15 Stunning Examples of Melted Caramel Highlights to Bring to Your Colorist This Fall

RX_1909_Melted Caramel Hair Color_Subtle Caramel Balayage

@hairbylindal

At the start of each new season, we often get a nagging, attention-sucking impulse to call our stylist, schedule an emergency session, and lighten our brunette strands into glowing oblivion. "Oh, summer's here? Should I go full-on beach blonde?”

What's worse, no season is safe. "Winter's coming? How about ice-cold platinum blonde?"

But after too many touch-ups, letting our dark roots run wild suddenly seems all too appealing. That is, until the nagging impulse returns. This fall, satisfy both the angel and devil on your shoulder by brightening up your brunette strands in the most low maintenance way. Nagging impulse, meet the most flattering brunette color for fall: melted caramel.

The rich, sumptuous caramel color can be as subtle or striking as you please, but the kicker lies in the name. Melted. You want low-maintenance color that doesn’t need root touch-ups every six weeks, which means you need to tell your stylist that you’re looking for a color melt, a root smudge, or subtle balayage. You get all the glow without having to go blonde.

Melted caramel feels like fall, and now your mane will, too. Here are 15 gorgeous examples to bring to the salon.

Start Slideshow

1 of 16

Caramel Balayage

@justinandersoncolor

Did someone order smooth, melty caramel? Because we think we just found it. Balayage color is perfect for gals looking to make their fall 'do as low maintenance as possible.

2 of 16

Honey-Caramel Melt

@colour.jade

Our busy schedule (and wallet!) was happy to hear that fall is the perfect time to embrace the fade—color fade, that is. This honeyed caramel color by stylist Jade Federico is the ultimate autumn inspo.

3 of 16

Face-Framing Caramel

@bobbymackhair

If we were blessed with glowy color like this, we'd been smiling, too. Face-framing layers coated in a rich shade of goldenish caramel will be your most flattering pick yet.

4 of 16

Bronzed Caramel Ombré

@hairbylindal

Go full-on bronze goddess—and we're not talking about your tan. This caramelly brown melt by stylist Linda Lehto is so smooth and subtle it'll last you all season long.

5 of 16

Mocha-Caramel Melt

@colour.jade

Like a dollop of cream into a dark roast espresso, this color is what every mocha-hued brunette needs to have her mane warmed-up and fall-ready.

6 of 16

Sunlit Caramel Balayage

@ninezeroone

Who doesn't love a little sparkle? Inject your brunette mane with a healthy dose of golden-caramel glow just in time to welcome fall.

7 of 16

Caramel Color Melt

@topknotbalayage

This color melt by stylist Amanda Leaman is just the muted wash of color any low-maintenance brunette will love.

8 of 16

Butterscotch Ombré

@topknotbalayage

Freshen up reddish chestnut for fall by adding even more warmth. This butterscotch ombré mane looks perfect when paired with a pumpkin spice latte.

9 of 16

Tortoiseshell Brunette

@bobbymackhair

Embrace all the colors of tortoiseshell brown. We're talking a deep mocha base that melts down into sweeping shades of chestnut, caramel, and golden brown.

10 of 16

Golden Caramel Ombré

@ibrushhair

If you're looking to keep your summer glow going into fall, take your caramel color up a notch. This brightened-up caramel starts up near the temples and melts down into perfection.

11 of 16

Caramel Curls

@justinandersoncolor

Brighten up those ringlets for a bouncy, perked-up mane that steals the show—and the football tailgate, and the Halloween party. You get the picture.

12 of 16

Caramel Balayage Bob

@summerevansstudio

For super short hair, ask for a root smudge to make sure any caramel color will grow out flawlessly. No touch-ups needed!

13 of 16

Subtle Coffee-Caramel

@mizzchoi

Take a walk on the dark side with this burnt caramel-inspired color. Pair it with a set of Jane Birkin bangs, and you're instantly the coolest girl in the room.

14 of 16

Toasted Brunette Lob

@lisasatornhair

Keep things warm without going totally into the golden zone. A rich butterscotch blonde or toasty caramel is just what your brunette lob ordered.

15 of 16

Subtle Caramel Balayage

@hairbylindal

Just a few subtle sweeps of caramel color will take chocolate brown hair from monotone to totally Pinterest-worthy.

Replay gallery

15 Stunning Examples of Melted Caramel Hair To Bring to Your Colorist This Fall