People often come to me with requests for darker shades in the fall. However, I have to re-direct them because, more often than not, they mean warm shades instead of dark shades. These are completely different and trying to combine them will result in your hair looking dull as we move into the winter months. The best fall brunette shades are not about going darker, but rather changing the color to incorporate more warmth where summer may have created a more bleached effect. The best fall hair colors create the most dimension so that your hair looks it’s best in all of the fall light. Your hair needs to work for all of it!
Several years ago, I had a client who, every August, would request the color of a chestnut. This became my seasonal reference point. I didn’t mean a Pinterest version of a chestnut, but a real one with warm and cool tones. That’s what exceptional fall brunette color is. It doesn’t matter if you want it to be caramel, copper, and burgundy, or if you want to stay closer to your natural base with just a hint of difference. The aim is the same: to have hair that looks like it’s yours, just the most interesting version of it.
#1: Long Waves with a Caramel Warmth That Actually Blends
I love the way caramel and brunette blend together beautifully and the way the color captures the light. It is so classy. The waves contribute too, but in this case, most of the praise has to go to the color placement. The colorist clearly understood that highlights are meant to move with the hair, not against it. Hair that has any natural waves will mean this type of color scheme will deal with most of the styling.
#2: Golden Balayage That Looks Like You Spent the Summer Somewhere Better Than You Did
It’s rare to see balayage done correctly, so this is refreshing. Here, the golden tones are concentrated where they would naturally fall around the face and mid-lengths. Also, the root grow-out is intentional. On thicker hair like this, those voluminous waves hold the colour dimension really well. The warmth reads as natural rather than highlighted, which is exactly the point. If your colourist gets the placement correct, you’ll get a solid three to four months between appointments – making this one of the better investments for fall.
#3: Deep Chocolate with a Cool Ash Whisper Running Through It
The ash highlights here are very refined and could be mistaken for a shadow instead of a highlight. This adds a level of sophistication to the look that may not be achieved with warmer tones. This speaks to brunettes who for the fall don’t want to go warm but would like some dimension. The darker roots make the grow out practically non-existent. This means you won’t be tied to a six week refresh cycle. This will be perfect for people with a cool toned wardrobe. If you wear a lot of black, navy, and grey, this will coordinate with your outfits beautifully and will not clash.
#4: Dark Chocolate That Relies on Texture Instead of Color Tricks
While keeping the same tone, matching the cut and texture to the color can be a great way to show simplicity and that holds true here. With dark chocolate, it is a gradient color which will only be better when it gets cut. The main features here are the waves and the face framing center part. All it needs is a good texturizing spray and some air drying patience.
#5: Warm Chestnut with Caramel That Catches Every Light Source in the Room
Almost unexplainable, this color gives you a reaction. With the shiny chestnut base, it undoubtedly has an “autumn“ feel with the reddish hues. Caramel highlights are placed to not over lighten the entire look but are meant to brighten the face, and look amazing in photos. I understand the thickness and health of your hair plays a major role in the overall look, so if you’re wanting to go this route, getting your hair in a good state isn’t optional, it’s a must.
#6: Chocolate Waves with a Fringe That Actually Earns Its Place
The bangs “”here”” are the focus while the chocolate waves do the smart thing and play a supporting role without looking boring. I like that the layers are done to enhance the natural wave as opposed to doing some sort of architectural situation that falls apart by noon. This style genuinely looks better on day 2 hair {{hair}}. It’s a quality I think more people should seek out when selecting a cut. The bangs will require a trim every 3 to 4 weeks if you want to keep them doing what they’re doing here, but the rest of it should be fine.
#7: A Medium-Length Wave with Bangs That Feels Lighter Than It Looks
The warmth in the brown color pairs beautifully with subtle highlights and is just enough color to create depth. The layered cut is going to be a great option as the upkeep shouldn’t be too much. I think this is one of the most manageable looks as the length is easy to work with and styled very little. The bangs will give this look a little more personality and not require a whole new routine. This shape is particularly well suited to hair with a medium to fine texture.
#8: Burgundy Layers That Commit to the Color Without Apology
When it comes to burgundy, you need to commit, and this does just that! With this layered cut, it helps balance out the color, while also giving it a modern touch. The textured ends also help prevent it from looking dated. On the bright side, a bold color like this is a commitment you won’t regret. Sure, you will need color-safe shampoo to keep it looking fresh, and you will have to touch it up every six to eight weeks, but the reward is a unique color nobody else will have. Also, the only season burgundy will actually make sense is fall to match with everything you wear, so it works in your favor.
#9: A Textured Bob with Fringe That Understands Proportion
This bob works because of proportion. The length, the fringe density, the wave amount, and all of this together means nothing overwhelms something else. On finer-haired people, this slight wave really helps the hair look more voluminous and less blowout situation every morning. The fringe is soft enough to be pushed aside when you’re over it, which is more important than a lot of people realize when they commit to bangs. I will say the cut looks best with some styling, even if it’s minimal, so if you’re really a wash-and-go person, the bob might test your patience a bit.
#10: Copper Curls with Layers That Let Them Breathe
One of the beauties of this style is the blend of soft curls and the copper hue. You can tell the layers are cut just right to take out enough weight to let the curls bounce without forming a triangle. The warm undertones are the best and are ideal as it looks as though the color is self illuminating. If you have natural curls and have been thinking about the copper trend, this is the time to do it! Once you have the color, you’ll just need curl cream and a diffuser to achieve this.
#11: Auburn Highlights on Long Waves with That Easy, Undone Quality
These auburn highlights were done with restraint so the overall effects is warmth without any drama, a balance that is harder to achieve than it sounds. With this request most people walk away with “stripy” instead of “sun-warmed,” so this is a refreshing change of avoiding that. Most of the work is done by the natural texture here, and the density means the waves move freely without needing to be encouraged. If you wanted more movement a layered cut would enhance this even further, but honestly it great as is.
#12: A Short Shag That Actually Looks Like Someone Meant to Cut It That Way
Short shag haircuts can definitely go wrong. Often, the person cutting the hair can’t tell the difference between hair that is meant to be choppy and hair with intended texture. Thankfully, this hairstyle does not fall into that category. The fringe (bangs) are the perfect length to not cover the eyes, which is nice. The length also flatters the cut overall. The shaggy layers create a lived-in atmosphere and provide the effortless vibe like you just rolled out of bed. When styled correctly, the cut gives nice density to fine hair which longer cuts just can’t do. The entire styling process consists of damp hair with mousse, and some scrunching. Expect to go in for a trim every 5-6 weeks, but overall the maintenance effort is low when styled correctly.
#13: A Textured Bob with Caramel That Warms the Whole Face
Caramel highlights with brown base color create an illusion of good lighting rather than hair color, bringing light and focus to the face. That’s also the aim with highlights at this length; a bob cut doesn’t have the real estate for elaborate color stories. You really need a few well-placed highlights that will do a lot of work. The soft waves keep the look from being too polished or corporate, which is my concern with bobs that go too sleek. This looks fresh without being overly trendy, which is the most important part.
#14: Long Textured Waves with a Fringe That Softens Everything
The fringe is doing exactly what I want fringe to do: soften the forehead and create a frame without overpowering the whole style. The subtle layering throughout the lengths gives this hair enough movement to feel interesting without it looking like there are forty different things going on. This is a great example of a style in which the cut is more important than the color. The color is nice and warm brunette with some dimension, but the structure of the cut is what makes it actually flattering. This look will sustain itself well in between appointments and as long as you keep up with trims.
#15: Shoulder-Length Curls with Bangs That Have Real Personality
The length and style of the hair radiates joy and brings out a positive feeling when I see it. The bang soft curl gives me joy as does the defind curl pattern. With this amount of texture and movement, the defind curl pattern could be any color I would love it, but a warm chestnut or auburn would be amazing for fall, right? The volume of the hair works perfectly because of the meduim density, and the volume isn’t overwhelming at all. Always remember that bangs are their own mini commitment. They will shrink differently when cut, so the snug has to take this into account! Consistent moisture is all.
#16: Chocolate Waves with Highlights That Build Volume Visually
The soft chocolate highlights create the illusion of more volume and thickness. On this type of hair, that might seem a little ostentatious, but the result is effective. There’s enough support in these waves to keep them this way all day, which means there’s a good volumizing spray in the mix. This is a look for someone who wants their hair to be the center of attention. Getting waves that are this consistently bouncy is no small feat, and if you’re going to put in the effort to the blowout, you absolutely should show it off.
#17: Dark Brown Layers with Caramel That Does the Heavy Lifting
If you want to make the most money out of your hair, get a haircut with caramel highlights. Out of all the things you could do to your hair, highlights look the most expensive. Without layering, it’s going to look like you have a haircut appointment once a month. Plus, highlights go really well with waves and volume. They define and accentuate every layer. If you have naturally thick, wavy hair, this is the perfect hairstyle for you.
#18: Dark Brown Waves with Bangs That Frame Without Fuss
The caramel highlight is more warm than it is a traditional highlight, but that’s why it’s so good; it avoids looking overdone. It’s so much more sophisticated this way. The bangs are the real star of the show. They really soften what could be a more angluar face and the whole look is French, which I’m always a fan of. It’s great for fine hair because the layers are great at creating the illusion of more hair, and the bangs give added weight at the front. The trade off is that bangs do require regular maintenance, but the rest of the haircut grows out really nicely.
#19: Long Caramel Balayage Waves for the Committed
To be honest, this style requires a lot of cash and dedication. The balayage is beautiful and has a lot of depth. The hair’s volume and health make it that much more beautiful. Of course, thick long hair will require some upkeep especially with regular toning and serious conditioning. If your hair tends to be on the dry side, you’ll likely want to incorporate a deep conditioning mask as the regular conditioning will not be enough. All that said, the hair style is gorgeous and very easy to upkeep. It has warmth and gives off fall vibes, but is also very natural to carry into the winter.
#20: Long Layers with Bangs and a Chestnut Balayage That Knows What It’s Doing
The warm chestnut balayage on the mid-lengths and face framing pieces is designed to highlight some features and the bangs give it a finished look without being overly structured. This is a well done haircut. The color warms things up and the layers create more movement and structure; combined with the color, it all works together really well. With medium to thick hair that’s this length, the layers play a practical role in removing some of the weight that can drag everything down and make styling feel more like a chore. The bangs will require regular trimming but that’s a quick appointment and not a hassle.
#21: Long Waves with Ash Brown That Stays Interesting Without Trying Too Hard
Ash brown is a hair color that is adored by some while disliked by others, and in this case, the person’s coloring really suits the color. The ashy hue is a nice change from gray. The highlights are sophisticated to a degree that warmer tones just don’t work. The elegance is in the dimension of the style. Finishing touches really aren’t needed with this look. The silky texture and waves that frame the face are sufficient to complete the style. This is especially important for those who have cool undertones in the skin and wardrobe as it will work better than the typical caramel tones that most people seem to gravitate to.
#22: Sleek Ash Brown Layers That Grow Out Gracefully
If you want to look put together, but need to disguise roots that have grown out, ash brown hair color can be a great option. Because it features a base color that is ash brown, along with harmonizing highlights, you will have the ability to blend in your roots and not have to worry about booking a touch up for a while. Plus, you can display all the gorgeous color shifts in your hair when it’s straight and sleek. End waves help to break up the look if it feels too flat, and hair that is fine will look particularly healthy and polished with this color. It’s low-maintenance which means if you add regular conditioning, it will help to boost shine and recovery time will be quicker. Hair will definitely be shining with color, and the low-maintenance nature will just be an added plus.
#23: Layered Brunette Waves with Highlights That Know When to Stop
Taking the bare minimum approach may sound like less than positive feedback, but in the case of highlight placements, I think this may be the best I can offer them. Soft waves on this thick, medium-length hair really show off the dimension, and the layers lighten the overall weight so the hair moves instead of just sitting there. This style is very wearable and reliable, also unlike a style that only looks good in a photo taken from the right angle and in the best lighting, this one looks good in real life. The shape will need maintaining every 8 weeks or so, but the color can go longer.
#24: Ashy Brown Waves with a Quiet Sophistication
Long, thick ashy brunette hair always looks effortless and expensive. Having longer hair that is slightly wavy can look even more beautiful and relaxed. The ashy tone provides dimension to the hair and helps balance out its length. Personally, I think ashy tones are very forgiving when it comes to dirty blonde or brown hair that maybe is just one or two shades away from your natural color. But, keep in mind that dull, clumpy ponytail hair that is poorly maintained can look really dry and ashy as well. So, prioritize hair color and the rest of your hair will thank you.
#25 Long Copper Waves That Own the Room
The copper waves are so stunning. The color is very unique, and the waves are long enough to show the full color range. Each plane of the waves reflects the light differently which is why copper and waves look so good together. The subtle texture on the waves keeps the length from feeling overwhelming and the thickness gives a healthy substantial look to the hair that many other shades cannot replicate. It is true that having copper hair is high maintenance. It can be a pain, but for all of the shades, copper is the most worth it. It is true that color-depositing treatments will extend the time between salon visits, but the color will look so much more vibrant if you use heat less.
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