Not quite ready for a fall hair change? Try these 6 transitional shades instead.
As summer draws to a close, I'm feeling that familiar urge to change my hair color. While I'm eager to explore some autumn hair color trends (currently drawn to a deep, icy espresso brunette shade), I'm not quite ready for a big commitment to a dramatic hair color change. Therefore, I've been browsing through my feeds and saving some transitional hair color ideas for my upcoming salon appointment to hold me over until autumn fully sets in.
During the transition from summer to autumn, I prefer a subtle change rather than an entire hair color overhaul. If you're like me, your hair might be feeling dry or damaged from sun exposure or days spent at the beach, and perhaps your color looks a bit lackluster or brassy. At this time of year, I amplify my hair care routine with nourishing hair masks and hair glosses to refresh my existing color, often trying a color-depositing hair mask to test a new hue without the permanence of dye. In the salon, some ribbon highlights or gentle balayage can effectively revitalize your hair's color, while semi-permanent glosses can rejuvenate and add shine.
Looking for some inspiration? Here are some hair colors perfect for transitioning from summer to autumn:
1. **Malted Brunette**
If you’re a light brunette, choosing a cooler, deeper shade is a great way to embrace autumn without going too dark. Take Zendaya’s glossy malted brunette from her appearances this summer; it’s a chic, mid-toned brown that has a luxurious look. You can achieve this with a semi-permanent gloss at the salon or try a color-depositing hair mask at home first.
**Shop the Trend:**
- **Wella Professionals Color Fresh Semi-Permanent Colour Mask in Chocolate Touch** – I recommend these color-depositing masks to anyone wanting to experiment with a new hair color. They leave a semi-permanent tint that gradually washes out over a few weeks.
- **L'Oréal Paris Elvive Glycolic Gloss Lamination Treatment** – A clear hair gloss is one of the simplest ways to revitalize your hair color, especially if your hair looks dull after summer. My beauty team loves this for a mirror-like shine.
2. **Suede Blonde**
Gigi’s suede blonde is an ideal hue for blondes transitioning from summer to autumn. The thoughtfully placed blonde balayage from her dark blonde base creates a multi-dimensional effect that feels appropriate for fall while still looking like you’ve just returned from a summer getaway. I'm tempted to go blonde!
**Shop the Trend:**
- **Kérastase Blond Absolu Shine and Hydrating Duo** – A high-quality purple shampoo and conditioner are crucial for maintaining fresh blonde tones. My blonde colleagues highly recommend this duo.
- **Dphue Gloss+ Toning in Purple** – This purple hair gloss helps neutralize brassy tones between salon visits.
3. **Ribbon Brunette**
If you've been following The Shards, you might admire Kaia Gerber's hair color this summer. Her warm chestnut brunette features ribbon-like caramel highlights that add dimension and gloss. This is a fantastic option for a warm brunette color suitable for the transitional period. I plan to take this image to my colorist at my next salon visit.
**Shop the Trend:**
- **glaze Supergloss Color Conditioning Gloss in Caramel Lights** – Helps prevent highlights from becoming brassy and keeps them vibrant and glossy.
- **Living Proof Perfect Hair Day High-Shine Gloss** – Trust me, shiny hair makes your color appear ten times more luxurious. This is one of my top picks for radiant hair.
4. **Sandy Blonde**
Bella Hadid's sandy hair color might be the trendiest late-summer blonde shade. The dark brown roots blend into golden, sandy tones that are just right for blondes this time of year. It’s not overly bright for summer but also transitions nicely into autumn. It looks fabulous with surfer-inspired beachy waves, just like Bella's.
**Shop the Trend:**
- **K18 HAIR Triplebright Oxidation Defense Purple Shampoo** – This purple-toned shampoo helps prevent blonde hair from becoming brassy as autumn approaches.
- **Hello Klean Shower Filter** – If you live in a hard-water area, consider adding a shower filter to your bathroom. It removes impurities that can distort hair color prematurely, prolonging the life of your color.
5. **Teddy Bear Brunette**
Besides her beautiful lob haircut, Hailey Bieber’s hair color has a naturally healthy glow, showcasing both subtle cool and warm tones for a plush, velvety look. A tinted hair gloss or hair mask is a great way to subtly adjust your hair color, and a few lighter face-framing pieces can enhance the dimension.
**Shop the Trend:**
- **Christ
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Not quite ready for a fall hair change? Try these 6 transitional shades instead.
Inspiration for hair color.
