Fall's Rich Color Obsession (And Why Your Hair Needs Extra Love Right Now)

By Nichole Ricard, Level 5 Stylist at Hyde Salon Vista

Okay, can we talk about what's happening with fall hair colors this year? Because I'm honestly obsessed.

I've been doing hair for over a decade now, and every September I get excited about the shift from those bright summer highlights to something deeper and moodier. But this fall feels different. My clients aren't just asking for "something darker", they're bringing me inspiration photos of these gorgeous, rich tones that look like they belong in a luxury hotel lobby or something.

What I'm Seeing in My Chair

The colors I'm mixing most right now? Think coffee shop vibes mixed with expensive chocolate. Deep chestnuts with golden undertones. Amber shades that catch the light just right. Some of my braver clients are going for these beautiful maple-y reds that make their eyes pop.

Last week, I had three different women show me the same Pinterest board of "cozy fall colors," and honestly, I get it. There's something about these earthy, rich shades that just feels right when the weather starts to cool down.

What I love about these deeper colors is how forgiving they are. Remember how those bright summer highlights showed every bit of regrowth? These blended, dimensional browns and reds grow out so much more gracefully. One of my regulars, Sarah, went six weeks longer than usual between appointments because her color just looked intentionally grown-out instead of neglected.

The Reality Check Nobody Talks About

Here's the thing though, and I always tell my clients this, fall color is gorgeous, but it needs different care than what you did all summer. The air gets drier, you're probably using more heat styling (hello, sweater weather), and colored hair just behaves differently.

I learned this the hard way about five years ago when I went really dark for fall and then wondered why my hair felt like straw by November. Color-treated hair needs moisture, period. And not just any moisture, it needs something that actually protects the color investment you just made.

That's where I started recommending Genesis Mask to pretty much everyone who sits in my chair for color. I know, I know,another hair product recommendation from your stylist. But hear me out.

Why This Mask Actually Works

I started using Genesis Mask myself before I ever recommended it to clients (I'm a guinea pig for pretty much every product that comes through our salon). After one use, my hair felt different. Not just soft, but actually stronger. Like the color was locked in better.

The science makes sense too. When you color your hair, you're opening up the cuticle and changing the structure. Your hair needs help recovering from that process, especially with these deeper fall shades that require more processing.

I tell my clients to use it once or twice a week, not every day, because that's overkill. Just work it through your mid-lengths and ends after you shampoo, let it sit while you shave your legs or whatever, then rinse. Takes maybe five extra minutes in the shower, but your color will thank you in two months when it still looks fresh instead of faded and dull.

The Styling Part is Fun Too

What I'm loving about these fall colors is how they work with the textures everyone wants right now. Those loose, undone waves? Gorgeous. A sleek blowout for work? The depth shows beautifully. Even my curly-haired clients are obsessed with how these colors move through their natural texture.

Emily, one of my long-time clients, just got this beautiful dimensional brown with subtle caramel pieces, and she told me she's been getting compliments from strangers. That's the power of the right fall color, it just makes you look more polished without trying too hard.

If You're Thinking About It...

Look, I'm not going to oversell this. Not everyone needs to go dramatically darker for fall. But if you've been thinking about a change, or if your current color feels too summery, this is definitely the season to try something richer.

Just do yourself a favor and commit to taking care of it properly. Book a consultation if you're not sure what would work with your skin tone and lifestyle. And seriously, invest in a good mask. Your future self will thank you when your color still looks expensive in December.

Ready to talk about what might work for you? Give us a call. I love helping people find their perfect fall look, the one that makes them feel like the best version of themselves when they walk out the door.