Maybe it’s September ‘back to school’ days being drilled into us since childhood or maybe it’s the changing of the seasons. Either way, autumn always brings out the urge to do something dramatic with our hair colour.
But while most of us have fallen victim to a bad, impulse-bought box dye, a proper hair refresh needs careful consideration and planning. Not least because hair colour trends are constantly changing, and a few shades or colour placement can be the difference between a stunning hue and a shade that ages you.
For us mere mortals, the whims of the hairdressing world can be hard to keep up with (what’s the difference between ice and honey blonde highlights again?). So we asked Anna Lee, Technical Art Director and top colourist at Toni & Guy, Nottingham, for her advice about the colours to try – and those to skip – this autumn.
Anna Lee
‘For a lot of people, hair colour is the most visible fashion statement they’ll make,’’ Lee says. ‘Clothes change daily, but your colour is with you all day, everyday – so it’s worth getting right.
‘You always want to consider maintenance before making a shift,’ Lee advises. ‘Are you happy paying for frequent root-touch ups and the specialised care that comes with bleaching or colouring your hair? Do you have a busy schedule that makes opting for a softer colour that you can grow out a little between appointments better?’
Whether you’re after a complete overhaul or a quick refresh, Lee has picked the dye jobs to check out (and swerve) this coming season. Keep reading for all the hair inspo you need – and the snaps to save and show your stylist.
Skip: Chunky highlights
Like every trend we thought we’d left in the noughties (low-rise jeans, cowboy boots, those hideous chain belts), chunky highlights experienced a brief resurgence at the start of 2025. But while Bella Hadid and J-Lo might have been tempted, Lee warns it’s a microtrend that will date quickly and won’t enhance your looks.
‘Hair colour should enhance your features, not compete with them,’ Lee says. ‘Chunky highlights can look so dramatic they draw attention away from your face.’
‘That aside, chunky highlights are high maintenance. Because the highlighted sections are thick, any root growth is immediately clear, and colour fading or brassiness is also more visible. You’d need to be in the chair every four to six weeks which is both time-consuming and expensive – particularly for a look that’s unflattering and dated.’
Try: Babylights
If chunky highlights are the hair equivalent of shouting, babylights are a soft and delicate whisper. These ultra-fine, delicately placed highlights mimic the way your hair naturally lightens in the sun, giving a subtle shimmer rather than bold streaks.
‘Babylights are timeless,’ Lee says. ‘They add brightness without creating harsh lines, as if you’ve always just come back from a beach holiday. They’re the perfect way to nail a natural, quiet luxury blonde.’
Another bonus? They grow out discretely. Because the sections are so fine, regrowth blends seamlessly into your base colour, meaning you can afford to push salon visits slightly further apart without looking unkempt. ‘Babylights are low-maintenance, versatile, and they suit almost all skin tones,’ Lee says. ‘They’re a go-to for any top colourist.’
Skip: Ashy dark brown
That flat, ashy brown shade might be the go-to of 5’11 runway models at Fashion Week. But their paleness and sallowness is part of their appeal, and for most of us, the overly cool, almost grey-leaning tones will leave us looking eternally washed out, especially in the softer, golden light of autumn.
‘On the right person, ash tones can be chic,’ Lee says. ‘But for most, they drain the complexion and make the hair look flat and thin.’
There’s also the upkeep to consider. Ashy tones tend to fade warm, meaning you’ll need regular toners to keep the cool finish intact – a high-maintenance habit for a colour that doesn’t do your skin tone any favours. ‘I’m steering clients towards warmer browns with dimension,’ Anna adds. ‘They’re more flattering and forgiving on almost all skin tones.’
Try: Mocha mousse
Like its coffee namesake, mocha mousse is rich and indulgent. This warm chocolate brown – a runway staple at AW25 Fashion Weeks – is woven with golden undertones, often achieved with a blended balayage or fine highlights to create depth and dimension.
‘It’s the perfect transitional shade for autumn,’ Lee says. ‘The golden tones pick up the softer seasonal light, while the darker base adds richness and shine. Think the gorgeous, warm mocha Hailey Bieber wore last winter.
Mocha shades are especially flattering on olive and warm skin tones, because the contrast isn’t too jarring and balances any natural sallowness. ‘It’s a shade that feels cosy but still polished,’ Lee says, ‘and has that deep, indulgent and expensive feel that’s perfect for winter events.’
Skip: Dip dye
The Tumblr-era poster child of hair colour, dip dye made a brief, nostalgic appearance earlier this year – but in Lee’s opinion, it’s best left in 2013. The blunt line where the natural hair colour stops and the dyed ends begin lacks the softness and sophistication of modern colour techniques and looks, to put it bluntly, cheap.
‘Dip dye is the antithesis of the current trend for blended shades,’ Anna says. ‘There’s no graduation between shades, so it can chop the hair visually with a defined, blunt line, shortening the face and aging you.’
It’s also a surprisingly high-maintenance look. Because the contrast is so stark, any fading at the ends becomes glaringly obvious, and darker regrowth at the top can make the two halves of your hair feel disconnected. ‘If you want two tones, there are far more flattering ways to do it like ombré or balayage, that still give you that contrast without the harsh divide,’ Lee adds.
Try: Butter blonde
Soft, creamy and warm, butter blonde is a great option for those looking to go lighter this autumn. Think (you guessed it) buttery tones melting seamlessly from a slightly deeper root into lighter ends, for a bright, graduated effect.
‘Butter blonde is perfect for anyone who wants to stay light without the stress of constant root touch-ups,’ Anna says. ‘The lived-in blend means you can go longer between appointments, and the warm tones are flattering in autumn’s softer light.’
This shade works especially well on fair to medium skin tones, especially those with peachy undertones, but Anna notes it can be customised for cooler complexions by softening the golden notes. ‘It’s an easy, wearable blonde that feels chic without trying too hard,’ she adds.
Skip: Cola red
‘It’s a fun statement colour, but it’s not a timeless one,’ Anna says. ‘The cool undertones can be really unforgiving, and when it fades – without the personal hairdresser Dua Lipa has on speed dial – you’re left with an uneven pinkish wash that’s far less glamorous.’
Maintenance is another killer. Cherry red pigments fade faster than almost any other shade, meaning you’ll be back in the salon for glosses every few weeks. ‘For most people, it’s just too much upkeep for a look that dates quickly,’ Anna adds. ‘There are warmer, richer reds that give you the drama without the headache.’
Try: Cinnamon copper
The perfect spicy shade for Christmas and full of dimension, cinnamon copper is the red shade dominating 2025. Sitting somewhere between classic copper and soft auburn, it blends golden, orange, and subtle brown undertones to create a rich, autumn-ready glow.
‘Cinnamon copper is a great step towards red hair,’ Anna says. ‘It works beautifully on a wide range of skin tones because the mix of warm hues brings life to the complexion without overpowering it.’
Unlike flat reds, this shade has natural highs and lows built in, so it grows out more gracefully (visible dark roots are a huge issue for people who lighten to ginger) and keeps its vibrancy longer. Anna suggests adding soft face-framing highlights to make it even more luminous. ‘It’s the perfect choice if you want a statement colour that still feels wearable,’ she adds.
