This is a dream shape, if your hair is inclined to be thick or heavy. I would blow-dry in sections using a medium round brush to over-emphasize the bend at the ends. And what about the color? A gloss treatment after every 6-8 weeks will prevent those highlights turning dull. I am fond of Kerastase Chroma Absolu Shine-Enhancing Mask to do this, it gives a little luxury and keeps the tones silky and reflective, even when heat-styled.
I believe this cut is the queen of versatility personally. It is tied back in a claw clip, it looks polished blown out and still has movement on day three. I have found that it is particularly flattering on medium to long face shapes- those face framing flicks do a lot of subtle lifting. I recall a quote by a stylist Tracey Cunningham who once said, that when the light hits it naturally, it should be as though it was always yours. This is precisely what this color does.
It is also the type of shade that goes well between office lights and golden hour. You do not have to have a full color appointment to transition to this look, tell your stylist you want dimensional low-maintenance highlights and bring this photo to show her. Then leave it to the season.
Shiny Mocha Blend with Smooth Contour Layers
This is what I would term as quiet luxury hair. Stern, long and extremely sleek. The foundation is a proper mocha brown, and even though it appears to be one shade at the first sight, there is a subtle contouring going on due to light gradient layers. It is discreet- like chiseled cheekbones on your hair. The middle section provides form, yet there is nothing here that is overdone. It is luxurious, stylish, and very contemporary.
Keeping this type of polish requires embracing heat protection and hydration. I will always suggest the Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray to any client that seeks that glass-like finish as it controls frizz without weighing the hair down. It also assists the undertones of brown shades to come out under the indoor light, which, to be honest, most of us spend fall.
I even wore something similar two autumns ago when I was trying out longer lengths and I do still miss how it made my entire look feel instantly elevated. It has a simplicity that is not simplistic more like a blank canvas that you can dress up with a pair of statement earrings or a dramatic coat. It is what hairstylist Chris Appleton terms as the power blowout and it is one of his favorites to apply.
This is one of the least effort, most rewarding fall styles when you have naturally straight hair or hair that is just slightly wavy. Plus, the cut grows out gracefully, which means fewer salon trips if you’re into that kind of freedom.
Soft Waves Toasted Blonde Balayage
This color is what cappuccino and cinnamon toast have when they collide. The foundation begins with warm light brown hair that then smoothly blends into the honey beige balayage in the mid-lengths and ends. The soft waves merely add to the dimensional color, that kind of tossed-off, I-spent-the-day-apple-picking zest–without going out of the city.
The best time to experiment with this mix is in the fall when the golden hues will not be in conflict with the warmer makeup palette or the cozy knits we all gravitate towards. To keep this look, you may want to re-fresh with a toning gloss every 5-6 weeks to prevent brassiness. I would use Redken Shades EQ in a special beige-gold blend.
The thing I like about this color is that it is not blonde-blonde, but it still reflects like one. It is sort of a glow-up filter but with hair. This style takes me back to the time when my friend returned to me after her October vacation in Asheville and her balayage was painted by autumn itself- warm, dimensional, yet easy.
It is also stunning with curled hair or straight hair and even better, your grow-out is soft and forgiving. You could ride this hair color well into winter without feeling like you’re behind on your maintenance.
Caramel Curtain Bangs Soft Shag
This is rebellious hearted fall hair. A fluffy shag greets long, caramel-drizzled curtain bangs, a latte with a bit of bite. The layers are face-framing and long to provide volume where you want it and texture where you need it. The color is a game of mid-brown roots and warm highlights all over, particularly the bangs, which lighten the face in the same way that instant bronzer does.
I understand that not all people are willing to invest in bangs, but these are not like that. They sprout out beautifully and add so much form to the entire style. As stylist Jen Atkin once put it, curtain bangs are the equivalent of contouring, but with hair, and this is exactly what it looks like. I would always suggest using a lightweight styling cream such as R+Co Motorcycle Flexible Gel to maintain texture soft yet sculpted.
Based on personal experience? This is the haircut that made me retire my flat iron at last. The movement has something that provides enough structure without trying. A diffuser, a small product, and bang, you have that breezy rockstar thing.
When you are desperate to change things but not to lose length, this is a dreamy middle. You won t have to panic in the middle of the salon-chair, you will feel the difference.
Ashy Almond Feathered Layers
This is what fall would feel like, feathered, fluffy, and moving. These face-framing layers are a retro blowout, but with a twist of an ashy almond mix. The color varies between beige brown and honey blonde, creating depth without getting too warm. It is smooth but structured, the hair version of your most comfortable quilted coat.
This kind of cut is a dream to medium-density hair as it brings in a lot of lift and bounce. To make it appear plush, I would use a volumizing root spray such as Living Proof Full Root Lift and then blow-dry using a round brush. It provides the right amount of grip so that the layers will shake as you move.
I have spotted iterations of this style on loads of celebrities recently, such as Priyanka Chopra in her fall layers or even Margot Robbie in her retro waves. It is flattering and low-key glamorous, which makes it work on everyone. You might go into any room, date night or boardroom, and this style would appear to you.
It is also important to mention that such ashy tones are very lenient during a seasonal transition. They will not conflict with darker roots and they retain that costly, multidimensional feel even when the lighting becomes cold and gray.
