The coveted trifecta.
Rich brunette is “flattering for all skin tones,” says Udoh, lending to its popularity. But do you think rich hair will lead to a rich bank account?
11. Ash Brown Highlights
Warm tones might be the “it girl” of the fall 2023 season, but we’re all about the underdog. Ash brown was controversial among our panel of experts – some feel the cool-toned shade is more suited for the winter months, but Ghanima Abdullah, a cosmetologist and beauty consultant, made a compelling pitch for us to include this on our list. We live for the low-stakes drama of it all.
“Ash brown is perfect for those who want to add some depth and dimension to their hair. It’s a great way to transition from summer to fall,” she says.
12. Brunette and Blonde Blend
Why pick one color when you can choose two? You can achieve this look with a transitional balayage from dark to light, or by adding blonde highlights to brunette hair.
This hairstyle is making us feel things. Namely, the urge to go drop $300 at the hair salon. Our rich bank accounts can wait until our next paycheck.
13. Natural Hair Color
Isn’t it refreshing that we’ve reached a stage where we’ve collectively decided it’s okay to just be ourselves? One major fall hair trend for 2023 is just embracing your natural hair texture and color. “This means avoiding heat styling and chemicals, and letting coils and curls do their thing,” Abdullah says.
The best part? This means you can snooze your alarm a couple extra times in the morning. More sleep is a glorious thing.
When she's not typing away on her laptop, you can find Laura working on her MBA at Boston College, listening to Taylor Swift, or sweating it out at an OrangeTheory class. Follow her on Instagram @LauraKristine21 and LinkedIn.
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