HAIR COLOUR / FALL 2026
Fall hair is getting richer. Cherry reds are going darker, copper is sticking around and glossy brunette is entering its espresso era. Here’s how each shade works on curls—and what to know before you colour.
If summer was all about brightness, fall is going in the opposite direction.
Cherry cola, copper and glossy espresso are three of the shades showing up for fall 2026—and curls make all three especially interesting because colour can look different from one bend of the hair to the next.
The harder decision is figuring out which one belongs in your saved folder.
First, what exactly is cherry cola hair?
Think brunette with a very obvious red problem.
Cherry cola sits in the deeper red family: dark brown or brunette underneath, with burgundy, cherry, wine or red-violet tones showing through.
On curly hair, that can look especially dimensional because some parts of the curl catch more light than others. Indoors, the colour may read as a rich brunette. Outside, suddenly there’s the cherry.
It’s a good option if you want red hair without immediately going bright orange or copper.
The vibe: Deep, glossy, red-brown.
Best if you want: A noticeable colour change that can still feel dark and rich.
Ask your colourist about: Burgundy vs. red-violet tones, how visible you want the red to be and whether your current base needs any lifting first.
Will cherry cola show up on dark curly hair?
It can—but how bright it looks depends on your starting colour.
On naturally dark hair, a colourist may be able to create a subtle cherry or burgundy effect without dramatically lightening the hair first.
If the inspiration photo is much brighter, though, some lifting may be needed to make the red more visible.
This is why showing your colourist a picture matters more than simply saying, “I want cherry cola.”
One person’s cherry cola is nearly black with a red reflection.
Another person’s is basically a glass of merlot with curls.
What kind of copper is trending?
Copper refuses to leave.
For fall, it can go deeper and richer: think cinnamon, auburn, burnt copper and warm red-brown rather than one specific shade of bright orange.
And copper on curls can be really good because the colour doesn’t have to look perfectly uniform.
A darker root, brighter curls around the face or a few different copper tones through the lengths can create even more dimension.
Copper is not one colour. That is exactly why you should bring a reference photo.
How bright can you go with copper?
As bright as your starting point—and the amount of processing you’re comfortable with—allows.
If your hair is already light, creating a brighter copper may be relatively straightforward.
If your natural hair is very dark and you want a vivid, light copper, the hair may need to be lifted first.
That matters with curls because lightening is often the part of a colour transformation that requires the most caution.
Research on bleached hair has documented structural changes to both the cuticle and cortex, including protein loss that becomes greater with more severe bleaching.
So if your dream copper requires going several levels lighter, ask your colourist what that process will involve before committing to the final shade.
Ask:
How much lift does my hair actually need?
Can we reach this shade in one appointment?
What condition are my curls currently in?
What happens if we keep more of my natural depth?
And what exactly is espresso brown?
The quiet one of the group.
Espresso is a deep, rich brunette that leans more polished than obviously “coloured.” Depending on the formula, it can look neutral, slightly cool or softly warm.
The point is depth and shine rather than a dramatic colour shift.
For someone who already has dark brown hair, that may mean enhancing the existing colour with a gloss or depositing colour instead of making a major change.
And if you like your curls to do most of the talking, that is kind of the appeal.
Which fall colour is the lowest-maintenance?
Usually espresso—especially if it is close to your natural colour.
There is less obvious contrast as the roots grow in, and you may be able to achieve the look through depositing colour or a gloss rather than significant lightening.
Cherry cola sits somewhere in the middle. Keeping the hair dark can make the grow-out easier, but the red tone itself will still need refreshing.
Bright copper is generally the commitment queen.
Red and auburn artificial hair colours are susceptible to fading, and research shows that both washing and light exposure contribute to colour loss.
Espresso: I want rich colour without making hair maintenance my second job.
Cherry cola: I want people to notice something different when the light hits.
Copper: Yes, I understand this colour and I are now in a relationship.
Will dyeing your hair ruin your curl pattern?
Colouring your hair does not automatically mean saying goodbye to your curls.
But the amount and type of chemical processing matter.
A study that compared several hair textures found that bleaching and dyeing produced cuticle wear and protein loss across hair types, including curly and Afro-textured hair.
Bleaching is particularly important because peroxide-based lightening works by breaking down natural pigment inside the fibre, and research has shown that increasingly severe bleaching can also produce greater structural damage.
That damage can show up as hair that feels rougher, breaks more easily or simply does not behave exactly the way it did before.
So the question isn’t really, “Can curly hair be coloured?”
Of course it can.
The better question is how much processing does your particular colour require?
How do you keep red and copper from disappearing?
You cannot stop colour from fading forever.
You can avoid speeding it up unnecessarily.
Research on permanent artificial colour has found that repeated shampooing causes dye molecules to gradually leach from the hair. Exposure to light can contribute to fading too, particularly when combined with washing.
That does not mean you should stop washing your scalp to protect your copper.
It means don’t wash more often than your scalp and lifestyle actually require, and use products intended for colour-treated hair when appropriate.
A colour-depositing conditioner or mask can also refresh certain reds and coppers between appointments—but make sure the tone actually matches what your colourist created.
“Red” is an alarmingly large category once it is on your head.
Should you go permanent or demi-permanent?
That depends on your starting colour and what you are trying to change.
Demi-permanent colour generally deposits colour without giving you the same degree of permanent lightening. It can be useful for adding depth, changing tone or trying a darker shade with less commitment.
Permanent oxidative colour can create a longer-lasting change and may alter the natural pigment as part of the process.
Bleach or lightener is a separate step used when your existing pigment needs to be significantly removed before the target shade can be created.
So if you already have dark brunette curls and want espresso, your appointment may look completely different from someone starting with dark hair who wants bright copper.
What should you bring to your colour appointment?
Pictures. More than one.
Try to find examples photographed in different lighting, because cherry, copper and brunette can all shift dramatically between indoor and outdoor light.
And if possible, find the colour on hair that has some similarity to your own.
A colour photographed on pin-straight hair can still be great inspiration, but seeing it on curls gives you a much better idea of how the highlights, shadows and placement might actually move through your texture.
What will this look like on my current base?
Will my hair need to be lightened?
How often will the tone need refreshing?
Can we keep some natural depth for an easier grow-out?
How should I adjust my curl routine after colouring?
One last thing before you colour
Follow the safety directions for the product being used.
Health Canada requires permanent and semi-permanent hair dyes containing certain colour ingredients to carry warnings about possible skin irritation and instructions for a preliminary skin test.
And having used the same colour before does not automatically mean you can never react to it later.
If you are colouring at home, follow the directions and required test every time.
The bottom line
If you want drama without going light, try cherry cola.
If you want warmth and maximum visibility, copper is right there waiting for you.
If you want something rich, glossy and considerably less needy, espresso may win.
But the best fall colour is the one your curls can actually handle.
Choose the shade. Then ask how you have to get there.
Disclaimer: This article provides general hair-care information and is not a substitute for advice from a dermatologist or other qualified healthcare professional. Persistent breakage, scalp changes or sudden hair loss should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.