15 Flattering Hair Colors That Prove Balayage Is Perfect for Fall

A brunette base color can stay brightened up well past summer by adding a major dose of golden caramel balayage from roots to tips—just make sure to request a shadow root or color melt to keep things low maintenance. 

A shadow root is a mid-length transition between roots and highlights, while color melting, which uses two to three colors, "blends highlights with your base color for a 'melted' effect where you can't tell where one color starts and the other ends," according to L'Oreal Paris' Beauty Magazine.

Just a touch of rosy blonde-red to brighten up a brunette ahead of apple cider season. Ask for rose gold or strawberry brown balayage throughout. 

Beach blonde gets a year-round makeover in this warm-toned take on platinum blonde that feels sunny without going too light for the fall and winter seasons. 

When in doubt, lighten up that money piece, which is the closest strand of hair that frames your face. Pick a hair color that calls to you and ask your stylist for a subtle stroke of color around the face, seen here by colorist Katelin Ferrari.

Did someone order a pumpkin spice latte? If you're looking for autumn in a hair color, look no further than this combination of mocha brown, burgundy red, ginger, and strawberry blonde. 

The darkest of brunette hair colors can always get along with a few strategically placed streaks of blonde balayage. Cue this baby golden blonde focused around the face.

If you're hovering somewhere in between brunette and blonde, bigger strands of blonde balayage will keep blonde in your hair without having to commit to regular touch-ups at the salon. 

For a wearable shade that takes you from autumn all the way into the new year, this caramel toffee balayage color is about as warm and flattering as it gets. 

Ginger, spice, and everything nice—that's what this fiery hair color has in store for any redhead (or wannabe) this fall. 

Adding a glow of sunlit color to any base color is an update that pays for itself in compliments, seen here with golden-tinged curls by stylist Natalie Anne. 

A touch of merlot for m'lady? Sweater weather calls for a robust hair color that stands out in the crowd, and this burgundy red color on top of dark brunette is certified dreamy. 

Go extra icy in anticipation of the colder weather, which just happens to pop on a super dark brunette base.

For any naturally warm-toned brunette—like chocolate, chestnut, and auburn gals—it's oh-so tempting to go even warmer with amber and red-blonde balayage. Now that's the kind of temptation we can give into. 

Minimalists don't even need to commit to statement-making color to take advantage of balayage. You can ask for one shade lighter and darker than your base to give extra dimension that will last for months. 

Anyone that prefers a more seamless approach to hair color, but still desires something more low maintenance than traditional highlights, balayage is still an option. Ask for a root smudge and balayaged babylights, which are ultra-fine or wispy, natural looking highlights, in a hair color that is no more than two or three hair colors lighter than your base. 

"Smudged roots are just dark enough at your scalp to camouflage your regrowth, avoiding a harsh line and making it appear as if you only have two colors at once, for a chic, lived-in look," explains L'Oreal Paris' Beauty Magazine.