And isn t fall the ideal time to reinvent yourself? I always want a new look in September, as though I need a visual reset after the salty hair and carefree days of summer. And in 2025, hair color is more vivid, darker, and more adventurous than ever. We mean shades that are like cashmere sweaters and pumpkin chai, and have enough depth to grab the final rays of September sun.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the hair colors I’m loving for this season—each one inspired by the latest trends I’ve been tracking (and obsessing over) all year. Regardless of whether you are more of a soft and natural or a bold and statement-making kind of person, these looks introduce that September freshness with a fall-ready twist. And believe me, there is a variant of every skin color, lifestyle, and personal style. Are you ready to see your next obsession? So, let us get into it.
Falling Chestnut-to-Honey Waves
It is magnetic to have a balayage that fades out of the deep chestnut roots to the warm honey ends. It is that ideal transitional color of fall, still sun-kissed, but rooted in darker tones that reflect the fall mood of comfort. The face-framing layers are soft and they make the hair move like liquid gold when you turn your head.
Maintenance-wise, it is a dream to anyone who desires depth without frequent touch ups. I would have a shampoo that is safe on color, such as Pureology Hydrate, to keep those honey tones in place, and a gloss every two months to add back that shine.
And I love the way this color works with September light–on overcast days the richness at the roots comes out, and in early fall sunshine those honey ends get hit and they glow. It is multi-purpose, stylish, and never out of fashion.
Celebrity colorist Tracey Cunningham has said that the combination of natural root depth with bright ends can give a low-maintenance, expensive look that works all-year round. This, here, is evidence.
Soft Apricot Blonde Layers
This peach-blonde color has the warmth of the last day of summer before the leaves fall- a creamy, subtle shade with a hint of apricot warmth. The layered cut makes it bouncy and airy, hence never feels heavy or flat.
To keep the peach undertone fresh, I would switch violet based shampoo with a nourishing mask, like Redken All Soft, to balance the tone and hydration. Light colors are thirsty and conditioning treatments must be done once a week.
Personally, I think this shade is amazing with the duller palette of autumn, camel coats, cream knits, even burgundy lips. It is as though you have your own light source on.
And as Jenna Perry, the colorist of choice of the New York fashion set, likes to say–Warmth in blondes makes skin look alive, especially as daylight hours shorten. This is such warmth.
Dimensional Blonde Feathered Bangs
Multi-tonal blonde layered on a feathered cut with sweeping bangs is the power move of fall 2025, in case there is one. The mixture of sandy, platinum and darker lowlights provides it with that lived-in richness, and the bangs are framing the face with a nonchalant softness.
Care-wise, I would have a heat protectant on rotation such as Oribe Royal Blowout as this style needs to move and that tends to involve some blow-drying action. A shine spray on the ends will make those lighter pieces pop.
I have had a similar cut before and it is one of those cuts that make you feel immediately put together- even on jeans and sweater days. It is sharp enough but not too sharp to be unapproachable.
Chris Appleton has previously revealed that blonde is more interesting when layered with tones, which stops it being flat, particularly during low-light seasons. And in September that is what you want.
Autumn Walnut Brown Waves
This walnut brown is dark, textural, and absurdly shiny–as though freshly polished wood. The waves are soft so it does not feel too heavy, it is romantic and approachable. It is a shade that suits nearly all complexions, so it is one of my favorites to recommend to friends.
Maintenance in this case is about shine and hydration. I would apply a light oil, such as Moroccanoil Treatment Light, through the middle-lengths and ends to make it silky without making it heavy. To maintain the richness, a monthly gloss treatment is done.
I think this is one of the most classic fall colors that exist, it is not trend-hunting but it never feels out of date. And it flows into winter very nicely with little adjustment.
According to celebrity stylist Kristin Ess, brown hair with multi-tonal ribbons is the unsung hero of seasonal color. I would not disagree.
Blonde and Espresso High-Contrast Panels
This is to the daring: block coloring at its best, platinum blonde over deep espresso panels below. It is edgy, high-fashion and what you want when you want that instant statement without having to change your whole head of hair.
A root touch-up schedule is not negotiable to keep the sharp contrast-every 4-6 weeks is ideal. I would also buy a pigmented conditioner in both shades: purple to tone the blonde and a color-depositing brown to tone the espresso.
On a personal note, I believe this style is akin to the wearing of a leather jacket in hair form, it is bold, unapologetic and sure to draw attention.
Guy Tang, a hair pro, once said, “Contrast is power, do not be afraid to play with it.” The style represents that philosophy and the crisp energy of September is the right time to experiment with it.
Soft Mocha Waves and Caramel Ribbons
Soft mocha hair is something about September that is instantly warm and fuzzy. It is a combination of medium-brown base with caramel-colored ribbons that reflect the light in such a way that all the curls are illuminated. The waves are smooth yet not rigid and they cascade down in a flowing style that provides motion without losing form. It is that right early-fall mix, warm enough to sound out the season, but sunny enough to keep a little of summer in the air a bit longer.
The trick to maintaining this tone is to prevent the caramel highlights dulling. I even use Oribe Bright Blonde Shampoo to Beautiful Color on brunette blends, it is a miracle worker at keeping the lighter ribbons bright without taking the richness out of the mocha base. Combine with a moisturizing conditioner, since dryer air may begin to suck the moisture out of your hair quicker than you realize.
I personally love the way dimensional hair such as this feels in soft autumn light. As celebrity colorist Tracey Cunningham has frequently stated, caramel is seasonless and should be enjoyed most in the fall, and I would have to agree. The warm undertones almost appear to frame the face with an inbuilt filter- ideal to that golden hour selfie.
When you are considering this look, you can add face-framing highlights that are a shade lighter than the rest to get an extra touch of brightness. It is a minor adjustment, yet can make the entire style more personal to you.
Sunlit Depth Layered Sandy Blonde
This stratified sandy blonde is the illegitimate child of late-summer sunshine and fresh September air. There are several shades of beige, honey, and a hint of platinum that are perfectly combined so that one gets an impression that this color has been developed over months of seaside afternoons. The feathered layers give it volume and airiness so that the hair will move with each turn of your head.
My maintenance product is Redken Color Extend Blondage Mask once a week. It prevents the lighter streaks to lean towards brassy and makes the hair soft to the touch. Those layers can also be kept from flattening out throughout the day with a lightweight volumizing spray at the roots.
In my experience, layered blondes such as this are infinitely versatile. They are just as pretty when they are styled into a sleek blowout as they are when they are air-dried into undone, lived-in waves. Stylist Jenna Perry, who works with high-profile blondes, has referred to sandy shades as the blonde you never regret- and she is not wrong.
Feel like adjusting this to colder times? Ask your colorist to add a few lowlights a shade darker to give it even more depth; it will make a small difference but a huge visual difference in fall.
Glossy Chestnut Luxe
It has a subtle elegance to chestnut brown hair when it is properly done- and this is done very properly. The color is between deep cocoa and warm amber, so it has a multidimensional glow. There is a shine with loose, structured waves that is so reflective it is almost glass-like in some light.
To keep that shiny surface I use the Kerastase Elixir Ultime LHuile Original Oil. Styling seals the cuticle and boosts the reflective finish by smoothing through mid-lengths to ends with a single pump. This style cannot be without heat protection; even a little bit of curling iron should be covered not to lose that mirror-like shine.
I personally believe that chestnut has this magical power to be both timeless and trendy. Celebrity hairstylist Harry Josh has frequently remarked that the richness of a brunette is its best accessory, and a color like this makes him right.
In fall 2025, you might try a touch of auburn undertone so subtle you can only see it in the sunshine to give you a hint of autumn without going full red.
Buttery Blonde Waves
It is a creamy butter blonde that is the epitome of luxury-meets-approachability. The shade is gentle and warm, avoiding the icy platinum and overly golden shades. It is deep, sculpted waves styled into a pure old-Hollywood glamour but with a fall friendly twist.
To keep the buttery tone, I would suggest alternating a mild sulfate-free shampoo such as Pureology Hydrate with a purple toning conditioner on every third wash. This makes the warmth not brassy, but still with that softness you can touch.
Personally, this is the type of blonde that makes you feel instantly glammed up even when you wear a pair of jeans and a sweater. Chris Appleton, a hairstylist, has repeatedly said that blonde is not a color but a lifestyle, and this very shade is the one that speaks of elegance without making too much effort.
In case you want to make it even more modern in September, request a shadow root in a light beige color to your stylist, it will add dimension and make the grow-out appear carefree.
Copper-Infused Auburn to Get a Fall Glow
There is nothing that screams fall quite like copper-infused auburn hair. It is a shade of true auburn, with a few threads of brighter copper, so that the light plays on it that every turn of the head seems to have life. The length is softly curled, and the color has a depth without being oppressive to its natural brilliancy.
Copper shades are notorious to fade so I suggest a color-depositing conditioner such as Overtone Ginger Deep Treatment every two weeks to maintain the saturation. And clarifying shampoos are best avoided, too, unless you need to do it desperately–they can bleach pigment in a second.
I am partial to reds in September. They are like the leaves, the sunsets, even the warmth of a pumpkin-spiced latte. Hairstylist Mark Townsend has said that autumn light adores red hair, and he is right this is the time when copper really shines.
To get it even more fall-appropriate, you may ask your stylist to add a subtle balayage of golden blonde around the tips to add a bit of contrast and light.
Golden Copper Melt
This golden copper melt reminds me of the love child of autumn leaves and late-summer sunsets. It has remarkable depth and softness to it with the seamless transition of the rich copper at the crown to the buttery golden ends. It is warm, flattering and nearly glows in natural light.
I would maintain this color bright with a sulfate-free shampoo and a weekly color-depositing mask Moroccanoil Copper Color Depositing Mask is a favorite to keep that burnished tone from sliding into dullness.
Copper blends have always been mood-enhancers to me, they make the skin look more alive and the eyes shine, even on the most gray September day. It is the type of shade that earns you compliments in the grocery store line by strangers.
According to celebrity colorist Riawna Capri, adding gold to copper softens the edge, and adds brightness, so it is a great transitional color between seasons.
Pure Autumn Copper
This actual copper is fall-like without apologies- no highlights, no watering down, just a deep, even color that is immediately warming. The flowing waves make it have a romantic touch and the color depth has it that it will appear different in different lights.
Copper is a little high-maintenance, so I would suggest a toning gloss every few weeks to keep it from turning orange. Its richness is also preserved by keeping the number of hot tools to a minimum.
Personally, a solid copper is timeless and bold, it is not a color that blends in the background. It looks gorgeous paired with the fall makeup trends, such as burnt sienna eyeshadow or deep berry lipstick.
Tracey Cunningham once said that a true copper is like a cashmere sweater on your face, it is instantly warming and chic. I can not agree more.
Smoky Beige Blonde Layers
Smoky beige is the solution to those who love cool blonde but prefer it to be mellowed down to fall. The hair is bright but not with the cold, sharpness of winter platinum, a touch of warmth that is perfect in September light.
I would recommend alternating purple shampoo and hydrating treatment to tone and moisture. My favorite product to keep beige blondes brassy-free is Pureology Strength Cure Blonde.
I personally adore the way this shade goes with neutrals- camel coats, gray knits and cream scarves. It is subtle and opulent, a color you can appreciate more when in motion than in photographs.
According to hair stylist Justin Anderson, beige blonde has the glow, but not the maintenance of high-contrast platinum. And on busy fall schedules, that is a win.
Blonde Lengths on Soft Shadow Root
This shadow root appearance is the most secret weapon of low-maintenance blondes in fall. The darker root fades into light, creamy lengths, a grown-in glamour that is nonetheless fresh.
Such root smudge methods will allow you to go 10-12 weeks between salon visits, particularly when you seal your lengths with a UV filter spray such as Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer.
I believe what is truly beautiful about this look is its flexibility, it can be teamed with polished waves or air-dried texture, and it suits nearly every skin tone. It is also an excellent method of transitioning to lighter hair without having to commit to the maintenance of the entire head.
According to celebrity stylist Anh Co Tran, a soft root makes blondes more modern and less effortful. The month of September is the best time to embrace that vibe.
Curtain Bangs Textured Blonde
This blonde who has curtain bangs is all French-girl vibes–long, layered texture with bangs that part in the middle and curl out softly. The base is a bit darker, which provides it with a dimension, whereas the lighter lengths provide that bright frame around the face.
There is a bit of styling involved with curtain bangs, so I would have a round brush and a light mousse in the house. Oribe Grandiose Hair Plumping Mousse provides bounce without any stiffness, which is important in maintaining them bouncy.
I think curtain bangs make any style instantly more purposeful- they are a subtle adjustment with a huge payoff, particularly when combined with light blonde tones.
Curtain bangs have been described by celebrity hairdresser Brigitte Veyrat as the facelift of hair as they open the face and focus attention on the eyes. It is one of those things you can sense the moment you taste them.
Side-Swept Bangs Golden Bronde Layers
This is a fun but sophisticated side-swept bronde bob that is a great option to wear in early fall. The ground is a warm medium-brown with fine, golden highlights to give a natural, sunlit depth. The layering on the face makes the structure less harsh and the bang sweep gives it some movement and a touch of mystery.
Keeping that golden glow going in the changing light of September is all a matter of the proper wash routine. I would suggest using a color safe shampoo such as Pureology Strength Cure alternating with a purple shampoo every other or third wash to maintain the highlights without toning down the warmth too much.
This style is the best transition between the lightness of summer and the richness of autumn to me. It is young and yet professional- a hair style that can be worn with a blazer as well as a chunky knit cardigan.
To make it your own, request your stylist to add some babylights at the crown to add some lift. They are gorgeous and can give the appearance a new look without the need to have a complete color session.
Dimensional Ash Blonde Bob
This ash blonde bob is smooth, layered and completely contemporary. The cool-toned blonde is blended seamlessly into soft and smoky lowlights, giving the cut shadow and depth to look fuller. The side swept layers give the face an open look but with the casual just brushed through look.
Ash blondes are not immune to additional attention in order to prevent brassiness. I use Fanola No Yellow Shampoo once a week to keep the color looking bright and a moisturizing mask (I like Olaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask) to keep strands from feeling brittle.
I personally adore the way the ashy undertones are so at home in September. It is a stylish hint to the cooler days to come and not too wintery. Hairstylist Guy Tang has repeatedly stated that dimension is the blonde luxury version, and this style is no exception.
To give it a boost to be more seasonal, add a darker shadow root- this softens the grow-out and makes the entire style even more dynamic.
Hazelnut Balayage Espresso Brown
It is an opulent espresso brown with subtle hazelnut balayage that makes a silky mix that is ideal during the warm-to-cool season transition. The medium length with soft layers make the color transitions even smoother and give the face a halo effect.
To prevent the hazelnut tones turning brassy, I am a devotee of Shu Uemura Color Lustre Brilliant Glaze Conditioner- it adds shine and seals in pigment without making hair feel heavy.
To me, this is the type of color which suits nearly everyone. The darker base is more sophisticated and the lighter ribbons tone down the whole effect. Stylist Johnny Ramirez once referred to this as brunette with a vacation glow and I believe it captures the essence of the look- it is subtle but still a show-stopper.
You can even add in some lighter golden strands in the front to give it a bit of a glow of warmth to brighten up your complexion in a second.
Long Hollywood Waves in Soft Beige Blonde
It is a blonde with a soft beige color that is elegant and seems to be made to fit in September soirees. The hue is a warm beige with light cream highlights that reflect the light in the long, shaped waves. It is the sort of blonde that looks costly–not a single streak, but a perfect diffusion of color, root to tip.
To maintain that reflective sheen, I would suggest a glossing treatment every 6-8 weeks as a means of upkeep. Davines MINU Conditioner is also an excellent daily choice to maintain the color to look freshly done.
Personally, beige blonde happens to be one of those colors that work so well in fall lighting- it takes on a golden tone inside and appears soft and natural outside. Chris Appleton has stated that good blonde should make you glow without makeup and this one definitely does.
Fancy some more autumn depth? Get your stylist to put in a root smudge in a neutral caramel to give it a bit of contrast.
Curtain Fringe Silver Smoke Layers
It is a definitive statement of fall 2025 in this silver smoke style. The combination of frosty silver tones and darker slate undertones makes it have a smokey depth that is edgy but at the same time very sophisticated. The curtain fringe and soft layers prevent the cut to be severe, making it look feminine.
Silver finishes require a light and regular cleaning process. I would advise a blue-violet shampoo, such as Matrix Total Results So Silver, to keep the warmth away and a weekly reparative mask to help address any dryness caused by lightening.
I have always felt that silver hair has a certain silent strength to it- it is assertive, trendy and seasonal but not stereotypical. Jack Martin, the silver transformations expert, says that gray and silver shades must not be concealed, and this appearance is a shining example.
To make it more fall-appropriate, you can add a touch of lavender or dusty rose undertone to it that would provide an unexpected twist but still maintain the smoky sophistication.
Sleek Espresso to Caramel Fade
It is this espresso-to-caramel fade that is the epitome of polished elegance this fall. The dark shiny roots flow into warm caramel lengths, giving it that rich dimensional look that looks just as beautiful straight as it does curled. The accuracy of the positioning of the color renders it deliberately smooth.
The low-maintenance lover will love the fact that this is a very forgiving mix when it comes to root growth- a touch-up every few months is ample, just as long as you keep the glossiness intact with a shine enhancing serum such as Kerastase Elixir Ultime.
I have used a similar mixture at a busy season and I always felt more done than I was. It is a quiet luxury sort of color- not too loud to wear to the office, but still fancy enough to wear out at night.
As colorist Matt Rez is fond of saying, deep, dark roots serve as a backdrop that makes ends even lighter shine even brighter. That balance is nailed by this style.
Cinnamon Red Layers
This cinnamon red is warm, spicy and full of fall energy. The color is naturally vibrant and it goes so well with long, flowing layers so light can capture in each wave. It is a tone which glows against the subdued landscapes of September.
Reds such as this require a bit of extra TLC- UV protection and color-safe formulas are essential in ensuring that the pigment does not fade prematurely. One of my favourite recommendations there is Davines Alchemic Conditioner in Copper.
I have found the cinnamon tones to have a certain magic in early fall-they repeat the colors of the season, and yet do not appear to be costumey. It is daring, yet friendly, and brings out freckles and warm undertones.
According to celebrity stylist Sharon Dorram, reds are not for the faint of heart, but the reward in shine and vibrancy is unsurpassed. In this shade, it is worth the payoff.
Golden Honey Blowout
This golden honey color is as though the sunshine was put into a hair form. The shade is somewhere between blonde and light caramel, which makes it warm but does not go into the brassiness. The large, full blowout adds motion, and the highlights around the face add light to the face.
To keep the glow, I would suggest alternating a purple shampoo to prevent brassiness and a hydrating mask to keep strands moisturized- Olaplex No. 8 is ideal in this balancing act.
I have always been a fan of honey tones in September since they go perfectly well with summer tans as well as early winter complexions. They are flattering, soft and any hairstyle will appear purposeful.
Colorist Rita Hazan has stated, “Honey blonde is the most universally flattering warm blonde-it brightens the face without washing it out.” This appearance is living evidence.
Entering September, hair color is no longer a beauty option, but a means of aligning with the energy of the season. No matter whether you are tilting toward warm caramel ribbons, cool smoky tones, or a rich chestnut glow, the correct shade can change the entire mood. Fall 2025 is dimension, softness, and colors that go seamlessly between sunlit afternoons and candlelit evenings. Why not make it the month you do something different? The finest hair color, after all, is not only worn, but lived in.
