Not sure which fall hair colour to try? Let your favorite seasonal activity guide you
Turn apple picking, pumpkin patches, and leaf peeping into inspiration for your ideal hair colour.
f all the seasons, I personally think fall has the best activities. Leaf peeping, apple picking, pumpkin decorating... There’s something just so cozy and nostalgic about spending a crisp autumn afternoon doing all the things you can only get away with for a few months out of the year. I think your favorite fall activity is a part of your personality—and, as a loyal beauty editor, I’m taking that one step further by matching it what I think should be your next fall hair color. This season, instead of simply scrolling through endless pictures of classic hair colors like copper, brunette, and bronde for inspiration, let your extracurricular agenda guide you. Hear me out: If you spend every weekend chasing the prettiest fall foliage, a spicy copper shade is my pick for you. More of a homebody and want to stay in to bake an apple crisp? Warm cinnamon tones feel like a natural match.
Of course, there’s no rule that says your hair color has to coordinate with your weekend plans, but where’s the fun in that? Whether you’re ready for a dramatic transformation or just want to add a little seasonal warmth to your current shade, consider this your unofficial guide to finding a fall hair color based on your favorite autumn activity. Ahead, the shades worth trying at your next salon appointment this season.
The hair color you should try, according to your favorite fall activity
Leaf peeping: Fiery copper
If your camera roll is full of red, orange, and golden leaves, why not borrow a little inspiration from the scenery? A dimensional copper combines fiery red and warm golden undertones to mimic fall foliage. Hairstylist Meri Kate O’Connor previously told Cosmo that she’s been getting more requests for vibrant cherry reds this season, so this shade is definitely on trend.
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Cozy coffee shop date: Espresso brunette
Whether your barista knows your order by heart or you’re known for sampling every special fall latte, your hair color should be just as rich as the espresso in your drink. This deep brunette looks particularly luxurious with a glossy finish.
Apple picking: Honey blonde
Sweet, golden, and a little nostalgic, honey blonde is the hair-color equivalent of spending a crisp afternoon at an orchard picking apples and snacking on cider donuts. Its warm, lived-in golden tones are a natural transition from brighter summer blondes, making it a low-maintenance hair color win. Just like a honeycrisp apple, honey blonde is pretty much perfection.
Pumpkin patch visits: Cinnamon brunette
Do you love pumpkin patches, hayrides, and the obligatory photo with a scarecrow? Your color match is cinnamon brunette, a warm copper with subtle brown and reddish undertones. It captures the spirit of the season without requiring a full commitment to bright red hair.
Cozy movie nights: Caramel bronde
Grab a blanket, a Halloween movie, and some caramel corn, and make absolutely no plans to leave the couch. If that sounds like your ideal fall evening, caramel or Bambi bronde is your match made in heaven. The soft blend of brown and blonde feels warm and lived-in, with dimensional highlights that can make growing out your color feel more forgiving between appointments.
Baking an apple crisp: Spicy copper
My idea of the perfect fall afternoon involves whipping up a homemade apple crisp. If that’s up your alley too, spicy copper is practically calling your name. It “has warm copper, cinnamon and amber tones,” hairstylist Sierra Adam previously told Cosmo. The brunette and red undertones mimic the cozy colors of my favorite freshly baked dessert.
Trying seasonal drinks: Cocoa bronde
Will we catch you with a steaming chai latte, PSL, apple cider, or maple hot chocolate in hand this season? Then cocoa bronde is your next must-try. The color is equal parts cozy and sweet, just like a fall drink. “I’m seeing a lot of requests for muted brunette tones that look natural and lived-in—think mushroomy, mousy tones,” O’Connor previously told Cosmo.
Haunted houses: Black cherry
Personally, I’m a scaredy-cat, but if your favorite parts of fall are the haunted houses, horror movies, and everything else spooky, a dramatic black cherry shade fits the bill. The nearly-black base hides rich burgundy and cherry undertones, giving it a slightly mysterious edge.
Fall hiking: Chestnut brown
For anyone who likes spending weekends on the trails in the great outdoors, chestnut brown brings earthy, outdoorsy warmth to your hair with a mix of medium brown and subtle reddish-golden undertones.
Credit: Cosmopolitan