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It’s only fitting that pumpkin spice is most prominent during the Halloween season, especially since it lurks around and pops up everywhere like a villain in a horror film. Pumpkin spice can be found virtually anywhere come fall: candles, hand soaps, candy, Oreos…and, of course, the OG Starbucks drink. If it can be pumpkin-spiced, chances are it already has been.
But while we’d be lying if we said that this obsession didn’t feel a little tired, there’s a PSL-inspired hair trend that sweeping Instagram that we can actually get behind. After all, warm, cinnamon-tinged locks are a classic look that feel particularly fresh—no matter the weather outside.
Laura Estroff of Kennaland Salon in Brooklyn explains the methodology behind the warm, spicy tones of this color (and its sister seasonal color gingersnap): “We’re seeing that pumpkin spice hair has more copper undertones whereas gingersnap tends to fall under the category of brunette with red undertones,” she told Cosmopolitan as the Insta-trend was just starting to take flight.
Choosing A Shade: Meredith Connors, stylist and head of education at ColorDesign, notes that in spite of the very seasonal moniker, this color has a timeless feel. “Undertones of copper, gold, and warm browns are available in all different levels of darkness or lightness, allowing pumpkin spice hair to appeal to everyone any time of year,” she says.
Maintenance Level: High. These tones fade fastest, so it’s important to show yours some TLC with a color-saving shampoo. (Davines’s Alchemic Red, $27, is top-notch.)
Goes Great With: “It’s the perfect transitional color for a brunette," says Connors. "A little bit of warmth can create the appearance of natural highlights.”
Similar Shades: Gingersnap, cinnamon, auburn, copper
Price: $10-$30 for store-bought dye, $50-$200 at the salon
Even if the words pumpkin spice are cause for hesitation, before your eyes roll into the back of your head, give this look a gander. (Psst: It’s even model-approved.)
Sleek Burnt Orange
This deeper burnt orange shade of pumpkin is great for darker complexions. To keep a bold shade going strong, use a preserving conditioner like Overtone Orange for Brown Hair Daily Conditioner ($18). It contains hydrating ingredients like coconut oil and comes in several shades to suit your variation of pumpkin.
Burnt Orange
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Emma Stone has been every shade of red under the sun, but this take on pumpkin spice from the 2015 Golden Globes has to be one of our favorites. Face-framing highlights lighten up the burnt orange base color and flatter her peaches and cream complexion and raspberry lipstick.
Pumpkin Spirals
These pumpkin-tinged ends prove that naturally curly hair can rock this bold shade. Keep color-treated spirals in great shape by using a moisturizing hair mask once or twice a week. Rahua's Color Full Hair Mask ($62) is a nice option.