KEY TAKEAWAYS: Fall means pumpkin spice everything – hair color included! If you're on the hunt for fall hair trends and shades that'll make your clients Fall (pun intended) deeper in love with your services, this blog is the perfect starting point!
Updated: November 4, 2025
As the air gets crisp and the PSLs start flowing again, it’s officially that time of year – cozy sweaters, moody nail polish, and of course, a brand-new fall hair color.
This season’s color palette is all about warmth, richness, and glow. Think tones that pair perfectly with your favorite fall fits and a caramel drizzle on top.
But one hue is clearly stealing the show: pumpkin spice hair color.
Below, we’re diving into this year’s must-try fall hair color lineup – from the spicy orange-gold of pumpkin spice to the sultry shine of cherry cola and the cozy brunette shades like chestnut, cinnamon, and mocha mousse.
Whether you’re behind the chair or just plotting your next transformation, these tones are fall personified.
Pumpkin Spice Hair Color: A Guide to the Best Hair Colors of Autumn
What is Pumpkin Spice Hair Color?
Let’s be real – “pumpkin spice” isn’t just a latte flavor anymore. It’s a whole vibe.
Pumpkin spice hair color blends warm copper, gold, caramel, and auburn undertones for a look that’s soft, dimensional, and flattering on nearly every skin tone. Think cozy sweater energy, but make it glam.
Pro tips for stylists:
- Start with a copper base and blend in golden or honey highlights for brightness.
- Go balayage-style for dimension and low-maintenance grow-out.
- Or create a deeper, pumpkin spice brunette for clients who want warmth without going full redhead.
Tone this shade mid-season to refresh its glow – glosses with warm gold or apricot undertones keep the look fresh long after spooky season ends.
Pair it with a soft wave, a voluminous blowout, or that effortless "undone" texture. No matter how it's styled, pumpkin spice hair color brings instant autumn appeal!
It's cozy, luxe, and so on-brand for a moody fall aesthetic. It's even, dare we say, just as autumnal as a pumpkin spice shade!
Other Must-Consider Fall Hair Colors for Your Clients
Cherry Cola Hair Color
Rich, bold, totally addictive – a must-consider color for the fall season, too!
If pumpkin spice is sweet, cherry cola is bold. This deep brown base with burgundy or red-violet tones is a sultry favorite for clients who crave drama without full-on red.
Cherry cola hair color is perfect for brunettes looking to refresh their shade for fall – it catches the light beautifully, adding shine and depth without going too vivid.
Pro tips for Stylists:
- Use a mahogany or plum gloss to amplify dimension.
- Add subtle red panels or lowlights to mimic the fizz of a real cherry cola.
- Works especially well with warm skin tones or dark eyes.
Chestnut Brunette Hair Color
It's like classic fall warmth, but reinvented.
Chestnut brunette is the timeless fall shade that never goes out of style. This hue brings a balance of deep brown and subtle copper tones – creating a glowing, natural warmth that flatters nearly everyone.
It’s sophisticated but approachable, making it a go-to for clients who want to shift their tone for fall without a total overhaul.
Pro tips for stylists:
- Try adding hand-painted caramel pieces around the face for dimension.
- Layer in a root shadow to create depth and extend wear between touch-ups.
- Pair with a gloss service to make the color gleam in fall sunlight.
We like to think of it as the “cashmere sweater” of hair colors – soft, classic, and endlessly flattering.
Cinnamon Spice Hair Color
A little subtle heat, please.
Ready to turn up the spice just a little? Cinnamon spice hair color hits that sweet spot between brunette and red – warm, vibrant, and undeniably fall-forward.
This medium brown hue with coppery ribbons catches the light beautifully and works across all textures. It’s the perfect choice for clients who want a cozy, radiant color without committing to full-on copper or auburn.
Pro tips for stylists:
- Create a cinnamon melt using a blend of chocolate and copper tones.
- Recommend at-home color-safe shampoo to preserve those spicy highlights.
- For lighter clients, add a rose-gold glaze for extra warmth.
The result? A tone that looks like cinnamon sprinkled in the sunlight. It's effortlessly warm, with just the right amount of kick.
Mocha Mousse Hair Color
The cool-toned clients deserve something to Fall for, too!
For those who prefer a neutral, understated vibe, mocha mousse delivers cozy sophistication in every strand.
This creamy brown shade mixes neutral chocolate tones with a hint of beige or soft caramel for a multidimensional, coffee-inspired color that flatters cool and neutral undertones alike.
It’s especially stunning in the fall light – dimensional enough to catch attention, but subtle enough to read effortlessly chic.
Pro tips for stylists
- Add a soft balayage or “mocha melt” for tone-on-tone dimension.
- Use glossing to maintain that creamy finish between appointments.
- Pair with a curtain bang or soft-layered cut for movement.
This shade is the perfect “transitional brunette” and is ideal for clients easing into richer color before winter.
Marketing Your Pumpkin Spice Hair Services This Fall
Want to make the most of the fall color rush this year? Start marketing your services early! (Or start thinkin' up how to market it for next year!).
Try a few of these ideas to make a pumpkin-spice-style impact on your client books this fall.
- Create a Pumpkin Spice Hair promo package: think about including a gloss and take-home shampoo for the warm-toned clients.
- Update your social posts with trending hashtags: Don't leave out things like #PumpkinSpiceHair, #CherryColaHair, or #FallHairGoals.
- Take plenty of before-and-after shots in natural light: bonus points if you take them in a spot with a little fall foliage to really set the mood.
Remember: Clients aren’t just craving new color – they’re craving that seasonal feeling. Leaning into the branding behind the colors you've perfected can help you fill those books and give the people what they want – that fall feeling!
You’re not just delivering a shade; you’re giving them the full autumn aesthetic.
Helping Clients Choose Their Perfect Fall Shade
Every client loves the idea of a fall refresh, but not everyone knows which tone works best. As a season stylist, it's your job to help guide them toward the shade they'll love and that will look best on them.
Here are a few considerations to keep in mind.
Focus on Skin Tones First
It's always wise to note and analyze each client's skin tone before you start swatching. Warm undertones? Think pumpkin spice, cinnamon, or chestnut. Cool undertones? Try mocha mousse or cherry cola.
Talk to Them About Maintenance
What's your client's real commitment to keeping this color going? If you've got a low-maintenance client, set them up for success with something that needs a little less work. Save the higher maintenance shades for the clients who are committed to keeping their styles looking good.
Pumpkin spice and cinnamon shades often require glossing to stay bright. But brunette-based tones like mocha or chestnut are easier to maintain.
Consider their lifestyle, too! Low-maintenance clients love soft balayage and lived-in tones. High-maintenance clients may go for bold, reflective reds or rich all-over color.
Use The Season As Your Guide
If you have a blonde client who doesn’t want to go too dark with their color, think about some warmer tones from caramel to golden. Buttery tones are a perfect complement to the fall season.
You can add enough depth to get that fall flavor without making the hair too dark—and it’s easier to go brighter once the summer season rolls back around.
If their color is currently a dark brown, maybe you want to add in red or warm copper tones in an ombré. The palette can run from bright red to plum to subtle copper tones. There are plenty of choices in this area.
Feel free to add colors in foil or all over. A demi-permanent color could be an option, so you can change it more readily when the next season’s trends hit.
Plan Ahead For Fall Color
Start dialing down the blonde a bit at the last part of the summer, and try working in one of the newest trends, bronde. Add a warmer tone to the dark color you usually do.
What you want to keep in mind here is looking ahead to the next change of color, and not doing any undue damage to the hair in the interim.
Want Something Simple? Try A Shadow Root
A shadow root in a medium-brown can tone down the bright blonde. Some subtle low-lighting can bring out the beautiful blend of color.
If the client currently has a blonde ombré color, consider adding some pieces in a darker, muted color to the blonde for contrast.
Or, just toning down the blonde to a more golden, softer tone. A soft toner might just do the trick—if they like blonde and don’t want to have dark hair, subtlety is key here.
The color can be painted on in a balayage technique that adds color right where you want it. Baby lights can also add that touch of color your client wants.
Think About a Little Extension to Their Style
Whether all over for a dramatic change or random pieces to enhance the fall look without changing their own color, hair extensions are the perfect solution to creating a fall look without the commitment.
Remember, healthy hair is just as important as keeping up with the seasonal trends.
Spice Up Your Season: Protect Your Craft While You're At It
You’re out here mixing formulas, painting masterpieces, and giving your clients their main-character glow-up moments – and we’re here for it. But before you dive headfirst into that next pumpkin spice transformation, make sure you’re covered.
Even the most seasoned stylists know that one small slip (literally or figuratively) can turn a perfect appointment into a headache. With professional liability insurance made for beauty pros, you can focus on creating those fiery fall looks without worrying about the “what ifs.”
Whether it’s a reaction to hair color, a client trip in your chair, or an unexpected oops with that new toner, Elite Beauty Society’s insurance has your back through it all.
Because when you’re covered, you’re free to create fearlessly. And we know that’s when your best work happens.
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