16 Ideas for Brunette Fall Hair

Fall is the season of transformation

Written by Kate Holmsy. Updated on 16 Ideas for Brunette Fall Hair

Fall is the season of transformation. As leaves turn shades of amber and gold, there’s an undeniable urge to align our own transformations with nature’s rhythm. If you’ve got brunette locks, it’s an exciting time to play with tones, highlights, and textures that celebrate the season. And for those looking to make a change, going brunette this fall might just be the ideal move.

In this article, we’ve curated 16 tantalizing ideas for brunette hair that evoke the cozy essence of fall, ensuring you’ll be turning heads wherever you go.

1. Cinnamon Highlights

Cinnamon isn’t just a favorite fall spice; it’s also a hot hair trend. By infusing brunette strands with warm cinnamon tones, you’re creating depth and dimension.

  • Deep Base: Start with a rich, chocolate brown as the base.
  • Subtle Highlights: Scatter soft cinnamon highlights throughout. The key is subtlety.
1. Cinnamon Highlights
@coloredbykp

2. Espresso Depth

Espresso is more than just a morning pick-me-up. Its deep, sultry tones can give brunette hair a mystique that’s irresistibly captivating.

  • Dark Undertones: Opt for an almost-black brunette hue.
  • Slight Sheen: Apply a gloss treatment for added shine.
2. Espresso Depth
@sunkissed.salon

3. Bronzed Balayage

Balayage remains a beloved technique, and with a bronzed touch, brunettes can enjoy a sun-kissed look even in fall.

  • Natural Roots: Keep the roots in their natural shade.
  • Bronze Tips: Lighten the ends to a bronze tint.
3. Bronzed Balayage
@live_love_dohair

4. Autumn Ombre

Embrace the gradation of colors that autumn brings with an ombre that mirrors the fall foliage.

  • Deep Roots: Start with a deep brown or almost-black at the roots.
  • Gradual Fade: Progress to a caramel or auburn at the tips.
4. Autumn Ombre
@samanthacusicklondon

5. Mocha Meltdown

Mocha is that sweet spot between brown and black. It’s rich, it’s alluring, and it’s perfect for fall.

  • Deep Chocolate Base: Aim for a deep, rich brown base.
  • Black Undertones: Incorporate faint black undertones for that mocha perfection.
5. Mocha Meltdown
@balayagist
balayagist

6. Maple Glow

Think of the golden glow of maple leaves. That’s the essence of the maple glow brunette.

  • Golden Undertones: Integrate golden undertones into your brunette hair.
  • Soft Highlights: Add soft, sun-kissed highlights for that perfect autumn radiance.
6. Maple Undertones
@alexandresilvestrebalayage

7. Chestnut Charm

Chestnut is the classic fall shade. It’s timeless, elegant, and effortlessly beautiful.

  • Warm Base: Opt for a warm, medium-brown base.
  • Reddish Highlights: Add soft reddish highlights to evoke the true chestnut charm.
7. Chestnut Charm
@beautybabesalon

8. Cherry Chocolate

The tantalizing mix of deep chocolate and vibrant cherry can give your hair a pop of fall color that’s both bold and beautiful.

  • Dark Base: Begin with a dark chocolate base.
  • Cherry Streaks: Introduce streaks of cherry for that vibrant burst.
8. Cherry Chocolate
@milkshakehairuk

9. Rustic Auburn Undertones

There’s a rustic charm about auburn tones, reminiscent of autumn’s earthy hues. This trend is for brunettes looking to imbue their locks with a reddish warmth.

  • Natural Base: Start with your natural brunette shade.
  • Auburn Undertones: Introduce understated auburn undertones, especially towards the ends.
9. Rustik Auburn Undertones
@meltedbymish

10. Hazelnut Hues

A delightful mix of brown with hints of gold, hazelnut is the cozy shade you’ll fall in love with.

  • Medium Brown Base: Establish a medium brown as the foundational shade.
  • Golden Streaks: Infuse sporadic golden streaks for that sunlit touch.
10. Hazelnut Hues
@peluqueriaycolor2

11. Midnight Shadow

Plunge into the deep end with this mysterious and enchanting shade, ideal for those nights out or candlelit evenings.

  • Almost-Black Base: Set the stage with a very dark brown, bordering on black.
  • Gloss Over: Seal with a high-gloss treatment to capture the moonlit sheen.
11. Midnight Shadow
@katrussinhair

12. Golden Espresso

A twist on the classic espresso, this style bathes those deep tones in a golden glow.

  • Espresso Base: Begin with a foundational deep espresso hue.
  • Gold Overtones: Sweep over with golden overtones, especially around the face.
12. Golden Espresso
@diogopitaro

13. Smoky Walnut

Capturing the spirit of fall bonfires, smoky walnut offers a blend of deep brown with ashen overtones.

  • Rich Brown Base: Lay the ground with a rich brown shade.
  • Smoky Highlights: Weave in smoky, ashy highlights for that toasted finish.
13. Smoky Walnut
@xohayleyxox

14. Honeyed Cocoa

Rich, deep, and sweet – this trend combines the depth of cocoa with the sweetness of honey.

  • Dark Brown Base: Root your hair in a dark chocolate shade.
  • Honey Highlights: Drape honey-toned highlights, focusing on the mid-lengths to ends.
14. Honeyed Cocoa
@collective_hair

15. Burnished Bronze

Straddling between brunette and redhead, this shade offers a metallic finish that gleams in fall sunlight.

  • Medium Brown Base: Settle on a medium brown base.
  • Bronze Tints: Paint on bronze tints, concentrating on the crown and tips.
15. Burnished Bronze
@mariapatriciohairdesigner

16. Bittersweet Caramel

Dripping with richness, bittersweet caramel is the indulgent brunette shade you didn’t know you needed.

  • Brown Base: Opt for a foundational brown.
  • Caramel Swirls: Blend in swirls of caramel, making sure to vary the intensity.
16. Bittersweet Caramel
@mariapatriciohairdesigner

Choosing the Right Hair Color: Key Considerations and Tips

Hair color can be transformative. It can elevate your look, boost your confidence, and even provide a fresh perspective on your personal style. But, with countless shades and techniques available, how do you select the color that’s most flattering for you? Here are some essential tips and considerations to ensure your hair color choice is on point.

Choosing the Right Hair Color Key Considerations and Tips
hairbypattytolbert via instagram

1. Understand Your Skin Undertone

Your skin’s undertone plays a pivotal role in determining which hair colors will look best on you. Generally, skin undertones are categorized as:

  • Cool: Pink, blue, or purple undertones.
  • Warm: Yellow, peachy, or golden undertones.
  • Neutral: A mix of both cool and warm undertones.

For instance, cool undertones often pair well with ash-toned hair colors, while warm undertones can be enhanced with golden or caramel hues. Neutral undertones are versatile and can usually pull off a wider range of colors.

Understand Your Skin Undertone
jaimelozanoperruquers via instagram

2. Consider Your Eye Color

Your eyes can be a window to the perfect hair shade. Typically:

  • Brown or hazel eyes: These often pair well with richer shades like chestnut, deep brown, or even mahogany.
  • Blue or green eyes: These can pop with ash-blond, copper, or lighter shades.

3. Think About Maintenance

How often are you willing to touch up your color? Some shades, especially those that are far from your natural color, require more frequent maintenance. For instance:

  • Blondes: Often require regular toning to combat brassiness.
  • Vibrant Colors: Shades like blues, pinks, or purples might fade faster and need frequent touch-ups.

4. Factor in Your Current Hair Condition

If your hair is damaged or has undergone multiple chemical treatments, it might not hold color well. It’s also essential to ensure your hair is in good condition before any coloring process to avoid further damage. In such cases, consider a professional consultation or opt for gentler coloring methods like balayage or semi-permanent dyes.

5. Reflect on Your Personal Style

Are you looking for a subtle change or a dramatic transformation? Your personal style and how you wish to express yourself should inform your hair color choice. If you’re more conservative in your style, a soft balayage or natural highlights might suit you. However, if you love making bold fashion statements, don’t shy away from vibrant hues or unique color combinations.

6. Utilize Technology

Take advantage of apps and virtual try-ons available today. These platforms allow you to test different hair colors (virtually) before making a decision. While the result might not be 100% accurate, it gives a general idea of how a particular shade might look on you.

7. Test with Semi-permanent Dyes

If you’re uncertain about a color, start with a semi-permanent dye. These dyes wash out after several shampoos, allowing you to test a shade without the long-term commitment.

8. Pay Attention to Trends, but Don’t Be Ruled by Them

While it’s great to be aware of current hair color trends, choose a shade that suits you personally, rather than one that’s simply in vogue. Remember, trends change, but you’ll be wearing your chosen color for a while.

9. Consult a Professional

A colorist or hairstylist can offer valuable insights based on their experience. They’ll consider your skin tone, hair type, and overall style to recommend shades that will be most flattering. Furthermore, they can suggest techniques that might be suitable, like ombre, highlights, or full color.

10. Remember the Bigger Picture

When changing your hair color, think about your overall look. Will the new color complement your wardrobe? Will it suit important upcoming events? Consider the bigger picture to ensure your new shade fits seamlessly into your lifestyle.

Your brunette hair is a canvas waiting to be painted with the shades of fall. Whether it’s the reddish allure of auburn or the deep magnetism of midnight shadow, there’s a hue for every mood and moment. Embrace the change, experiment with colors, and let your hair be a testament to the beauty of the season.

Conclusion

Choosing the right hair color is a blend of art and science. It’s about understanding your personal attributes, from skin undertones to eye color, and aligning them with your style preferences. However, the beauty of hair color is its impermanence. If you’re unhappy with a shade, you can always change it. So, while it’s essential to make informed decisions, don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun with your hair journey!

Written by
avatar
Kate worked in "The Fashion Magazine" for four years as a freelance writer and loved to consult and help people with their style. How to create your own style, how to look beautiful, and select trendy colors for your hair - these are just a few of many issues Kate will happily explain in Beezzly Beauty blogs!
Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here.