Fall Hair Color Forecast

Thinking of changing your hair color this fall? Read this first. We consulted the country's top color experts to get their take on what's hot for fall. From brunettes to blondes, redheads to grays, big change or small, you'll find the best look for your hair color right here. By Marissa Gold

Courtesy of Clairol

Trends on the Runway
"I see a lot of cool grey, black, slate tones happening on the runways, which instantly puts my color palette on warm for contrast and complimentary purposes," says Naomi Knights, Colorist at ION Studio in NYC. If you're the kind of girl who likes to stand out, "go vibrant warm red," suggests Knights.

Nexxus Salon Hair Care

Color Without the Commitment
Permanent hair color is so...permanent. To try a bolder shade without as much commitment and damage, ask your colorist to use a demi-permanent color.

These dyes can add vibrant, bright tones to your hair without stripping it or permanently changing the color. Because they're ammonia-free and fade out gradually after about 24 shampoos, they're a great way to experiment.

Courtesy of Wella

Red Color Forecast
"This fall and winter, redheads will be more sophisticated and playful with deep red tones and a few cool, blonde highlights throughout to enhance the red even more," says Tracey Cunningham, Redken Creative Consultant for Color, who has worked on Lohan.

Michael Buckner, Getty Images

Keeping Your Color Bright
"Since red is the most difficult shade to keep bright, adjusting the water temperature to tepid in the shower can be very helpful as well as using gentle shampoos made specifically for color treated hair," says Eva Scrivo (shown here), Wella Spokesperson and Owner of the Eva Scrivo Salon.

Courtesy of Eva Scrivo Salon

Brunette Color Forecast
"Girls who have highlighted their hair for years are embracing their natural hair color, giving the hair a well needed break from highlights," says Scrivo.

"Going back to a beautiful light brown with just some highlights around the face allows women to get their hair back in shape and grow it longer than they could when they were regularly bleaching it."

Tip: "This must be done in a two step process by using a filler as a first layer on the hair, and the second layer is the desired shade of brown," explains Scrivo.

Courtesy of Wella

Cool Tones Rule
The big color trend this fall is cool tones. Ash browns, plum reds, sparkling blondes: "Think Fergie's shade; her lighter highlights really show through her dark, chestnut base making her haircolor look so flawless and effortless," says Tracey Cunningham.

Jon Kopaloff, FilmMagic

Blonde Color Forecast
"I think that the most natural looking blondes, no matter how light they are, want multi-dimensional color," says Scrivo.

"Colorists are strategically placing brighter pieces with hand painting techniques like balayage to not only create more impact of the all over color, but put less stress on the hair. We are more and more allowing our natural hair color to come through and be more a part of the over all result."

Courtesy of Wella

Go with a Gloss
Whether you're changing your color this fall or sticking with what nature gave you, a gloss is the perfect compliment to any hair color. "Clear glazes do a beautiful job of smoothing down the surface of the hair as well as adding shine, just like a top coat for nailpolish," says Scrivo.

If you're gray, a gloss is especially beneficial: "When the hair looses pigment, it can become wiry and course, a very different texture from the way the hair used to feel," explains Scrivo. A gloss (like Wella Touch of Gloss, an in-salon product favored by Scrivo) will seal down the cuticle to make hair smoother and shinier.

Courtesy of Wella