Fall 2026 Hair Color Trends: Lowlights, Brunettes & Dimensional Color

Ready to make your summer color a little richer for fall? Lowlights might be your answer, or maybe its adding dimension. From glossy espresso brunettes to dimensional blondes, these celebrity-inspired shades are giving us all the fall hair inspiration.

There’s something about the arrival of fall that makes us want to reach for richer colors.

Our wardrobes get deeper. Our coffee orders get warmer. And suddenly, that bright summer blonde we’ve been loving starts looking a little… out of season.

Celebrity Hair Is Getting Richer for Fall

If you’ve been scrolling through celebrity hair transformations lately, you’re not imagining it: deeper, richer color is having a serious moment.

Dakota Johnson: Caramel Espresso

Dakota Johnson just made a dramatic move into a deep, rich caramel espresso shade.

But what makes the transformation especially inspiring is that multiple tones are used to create depth and a seamless gradient rather than leaving the hair looking flat or inky. 

Chloë Grace Moretz: The Ultimate Bronde Inspiration

If you need proof that fall hair doesn’t have to mean going dramatically darker, look to Chloë Grace Moretz.

Fall 2026 lowlight celebrity trends

Moretz has been experimenting with her color quite a bit lately, moving between lighter blonde, darker blonde and bronde territory. Her bronde look became especially notable because it blended deeper, almost-brunette roots with softer blonde through the lengths, creating that perfectly lived-in effect.

Her colorist used a demi-permanent color along with subtle face-framing highlights, allowing the darker tones and lighter pieces to melt together rather than creating a harsh contrast. 

The takeaway?

Going darker doesn’t have to mean going one-dimensional. A few strategically placed deeper tones can make brunette hair look incredibly glossy, expensive and dimensional. And the best part? You don’t have to go brunette to embrace this trend.

Enter: Lowlights

This fall, we’re seeing a shift toward hair color that feels dimensional, glossy and beautifully blended. Rather than one flat, dark shade, colorists are creating depth by weaving darker tones throughout bright hair—giving the overall color more movement and richness without sacrificing brightness.

What Exactly Are Lowlights?

Think of lowlights as the opposite of highlights—but with a much more sophisticated approach than simply “adding dark pieces.”

Lowlights are strategically placed strands of color that are darker than the surrounding hair. They can be used to:

  • Add depth to blonde hair
  • Give brunette hair more dimension
  • Make overly bright blonde feel softer and more natural
  • Create the illusion of thicker, fuller-looking hair
  • Blend multiple shades together
  • Transition summer hair into a richer fall palette
  • Bring back some of the natural depth that can get lost with repeated highlighting

And because your stylist can customize the placement, depth and tone, lowlights can be incredibly subtle—or make a much bigger statement.

Beyoncé: Caramel, But Deeper

And if you’re not ready to leave your lighter hair behind, don’t worry—we’re not saying goodbye to warmth.

Beyoncé stepped into a deeper caramel look paired with her signature honey-blonde dimension, creating a richer take on a familiar color palette. 

This is where lowlights really shine.

Instead of taking a blonde all the way dark, your stylist can weave in caramel, toffee, honey-brown or slightly deeper blonde tones to give the hair that cozy fall feeling while keeping plenty of brightness.


Your Fall Lowlights Inspiration Board

So what does all of this mean when you walk into the salon?

Here are a few of the lowlight looks we’re loving right now(by our own stylists).

Lowlights can be used to deepen certain sections while keeping brighter pieces around the face and through the ends.

The result?

Less “I dyed my hair brown.”
More “My hair naturally looks this good.”

That’s the beauty of well-placed lowlights. They’re customized. Your stylist can look at your natural color, previous color, skin tone, hair history and the overall look you’re trying to achieve—and determine where a little darkness will make the rest of your color shine.

Lowlights Don’t Have to Mean “Going Dark”

This is probably the biggest misconception about the trend: Adding lowlights doesn’t automatically mean you’ll leave the salon with dark hair.

In fact, sometimes adding a little darkness makes your blonde look even brighter. Think about it like adding shadows to a painting. The lighter pieces suddenly have something to contrast against, which can make them appear brighter and more dimensional.

That’s why we’re loving the current movement toward low-contrast, seamless dimension rather than dramatic stripes or obvious color blocking. Current Fall 2026 colorists are specifically emphasizing blended transitions, tonal families and lived-in color. 

Ready to Go a Little Richer This Fall?

Bring us your celebrity inspiration. Bring us your Pinterest board. Bring us the screenshot you’ve had saved on your phone for six months.

We’ll help you figure out what will actually work for your hair. Because the best hair color isn’t necessarily the one you saw on a celebrity. It’s the one that’s inspired by the look you love—and customized for you.

Ready for your fall color refresh? Book a consultation with one of our Triniti stylists and let’s add a little more dimension to your season.

Triniti Salon in Cary, NC offers a spa-like experience, providing high-quality hair and beauty services.

TRINITI SALON • 1061 Darrington Dr. • Cary, NC 27513 • phone: 919-650-2324

Radhika Bhandari Malepati

Associate Stylist
(Speaks Napali)
Passions: Layered Cuts • Short Hair • Highlights • Continuing Education
Introduction: The first thing you'll notice about Radhika is her kindness. It's quiet, genuine, and woven into everything she does—making every guest feel welcomed, cared for, and completely at ease.

Bio

Originally from Nepal, Radhika grew up surrounded by a large, close-knit family before moving to the United States with her husband in 2019. Today, she's the proud mother of two young children and recently graduated from the Aveda Institute in Chapel Hill, beginning a career she's dreamed of building with heart and purpose.

Radhika loves creating layered cuts, short styles, and beautiful highlights, and she's excited to continue expanding her skills in extensions and advanced color. She believes every day is an opportunity to learn something new, and that passion for growth is one of the reasons Triniti immediately felt like home.

When she first visited the salon, she was drawn to the warmth of the team and the commitment to education—qualities she values deeply. Outside the salon, Radhika enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, finding joy in nature, and embracing life's simple moments with the same grace and kindness she brings to every guest.

Eun Yi

Associate Stylist

(Speaks Korean, & Japanese)
Passions: Precision Haircutting • Layered Cuts • Bobs • Pixies • Men's Haircuts • Hair Color
Introduction: The first thing you'll notice about Eun is the quiet confidence she brings to every appointment. With a thoughtful eye for detail and a genuine heart for people, she believes the little things are often what make someone feel truly cared for.

Bio

Originally from Seoul, South Korea, Eun brings both grace and precision to everything she does. After moving from Princeton, New Jersey to North Carolina with her husband and four children, she followed her passion for beauty by graduating from the Aveda Institute in Chapel Hill and earning her cosmetology license.

Eun loves the artistry of haircutting—from timeless bobs and soft layers to pixie cuts and men's styles—approaching each service with patience, intention, and meticulous attention to detail. She believes every guest deserves a personalized experience, taking the time to understand not only how they want their hair to look, but how they want to feel.

Outside the salon, Eun enjoys reading, Pilates, traveling with her family, and exploring fashion. She was drawn to Triniti because of its commitment to teamwork, continuous growth, and caring for people with excellence—values she naturally brings to every guest who sits in her chair.

Paige Eagan

Level 3 Senior Stylist

Passions: Blonding • Color Corrections • Vivid Color
Introduction: The first thing you'll notice about Paige isn't her talent—it's how comfortable she makes you feel. She has a quiet way of helping people relax, knowing they're in the hands of someone who genuinely cares.

Bio

Some people discover their passion. Paige has been living hers for as long as she can remember. From braiding Barbie dolls' hair as a little girl to earning her cosmetology license before graduating high school, she's always known she wanted to help people see the beauty in themselves.

Originally from Northern Virginia, Paige recently moved to Cary to be closer to family and quickly found a home at Triniti. She loves creating dimensional blondes, vivid colors, and dramatic color corrections, but what excites her most is watching someone's confidence return the moment they catch their reflection.

For Paige, every appointment begins with listening. She believes beautiful hair starts with understanding the person sitting in her chair.

Outside the salon you'll usually find her hiking with her dachshund, Dolly, spending time with family, or growing deeper in her faith. She was drawn to Triniti because kindness, authenticity, and caring for people aren't just values here—they're simply who we are.

Amber Bethea

Position:

Level 2 Artisan Stylist

Passions:

Anything to do with Vivid Color, Lived in Blondes, and Loves all things Red! Amber brings heart, authenticity, and a lifelong passion for hair to every guest she touches. With her genuine nature and love for helping others feel their best, she creates an experience that is both uplifting and unforgettable.

Bio:

Amber Bethea brings a heartfelt passion for people and hair to everything she does. Originally from Vermont and now calling North Carolina home, Amber’s journey in the beauty industry feels like destiny—having grown up surrounded by a family of stylists, her love for hair has been a lifelong calling.

A graduate of Empire Beauty School with advanced certifications in Masters of Balayage and Danger Jones Elite, Amber specializes in vivids, lived-in blonding, and rich reds—creating color that feels expressive, effortless, and uniquely you.

At the heart of Amber’s work is her desire to help every guest feel seen, heard, and truly pampered. She’s passionate about not only creating beautiful results in the salon, but also empowering her clients with the knowledge and confidence to maintain their look at home.

When she’s not behind the chair, Amber is soaking up time with her husband, her three beloved cats, and the people she holds closest. And if there’s a beach nearby—you’ll find her there, recharging her soul.

Amber’s warmth, authenticity, and dedication make her a beautiful addition (again!) to the Triniti family.

View Amber portfolio on Instagram.

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Lindsey Stallings

Position:

Guest Services Manager

Certifications:

Bachelor’s Degree in Communication

Passions:

Connection, service, hospitality

Lindsey leads with a rare blend of warmth, enthusiasm, and genuine kindness that makes everyone feel instantly at home. As Guest Services Manager, she brings heart and intention to every interaction, creating an experience that feels both elevated and deeply personal.

Bio:

There’s something special about Lindsey—you feel it the moment you meet her. Her warmth is genuine, her kindness is effortless, and her enthusiasm for people is simply contagious. Now serving as Guest Services Manager, Lindsey leads with heart, creating an experience where every guest feels seen, welcomed, and truly cared for.

With a background rooted in customer service and communication, Lindsey has a natural gift for connection. A graduate of NC State University, she brings both professionalism and personality to everything she does—balancing organization with a joyful, human touch that can’t be taught.

Originally from Harrellsville, NC, Lindsey’s Southern roots shine through in her hospitality and charm. Outside of the salon, she enjoys time with her cat Bunny, lakeside walks, thrifting adventures, and being with the people she loves most.

Lindsey isn’t just part of Triniti—she helps shape the feeling of it.