Autumn’s Biggest Hair Colour Trend Is Surprisingly Versatile
If there’s one major hair-colour trend to look out for this autumn, it’s red. Brian K. Hawthorne, colourist at DevaCurl’s Devachan Hair Salon, says that when the temperatures get colder, clients go warmer — literally. Now, more than ever, people are seeking out bold looks to symbolise change, and the auburn and copper huesahead fit the bill.
Convinced you should go red, too? Colleen Flaherty, colourist at Spoke & Weal salon in New York, is all for it, but she warns that it does require a bit of research. Go through your Instagram, consult your colourist, and find photos with hair colours that inspire you. (We’re here to help with the last one!)
Flaherty says that whenever she meets with a client who wants to dye their hair red, she asks them how long they’ve been considering it and what sparked the change. “I also give them real expectations on what their colour can realistically turn out to be,” Flaherty explains. “Red hair tends to fade quickly based on how much you wash and how much you heat style. I make sure they understand that and let them know they should come in for a gloss to refresh the tone in between colour appointments.”
In other words, red hair isn’t exactly a low-maintenance or subtle choice for fall — but, boy, is it beautiful. Ahead, Hawthorne, and Flaherty map out the four biggest red-hair trends you can expect to see this year. Bonus: There are loads of IG images worth saving for your colourist.
Strawberry Blonde
Natural blondes and redheads, this is the low-lift colour change for you. Hawthorne recommends this strawberry blonde shade to anyone searching for a slight change or added dimension. Not only is it easily achieved with a few painted highlights or a coloured gloss, but the upkeep is minimal in comparison to other red shades.
And there’s more variety to the strawberry blonde shade than you think. For blogger Amina Marie, it’s all about blush and orange tones, keeping her curls on the richer side of the colour spectrum. “Before deciding on a realistic shade, I’d take into consideration the clients warm or cool undertones,” Hawthorne explains. For instance, someone with fair, cool skin should opt for a strawberry blonde that is on the yellower side, while someone with darker skin should consider warmer rose golds.
Flaherty chose to keep model Kelly Mittendorf on the cooler end of strawberry blonde with sunny, yellow undertones. Not only does it enhance the original blonde Mittendorf came from, but adds just enough coppery warmth for autumn.Although most people tend to visit the salon requesting a drastic hair change at the beginning of a new season, Flaherty says that, sometimes, a colour change calls for incremental dye jobs. Just like going blonde, going red can be a process. If you’re a constant hair colour flip-flopper, consider a red gloss to neutralise worn-out tones or revitalise old highlights first before taking the plunge.Hawthorne explains that not only does strawberry blonde look great on natural blondes, but it also requires less maintenance than other shades of red because it can usually be achieved with just a gloss. But you shouldn’t sleep on your at-home routine just because you chose a blonder red versus a red velvet (we’ll get to that later). Hawthorne’s routine includes Devacurl Decadence No Poo. Not only does it replenish lost moisture after a colouring service, but it’s also pH-balanced and sulphate-free to lock in the colour and prevent fading.Auburn Sunset
If auburn hair is a darker ginger, then an “auburn sunset” dye job is a dark ginger with orange-y undertones. It’s sunny, but cozy; cool, but rich. Think of it as the pumpkin spice shade you won’t feel cliché for ordering.
Auburn is also a colour easily achieved with a gloss for natural redheads looking for a season refresh. Actually, Hawthorne recommends that anyone with natural reddish tones in their hair request a gloss at their next hair appointment. “Glosses are typically semi-permanent,” he explains. “It’s a quick change and low maintenance.”If you’re a brunette looking to brighten up your look without having to touch bleach, this golden red is your best choice. Even better, it’s easier than you think to go from a virgin brown to a redhead using permanent dye. “Natural brunettes have underlying red and orange pigments in their hair, which the colourist can play off of when taking the client red,” Flaherty explains. Kethline pulls it off perfectly here.But if you’re a natural blonde — or currently platinum — you might find trouble staying red. Virgin blondes lack the warmer pigments in their hair that people with dark brown hair have, so the colourist is essentially creating that warmth from scratch. As for platinum hair, Hawthorne says that because of constant bleaching, the hair is far less porous, which means it won’t hold the red pigment quite as easily as someone who has not bleached their hair. In that case, expect to come in for multiple rounds of dyeing due to fast fading. But if it comes out like Amanda Steele’s, man is it worth it.When done expertly on dark hair, auburn sunset highlights with smudged roots make the grow-out phase a piece of cake compared to starting on a blonde base (which requires more frequent trips to the salon). This look by senior colourist Riannen-Kendra Hooks out of TH Lounge makes it look easy.If anyone knows a thing or two about daring hair colour, it’s Jillian Hervey, a.k.a. one half of the musical duo Lion Babe. The singer has constantly toggled between golden blonde and cherry red, but recently settled on a blend of several different reds. At a glance, her braids’ melt to create a coppery gold, but look closer and you’ll spot several different shades — orange, blush, mahogany — winding in and out of each twist. Like a real sunset, Hervey’s hair uses a variety of bright hues to create a colour that’s the perfect middle-of-the-road red.Red Velvet
Though it’s not the most natural-looking hair colour out there, it is perhaps the most universally flattering red. However, there are some prep steps required before going velvet red, like a double-process to lighten before dyeing. Then, more often than not, a permanent dye is used to achieve this desired red.
Depending on the shade you’re looking for and how well your hair holds pigment, you won’t always have to pre-lighten hair before your colourist applies a permanent dye. However, it’s important to remember that the darker the red the longer it’ll probably last (although, the longevity is never guaranteed). “From my experience, darker reds last longer than lighter reds,” says Hawthorne. “This is probably because of the heavy amount of colour that’s deposited into the hair.”To maintain a colour like Greta Lee’s here, Hawthorne recommends washing with a sulphate-free shampoo while using cool water. Also, consider using an at-home gloss or toning conditioner in-between appointments to keep the colour fresh.Not only should your colourist consider your skin tone (Flaherty also looks at a client’s eye colour) to determine your perfect shade of red, but also your hair type. If you have super-curly hair, you want to cater your colour to your coils, says Hawthorne. Curly hair reflects light differently than straighter textures, which means the shade your colourist lands on should reflect that to avoid the final result from looking dull or diffused — which is the exact opposite of Sully G’s bold and glossy look.With so many variations of the rich colour, it’s important to bring as many photo examples to your stylist as possible. Looking to be even more prepared? Book a consultation with a colourist before scheduling the appointment — that way you two can discuss the right colour for you. Our vote is on Ashley Michelle Bravo’s vibrant red.Rusted Copper
Flaherty says that out of all the red hair requests this season, she expects to see the most for copper — and Hawthorne agrees. Although copper hair could include a mix of red, yellow, and orange hues, it’s this rusted brunette option (seen here on Flaherty’s client Kalysse Anthony) we’re most excited for.
If you’re someone with naturally darker hair or want a refresh on a dull brunette dye job, this gets you the best of both of both worlds: red and brown and shiny all over, as posted by Devachan’s Brian K. It’s also one of the red colour trends that looks even better in the form of highlights. But whether you choose to go red via a balayage service or not, Flaherty recommends using a colour-preserving shampoo and conditioner. Her favourites: Aveda Madder Root Shampoo and Conditioner. The formula helps enrich brunette and red hair colours while simultaneously cleansing the scalp without stripping it of your colour.Before you decide on getting highlights vs. all-over colour, consider your cut. Do you have layers or an angled bob? Then, consider face-framing highlights that will lift and elevate the colour you already have. Bonus: Opting for a partial paint job will have you spending less time in the salon chair and more time showing off your new look.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
