Skip to content

Top Navigation

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Food and Recipes
  • Culture and Lifestyle
  • Style
  • Holidays & Occasions
  • Home
  • Gardening Ideas
  • News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Southern Living

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Explore

    Explore

    • The Best New Haircuts to Try in 2022

      The Best New Haircuts to Try in 2022

      Here are the haircuts you'll be seeing everywhere this year. Read More
    • How To Season A Cast-Iron Skillet

      How To Season A Cast-Iron Skillet

      Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps. Read More
    • 50 Thoughtful Messages for a Meaningful Thank You Note

      50 Thoughtful Messages for a Meaningful Thank You Note

      Not sure what to write in a thank you card? Here's how to show your gratitude with a handwritten note. Read More
  • Food and Recipes

    Food and Recipes

    See All Food and Recipes
    4 Easy Ways to Tell if an Egg Has Gone Bad

    4 Easy Ways to Tell if an Egg Has Gone Bad

    It’s not all in the senses, but they sure can help.
    • Recipes
    • Quick and Easy Dinner
    • Kitchen Assistant
    • Casserole
    • Holiday and Occasion Food
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Healthy and Light
    • Side Dishes
    • Party Food and Drink
    • Appetizers
    • Meat
    • Breakfast
    • BBQ
    • Drinks
    • What's Cooking
  • Culture and Lifestyle

    Culture and Lifestyle

    See All Culture and Lifestyle
    70 Cute and Funny Nicknames For Your Best Friends

    70 Cute and Funny Nicknames For Your Best Friends

    Let your besties know how much they mean to you with these unique nicknames.
    • Quotes and Sayings
    • Biscuits and Jam Podcast
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Healthy Living
    • Coastal Living
  • Style

    Style

    See All Style
    The Coziest Winter Nail Colors for January 2022

    The Coziest Winter Nail Colors for January 2022

    The beginning of a new year often has us all feeling like starting off fresh by taking on better habits, getting rid of old ones, and—most commonly—changing up our look. While others are hitting the squats and going into the salon for a pixie cut, why not start slow and steady with a cozy winter manicure in a color that feels new to you? It takes only a little courage to step outside your usual OPI Lincoln Park After Dark or Essie Bordeaux, which is all you need to kick 2022 off on a fanciful foot.  From new wintry takes on classic dark nail colors to unique pops of color that'll have you feeling the opposite of boring, these are the best nail colors to try this January and tick off all the way into spring. 
    • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Fashion
    • Short Hairstyles
    • Nails
    • Medium Hairstyles
    • Skincare
    • Long Hairstyles
  • Holidays & Occasions

    Holidays & Occasions

    See All Holidays & Occasions
    • Thanksgiving
    • Gifts
    • Christmas
    • Mother's Day
    • Hanukkah
    • New Year's
    • Easter
    • Mardi Gras
    • 4th of July
    • Weddings
  • Home

    Home

    See All Home
    16 Kitchen Design Trends Southern Designers Predict Will Be Everywhere in 2022

    16 Kitchen Design Trends Southern Designers Predict Will Be Everywhere in 2022

    There's no denying how the pandemic fundamentally changed the world—including how we live (and work) inside our homes. An overall trend toward celebrating the history and originality of our homes is displacing ultramodern aesthetics and sharp lines as we all look to create cozier, colorful, more personalized spaces that better suit our lifestyles. We're turning away from big-box stores and toward vintage items—first, out of necessity due to supply-chain issues, and now, for design reasons—to add charm and character to every room in the house, including the kitchen. Here, interior designers from around the South share their predictions for what's trending in kitchen design for 2022 and beyond.
    • Home Decor Ideas
    • Idea Houses
    • Kitchen Design
    • Before & After Photos
    • Bathroom Design
    • Curb Appeal
    • Bedroom Design
    • DIY Home Decor
    • Color Palettes & Paint
    • House Plans & Builders
    • Inspired Communities
  • Gardening Ideas

    Gardening Ideas

    See All Gardening Ideas
    If You Keep Finding Ladybugs in Your House, Here's What You Need to Know

    If You Keep Finding Ladybugs in Your House, Here's What You Need to Know

    Plus a few strategies for keeping them out-of-doors
    • Container Gardening
    • Gardening Flowers
    • Fruit, Vegetable & Herb Gardens
    • Garden Pests
    • Plant Guides A-Z
    • Indoor Plants
    • Fall Plants
    • Landscaping Ideas
    • The Grumpy Gardener
  • News

    News

    See All News
    • Celebrities
    • Local News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Southern Living
  2. Style
  3. Hair
  4. 15 Flattering Hair Colors That Prove Balayage Is Perfect for Fall

15 Flattering Hair Colors That Prove Balayage Is Perfect for Fall

Kaitlyn Yarborough, Assistant Editor and Writer for Southern Living
By Kaitlyn Yarborough Updated May 27, 2022
Skip gallery slides
FB
Pumpkin Spice Balayage
Credit: @hairbykatierose

When hair color stops being a fun outing and begins feeling like a chore, it might be time for a tweak—and there is no better time of year for new beginnings than autumn, a season of transition when we feel like shedding our skin and starting fresh before a new year. That's something a few strokes of apple cider blonde could cure, hm?

For those who dread the imminence of each root touch-up appointment and desire something more low maintenance, balayage makes a fabulous option. Balayage is the technique of applying hair color that involves hand-painting hair color sporadically throughout the hair to create a multi-dimensional look that grows out more seamlessly than traditional highlights. 

Low maintenance is the name of the game, and balayage has a leg up on the competition—which is why we're swarming the salon to get a fall color fix now that will last us through the holidays. We've rounded up the best balayage hair colors for fall to update your look ahead of autumn, whether you're keen to try frosty blonde, caramel brunette, or even pumpkin spice red. 

Start Slideshow

1 of 15

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Metallic Bronze Melt

Bronze Melt
Credit: @jamiewilhelm.hair

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.

1 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 15

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Cider Blonde Balayage

Rose Quartz Brunette
Credit: @coloredbycaitlin

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. 

2 of 15

3 of 15

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Baby Platinum Balayage

Baby Stone Blonde
Credit: @los_pastel / Instagram

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. 

3 of 15

Advertisement

4 of 15

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Balayaged Money Piece

Balayaged Money Piece
Credit: @hair_bykate

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.

4 of 15

5 of 15

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Pumpkin Spice Balayage

Pumpkin Spice Balayage
Credit: @hairbykatierose

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. 

5 of 15

6 of 15

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Iced Mocha Balayage

Iced Mocha
Credit: @danielmbeauty

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.

6 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 15

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Marbled Blonde Balayage

Marbled Blonde Balayage
Credit: @brunosodre

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. 

7 of 15

8 of 15

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Toffee Color Melt

Chocolate Color Melt
Credit: @hairbyarirae

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. 

8 of 15

9 of 15

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Campfire Red Balayage

Campfire Red Balayage
Credit: @colour.jade

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

9 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 15

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Golden Hour Blonde

Golden Hour Blonde
Credit: @natalieannehair / Instagram

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. 

10 of 15

11 of 15

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Balayaged Burgundy Brunette

Burgundy Brunette Mid-Length Cut

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. 

11 of 15

12 of 15

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Frosted Blonde Balayage

Frosted Blonde Balayage
Credit: @coloredbycaitlin

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

12 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 15

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Amber Color Melt

Amber Color Melt
Credit: @colour.jade

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. 

13 of 15

14 of 15

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Multi-Dimensional Mocha Balayage

Curly Shoulder Shag
Credit: @natalieannehair / Instagram

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. 

14 of 15

15 of 15

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Bronde Balayage

Bronde Balayage
Credit: @los_pastel

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.

15 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Kaitlyn Yarborough

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 15 Metallic Bronze Melt
    2 of 15 Cider Blonde Balayage
    3 of 15 Baby Platinum Balayage
    4 of 15 Balayaged Money Piece
    5 of 15 Pumpkin Spice Balayage
    6 of 15 Iced Mocha Balayage
    7 of 15 Marbled Blonde Balayage
    8 of 15 Toffee Color Melt
    9 of 15 Campfire Red Balayage
    10 of 15 Golden Hour Blonde
    11 of 15 Balayaged Burgundy Brunette
    12 of 15 Frosted Blonde Balayage
    13 of 15 Amber Color Melt
    14 of 15 Multi-Dimensional Mocha Balayage
    15 of 15 Bronde Balayage

    Share & More

    Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print
    Southern Living

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Books from Southern Living
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    MeredithSouthern Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. Southern Living is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporationthis link opens in a new tab All Rights Reserved. Southern Living may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Southern Living. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.southernliving.com

    Sign in

    View image

    15 Flattering Hair Colors That Prove Balayage Is Perfect for Fall
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.