There’s something about fall that makes us want to change our hair. The sweaters come out, the coffee gets a little cozier, and suddenly that bright summer blonde doesn’t feel quite as exciting anymore.

If you’ve been thinking about going from blonde to brunette for fall, you’re not alone—and a darker color can be a beautiful way to transition your hair into the new season.

But before you book that appointment and ask for “chocolate brown,” there are a few things you should know.

You don’t necessarily need to go fully brunette

One of my favorite ways to transition a blonde client into fall is to add depth rather than completely eliminate the blonde.

We might incorporate a darker root, lowlights, a deeper gloss, or a combination of techniques to create a richer, more dimensional color.

This gives you that beautiful fall feeling without committing to a solid, dark color.

Going darker is a process

If your hair has been heavily lightened, it may not be as simple as putting brown color over your blonde.

Lightened hair is missing some of the natural pigment that creates a rich brunette. Depending on how light your hair is, we may need to replace some of that pigment before creating your desired brunette shade.

This is one reason why your consultation matters.

Think about your maintenance before choosing your color

A brunette that looks beautiful in the salon but requires more maintenance than you want isn't the right color for you.

If you want something lower maintenance, we can create a dimensional brunette that grows out softly and doesn't require you to be in the salon every few weeks.

My goal is always to create a color that looks beautiful when you leave the salon and weeks later when you're living your actual life.

And remember: you can always add more depth later

If you're nervous about going darker, start with a softer transition.

A dimensional brunette, bronde, or deeper lived-in blonde can give you that fall refresh without making you feel like you've completely changed your identity.

Thinking about going darker this fall?

Bring your inspiration photos to your appointment and let's talk about what will work best with your current hair, your skin tone, and—most importantly—your lifestyle.

Fall is the perfect time for a little change.