Sorry, but as soon as September rolls around, I’ll be swapping my iced coffee for spiced chai and downloading all my books on Kindle Unlimited. There’s something about fall that blends the best and most fun parts of summer (dining outdoors and socializing in lilac sunsets) with the very soothing energy of winter. My aesthetic is also taking a decidedly left turn. Gone are the bright colors (though, to be honest, I’m sticking to neutrals in my outfits, nails, and accessories) and softer textures and colors are coming to the fore. That goes for my hair, too. Soft, slightly whimsical shades that don’t require a gazillion monthly fuss are all I’m willing to try. And the colors that are likely to be the most popular this year are some of the most beautiful ever. As predicted by trend forecaster and hairstylist Tom Smith, each color suits a variety of shades and aesthetics. From an almost peachy blonde to a caramel-rich, shimmering brown with a gold imitation, there’s a color for everyone.
Dean Harris, a colourist at Larry King Salon in South Kensington, says if it’s your first time thinking about changing your hair colour (or it’s been a while), don’t trust an app. “Your hair won’t look exactly like it does on camera,” warns Harris. “Instead, go to the salon for a detailed colour consultation and discuss with an expert which colours and shades will suit you best.” Not only will they guide you towards the best results for you, they’ll also take into account factors like how often you want to re-colour, your budget, and the goals you have for your hair’s health.
So, without further ado, here are four soft fall hair colors that will look great on everyone.
Check out the soft fall hair colors experts and editors are loving:
1. Sunflower Blonde
Style Notes: Preserve the last vestiges of golden season with a warm, peach-toned blonde that blurs the line between strawberry and vanilla. “Sunflower blonde is the warmest blonde you can get before it turns copper,” explains Smith. Take inspiration from Lindsay Lohan, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (when she’s closer to peachy than blonde), and Sydney Sweeney. According to Smith, the key to preventing your golden hues from turning yellow is finding an effective hydrating mask.
When it comes to moisturizing, there are plenty of great options. Josh Wood’s Color Miracle Masque is great if your dyed hair is feeling dull and a little brittle, as it locks in the color and conditions deep inside. Alternatively, Christophe Robin’s Paris Masque Fondant Hydrant with Aloe Vera (a moisturizing melting mask) is under £15 and is like a shot of moisture for your hair. The two I rate the most are Davines Minu Hair Masque and Amika HDRO Intense Moisture Masque. Both come in containers, which I find much easier to get a generous amount out, but they may be harder to carry around. What’s inside each container is genius. The Davines mask actively brightens color-treated hair, restoring dimension and shine without weighing it down. Instead, it softens and smooths hair, leaving it with a silky texture that’s full of moisture. The Amika mask has a whipped cream-like texture (not whipped cream), is decidedly thick, and works wonders on stiff, dry, color-treated hair.
Buy products that will help you maintain your color:
Josh Wood Color
Color Everything Mask
Christophe Robin
Moisturizing melting mask with aloe vera 75ml
Davines
Minu Illuminating Hair Mask
Amica
Amika Hydrolash Intense Moisture Mask 250ml
2. Gray Light
(Image credit: @salmahayek)
(Image credit: @salmahayek)
Style Notes: The grey hair revolution is coming. From those who are tired of dying their grey hair to those who just think it looks great, baring grey hair will become even more popular this cold season. “Grey hair brightens blonde hair and adds more reflection and shine, whereas it gives more definition to natural dark hair,” explains Smith. But, he adds, grey hair can be prone to drying and flyaways. For this reason, he recommends using a deep cleansing shampoo once a week. If you use purple shampoo, Smith’s advice is not to apply too much of it. “It can lighten grey hair, but if you use too much, your hair will turn lilac quickly.”
Bleach London, the authority on creating beautiful hair colour, has a Fade to Grey shampoo that completely removes warm tones whilst simultaneously depositing slate grey pigmentation. For those who are committed to purple hair, we recommend Olaplex No.4P, which combines the repairing properties of Olaplex (restoring bond, strength, elasticity and integrity to the hair shaft) with the neutralising properties of warmth and yellowness.
Buy products that will help you maintain your color:
Bleach London
Bleach London Fade to Grey Shampoo
Space NK
Olaplex No.4p Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo
3. Terra Copper
(Image courtesy of @evelilycp)
Style Notes: A shade halfway between terra cotta and copper, “Terra Copper” is rich and bold without looking unnatural. It’s not a bright, semi-golden red, but darker and more natural. It’s most reminiscent of Julia Roberts in “Pretty Woman.” “A color this light will fade quickly,” warns Smith. “Using a copper-toned conditioner will help maintain the tone for longer.”
If you’re unfamiliar with copper-depositing conditioners, don’t worry; here are some of the best I’ve come across. First off, dpHUE’s Copper Gloss+ combines a deep conditioning treatment with semi-permanent color. Simply lather up some shampoo into your hair, rinse, then apply Gloss to your hair and leave it on for 3-20 minutes before rinsing. Alternatively, Davines Alchemic Conditioner in Copper is a deeply moisturizing conditioner that will warm and revitalize your color again. If you’re looking for a silicone- and sulfate-free product, this little pot will do the trick in just 5 minutes.
Buy products that will help you maintain your color:
dpHUE
Dphue Gloss 6.5 fl oz
Davines
Alchemic Conditioner in Copper 250ml
4. Cinder Toffee Brunette
Style Notes: Few hair colors make you want to take a drink, so introduce the final soft color Smith predicts for fall: Cinder Toffee Brunette. “A darker shade of Sunflower Blonde, Cinder Toffee Brunette is a warm combination of chocolate, caramel, and rich gold that creates a reflective, youthful glow in your hair.”
This blend of tones gives hair a golden dimension and keeps traditional dark colors from looking too blocky. The secret is maintaining vibrancy and shine without a stylist’s help. Glaze Super Gloss in Chocolate Gleam bills itself as a colored hair moisturizer that preserves color, shine and condition for up to 10 washes. Apply to clean, damp (not soaking wet) hair and leave on for 10 minutes before rinsing. Or, for a toffee-like hue, use Evo Fabuloso Caramel Color Intensifying Conditioner, a hairstylist favorite that refreshes and replenishes color at home. The best part is, it’s quick. It only takes 3 minutes to get your color back to its best.
Buy products that will help you maintain your color:
glaze
Supergloss – Chocolate Gleam
Evo
Fabuloso Caramel Color Intensifying Conditioner
