5 Autumn hair colour ideas experts predict will trend for '26

Michelle Yeoh, Nicole Kidman and Amal Clooney pictured at red carpet events with damson brunette hair, strawberry beige hair and truffle brunette hair — (Image credit: Getty Images)

Come closer and speak truthfully: aren't you secretly thrilled to be moving into the cooler half of the year? Sure, summer's great and all, but if you're looking for a stylish wardrobe, a stacked TV schedule and a snap of 'back to school' productivity, you've got to hand it to autumn.

Another area in which autumn has the edge is hair. Finally, we can refocus our attention from simply batting away damage to having fun with the 2026 hair trends, via a sharp new cut or rich tone that won't get instantly warped by UV or chlorine.

If you've been mulling over trying new colour for the 'Ber months ahead, you're in luck. This season's colour palette is rich, flattering and deliciously food-inspired. Plus, according to celebrity hairdresser Melissa Timperley, these small tweaks in tone can create the most luxurious, expensive- looking results.

The good news, says Timperley, is you don't need a total colour overhaul to try this season's trends. "I think we’re going to see richer versions of the colours people already love, with more warmth, depth and dimension," she states.

"Fashion is becoming more expressive, with richer colours and texture coming through, from velvet and suede to leather and soft knits, and I think we’ll see that translate into hair too."

Below, Timperley details her five autumn hair colour predictions, with our selection of inspiration photos to take straight to your colourist (or the box dye aisle at Boots)

For glossy blonde

Oribe

Gold Lust Transformative Masque 50ml

Keep warm blonde tones shimmering with this luxurious mask, which contains a bio-restorative complex to deeply nourish and add a healthy gloss.

For copper with depth

Jerome Russell

Colour Bomb Colour Depositing Hair Mask

Red tones fade notoriously quickly, but this mask contains a low-level pigment to keep luxurious copper hair at its best.

For rich brunette

Glaze

Supergloss Color Conditioning Hair Gloss in Chocolate Gleam

This high-shine, cool-toned buy is perfect for hair glossing at home, to maintain rich, chocolatey brown - plus, it only takes ten minutes start to finish.

1. Almond Blonde

Margot Robbie pictured with almond blonde hair and a fringe on a red carpet

While recent years have been dominated by high-maintenance cool, creamy blonde tones, Timperley is predicting a more naturalistic colour palette for autumn. "I think we’re going to see a return to a much more natural, slightly “dirty” blonde. I’m calling it Almond Blonde. Think soft beige, muted gold and slightly deeper natural blonde tones, like the different shades you see in an almond."

"It’s not icy, and it’s not overly golden. It sits somewhere in between and almost looks like it could be your natural colour. I think we’re moving away from blondes where you can immediately see every highlight and towards something softer, more blended and much more believable."

2. Truffle Brunette

Amal Clooney pictured with a metallic dress and rich, truffle brunette hair

If you're not sold on the name alone, the beauty of this hue, explains Timperley, is in its luxurious yet natural look. "Rather than taking brunette really dark and espresso, this is softer, with chocolate, walnut and neutral brown tones running through it."

"Think of cutting into a chocolate truffle," she explains. "At first it looks like one gorgeous rich chocolate shade, but when you look closer there are lots of slightly different tones within it."

"The colour work should be almost invisible. You shouldn’t see obvious highlights or know exactly how it’s been coloured. It should just look like naturally beautiful brunette hair."

3. Whisky Copper

Julianne Moore pictured in a red dress with diamond earrings and copper hair

Autumn is the perfect time to experiment with a warmer shade, as reds and russet brunettes perfectly reflect the season's palette - in fashion and in nature. For AW26, Timperley predicts a sophisticated take on burnished hues.

"Copper isn’t going anywhere, but I think it’s becoming richer and a little more grown-up for autumn. Whisky Copper moves away from the really bright orange coppers and brings in amber, cinnamon, brown and golden tones."

"Think of a glass of whisky when the light hits it," she continues. "There are so many different warm shades within it. That’s how I see this colour. It still has brightness, but it feels richer and more burnished. It also works beautifully with the browns, leathers, suedes and warmer shades we’re seeing coming through in fashion.

4. Strawberry Beige

Nicole Kidman pictured with strawberry beige hair, in a black dress at the premier of practical magic 2

Continuing the theme of delicious, food-inspired hair colour trends and the resurgence of warm blonde shades, Timperley predicts strawberry beige as a "really big blonde" for AW26.

"It’s a soft beige blonde with the slightest hint of strawberry, peach and gold running through it," she explains. "It’s not strawberry blonde, and it’s definitely not copper. It’s a really lovely way of taking summer blonde into autumn without automatically making it darker. You’re keeping the brightness but making it softer and warmer."

5. Damson Brunette

Michelle Yeoh pictured at an awards ceremony with damson brunette hair and a necklace

Finally, for those seeking an expensive-looking alternative to the cherry cola hair trend, Timperley suggests a rich damson hue. "We’ve seen lots of cherry and cherry cola shades over the last few seasons, but I think that colour is going deeper and more plum for A/W 2026," she says.

"I’m calling it Damson Brunette. It’s still very much brunette, but with deep plum, aubergine and subtle red-violet tones running through it. I love the idea that indoors you might just think someone has gorgeous glossy brunette hair, but when it moves or catches the light you see that rich damson tone coming through."

As woman&home's Beauty Channel Editor, Fiona Mckim loves to share her 15+ years of industry intel on womanandhome.com and Instagram (@fionamckim if you like hair experiments and cute shih-tzus). After interning at ELLE, Fiona joined woman&home as Assistant Beauty Editor in 2013 under industry legend Jo GB, who taught her to understand ingredients and take a cynical approach to marketing claims. She has since covered every corner of the industry, interviewing dermatologists and celebrities from Davina McCall to Dame Joan Collins, reporting backstage at London Fashion Week and judging the w&h Beauty Awards.