9 Gorgeous Hair Colors To Take You From Summer To Fall

Ravyn Lenae with her copper hair. — @ravynlenae / instagram

Summer seems to have passed in the blink of an eye. Somehow, fall is almost here. While you might be sad about the end of sun-drenched beach days and dining al fresco, there are some major perks to the change in seasons. One of our personal favorites? It’s an amazing time to spice things up by giving your hair color a refresh.

Whether you’re looking to tone down the blonde or are dreaming of a deep and luxurious brunette shade, read on for 9 expert-recommended hair colors to consider for the summer-to-fall transition.

Meet the Experts

Min Kim is a celebrity colorist and global ambassador at L’Oréal Professionnel based in New York City.
Michelle Hong is a colorist and the founder of NYC The Team.

01 of 09

Expensive Honey

For a luxe, golden hue that’s the perfect bridge between sun-kissed summer highlights and the richness of fall, consider coloring your hair this expensive honey shade. It “features a warm blend of buttery blondes, golden beige, and a touch of light caramel to maintain brightness while adding depth,” says celebrity hair colorist Min Kim.

At the salon, ask for a dimensional golden blonde with soft balayage or baby lights around the face, toned with warm beige or honey gloss. And tell them you want a soft grow-out, not a high-maintenance blonde.

02 of 09

Hazelnut Brunette

Lily Collins smiling at an event — Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Got your eyes on Lily Collins’ deep, glowing brunette look? Consider this rich and radiant hazelnut hair color this fall. “It layers warm brunette tones like golden chestnut and maple brown to enhance natural movement and reflect shine—without going too dark,” Kim says.

To achieve this look, she suggests asking for “a warm, dimensional brunette that sits between golden chestnut and rich espresso“ with “some subtle face-framing and a gloss to enhance shine.”

03 of 09

Copper Brunette

Zendaya wearing a strapless gown and a statement necklace posing against a floral backdrop — Gilbert Flores/GG2025/Penske Media via Getty Images

If you’ve fallen in love with Zendaya’s warm, coppery brown hair that glows in natural light, try out a copper brunette hue. This color combines deeper cinnamon and auburn tones with brown for a spicy, earthy look that flatters many different skin tones. “Think of this as your favorite autumn latte in hair color form,” Kim says.

At the salon, you can request “a rich brunette base with copper or auburn undertones,” she says. “Keep it dimensional, not solid, with a soft gloss or tone-on-tone balayage.”

04 of 09

Rose Brown

Lucy Hale with short hair looking towards the camera — @lucyhale / Instagram

Rose brown is a fun and flirty take on brunette that incorporates subtle hints of pink and mauve, Kim says. This color is ideal for brunettes seeking something fresh and creative without heading into blonde territory.

At the salon, ask for a brunette base with a blush or rose-toned gloss layered over. Tell them you want “a soft, metallic reflect that’s visible in sunlight but not bold pink,” adds the expert.

05 of 09

Caramel Melt

Jennifer Lopez posing indoors — @jlo / Instagram

Jennifer Lopez’s iconic caramel melt hue “softly blends summer’s lighter ends into a richer, fall-ready base,” says Kim. “Think of it as a melt from blonde to toffee and mocha—perfect for brunettes who went lighter in summer and want to transition back with softness.”

At the salon, ask for a caramel balayage or color melt with warm tones like coffee or honey. Kim suggests telling your colorist that you’re going for “a blended root that feels like fall but keeps some of my summer brightness.”

06 of 09

Honey Balayage

Gisele Bndchen looking to the side — James Devaney/GC Images

Aiming for a warm and natural look? “Honey balayage is where warm, golden honey tones are hand-painted onto the hair to create a soft, natural-looking gradient,” says Michelle Hong, colorist and founder of NYC The Team. Using the balayage method helps ensure that the highlights blend seamlessly and are feathered through to create a natural, yet glowy effect.

To get this look, Hong suggests asking your colorist not to lift your highlights too much and requesting a gloss that gives you a golden glow. “Sometimes gold glosses can look flat over bleach blonde highlights, so the toner has to be rich, warm, and a perfect hue of honey to hold in the hair,” she says.

07 of 09

Warm Copper

Brittany Snow with styled hair someone adjusting her appearance — @brittanysnow / Instagram

For a look that screams autumn, Hong suggests warm copper. This vibrant shade of golden copper has a glowing, dimensional effect. When you head to the salon, make sure you have some inspo photos of the exact shade of warmth you’re aiming for: “Coppers and reds are all about the vibrancy, so having an example of what you desire is key,” Hong says.

She also suggests asking the colorist if this color will suit your skin tone and eyes. Some warm tones may clash with your natural coloring, so it’s good to check.

08 of 09

Mocha

“Mocha hair color is a luxurious, deep brown shade infused with soft warm or cool undertones—much like a rich mocha coffee,” Hong says. “It’s a timeless, sophisticated hue that brings natural dimension and shine to the hair.”

Keep in mind that mocha is warm, but not too warm. To achieve this look, make sure to pinpoint the exact shade you’re looking for. This can minimize the chances of ending up with a color closer to chestnut than mocha, Hong says.

09 of 09

Toffee

Jessica Alba posing for a photo — Swan Gallet/WWD via Getty Images

Sitting somewhere between brunette and blonde, toffee is a warm, golden brown hue that blends rich caramel and light brown tones. The end result is a sunlit, buttery finish that’s both soft and dimensional, Hong says.

At the salon, make sure to ask your colorist for non-brassy tones. “This shade is caramel but with no orange,” she says. “The highlights should be softly painted for dimension and not too streaky.”

9 Gorgeous Hair Color Ideas To Take You From Summer To Fall