The Top Fall Hair Trends, According To Celebrity Hairstylists

1. "Soft-Focus" Brunette

Dimensional and radiant, soft-focus brunette is fall’s answer to cool girl color. "It’s a brunette that’s rich in vibrancy and shine but has this softness pulled through that gives it an edge,” explains celebrity colorist Jacob Schwartz, who counts Hailey Bieber and Bella Hadid as clients. He creates the look with a seamless blend of highlights and lowlights for a soft-focus finish that adds movement, without ever looking flat.

Why it works for fall? According to Schwartz, the tonal layering “adds richness while still keeping things fresh and playful.” Translation: cozy and luxe, but never flat. At the salon, he recommends asking for diffused highlights through the mid-lengths and ends, paired with subtle lowlights for depth. A root gloss keeps the grow-out natural, while a custom blend around the hairline ensures that glowing effect.

2. Rich Girl Brunette

This shade is defined by rich, cool browns that run evenly from root to end, creating a finish that feels modern and expensive. Recently seen on Kaia Gerber and Laura Harrier, it’s a brunette that doesn’t need ribbons of highlights or contrast—its strength lies in simplicity.

“This shade feels real and natural, and always very healthy,” says celebrity stylist James Pecis. “It’s a great transition from the sun-kissed shades of summer.” Cooler brunettes are especially flattering as the season shifts, he notes, since crisp undertones complement fall’s moodier palettes and flatter a wide range of skin tones.

The secret to keeping it fresh? Hydration. Pecis recommends a weekly mask, like his brand's Blu & Green's Weekly Repair Mask, to lock in moisture and prevent fading so the cool tones stay glossy rather than flat.

3. "Spun With Silk" Blonde

For anyone clinging to the last sliver of summer glow, spun-with-silk blonde is your golden hour in a bottle (or, rather, in a balayage bowl). Coined by celebrity colorist Jacob Schwartz and spotted on Margot Robbie and Chloë Grace Moretz, the shade blends a glossy brunette base with just-right ribbons of brightness: face-framing highlights, sunlit ends, and the kind of dimension that makes hair look like it’s been casually kissed by September light.

“It’s the best of both worlds,” Schwartz says. “You keep that sun-touched brightness, but ground it with richer, cozier tones for fall.” Translation: warmth near the face to make your skin look lit-from-within, depth at the roots for polish, and an overall effect that whispers I woke up like this,even if you didn’t.

At the salon, ask for a brunette base softened with lowlights, then layer in lighter pieces around the face and through the ends for that glow-on-purpose vibe. A root gloss keeps it seamless; strategic placement keeps it chic. The result: hair that feels sophisticated but not fussy, like a Khaite leather jacket.

4. Golden Hour Highlights

If you're determined to stay (or be) blonde, but are itching for a change, consider going for a golden hour effect. Inspired by the way the sun naturally lightens blonde hair after days at the beach, the look features highlights that feel lived-in yet fresh, weaving softness and depth throughout. “It’s a beautiful transition aesthetic from the bright, bright blondes and 'brondes' we see in the summer,” explains hairstylist Reece Walker, who specializes in color, cuts and extensions . “It’s also a great way to ease yourself into going darker. This softer, more natural hair pairs beautifully with all the warm tones that are so popular during fall.”

Ask for bright highlights that mimic natural sun-lightening, with plenty of dimension.When you’re in the chair, Walker recommends bringing photos of the colors, cuts, and styles you love. “It helps us stylists greatly when we have a visual of your hair goals,” he says.

5. Back To Natural Curls

For curls, the mood this season isn’t about chasing platinum ends or rainbow-bright streaks. It’s about taking it back to what’s healthiest. Curl specialist Dusty “CurlVision” Schlabach calls the look "back to natural": rich, low-maintenance color that lets texture do the talking instead of competing with it.

“Health over everything is the new priority in curls,” Dusty says. “It’s easier on the strands, less taxing, less damaging.” If you're a curly girl, ask your colorist to deepen your roots, add richness where old highlights have faded, and backfill lightened pieces so nothing looks thirsty or overprocessed. From there, it’s all about a clean, curl-focused routine—keeping color fresh, texture intact, and energy very much low-effort.

6. '90s Supermodel Layers

Few cuts feel as instantly glamorous as a blowout with bounce—and nothing delivers it quite like the ’90s supermodel cut. LA-based celebrity stylist Nicolas Flores, whose clients include Sofia Richie Grainge and Kelly Wearstler, describes it as “a statement haircut featuring curtain fringe that ties into a face frame.” The haircut brings volume and movement in a way that feels nostalgic, yet modern.

“It’s versatile enough to go with every outfit, and it’s the perfect way to refresh your look after summer,” Flores says. Worn glossy and polished or with a little undone edge, the cut channels pure supermodel-stomping-down-the-runway energy.

At the salon, bring reference photos and ask for curtain bangs that blend seamlessly into face-framing layers. Discuss the layering in back: finer hair may need minimal removal to keep fullness, while thicker textures benefit from more shaping. The key, Flores emphasizes, is keeping the fringe connected to the face frame so the entire cut feels fluid, rather than disjointed.

7. Sculpted Bob

2025 is the year of the bob, but Yusef recommends opting for one that skims just above the collarbone, sculpted to frame the face and tailored to each client’s individual texture and bone structure. The result: movement, dimension, and an effortlessly chic silhouette that feels as at home on the runway as it does in everyday life.

“It’s such a good style for anyone looking to refresh their look,” says the New York–based stylist. “It frames the face beautifully and enhances features in a universally flattering way.” It’s the perfect fall reset—polished, versatile, and endlessly wearable, whether scrunched with curl jelly and air-dried, or smoothed into a sleek finish. When you’re in the chair, Yusef recommends asking for a shoulder-length bob with built-in texture. Emphasize that you want movement, not bluntness.

8. Lived-In Texture 

When Chris McMillan calls out a trend, you know it’s about to be everywhere. This fall, the legendary stylist (yes, the man behind “The Rachel”) is leaning into boho hair: soft, free, and perfectly undone. Think Sienna Miller and Kate Moss at their most effortless, with hair that falls loose and fluid while the clothes do all the talking.

“I love this look because it feels effortless, but still polished,” McMillan says. “Fall fashion tends to get heavier and more layered, so leaving hair soft, free, and undone creates a balance. It’s sexy in an undone way—hair that moves with you, not against you.” James Pecis agrees, saying that the lived-in texture feels perfect for fall because it conveys a sense of effortlessness. "It’s healthy hair with a nonchalance and ease to it that seems low maintenance—even if it isn’t,” he says. At the salon, ask for face-framing layers that contour from cheekbone to jawline. The cut should work with your natural texture, not against it, so it falls easily whether you air-dry or add a soft wave. To finish, McMillan recommends a touch of dry shampoo or texturizing spray, like his brand's The Dry Texture & Volume Spray.

9. Feeling Slick

If boho texture is all about movement, McMillan’s other fall favorite is its sharp, modern counterpoint: the slick back. “People who never wore slick backs are experimenting and trying them,” he says. Strong, clean, and intentional, the look is about pulling hair tight to the head with a defined part—center or deep side—for instant polish. “It’s strong, it’s clean, and it’s modern,” McMillan explains. “It shows off the face, the makeup, the neckline of what you’re wearing.” Against fall’s heavier coats and knits, the contrast feels strikingly sleek, like an instant styling upgrade.

Ask your stylist to show you how to create a precise part and tuck the hair back with hold. The right products are everything: a high-shine gel, like Crown Affair's The Finishing Gel, plus a finishing spray to lock it in. For versatility, consider a cut that allows for both—a slicked-back look when you want edge, and loose movement when you don’t.

10. Full-On Fringe

Pecis points to the French-girl bangs made famous by Françoise Hardy, reimagined with a modern twist—think Sabrina Carpenter’s soft, full fringe, but with added weight and bend. The effect is instantly transformative. “This style gives a real edge to the most pared-back fashion,” Pecis explains.

For upkeep, Pecis recommends keeping it fresh between washes with a touch of dry shampoo at the roots. This prevents the fringe from falling flat while maintaining its silhouette. Whether paired with sleek lengths or lived-in texture, the heavy bang is the quickest way to make a statement. Are you ready to reach for the shears?

Meet The Experts

Chris McMillan
One of the most recognizable names in hair, Chris McMillan has been styling Hollywood for more than four decades. Best known for creating "The Rachel: for Jennifer Aniston, he continues to define pop culture’s most iconic looks on screen, red carpets, and magazine covers. McMillan is co-founder of Chris McMillan Hair in Los Angeles and remains one of the most influential voices in the industry.

Jacob Schwartz
A celebrity colorist celebrated for his seamless, dimensional blondes and luminous brunettes, Jacob Schwartz is a Schwarzkopf Professional ambassador and the trusted colorist of Chloë Grace Moretz and Kaia Gerber. Known for creating custom, editorial-ready color with shine and depth, Schwartz is one of the most in-demand colorists in Los Angeles.

James Pecis
James Pecis is a celebrity and fashion hairstylist who is a fixture backstage at fashion week and on the covers of Vogue. He is also the founder of Blu & Green, a clean haircare brand rooted in sustainability. Pecis is known for effortless, editorial styling and directional cuts that influence both runway and street style.

Yusef
New York–based hairstylist Yusef is best known for creating era-defining beauty transformations for Rihanna and Tyla. He is also the founder of The Y by Yusef, a line of professional styling tools. His editorial work has appeared on covers of Vogue, Dazed, and W Magazine, cementing his status as a global tastemaker in hair.

Dusty “CurlVision” Schlabach
With more than 20 years of experience and over 2M followers across Instagram and TikTok, Dusty Schlabach—better known as CurlVision—has become the most influential curl specialist in the world. He has built a digital ecosystem dedicated entirely to curls, focusing on health, authenticity, and community.

Nicolas Flores
Founder of FLORE Los Angeles, Nicolas Flores has built his reputation as one of L.A.’s most in-demand hairstylists, with clients including Sofia Richie Grainge, Kelly Wearstler, and Whitney Port. His work combines effortless California polish with fashion-forward tailoring, making him the go-to for clients seeking cuts that balance glamour with wearability.

Reece Walker
Australian stylist and colorist Reece Walker is based in New York and renowned for his extensions, effortless blowdries, and bright, creamy blondes. With over 20 years of international experience, he has worked with Victoria Beckham, Eva Longoria, Miranda Kerr, and backstage at shows for Chanel and Ralph & Russo.