40 Fall 2021 Hair Trends You Need To Know About

Whether you’re planning to kick off the new season with a fall hair color or a new haircut, we’ve got you covered! We compiled a list of every fall hair trend for 2021. Keep scrolling for 40 ideas you’re going to love. 

The Best Fall Hair Trends To Try In 2021

Good hair day by @checkmycurls.

Quick And Bouncy Blowouts 

Classic, bouncy blowouts are in for autumn, and they don’t have to take a chunk out of your busy schedule to achieve. A blow dry primer like Redken Quick Blowout Heat Protecting Blowdry Spray can help reduce blow drying time so you can achieve an effortless blowout without sacrificing results. The product is also formulated with rich oils to control frizz and nourish your strands. 

Good hair day by @hairbysamanthaj_.

Skunk Stripe Hair

When it comes to hair colors for the fall, you can expect to see a lot of skunk stripe hair on your social feed. This Cruella-inspired color technique features color blocked shades of light and dark that contrast each other perfectly. Ask your colorist for one skunk stripe or face-framing pieces. 

Good hair day by @alec_cynova.

High-Contrast Highlights

The high-contrast fall hair trend doesn’t end with skunk stripe hair. You can also opt for a full mane of high-contrast highlights. We’re obsessed with these white highlights on black hair. 

Good hair day by @boho.blonde.perth.

Light On The Top, Dark On The Bottom

Continuing with our series of high-contrast hair trends, another option is to color the bottom half of your hair a dark shade while lightening the top. 

Good hair day by @pirania_ya.

Feathered ‘70s Layers

Bell bottoms are back, so it’s no surprise that ‘70s hair trends are, too! Channel your favorite ‘70s icons with cascading feathered layers. You won’t regret it! 

Flipped Ends

Speaking of retro hair: How about flipped ends for fall? A flat iron is the quickest and easiest way to achieve the style. Just be sure to prep your mane with a heat protectant like Redken Iron Shape 11 Thermal Holding Heat Protection Spray. 

Good hair day by @gregoryrussellhair.

Wolf Cut

Here’s another fall haircut trend that’s taken the internet by storm: the wolf cut. This chop is a halfway point between a shag and a mullet with tons of bouncy layers, perfect for anyone who wants effortless body and movement. All you’ll need is a few spritzes of texturizing spray like Redken Triple Dry 15 Dry Texture Finishing Spray before heading out the door. 

Claw Clips

Speaking of throwback trends we can’t get enough of, claw clips (or jaw clips, if you prefer to call them that) are sticking around for fall 2020. Watch the video above to learn how to achieve a simple and cute claw clip updo for thick hair. 

Good hair day by @pcoxout.

Mullets 

The modern mullet trend is nothing like the rockstar look you remember from the ‘80s. 2021’s version features shaggy, piece-ey layers that can be easily styled with a texturizing hair paste like L'Oréal Professionnel Tecni.Art Architecture Paste. 

Good hair day by @aaashleee.

Ginger 

We can’t open Instagram these days without seeing a new red or orange hair color on our feed—and we’re not upset about it! Get into the fall spirit with an on-trend ginger hair color. This fiery, warm-toned trend can be customized to flatter any complexion. 

Good hair day by @hopelessfromantic.

Burgundy

If you prefer a more cool-toned version of red hair, you can’t go wrong with burgundy. This purple-tinted hue between red and brown is always a hit during the autumn months. 

Good hair day by @idye4beauty.

Going Gray

Whether you’re going gray naturally or embracing gray as a statement color, the good news is that you won’t be the only one! More women are sporting gray hair than ever before. Keep your hue brass-free with a toning shampoo and conditioner like Redken Color Extend Graydient Shampoo and Conditioner. This system uses purple pigment to tone silver or gray hair while nourishing your strands. Click here to learn more about gray hair care. 

Good hair day by @ashleypirrung.

Sunset Brown

This shade is new on our fall hair color trends radar, but one we’re expecting to see a lot of in the months to come. Sunset brown hair is a warm-toned, medium brown with hints of auburn. Since it only leans slightly auburn, it’s super easy to maintain. 

Good hair day by @jesstheebesttcolor.

Bold Blonde

Save your dark ash blondes for winter—this fall is all about bright, bold shades. Go full-on platinum or choose an all-over cream blonde shade with a touch of warmth if you want to enhance your end-of-summer glow. 

If you’re committing to blonde hair for fall, you’ll also need to amp up your hair care routine with products specifically formulated for blonde maintenance. We suggest picking up the complete Matrix Total Results Unbreak My Blonde system, including the shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in treatment. This strengthening three-step routine helps reinforce weakened bonds and revive all types of lightened hair. When used as a complete system, it leaves hair softer, shinier, and stronger. 

Good hair day by @bombshellblondee.

Honey Blonde

For those who don’t like to go super light, we have some inspo for you, too. Honey blonde is one of our favorite blonde shades for spring and summer and luckily, it’s just as on-trend for fall. Be sure to ask your colorist for a balayage or a blend of highlights and lowlights to keep your hue as low-maintenance as possible. 

While honey blonde is lower maintenance then, say, platinum, you’ll still want to use a shampoo and conditioner like Biolage Colorlast Shampoo and Conditioner to prolong and preserve the life of your color. 

Honey Brown

Want to add a taste of honey to your brunette hue? Opt for honey blonde’s cousin, honey brown. Watch this gorgeous hair transformation if you need any more convincing!

Good hair day by @sachikoshairstyling.

Pink Hair

Are we ever not thinking pink? It seems like pink hair is always on trend—and that’s because it is! While there’s a ton of pink shades to choose from, we’re loving pale, pastel pink for fall 2021. 

If you’re starting out as a blonde, you can even get a temporary splash of pink hair at home using a color-depositing hair mask like Redken’s Color Extend Blondage Color Depositing Rose Blonde Mask. This formula adds a touch of pink to your blonde hair in just five minutes while conditioning and adding shine. 

Good hair day by @hairbybritny.

Cinnamon

Another fall favorite year after year, cinnamon hair color is back for 2021. While we recommend seeing a pro for any permanent color change, you can test the waters of cinnamon hair before committing with a color-depositing conditioner like Biolage ColorBalm Cinnamon Color Depositing Conditioner. This conditioner gives your brunette hue a temporary cinnamon tone in 10 minutes or less. It also leaves your strands 10 times more conditioned after just one use. 

Good hair day by @jesseniaspallet.

Caramel Highlights

We couldn’t go without mentioning caramel highlights. This color always earns a spot on fall hair trend roundups, and for good reason! The warm-toned, low-maintenance hue works for every skin tone and screams fall vibes. 

Good hair day by @shear_envytupelo.

Chunky Face-Framing Highlights

These ‘90s-style chunky highlights continue to trend. Add instant brightness and dimension to your all over color with blonde face-framing pieces. 

Good hair day by @hairbyduhsavannah.

Cool-Toned Fashion Colors

Like pumpkin spice in your coffee, warm tones and autumn pair perfectly together. However, don’t sleep on cool-toned shades this fall. We predict you’re going to be seeing a lot of them, such as this gorgeous turquoise. To keep high-maintenance fashion colors from fading quickly, always use a shampoo and conditioner system like Matrix Total Results Keep Me Vivid Shampoo and Conditioner. 

Curtain Bangs

Curtain bangs are the fall 2021 bangs trend. They can be worn in various lengths and styles to compliment different hair textures and face shapes. Want to get inspired? Check out the curtain bangs transformation above. 

Good hair day by @jesstheebesttcolor.

Long Bob Haircuts

Long bobs (or “lobs”) have been rising in popularity this summer, and we predict the popularity will continue into the fall season. Ask your stylist for a blunt or layered cut that falls just above your shoulders. Pro tip: Give yourself a deep side part for an instant volume boost. 

Good hair day by @_karlyhodderhairstyling.

Blunt Bob

We’re all about the lob, but you can still expect to see a ton of even shorter cuts this fall, such as this classic blunt bob. 

Good hair day by @jessietrumbo.artistry.

Smooth And Shiny

Who says sleek, straight hair is boring? Pin-straight, smooth strands is one of the hottest fall hairstyle trends. It’s all about creating polished, frizz-free texture. To get the best results, be sure to prep your hair before styling with a smoothing shampoo and conditioner like Redken Frizz Dismiss Smoothing Sulfate-Free Shampoo and Conditioner. This system gently cleanses and conditions while taming frizz and creating smoothness and shine. 

Good hair day by @salsalhair.

Modern Shag

The hair world is going crazy for the modern shag. This naturally-textured, choppy cut (inspired by classic ‘70s and ‘80s shags) is so easy to style. Especially if your stylist gives you well-blended layers. 

Good hair day by @maniinvro.

Curly Shag

Good news: if you doubted that a shag cut would work for your ringlets, think again! The modern shag is just as stunning on curly hair textures. Simply use a dime to quarter-sized amount (depending on how much hair you have) of curl lotion like Mizani True Textures Curl Enhancing Lotion to add definition to your ringlets, hydrate your strands, and enhance your texture. 

Good hair day by @bottleblonde76.

Asymmetrical Bob

Go against the grain with an asymmetrical bob. If you want to keep your asymmetrical haircut in tiptop shape, expect to head back to the salon for a trim every six to eight weeks. 

Good hair day by @_karlyhodderhairstyling.

Blunt Bob

The blunt bob is another fall hair trend you won’t want to miss out on. Don’t forget to pencil in an appointment every few weeks to keep your ends healthy and uniform length. 

Good hair day by @miloszhairstylist.

Professionally-Done Braids

When it comes to protective hairstyles for natural hair, we always recommend leaving it to the pros. Luckily, there’s a ton of pro-created braid inspiration on Instagram (we’re obsessed with these box braid pigtails). 

Stitch Braids

Speaking of pro-done braids, ever heard of stitch braids? This protective style is perfect for fall. Watch the video above to see how stylist Nastacia Crooks-Brady creates the look. 

Good hair day by @jeanpierresosa.

EffortlessTexture

You don’t have to give up beach waves just because summer is over. We’re going to be embracing effortless, tousled texture all throughout fall. A formula like Shu Uemura Art Of Hair’s Wata Wave Texture Spray can help you achieve buildable texture with a flexible hold. 

Good hair day by @shelleygregoryhair.

Hair Bows

Hair bows, like this adorable velvet link one, will add a cute and simple touch to your fall ensemble. 

Good hair day by @pati.rodrigz.

Pin-Up Pearls

Getting ready for fall wedding season? Don’t forget to embellish your updo with pearl hair accessories. 

Good hair day by @thejesjewel.

Middle Part With Barrettes

Don’t think we forgot about this accessory trend, which started gaining love on social media in 2020. 

Simple Statement

If two matching barrettes isn’t your style, opt for a half-up hairstyle with a patterned accent clip. 

Good hair day by @petermazilu.

Messy Buns

Keep it simple with your fall hairstyle with a messy bun. We particularly love this look paired with natural curls (and maybe an accessory or two). 

Good hair day by @ines_lblc.

Natural Texture

So much of 2021 has been about embracing natural hair texture whether you’re blessed with straight hair, waves, or ringlets. There’s nothing we love seeing more than women owning their texture, particularly big, bold curls. If you're a curly girl, upgrade your fall hair routine with the Kérastase Curl Manifesto system. This system offers care and styling products that shape, hydrate, and strengthen any curl type. Click here to learn more. 

Good hair day by @realericvaughn.

Dual-Texture Ponytail

Fall 2021 hair trends have a little bit of an effortless vibe, and a little bit of a smooth, sleek vibe. Want to embrace both? Try this dual-texture ponytail. Smooth the hair around your crown with a hair gel like Biolage Gelee All Purpose Styling Gel and leave the rest of your mane natural. 

Good hair day by @leletny.

Big Chop

We’ve seen some major hair transformations this year, but none compare to the big chop. The big chop is when someone with chemically altered hair (think relaxers) decides to cut it all off. This is a good idea for anyone who wants to start with a clean slate for a new season. 

Interested in trying a fall 2021 hair trend? Use our salon locator to book an appointment at a salon near you.