The Autumn Hair Trends You Need To Know About

“Recently, a thoughtful fringe shape has become a mini haircut in its own right. The finer hair around the face receives the brunt of sun, sea and swim-related damage in the summer, so reshaping this area in line with the season changing makes perfect sense. Sabrina Carpenter is leading the charge for fringe inspiration at the moment, as are Jenna Ortega, Suki Waterhouse and Daisy Edgar-Jones. This look can be customised to sit between the brow bone and cheekbone, depending on what best suits your face shape and hair texture. Ask your stylist for a long, angled fringe shape that sits separately from any face-framing layers and falls at a length that feels comfortable around your cheekbones. Fringes tend to separate or become oily more quickly than the rest of your hair because of how they sit against your face. Using a dry shampoo like Olaplex’s N°.4D pre-emptively will help keep your fringe airy and in place.” – Tom Smith, hair stylist & trend forecaster 

“This autumn, draped fringes are giving curtain bangs a fresh, luxe twist. Think fuller, face-framing layers that are slightly longer and softer. This look works whether you’re wearing your hair up or down, giving off that just-styled-but-still-natural vibe. A draped fringe adds volume and movement without feeling too heavy – ideal when you want a hint of glam, but still need that laidback wearability. Matilda Djerf and Kaia Gerber are nailing this look, proving it’s great for all face shapes. To style, use a lightweight mousse for volume and a round brush when blow-drying to give the fringe that swooping, draped effect.” – Samantha Cusick, hair stylist & founder of Samatha Cusick London

“Intense golden hues are everywhere right now and Cinder Toffee, the leading shade for brunettes, is honeycomb-toned and glossy. It instantly softens deeper hair, removing any heaviness or inkiness, making it an easy, wearable choice for those who are nervous about going too dark. A golden-toned brunette works best on light brown, so be sure to ask for a light-medium brunette shade with lots of golden reflects. Intentional golden tones look very different to brassy or faded hair, so don’t be scared of the warmth. Topping up the colour with a golden-toned conditioner – as a platinum blonde would use purple shampoo – will keep it looking fresh and healthy.” – Tom

“Transitioning from cool tones to golden warmth is an easy way to cheat thick and healthy hair. This trend feels bang on trend for autumn, championing earthy, softer tones as you would in your new-season wardrobe. Jennifer Lopez is a great example of how adding gold, toffee-hued warmth can make your skin glow. For an easy way in, ask your stylist for tinted gold highlights or balayage.” – Heather Purton, Senior Colour Director at Daniel Galvin

“At the moment we’re seeing a noticeable shift away from ashy tones towards warmer colours. This particular trend is all about mimicking the natural tones present in a fox’s coat. It’s popular right now because of how it adds depth and dimension, and creates an earthy, yet vibrant effect. To maintain the richness of the shade, use a shine-enhancing oil and a deep conditioning treatment on a regular basis.” – Shai Greenberg, hair stylist & founder of Gielly Green

“Sitting between golden copper and deep auburn, this fiery red-orange tone is bold, yet surprisingly wearable. A full head of colour looks striking, or alternatively, try an ombré version for something slightly edgier. This micro trend features darker auburn toward the ends to mirror a real fox tail. Otherwise, look to Sadie Sink and Madelaine Petsch for inspiration and ask your stylist for a custom auburn mix with warm undertones. Keep it vibrant with sulphate-free shampoo and conditioner – I rate Olaplex’s N°.4 and N°.5.” – Samantha 

“If you’re into effortless colour that works on both styled and un-styled hair, this is the one for you – think Sofia Richie. When it comes to achieving the right shade of Sunflower Blonde, it’s important to work with the natural base to break up the blonde and be wary of overloading the root area. Ask your hairdresser for a lived-in blonde, using babylights and balayage tip outs. On lighter blondes, it can be harder to get that saturated, high-shine effect, but I swear by Daniel Galvin’s Clear Gloss for recreating that post-salon lustrousness at home.” – Heather 

“Sunflower Blonde is that bright, warm blonde tone with a golden, sun-kissed glow – ideal for brightening up those shorter, darker autumn days. It’s a richer take on summer blonde, adding just enough warmth to complement autumn tones, while still keeping that sunny brightness. Explain to your colourist that you’re after a warm blonde with golden undertones. To keep it fresh and shiny, invest in a good purple shampoo to prevent brassiness and a hydrating mask to nourish your hair.” – Samantha 

“This trend is all about natural-looking, airy waves or curls with texture. Soft and romantic, it has a relaxed, effortless feel which works well if you’re after a look that requires minimal styling. Of course, natural texture is key, but I’d recommend smoothing a light, anti-frizz serum or curl cream through your lengths to add definition without weighing them down.” – Shai

“It’s great to see new texture-specific technology emerging, and the Cloud Curls trend incorporates the perfect amount of fluff, tapping into that youthful, ethereal effect. Curved and rounded shapes play into the personality of natural curls and tighter textures. Ask your stylist for a curly cut that is done visually – this will create a beautiful, flattering 3D shape and make the most of your curls. To get the perfect amount of fluff, once your curls have been set (and air-dried or blow-dried with the help of a diffuser attachment), shake your hair upside down, spraying a generous amount of texture spray in the roots and mid-lengths for lightweight volume and an airy, cloud-like finish.” – Tom