Forget the dramatic back-to-school transformation. This autumn’s biggest colour trends are all about subtle switches: blondes are getting warmer and softer, brunettes richer and glossier, and even red is taking on a more muted, wearable feel.
The common thread? Expensive-looking colour that works with what you already have. Here are the six shades our colourists are predicting will be everywhere this season.
If summer was about bright, sun-kissed blonde, autumn is bringing something altogether richer. “Amber veiled blonde is perfect for naturally darker blondes and brunettes,” says James at Hershesons Belgravia.
Rather than lightening the hair all over, softly defined pieces of intense golden amber are scattered throughout, creating warmth and dimension without losing depth. The result is glossy, expensive-looking colour that catches the light beautifully – and makes an easy transition into the colder months.
Copper is back for autumn, but not as you know it. This season it’s deeper, browner and altogether more understated. “Toasted copper is a muted red-brown that combines depth with rich tone,” James says . Think deep bronze rather than bright orange: warm enough to make an impact, but subtle enough to feel incredibly wearable. It’s particularly good for brunettes who want to change their colour without going dramatically lighter.
The best blonde this season might just look like it was made for you. Naked blonde is about choosing a shade that works seamlessly with your skin tone, rather than following a one-blonde-fits-all formula.
“For textured hair, I love honey blondes and dark caramels – warmer, curl-friendly tones rather than icy platinum,” says Nicole at Hershesons Fitzrovia. “Deeper and olive skin tones suit fudge, caramel and burnt terracotta, while fair skin looks beautiful with more muted, runway-soft shades.”
The reference? PinkPantheress, whose warm, natural-looking blonde proves just how good going softer can look.
Mousy hair is finally getting its moment. A combination of grey and beige, “greige” sits somewhere between dark blonde and light brunette, embracing the sort of natural, hard-to-pin-down colour we’ve spent years trying to highlight away.
“Think Mia Goth: a grey-metal finish, soft ends and barely-there dimension,” says Nicole. It’s also the perfect option if you’re ready for a bleach break. A subtle shimmer or a little brightness around the hairline keeps it fresh without requiring the upkeep of a full blonde.
Not ready to relinquish your summer blonde entirely? You don’t have to. Sandy blonde is the perfect seasonal transition for brighter blondes who want to soften their colour without going significantly darker.
“Think sandy, creamy tones with added depth and richness,” says Hannah at Hershesons Belgravia. “It creates a beautifully lived-in blonde that feels warmer and more luxurious for the colder months, while still keeping you very much a blonde.” Soft, dimensional and expensive-looking, Gigi Hadid is the blueprint.
There’s a reason rich brunette comes back every autumn. Deep chocolate and chestnut tones instantly make hair look glossy, healthy and polished – and this season, the finish is as important as the shade itself.
“The perfect transition into autumn is deeper chocolate and chestnut tones, elevated with beautiful dimension, depth and a luxurious, glass-like shine,” says Hannah.
The key is avoiding anything too flat or blocky: subtle tonal variation gives brunette movement and makes all that shine really visible. Think Kaia Gerber: deep, glossy and effortlessly sophisticated.
