By Alison McGill
You may feel a little chilly having your morning latte outside these late summer mornings, but there’s one thing that’s warming up for autumn: hair colour.
Usually as the days get shorter, we cool down our colour. Blondes are less sun kissed. Brunettes refresh and reinvent with a darker cast. Reds get deeper. But this fall, keeping stride with fashion’s love of cozy hues like caramel, umber, ochre and rust, hair colour is experiencing a warming trend and embracing toasty tones for the season ahead.
According to Teresa Bator who is an Olaplex advocate, blonde hues are shifting towards buttery, golden tones. “I am loving a colour I like to call ‘Sunshine Blonde’ which is a bright, warm, soft and sophisticated shade,” Bator shares. “I am also loving butterscotch tones which are beautiful blend of honey and caramel tones which add warmth and brightness to hair.”
If you are a balayage fan, Bator reports warmer tones are definitely haute. “Brunettes are going richer with a touch of golden red—cinnamon spice is a perfect fall hue,” she says. “I love this spicey, red-brown shade because it adds depth and dimension, making it a flattering choice for so many skin tones. With all hair colour this season, the aim is to achieve soft, elegant tones rather than extreme contrasts and provide a natural yet luxurious appearance.”
Some celebrity locks that perfectly embody this seasonal warmth? Golden girls Ariana Grande and Serena Williams; Chappell Roan’s fiery copper curls; and the rich intensity of Dakota Johnson and Selena Gomez’s deep espresso locks. In addition to looking luxe, all these trending hair colours have one thing in common: incredible shine.
“Caring for your hair and maintaining the integrity of hair health is something we’re all embracing,” Bator says. “Using the right products is how you achieve this. Choosing formulas with bond-building technology ensures hair remains healthy and strong after colouring because they are designed to add moisture and body, while also promoting smoothness and a glossy finish.”
Bottom line: If you want to hop on fall’s demure trend, be mindful and take extra care with your hair to create sophisticated looks that shine.
Essential Hair Colour Care Products
These will preserve and protect your investment.
The Cleanser
This sulfate-free formula promises to keep colour looking fresh for up to 34 washes. Enriched with amino acids and vitamin E, this shampoo boosts shine and shields hair from water and heat damage.
BUY: Redken Acidic Color Gloss Shampoo and Conditioner, $34, beautysense.ca
The Leave-In Conditioner
This new wonder treatment from Aveda is designed help fortify and strengthen hair as well as protect it from heat styling. It resurfaces the cuticle to create a soft, shiny finish and has the most heavenly lavender-vanilla based scent.
BUY: Aveda Invati Ultra Advanced Leave In Treatment, $57, aveda.ca
The Deep-Treatment Mask
This super-powered mask adds next level moisture and shine to your hair and repairs any heat damage. Use once a week and apply to clean hair from roots to ends and leave on for 10 minutes.
BUY: Olaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask, $41, olaplex.ca
The Hair Oil
Simply put, this nourishing oil is a hair revelation! Apply to clean hair before styling products and see the glow up it gives hair as you bring your locks to life with heat styling.
BUY: Kerastase Elixir Ultime Hair Oil, $74, kerastase.ca
