True Autumn Hair Color: Best Shades, Dyes & Styling Ideas

Golden Brown (Level 6-7)

A rich, warm brown with golden undertones that catches the light beautifully. This shade is perfect for True Autumns who want a natural, low-maintenance look that complements their warm coloring effortlessly.

Try: Garnier Nutrisse 63 (Light Golden Brown), L'Oréal Excellence 6G (Light Golden Brown)

Chestnut Brown (Level 5-6)

A medium brown with warm red undertones, reminiscent of roasted chestnuts. This classic autumn shade adds richness and depth while staying natural-looking and universally flattering for True Autumns.

Try: Clairol Natural Instincts 5R (Medium Auburn Brown), Madison Reed Ravenna Brown

Warm Chocolate (Level 4-5)

A deep brown with warm, golden undertones—not the cool, ashy chocolate that many brunettes default to. This shade is rich and dimensional, perfect for True Autumns who want darker hair without going too stark.

Try: Wella Koleston Perfect 5/7 (Light Brown Brown-Violet), Redken Shades EQ 05WB (Warm Brown)

Toffee (Level 6-7)

A warm, caramelized brown that's lighter than chocolate but richer than golden brown. Toffee is perfect for True Autumns who want a sun-kissed look without going fully blonde.

Try: Garnier Olia 6.3 (Light Golden Brown), Schwarzkopf Igora Royal 7-65 (Medium Blonde Chocolate Gold)

Cinnamon (Level 5-6)

A warm brown with spicy red undertones, like ground cinnamon. This shade adds warmth and interest without being as bold as true copper or auburn, making it ideal for a subtle change.

Try: dpHUE Gloss+ Semi-Permanent Color in Cinnamon, Overtone Ginger

Honey Blonde (Level 7-8)

A warm, golden blonde with rich honey tones. This is the most flattering blonde for True Autumn—it's light enough to feel fresh and summery but warm enough to harmonize with your coloring.

Try: Wella Koleston Perfect 8/3 (Light Blonde Gold), Madison Reed Siena Blonde

Styling Tip: Add face-framing highlights in an even lighter golden tone for dimension and a sun-kissed effect.

Golden Blonde (Level 8-9)

A clear, bright blonde with golden undertones. This shade is lighter and more vibrant than honey blonde, perfect for True Autumns who want a bolder, more luminous blonde look.

Try: Redken Shades EQ 09G (Honey), Wella Color Charm 9A (Very Light Ash Blonde with Gold Toner)

Maintenance Note: Golden blonde requires regular toning to prevent brassiness. Use a golden or honey-toned gloss every 4-6 weeks.

Caramel Blonde (Level 7-8)

A rich, buttery blonde with caramel undertones—deeper than honey but not quite brown. This shade offers the perfect balance for True Autumns who want blonde hair with more warmth and depth.

Try: Garnier Nutrisse 83 (Medium Golden Blonde), L'Oréal Superior Preference 8G (Golden Blonde)

Strawberry Blonde (Level 7-8)

A blonde with peachy-pink or light copper undertones, like ripe strawberries. This unique shade is incredibly flattering on True Autumns who want something romantic and distinctive.

Try: Clairol Nice'n Easy 8R (Medium Reddish Blonde), Overtone Rose Gold for Brown Hair

Who It Suits: Best for True Autumns with lighter natural hair (levels 6-7) or those willing to pre-lighten.

Light Golden Brown (Level 6-7)

A soft, warm brown with golden highlights throughout. This is a perfect "your hair but better" shade for True Autumns with naturally lighter brown hair.

Try: Garnier Nutrisse 63 (Light Golden Brown), Clairol Natural Instincts 6G (Honey Amber)

Medium Golden Brown (Level 5-6)

A classic medium brown enriched with warm golden tones. This universally flattering shade works beautifully on True Autumns and pairs perfectly with caramel or honey highlights.

Try: Madison Reed Ravenna Brown, Wella Koleston Perfect 6/3 (Dark Blonde Gold)

Chestnut (Level 5)

A rich, warm brown with reddish undertones. Chestnut is deeper than golden brown but still has plenty of warmth and dimension, perfect for True Autumns who want a classic, sophisticated look.

Try: L'Oréal Excellence 5CB (Medium Chestnut Brown), Clairol Natural Instincts 5R (Medium Auburn Brown)

Warm Chocolate Brown (Level 4-5)

A deep, warm brown that's rich without being stark. The key is ensuring it has golden or copper undertones, not cool ash. This shade is stunning on True Autumns with deeper natural coloring.

Try: Redken Shades EQ 05WB (Warm Brown), Schwarzkopf Igora Royal 5-7 (Light Brown Copper)

Espresso with Warmth (Level 3-4)

A deep, dark brown that's almost black but still has discernible warmth in the light. This is the darkest shade True Autumn should go—any darker risks looking too cool and harsh.

Try: Madison Reed Tivoli Brown, dpHUE Gloss+ in Espresso

Styling Tip: Add subtle copper or caramel lowlights for dimension and to ensure the color doesn't read as flat or too cool.

True Copper (Level 6-7)

A vibrant, warm orange-red like a shiny penny. This is a bold, statement shade that looks absolutely stunning on True Autumns. Copper reflects light beautifully and makes your entire complexion glow.

Try: Wella Color Charm 7RG (Red Gold Blonde), Pulp Riot Copper

Maintenance: Copper fades quickly. Use copper-depositing conditioners weekly and refresh with a gloss every 3-4 weeks.

Auburn (Level 5-6)

A rich, reddish-brown that's deeper than copper but warmer than chestnut. Auburn is a classic, elegant choice that works beautifully in professional settings while still being distinctive.

Try: Garnier Nutrisse 56 (Medium Auburn), Madison Reed Ancona Amber

Light Copper/Ginger (Level 7-8)

A lighter, brighter red-orange, like fresh ginger root. This playful, warm shade is perfect for True Autumns who want a vibrant, youthful look with maximum warmth.

Try: Overtone Ginger, Arctic Fox Cosmic Sunshine

Deep Auburn (Level 4-5)

A dark, rich auburn with mahogany undertones. This sophisticated shade offers the depth of brunette hair with the warmth and interest of red, perfect for True Autumns who want drama without going too light.

Try: Clairol Natural Instincts 4R (Dark Auburn), Redken Shades EQ 05RR (Red Red)

Bronze (Level 5-6)

A metallic, warm brown with golden-copper undertones. Bronze sits perfectly between brown and red, offering warmth and richness without being overtly "red."

Try: Schwarzkopf Igora Royal 6-7 (Dark Blonde Copper), dpHUE Gloss+ in Bronze

Best Highlight Colors for True Autumn

Balayage vs Traditional Highlights

Balayage (hand-painted highlights) creates a softer, more natural, sun-kissed look with less noticeable regrowth. This technique is ideal for True Autumns who want low-maintenance dimension.

Traditional foil highlights create more uniform, defined pieces of lighter color. This is better if you want higher contrast or more dramatic lightening.

Recommendation for True Autumn: Balayage tends to look more natural and creates the warm, blended look that suits your coloring best. Ask for "warm-toned balayage" and bring reference photos showing golden or copper tones (not ash).

Best Placement Techniques

❌ Ash Blonde

Ash tones have cool, grayish undertones that directly clash with your warm coloring. Ash blonde will make True Autumn look dull, tired, and washed out. It removes all the warmth from your complexion instead of enhancing it.

❌ Platinum/Icy Blonde

Platinum is an ultra-cool, almost white blonde that fights against every aspect of True Autumn's warm coloring. It makes your skin look yellow or sallow, drains the warmth from your eyes, and creates harsh contrast instead of harmony.

❌ Cool Brown/Mushroom Brown

Browns with ash or cool undertones make True Autumn look drab and lifeless. While mushroom brown is trendy, it's designed for cool-toned people and will make your warm complexion appear muddy.

❌ Blue-Black

Jet black with blue undertones is too cool and stark for True Autumn. It creates excessive contrast that overwhelms your soft, warm coloring. If you want dark hair, stick to the warmest level 3-4 browns (espresso with golden undertones).

❌ Burgundy/Wine Red

These cool-toned reds have blue or purple undertones that clash with your warm skin. While they might look beautiful on the shelf, they'll make True Autumn look sallow and dull. Stick to warm auburn and copper reds instead.

❌ Violet or Purple-Toned Colors

Any hair color with violet, lavender, or purple undertones (including "mahogany" browns that are actually purple-toned) will clash dramatically with True Autumn's warm coloring.

When to Go to a Salon

• •Going lighter: Any significant lightening (more than 2 levels) requires bleach and professional skill to avoid damage or brassiness
• •Balayage or highlights: These techniques require hand-painting or foiling expertise that's nearly impossible to do well at home
• •Color correction: If you have previous color (especially cool ash tones) that you're trying to warm up, a professional can do this without disaster
• •Major transformations: Going from dark to blonde, or from natural to vivid copper, is best left to pros
• •First time coloring: A stylist can help you choose the most flattering shade and application method

When At-Home Color Works

• •Going darker or same level: Depositing color is relatively foolproof at home
• •Root touch-ups: If you're maintaining an existing color, box dye works fine for roots
• •All-over single-process color: One uniform color from roots to ends is doable at home
• •Budget constraints: If salon color isn't affordable right now, box dye is better than nothing (just choose wisely)
• •Glosses and toners: Semi-permanent glosses like dpHUE or Overtone are easy to apply at home

Best At-Home Box Dye Recommendations for True Autumn

What to Tell Your Stylist

Communication is key to getting your ideal True Autumn hair color. Here's what to say:

Color-Safe Hair Care Essentials

Preventing Brassiness (Without Removing Warmth)

Here's the tricky part: blonde and red True Autumns need to prevent brassiness without using purple shampoo (which adds cool tones). Here's how:

Touch-Up Schedule

Protecting Against Fading

• •UV Protection: Sun exposure fades color. Use hair products with UV filters or wear hats in direct sunlight.
• •Chlorine Protection: Chlorine strips color and adds green tones. Wet hair with clean water before swimming, then use a swim cap or leave-in conditioner barrier.
• •Heat Styling: Always use heat protectant spray before blow-drying, flat-ironing, or curling. High heat breaks down color molecules.
• •Hard Water: Mineral buildup from hard water can dull color. Use a chelating shampoo once a month (like Malibu C Hard Water Wellness) to remove buildup.

From Cool Ash to Warm Gold

The Challenge: Ash tones resist warm color. Simply applying a warm dye on top often results in muddy or greenish tones.

The Solution:

1. See a professional colorist for a "color correction" appointment
2. They'll likely use a color remover or gentle bleach wash to lift out ash tones
3. Then apply your desired warm color with the right undertones
4. Expect 1-2 appointments for a full transformation, especially if your ash color is dark

Timeline: 1-2 salon visits, 4-6 hours total

From Platinum to Golden Blonde

The Challenge: Platinum is extremely porous and will grab pigment unevenly.

The Solution:

1. Deep condition weekly for 2-4 weeks before coloring to strengthen hair
2. Apply a warm blonde demi-permanent color (level 8-9 in golden tones)
3. Use a golden or honey gloss immediately after to lock in warmth
4. Be prepared for the color to fade faster at first—refresh with glosses frequently

Timeline: Immediate color change, but requires frequent glossing for the first 2-3 months

From Natural to Vibrant Copper

The Challenge: Achieving vibrant copper usually requires pre-lightening (bleaching) if your natural hair is darker than level 6.

The Solution:

1. Have a stylist lighten hair to level 7-8 (golden blonde) with bleach or high-lift color
2. Tone with a copper or orange-based color (not red—copper has more orange)
3. Expect warm, vibrant results that require frequent maintenance (every 3-4 weeks)
4. Use copper-depositing conditioners weekly to extend vibrancy

Timeline: 1-2 salon visits initially, then high maintenance

Growing Out Bad Color

If you're growing out a cool-toned color but don't want to do color correction, here's a graceful transition plan:

• •Lowlights: Add warm-toned lowlights to your existing color to start introducing warmth without a full commitment
• •Root Melts: As your natural (warm) roots grow in, have a stylist blend them with a root melt technique instead of covering them
• •Gradual Darkening: If you're growing out blonde, gradually add darker warm tones every 6-8 weeks until you reach your natural color
• •Big Chop: If you're patient, let your natural hair grow out and then cut off the old color in stages (trim every 6-8 weeks)

Can True Autumn have black hair?

True Autumn can wear very dark brown (level 3-4), but true black—especially blue-black—is too cool and stark. If you want dark hair, choose the warmest espresso or dark chocolate brown with golden undertones visible in the light. Avoid jet black or any black with blue/cool tones.

What if I naturally have ash-toned hair?

If you're a True Autumn with naturally ashy hair, your hair color is likely working against your coloring rather than enhancing it. This is common—many people's natural hair color isn't their most flattering. Consider adding warm lowlights, or doing an all-over warm brown or auburn color to bring out your natural warmth. You'll likely notice your complexion looks more vibrant immediately.

How do I know if a dye is warm or cool?

Check the color name and code. Warm dyes include words like "golden," "copper," "honey," "caramel," "auburn," "warm," "bronze," or "red." In professional color lines, look for "G" (gold), "R" (red), or "C" (copper) in the shade code.

Cool dyes include "ash," "cool," "beige," "mushroom," "platinum," "icy," or "violet." Look for "A" (ash) or "V" (violet) in shade codes. If you're unsure, swatch it next to your skin—warm tones will look harmonious, cool tones will look jarring.

Can True Autumn wear red hair without looking costume-y?

Absolutely! The key is choosing warm, natural-looking reds like auburn, copper, or chestnut (vs. bright fire-engine red or cool burgundy). These warm reds look incredibly natural and flattering on True Autumn—they enhance your coloring rather than overpowering it. Look at celebrities like Amy Adams or Julianne Moore for inspiration.

Do I need to avoid purple shampoo completely?

Yes, if you're trying to maintain warm tones. Purple shampoo neutralizes warmth by adding cool violet tones, which is the opposite of what True Autumn wants. If you're blonde and worried about brassiness, use a golden or honey gloss instead, or use blue shampoo very sparingly (blue neutralizes orange but doesn't add violet tones like purple does). Most True Autumns should embrace a bit of warmth rather than neutralizing it.

I'm going gray—what should I do?

True Autumns often find that gray hair (which is cool-toned) doesn't flatter them as much as it does cool-toned seasons. Options include: (1) Embrace gray but add warm lowlights or a warm gloss to add richness, (2) Cover grays with a warm brown, auburn, or golden blonde, (3) Go for a warm silver-gold blend (ask your stylist for "warm gray" with golden tones, not ash gray). Many True Autumns find that maintaining some color—even a subtle warm brown—keeps them looking vibrant as they age.