Your Complete Guide To Fall’s Top Hair Color Trends
Fall is BACK. That means your books are starting to fill up with color appointments like crazy—clients are ready to transition to their fall hair color, are you? Read this guide to fall 2021’s biggest color trends: Warm balayage, pumpkin spice hair, fall blondes, reds and more!
Keep scrollin’ for the BTC Fall 2021 Hair Color Trend Report, plus get the tips you need to refresh your blonding and color techniques.
Sign up NOW to binge online courses for the BIGGEST color trends: Brondes, Foiling, Reds, Brunettes + MORE!
Pumpkin Spice
One of the easiest ways to transition a bright, grown-out blonde into a trendy color for fall—add a little pumpkin spice! The warm and shimmery tones will spice up prelightened hair for a seasonal blend.
Photo Credit: Instagram via @pekelariley
Photo Credit: Instagram via @alex.mercedesss
Photo Credit: Instagram via @hairbymickk
Photo Credit: Instagram via @alishajaredhairartistry
Tap the beaker for the formulas + click here for the how-to!
- Formula A (regrowth):
Schwarzkopf Professional BLONDME Bond Enforcing Premium Lightener 9+ + 7-volume developer
- Formula B (money piece):
Schwarzkopf Professional IGORA ROYAL Permanent Color Creme 9.5-17 + 7-volume developer
- Formula C (midlengths & ends):
IGORA ROYAL Permanent Color Creme 7-77 + 7-volume developer
- Formula D (toner):
IGORA ROYAL Permanent Color Creme 7-77 + 0-00 + 0-55 + Schwarzkopf Profressiona; IGORA ColorWorx Orange + 7-volume developer
- Formula E:
Schwarzkopf Professional Chroma ID Bonding Color Mask Orange
Glossy Copper Tones
If a client loves the PSL tones they’re seeing, but doesn’t want to commit to all-out ginger, try warming up their balayage with a copper gloss. Placement tip: We’re seeing a focus of brightness around the face frame and through the ends with a deeper base.
Photo Credit: Instagram via @suetyrrellstylist
Photo Credit: Instagram via @shannonjjwilliams
Photo Credit: Instagram via @dvcolour
Copper Balayage: Tap the beaker for color formulas + click here for the deets!
- Formula A (roots to ends)
equal parts Redken Shades EQ 6CC + 6WG + 6G + Shades EQ Processing Solution
- Formula B (quick toner)
Redken Shades EQ 6CC + 6AA + Shades EQ Processing Solution
Rich, High-Shine Reds
The second Gigi Hadid showed up at the Met with a red bombshell dye job á la Jessica Rabbit, our clients started saving rich, ruby tones to their camera rolls. Getting muddy tones when formulating reds? Read pro tips to avoid this common mistake!
See 35+ of the hottest reds for fall—click here to check out the gallery + get more color formulas!
Get the color formulas, tap the beaker! Click here to learn more about pricing + maintenance.
- Formula A (lightener)
Wella Professionals BlondorPlex Powder Lightener + 20-volume developer
- Formula B (base)
Wella Professionals ColorTouch Demi-Permanent Haircolor 6/47 + 6/3 + 7/43 + 6-volume developer
- Formula C (mids)
Wella Professionals ColorTouch Demi-Permanent Haircolor 6/47 + 6/3 + 7/43 + 13-volume developer
- Formula D (ends)
Wella Professionals ColorTouch Demi-Permanent Haircolor 8/73 + 6-volume developer
Tap the beaker for the color formulas + click HERE for the full breakdown!
- Formula A (lightener)
#mydentity™ @guy_tang #Magnum8 Powder Lightener + 20-volume developer
- Formula B (toner)
TIGI Professional Copyright Colour 7/44 + 5/4 + 5-volume Rich Creme Activator
Photo Credit: Instagram via @effortlysshair
Want the color formulas?! Tap the beaker, then click HERE for the how-to steps!
- Formula A (lightener)
Scruples Hair Care Power Blonde Lightening Powder + 40-volume developer
- Formula B (base color)
L'oréal Professionnel Inoa Carmilane™ Permanent Haircolor 5.62 + 15-volume developer
- Formula C (glaze)
PRAVANA ChromaSilk VIVIDS Orange + ChromaSilk VIVIDS Neon Yellow
How-To: Formulate Red + Ginger Hair Color—Watch The ONLINE Course Now!
Wine
Whether you’re a cab sav, merlot or pinot noir person—we can all agree there’s a wine for everyone. That goes for hair color, too! The key to making wine-stained tones POP: Place the red or purple tones against a rich, dark base for a romantic blend!
Photo Credit: Instagram via @guy_tang
Want the color formulas for this rich red?! Tap the beaker + click here for the how-to!
- Formula A
Goldwell Colorance 6vv + 5vv + a little bit of 4v + Goldwell Colorance Plus Lotion developer
Photo Credit: Instagram via @haircolorkilla
Warm Balayage
Clients are pulling away from icy, ashy tones and requesting something a bit warmer for the cooler months. Pumpkin, buttery gold and auburn tones are at the top of the request list this season!
Get 30+ warm balayage pics & more color formulas! Click here to check out the full gallery.
Photo Credit: Instagram via @hairbyarirae
Photo Credit: Instagram via @hairbymickk
Photo Credit: Instagram via @linsonhair
Photo Credit: Instagram via @antonio_espinal1984
Brondes
We love our blonde clients, but when they “want to go brunette” for fall—we know they’re lying. The solution: Formulate a bronde that plays with contrasting highs and lows. Read five tips for formulating the perfect bronde.
Photo Credit: Instagram via @colorbymaddie
Tap the beaker for color formulas + get the HOW-TO: High Impact Placement—click here!
- Formula A (lightener)
Alfaparf Milano BB Bleach Easy Lift 7 + 20 volume Oxid'o developer
- Formula B (midlength lift)
Alfaparf Milano Evolution of the Color 000SSS+ 20-volume Oxid'o developer
- Formula C (base)Alfaparf Milano Colorwear 6 + 5- volume Oxid'o developer
- Formula D (toner)
Alfaparf Milano Colorwear 5g 9.31 + 5g 10BG + 1g 7UV + 5-volume Oxid'o developer
Hair by @cassiskovic & @biancajcox
Photo Credit: Instagram via @coloredbycaitlin
Struggle with lowlights, highlights + toning?! Watch this ONLINE course with @coloredbycaitlin: ALL THINGS BRONDE!
Rooty, Grown-Out Blondes
Is there anything cooler than an extended root paired with babylights or balayage? We’ll wait. The secret to achieving this look is blending the shadow root into the brighter mids and ends. Read toning tips and tricks for rooty blends.
Photo Credit: Instagram via @stebunovhair
Photo Credit: Instagram via @hairhecker & @bescene
Photo Credit: Instagram via @mizzchoi
Warm Golden
Golden, honey tones are what the blondes in your chair want to see! Keep your client’s hair bright, while dipping into something a bit warmer for the changing seasons. Check out this step-by-step tutorial.
Photo Credit: Instagram via @ckaedingcolor
Photo Credit: Instagram via @beeblondor
Want the color formulas?! Tap the beaker below + click here to learn more about the technique!
- Formula A (lightener)
Wella Professionals Blondor Multi-Blonde Powder + 20-volume
- Formula B (pre-tone)
Redken Professional Shades EQ 6GG + Processing Solution
- Formula C (root color)
L'Oreal Professionel DIA Richesse Demi-Permanent 6.01 + 7N + 6-volume developer
- Formula D (gloss)
L'Oreal Professionel DIA Richesse Demi-Permanent 7.01 + 8.31 + 6-volume developer
Photo Credit: Instagram via @dougllas
Photo Credit: Instagram via @sabrinathehairwitch
’90s Dimension
A bold money piece, shadowy depth and dramatic, high-contrast placement that throws us back to our nineties crushes—we love this dimensional ‘90s nostalgia color trend.
Photo Credit: Instagram via @hairbychrissydanielle
Custom Face Frame
The easiest way to get clients in for fast blonding services: Customize face-framing pieces to brighten up where it counts. This is great for keeping low-maintenance balayage clients in your chair, or for those who want a seasonal change without the heavy lifting.
Photo Credit: Instagram via @sabrinathehairwitch
Brunette Bold Money Piece: Tap the beaker for the color formulas + click here for the step-by-step!
- Formula A
L'Oreal Professionel Blonde Studio 9 Lightening Powder + 3o-volume developer + Olaplex No.1
- Formula B
Redken Shades EQ Demi-Permanent 9NB + Redken Shades EQ Demi-Permanent 9V + Redken Shades EQ Processing Solution
Photo Credit: Instagram via @rob.levi
Photo Credit: Instagram via @kierrastaylor
Watch: Smart Blonding + Foil Placement Techniques with @the.blonde.chronicles for only $24.95!
Bronze
Think of hair color with a skincare approach—add shimmery, bronze tones to your client’s canvas for a dewy effect. Whether you choose warm or sandy tones, focus on creating glossy shine for light brunettes.
Photo Credit: Instagram via @romeufelipe
Photo Credit: Instagram via @ckaedingcolor
Photo Credit: Instagram via @live_love_dohair
Bronze Foilayage: Snag the formulas by tappin’ the beaker below + click here to watch the tutorial!
- Formula A (foilayage)
TRUSS Professional Air Libre Bleaching Powder + Blanc Blond Lightening Powder + 8X Powder + 10-volume developer
- Formula B (foilayage)
Air Libre Bleaching Powder + Blanc Blond Lightening Powder + 8X Powder + 20-volume developer
- Formula C (root melt)
Redken Shades EQ 4M + Shades EQ Processing Solution
- Formula D (pre-tone ends only)
Shades EQ 8GN + Clear + Shades EQ Processing Solution
- Formula E (all-over gloss #1)
Shades EQ 8N + 8V + 8GI + Shades EQ Processing Solution
- Formula F (all-over gloss #2)
Shades EQ 8N + Shades EQ Processing Solution
Coffee Tones
It might be PSL season, but ALL coffee tones are a fall favorite—think rich, dark bases with creamy blonde tones and a LOT of dimension. Add some caramel for a dreamy blend that maintains depth.
Tap the beaker to get the color formulas + click here for the how-to steps!
- Formula A (Lightener)
Schwarzkopf Professional BLONDME® Bond Enforcing Premium Clay Lightener + 30-volume BLONDME® Premium Developer
- Formula B (Low Lowlight)
Wella Professionals Color Touch 5/0 + 13-volume Color Touch Emulsion Developer
- Formula C (Toner)
Equal parts Color Touch 9/16 + 9/97 + 13-volume Color Touch Emulsion Developer
Photo Credit: Instagram via @jhair_stylist
Photo Credit: Instagram via @styled_by_carolynn
Photo Credit: Instagram via @paintedbyashleymarie
Brunette Fall-ayage
The best way to turn brunettes into loyal clients is this: Instead of simply touching up their darker tones, show up with ideas for transitioning them between seasons with balayage and toning. To avoid brass, try flash toning brunette hair with black (yes, black!).
Photo Credit: Instagram via @hairbyoguz
Photo Credit: Instagram via @biancajcox
Photo Credit: Instagram via @maggiemh
Photo Credit: Instagram via @keziasimoes
HOW-TO: Dimensional Balayage Refresh—watch the 90-minute online course on BTC University now!
Dark Chocolate
Whether you’re going for an all-over rich color or adding bright caramel pieces, chocolatey brunettes are a seasonal fave. The secret to dimensional brunettes? Avoid over-foiling and ensure there is enough depth.
Photo Credit: Instagram via @linsonhair
Photo Credit: Instagram via @pekelariley
Photo Credit: Instagram via @coloredbycaitlin
Photo Credit: Instagram via @linsonhair
Photo Credit: Instagram via @mikaatbhc
Midnight Sky
Dua Lipa is all over your client’s mood boards, whether it’s her chin-length bob or extra-long Cher hair, but there’s one thing for sure: Dua’s midnight-sky dark hair is forever cool. Remember if you’re going from light to dark, don’t skip this crucial repigmenting step to fill the hair.
Photo Credit: Instagram via @nicolaclarkecolour
Photo Credit: Instagram via @jhair_stylist
Photo Credit: Instagram via @kelleyscanvas
Color Block
The bold ’90s money piece was everywhere this year and our Gen Z clients love the punky pop of color, but are looking for more creativity with placement. During the consultation, create a game plan for where you want to color block: Pops throughout the fringe, the nape or other cool places to create contrast.
Want more color blocking inspo? Click here to check out the gallery + get color formulas!
Photo Credit: Instagram via @salonlavinia
Photo Credit: Instagram via @nubiarezo
Photo Credit: Instagram via @josievilay
Photo Credit: Instagram via @hair_by_love
Photo Credit: Instagram via @hair_one_tom