When hair color stops being a fun outing and begins feeling like a chore, it might be time for a tweak—and there is no better time of year for new beginnings than autumn, a season of transition when we feel like shedding our skin and starting fresh before a new year. That’s something a few strokes of apple cider blonde could cure, hm?
For those who dread the imminence of each root touch-up appointment and desire something more low maintenance, balayage makes a fabulous option. Balayage is the technique of applying hair color that involves hand-painting hair color sporadically throughout the hair to create a multi-dimensional look that grows out more seamlessly than traditional highlights.
Low maintenance is the name of the game, and balayage has a leg up on the competition—which is why we’re swarming the salon to get a fall color fix now that will last us through the holidays. We’ve rounded up the best balayage hair colors for fall to update your look ahead of autumn, whether you’re keen to try frosty blonde, caramel brunette, or even pumpkin spice red.
A brunette base color can stay brightened up well past summer by adding a major dose of golden caramel balayage from roots to tips—just make sure to request a shadow root or color melt to keep things low maintenance.
A shadow root is a mid-length transition between roots and highlights, while color melting, which uses two to three colors, “blends highlights with your base color for a ‘melted’ effect where you can’t tell where one color starts and the other ends,” according to L’Oreal Paris’ Beauty Magazine.
Adding a glow of sunlit color to any base color is an update that pays for itself in compliments, seen here with golden-tinged curls by stylist Natalie Anne.
Just a touch of rosy blonde-red to brighten up a brunette ahead of apple cider season. Ask for rose gold or strawberry brown balayage throughout.
Beach blonde gets a year-round makeover in this warm-toned take on platinum blonde that feels sunny without going too light for the fall and winter seasons.
