Leaf peeping: Fiery copper
If your camera roll is full of red, orange, and golden leaves, why not borrow a little inspiration from the scenery? A dimensional copper combines fiery red and warm golden undertones to mimic fall foliage. Hairstylist Meri Kate O’Connor previously told Cosmo that she’s been getting more requests for vibrant cherry reds this season, so this shade is definitely on trend.
Cozy coffee shop date: Espresso brunette
Whether your barista knows your order by heart or you’re known for sampling every special fall latte, your hair color should be just as rich as the espresso in your drink. This deep brunette looks particularly luxurious with a glossy finish.
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Apple picking: Honey blonde
Sweet, golden, and a little nostalgic, honey blonde is the hair-color equivalent of spending a crisp afternoon at an orchard picking apples and snacking on cider donuts. Its warm, lived-in golden tones are a natural transition from brighter summer blondes, making it a low-maintenance hair color win. Just like a honeycrisp apple, honey blonde is pretty much perfection.
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Pumpkin patch visits: Cinnamon brunette
Do you love pumpkin patches, hayrides, and the obligatory photo with a scarecrow? Your color match is cinnamon brunette, a warm copper with subtle brown and reddish undertones. It captures the spirit of the season without requiring a full commitment to bright red hair.
Cozy movie nights: Caramel bronde
Grab a blanket, a Halloween movie, and some caramel corn, and make absolutely no plans to leave the couch. If that sounds like your ideal fall evening, caramel or Bambi bronde is your match made in heaven. The soft blend of brown and blonde feels warm and lived-in, with dimensional highlights that can make growing out your color feel more forgiving between appointments.
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Baking an apple crisp: Spicy copper
My idea of the perfect fall afternoon involves whipping up a homemade apple crisp. If that’s up your alley too, spicy copper is practically calling your name. It “has warm copper, cinnamon and amber tones,” hairstylist Sierra Adam previously told Cosmo. The brunette and red undertones mimic the cozy colors of my favorite freshly baked dessert.
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Trying seasonal drinks: Cocoa bronde
Will we catch you with a steaming chai latte, PSL, apple cider, or maple hot chocolate in hand this season? Then cocoa bronde is your next must-try. The color is equal parts cozy and sweet, just like a fall drink. “I’m seeing a lot of requests for muted brunette tones that look natural and lived-in—think mushroomy, mousy tones,” O’Connor previously told Cosmo.
Haunted houses: Black cherry
Personally, I’m a scaredy-cat, but if your favorite parts of fall are the haunted houses, horror movies, and everything else spooky, a dramatic black cherry shade fits the bill. The nearly-black base hides rich burgundy and cherry undertones, giving it a slightly mysterious edge.
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Fall hiking: Chestnut brown
For anyone who likes spending weekends on the trails in the great outdoors, chestnut brown brings earthy, outdoorsy warmth to your hair with a mix of medium brown and subtle reddish-golden undertones.
Catharine Malzahn is a contributing beauty writer at Cosmopolitan and was previously the beauty assistant at Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and Prevention.