Glamour

Hair

18 Dark Fall Hair Colors to Inspire Your Next Dye Job

 

From cowboy copper to expensive brunette.

Now that the weather is finally cooling down, the search for dark fall hair colors can officially begin. As for what colorists are saying about the seasonal shift?

“This fall we will be seeing many enriching adjustments to hair color,” Lauren Mildice, hair colorist at Chicago’s Maxine Salon, tells Glamour. “Blondes will find balance and depth through the addition of caramel, honey, and pumpkin spice ribbons throughout hair, and strawberry blondes will now transition into rich deep copper shades like auburn.” Everyone's going darker for the season. And since you're reading this, chances are you're considering it too.

Of course, natural brunettes are sure to have fun in the fall as well. “Brunettes have choices,” Mildice continues. “They can go from neutral to spectacular, including exciting combinations of mahogany, plum, and caramel-chocolate browns. This season it’s time to rev up our leftover summer hair!”

As for redheads? According to Shvonne Perkins, master colorist and lead educator at home hair color maker Madison Reed, red-hair mania isn’t going away any time soon, and apple-cider-inspired cowboy copper is predicted to be one of the biggest shades for fall. “This hair color shifts the bold copper shade we’ve been seeing everywhere to a more muted copper,” she says.

Ready to join the dark side? See 18 expert-approved dark fall hair colors ahead, and get ready to screenshot.

Cowboy Copper

Fall’s biggest red-hair color trend? Not pumpkin spice red but cowboy copper. It's pretty much the next iteration of last year’s copper craze, now leaning more into golden auburn territory than its highly pigmented predecessors. “This hair color shifts the bold copper shade we’ve been seeing everywhere to a more muted copper,” says Perkins, who coined the shade’s name. “Think apple cider. It’s a mix of a warm, light auburn hue with subtle hints of gold and copper.”

Cool Espresso

Cool, smoky shades of espresso browns are also having a moment. “This smoky, natural brunette is a great option for brunettes looking to cool down their tone and is reminiscent of the mushroom brunette trend but with a fresh splash of sandy tones,” Perkins says. “Use Madison Reed’s Color Reviving Gloss in Espresso to achieve this color at home, while using the Color Therapy Mask in Caffe for the ultimate refresh between glosses.”

Natural Brown

Love your natural hair color? Perfect timing: “More natural color is still in, meaning people are avoiding overprocessing,” says Jaclyn Curti, hair colorist and extensions specialist at Eva Scrivo Salon in New York. “Think Olivia Rodrigo’s rich chocolate brown with subtle amber brown highlights toward the bottom.” This look also works well for ashy brown colors.

Midnight Onyx

Wednesday-inspired goth glam has sparked a resurgence in deep brown and black hair like midnight brunette. “This rich black with extra shine, as if to look reflective, is trending after Wednesday,” says Lorena M. Valdes, colorist at Chicago’s Maxine Salon. “For this look, ask your colorist for an allover hair dye from roots to ends. Malibu C treatments are great to remove any buildup that helps dull and greasy hair.” We especially love this shade with a chic short haircut.

Candlelit Brunette

One of 2023’s biggest brunette hair trends is candlelit brunette. Jennifer Korab, celebrity hairstylist and owner of Renaissance Salon & Spa in Hillsborough, New Jersey, describes it as a “warm and radiant brown hair color that’s achieved by adding subtle highlights and lowlights to a brown base; the overall effect is meant to mimic the soft, flickering glow of candlelight.

Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate brunette is the epitome of expensive luxury hair, so it’s no surprise that it’s predicted to trend this fall. “This classic hair color complements just about everyone, plus delivers an instant sophistication and edge,” says Perkins. “Dark chocolate brunette welcomes in cooler brown tones for an allover rich brunette shade that adds depth and dimension to your look for fall.”

To create the look, Perkins suggests using Madison Reed Radiant Hair Color in Milano or Messina at home or in a Madison Reed Hair Color Bar, and maintaining at home with Madison Reed Color Therapy Mask in Caffe or Madison Reed Color Reviving Gloss in Espresso.

Chestnut Brown

Medium-brown hair lovers might want to consider golden chestnut hair. “Chestnut hair is a beautiful shade that ranges from deep reddish brown to light golden brown,” says Nicole Lucero, a colorist at NYC’s Mahogany Grace Salon. “It’s a very versatile color that suits many skin tones and can be both warm and cool in tone.” The look has become increasingly popular in recent years, with celebrities like Camila Morrone, Emma Watson, and Zoey Deutch sporting the shade. “It is a low-maintenance hair color that requires minimal touch-ups.” That’s always a win.

Rich Brunette

“Rich brunette is a hair color trend we are seeing for 2023,” says Korab, pointing to Meghan Markle’s hair as a prime example of the shade. “It’s great to add dimension or depth to richen up brunettes. This hair color trend looks great on most skin tones, and will never go out of style. It’s a great color to try if you already have brunette hair and just want to enhance it.”

Brownie Batter

What really sets brownie-batter brunette from other brown hair colors is its showstopping dimension, along with how low-maintenance it is despite looking so luxe. “This hair color trend has soft blonde money piece and a few highlights around the face,” says Korab, who coined the shade name. “It can also have some softer blonde pieces throughout the hair while still maintaining mostly the rich brunette look.”

Chocolate Cherry

If your hair is naturally dark but you want to dabble in red hair color, chocolate cherry is the perfect way to combine the two. “It’s an alternative to auburn but still in the warm, reddish family,” says Jason Lee, hairstylist, colorist, and founder of hair care maker Mela & Kera, defining the shade as adding a red wine undertone throughout brunette, which can also be accomplished through red highlights or balayage.

“For those of us who aren’t ready to take the full plunge into red, chocolate cherry seems to be a great way to update your look and make it modern but still live in the brunette world,” he says.

Caramel Lowlights

For a more quiet-luxury-inspired take on brownie-batter brunette, Lucero recommends dyeing your hair a rich chocolate brown with reddish undertones and opting for lowlights instead of blonde highlights.

“This look is achieved by adding lowlights to the hair in shades of caramel or burgundy,” she says. “It is a great way to achieve a natural-looking hair color that is also striking and bold. This style suits individuals with warm-toned.”

Glossy Black

Add some extra to shine to your natural black hair color with a gloss. “Color Me Gloss by Kevin Murphy is an exceptional product that not only repairs and strengthens your hair but also enhances its lustrous appearance,” Kate Reid, design director at Kevin Murphy, says. With its thickening and intensified shine properties, it’s one of the best black hair color products available on the market.

“Bropper” Red

Mildice also points to pumpkin spice “bropper,” which is a brown hair and copper color mix, as another shade to watch for the fall. “This is a great option for the cozy months when you feel the urge to richen your color but do not want a dramatic change,” she says. “Everyone can embrace hair color warmth, especially when cozying up to a nice warm fire. Since copper and deep brunette color is in high demand during the colder months; combining the two just makes sense.”

Lived-In Black

Chase Kusero, cofounder of IGK Hair and a celebrity stylist, created this effortless shade for Camila Cabello. “It’s a lived-in, effortless black, where the ends wash out to a slightly warmer lighter tone of black,” he says.

Expensive Brunette

We also have good news for those who love warm tones: Expensive brunette is very much still in vogue. “Brunettes with a golden undertone are rising in popularity,” says Emily Boulin, hairstylist and Sally Beauty DIY color and styling expert, of the deep brunette shade. “It’s subtle, looks natural, and adds a touch of warmth, creating a soft, flattering dimension that looks like it grew out of one’s head organically.”

Black Cherry

If your hair is naturally dark but you want to dabble in red hair color, chocolate cherry is the perfect way to combine the two. “It’s an alternative to auburn but still in the warm, reddish family,” says Lee, defining the shade as adding a red wine undertone throughout brunette, which can also be accomplished through red highlights or balayage.

Smoky Brunette

“Cool brunette hair is a trendy and chic option for those who want to darken their locks without going too dramatic,” says Lucero. “The color usually involves subtle highlights or lowlights to give depth and dimension to the hair.”

Cool brunette hair can also vary from a dark ash brown to a cooler chocolate hue, depending on the individual's skin tone and preference. “This hair color looks fantastic with soft waves or a sleek straight style, making it a versatile and low-maintenance,” she adds.

Burgundy Plum

Another red hair color that’s trending for fall? Burgundy plum. “With its deep purple hue and hints of red, plum hair color adds a bold and dramatic touch,” says Mildice. “It’s perfect for the fall season.”