How to Refresh Your Hair Color for Fall, According to Celebrity Colorist Marco Pelusi

From richer brunette tones to warmer blondes and revived reds, celebrity hair colorist Marco Pelusi shares his tips for transitioning your color (and your haircare routine) into fall.

After months of sun, heat, humidity, salt water and pool days, hair can enter fall looking a little less vibrant than it did at the start of summer. The seasonal shift is the perfect opportunity to refresh color, restore shine and rethink your routine ahead of cooler weather.

Celebrity hair colorist Marco Pelusi, known for his work from his West Hollywood salon, shares his recommendations for bringing depth and dimension back to every hair color this fall.

For Brunettes: Go Deeper and Richer

Summer sun can leave brunette hair faded and, in some cases, noticeably brassy. Pelusi recommends embracing the new season by deepening the overall tone and restoring richness to sun-lightened ends.

A caramel glaze can be an especially effective way to refresh faded areas while adding warmth and shine without completely changing your color.

For Blondes: Add Warmth and Dimension

Rather than carrying ultra-bright summer blonde straight into fall, Pelusi suggests incorporating lowlights and warmer, more dimensional tones.

Think rich golden hues, soft beige and natural, woodsy shades that temper bright blonde while creating a more sophisticated, seasonal finish. The result is less about going dramatically darker and more about adding depth and movement.

For Redheads: Bring Back the Vibrancy

Red hair can be particularly susceptible to fading after prolonged sun exposure. For fall, Pelusi recommends restoring its intensity with a red demi-permanent color glaze, which can help revive richness and shine while enhancing the existing shade.

Don’t Forget Your Fall Haircare Routine

The change of season isn’t only about color. As the weather shifts, your shampoo and conditioning routine may need to change with it.

“We need to prepare our hair for winter,” Pelusi says, noting that temporarily switching to a more moisturizing shampoo can help replenish hair after summer and prepare it for drier weather.

Climate matters, too. Those living in hot, dry environments may need additional moisture, while people experiencing cooler but humid weather may benefit from products that help protect the hair against excess humidity.

Pelusi recommends spending a little more time allowing conditioner to sit on the hair in the shower during the fall and winter months, particularly when strands are feeling dry or depleted.

The Products Marco Recommends

For added seasonal hydration, Pelusi recommends the Marco Moisturizing Shampoo, designed to help replenish moisture while cleansing the hair. Rather than treating a moisturizing formula as a year-round requirement, he suggests adjusting your shampoo according to what your hair needs throughout the season.

Follow with the Marco Color Hydrate Conditioner with Collagen + Color Guard, allowing it to remain on the hair for a few extra minutes when additional conditioning is needed.

And regardless of your shade, protecting your investment matters: using products formulated for color-treated hair can help maintain shine, vibrancy and the fresh-from-the-salon appearance of your color for longer.

The Fall Takeaway

The biggest fall hair trend may be less about committing to an entirely new color and more about making your current shade look richer, healthier and more dimensional.

For brunettes, that may mean caramel warmth. For blondes, lowlights and golden-beige depth. For redheads, a fresh boost of vibrancy. Pair those updates with a more moisture-conscious routine, and your hair will be ready for the season ahead.

Learn more about Marco Pelusi and his haircare collection at MarcoPelusi.com, or follow him on Instagram and TikTok @marcopelusi.