New supplies and a wardrobe refresh aren’t the only ways to start the school year on the right foot. As any color enthusiast can confirm, a fresh new hair color is a surefire way to conjure confidence for a fresh new chapter! And you know us here at Colorproof–nothing excites us more than the promise of a new color!

Before filling your cart with your favorite color-enhancing formulas, keep reading for a list of our favorite hair colors for new beginnings.

Trending Back-to-School Hair Colors

Mushroom Brown: Calm, Cool, and Collected

One of the easiest starting points for selecting your next color is your skin’s undertones. If you have cool undertones and are looking for a unique brunette option, you’re a perfect candidate for Mushroom Brown!

Understated yet sophisticated, this ashy, earthy color blends cool and subtle browns with soft gray toner. Though effortlessly trendy, it’s imbued with a calm vibe that gives off cool, confident, and collected.

Worried about maintenance? If your colorist recommends purple products, our Weekly Blonde Masque and Blonde Toning Drops can help tame brassiness throughout the school year.

Deep Burgundy: a Touch of Drama for Darker Skin Tones

Up for a bit of drama? How about a flair of mystery? Deep Burgundy is nothing short of flattering for color enthusiasts with darker skin tones – especially ones who want to stand out this school year.

This statement style combines deep red and purple undertones to create a rich, jewel-toned hue. It’s bold, confident, and perfect for embracing the spooky side of fall.

Deep Burgundy looks its best on sleek, shiny hair, so pair this look with our Smooth Shampoo and Smooth Conditioner for extra gloss. For a daily dose of shine, use a dash or two of Smooth Drops!

Soft Cinnamon: For Transitioning Away From Blonde

They say blondes have more fun, but that doesn’t reflect the neverending maintenance the tone demands. If you’re looking to move away from blond but can’t commit to full brunette, Soft Cinnamon is perfect for exploring the best of both worlds!

Like copper, one of 2024’s biggest color trends, Soft Cinnamon embraces autumnal tones with a warm, golden-brown hue and a hint of red. It’s perfect for anyone needing a subtle change that still feels fresh, seasonal, and lived-in.

If one of your motives for turning down the blonde is damage, check out our Recovery Collection! Between Baobab Recovery Shampoo, Baobab Recovery Conditioner, and our daily Baobab Recovery Treatment Spray, your locks will be revitalized by Fall break!

Melted Caramel: Bright, Yet Perfectly Fall

Thanks to the beauty of balayage, dark roots plus light ends will forever be in style. For an autumnal twist on your usual balayage, consider Melted Caramel, a golden-brown take on highlights with a sun-kissed glow.

Rich, autumnal, and full of depth, this color is ideal for those with warm undertones and olive skin tones! It’s also great for growing out dark roots while keeping things bright.

To show off this style’s full multi-dimensionality, we recommend focusing on volume. Volume Shampoo and Volume Conditioner are great foundations, while Volume Blow Dry Spray and Lift It Mousse take things up a notch styling-wise.

Old-Money Blonde: as Fabulous as It Sounds

Dedicated blondes, don’t worry – you’re still on this list! Want to look like you came straight from the Upper East Side, a la Gossip Girl?

Old-Money Blonde exudes luxury and sophistication, offering a timeless, polished look perfect for impressing this back-to-school season. By combining soft, creamy blonde tones with subtle lowlights, this shade creates a multidimensional effect that’s both bold and refined – and, of course, effortlessly chic.

To nourish your strands for maximum elegance, switch to our Moisture Shampoo and Moisture Conditioner. They deliver lightweight hydration for a vibrant, healthy finish! For even more hydration, use our Moisture Masque weekly and our Moisture Styling Crème after every shower.

Amber Blonde: an Autumnal Take

For a seasonal version of classic blonde, Amber Blonde is sure to please. Warm, golden, and underscored with hints of red and orange, this color pushes the boundaries of blonde to transition from summer to fall. Any skin tone can rock it, but if you want to look extra warm, Amber Blonde will give you that glow!

If you plan on trying new styles with this color, Radically Smooth Taming Crème will add some silkiness, while Fiber Blast Texture Crème adds grip and separation.

Amethyst Balayage: a Moody, Low-Commitment Statement

Finally, our favorite experiment color for back-to-school season: Amethyst Balayage, a moody, purple-hued statement look that doesn’t require a full head of color.

The best part? Both brunettes and blondes can try this eye-grabbing style! The blend of deep amethyst tones pairs well with most natural hair colors to deliver a subtle yet striking effect.

As for maintenance, all Colorproof formulas are designed to extend and enhance the vibrancy of your color – even our shampoos. AKA, you won’t have to stress between salon appointments. Plus, unlike blue or green, purple fades quite nicely, making this a low-risk style!


We can’t wait to see how you ring in the school year, Colorproof style! No matter which color or cut you embrace this semester, show off your latest look with a tag on Instagram and TikTok (@colorproofhair).

Xx,
Colorproof