CoffeeAndMilk//Getty Images
Our editors handpick the products that we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page.
There’s something about the return of crisp weather and pumpkin-spice everything that sparks an itch for change in our homes (it’s candle season, baby), our wardrobes (hello, cozy sweaters!), and our hair color. But if you’re someone with aging or menopausal hair, you might be asking yourself how to get in on the wave of fall hair color trends without damaging your strands. Color treatments can cause damage to any hair type at any age, but if your hair is dry and prone to breakage, then change can be especially intimidating.
“Generally with age, hair tends to lose volume, becomes more brittle and porous, and loses pigment over time—which is why I don’t encourage my clients to follow unrealistic and damaging haircolor trends,” explains celebrity hair colorist Kadi Lee. "Instead, bring in novelty by enhancing dimension and adjusting your color’s tone."
Celeb colorist Tracey Cunningham agrees: “Going platinum blonde as a brunette may prove too damaging for aging hair, but can work well for a blonde or a blonde with gray hair. A good rule of thumb for brightening any hair color without putting too much stress on it is to add warm highlights a few shades lighter than your natural color."
Regardless of your hair type, investing in haircare that strengthens and repairs strands is a must for aging hair. Celebrity hair colorist Sharon Dorram recommends bond-building hair products like the K18 leave-in. Cunningham prefers Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector Nourishing Serum, which shields hair from pollution and heat while also repairing damage. Also, “stay away from alcohol in your styling products, such as mousse or hairspray, because it’s especially drying to delicate hair,” Dorram adds. Inspiration for your next fall hair color, ahead:
Copper with Strawberry Highlights
View full post on Instagram
“Fall is the season of the redhead,” says Lee, who shares that a bright copper with strawberry highlights is the freshest take. The most genius part is that you can create this result without using bleach, which can be too harsh for dry, delicate hair. “For Julia, instead of re-highlighting the red strands that had faded, I let them be, and then added copper lowlights.”
Cowgirl Copper
View full post on Instagram
The other fresh option for redheads is called cowgirl copper. It’s a muted version of a vibrant true copper, says Cunningham, who gave Leslie Mann the on-trend hue. “The main elements are rich copper and brown tones, making it an easy transition for brunettes, too.”
Chunky Highlights
View full post on Instagram
The ’90s chunky highlights trend is back but with a modern twist, says celebrity colorist Rachel Bodt. The contrast is still stark, but it’s more blended than past versions. "If it’s too much for you, opt for a bold face-framing highlight," she says.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Depth and Dimension
View full post on Instagram
Fashion’s quiet luxury trend has crossed into beauty via this “rich, healthy hair color with lots of depth,” says Dorram. Whether you have blonde, brown, red, or black hair, ask for a rich base with a touch of subtle highlights that add dimension. “If you’re a bleached blonde, you want to deepen the tone and add just enough highlights around the hairline and crown so you still have a good amount of contrast. If you’re brunette, warm up your color with lustrous shades of caramel or chocolate,” Dorram says.
Butter Blonde
View full post on Instagram
“This creamy blonde tone exudes elegance with its subtle, muted dimension that complements any natural grays,” says Lee. If you’re not a blonde, in order to keep hair healthy, it may take multiple color sessions to get to this result, but it is possible.
Chocolate Brown
View full post on Instagram
This glossy chocolate is an excellent choice for brunettes. “It’s perfect for fall and you can touch up roots with an at-home dye between appointments,” says colorist Sophie Gutterman. “If you get this style at a salon, request a gold undertone so the hair shines when the light hits it.”
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Warm Honey Highlights
View full post on Instagram
“Coming out of the summer, so many of my clients have natural highlights that they want to keep going into the fall,” says Cunningham. The solution? Warm honey to caramel color highlights, which she says look great on blonde and brunette hair. Plus, she adds, highlights are great for aging hair because they add dimension, and are low-maintenance and beautiful.
Espresso Brown
View full post on Instagram
"This rich espresso is flattering on all ages and skin tones," says Lee. "I add low-lights throughout the lengths of the hair, followed by layers of glossing for this very shiny and regal look."
