It’s pumpkin spice season! Our favorite latte order is literally everywhere—and we mean everywhere. The “it” flavor is also the “it” shade for fall, and there’s nothing basic about it. We love the autumn vibes that pumpkin spice gives us so much, we literally want pumpkin spice hair. So which shade is right for you? Are you rocking a darker, copper spice or a rose infused variation? Maybe your pumpkin spice is bronze? How ’bout neon? We checked in with some of the top stylists and brands to find out how they get their pumpkin spice color formula. Bring one of these cocktails to the salon and you’re guaranteed to leave with locks that will keep you on-trend way past the falling of the last leaf.
Ivan Rodriguez @ CHI Haircare
FORMULA:
STEP 1: Bleach the hair with 1 part CHI Blondest Blonde + 1 part CHI Color Generator 30 vol
STEP 2: Apply the color using CHI Shine Shades:
- 1 part – 11N
- 1 part – 8RB
- 1 part – 9CG
- 1 part – Clear
- CHI Generator 10 volume
Pumpkin spice can work on anyone, it’s just about matching the undertones to your skin color. After Rodriguez bleaches the hair, he combines five shine shades for the perfect rose gold blonde and warm copper color creation. We especially recommend this tone as a refresh for overgrown summer blond.
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Tracey Cunningham
Redken Shades EQ
FORMULA:
1 oz. 09G Vanilla Shades EQ Gloss
1 oz. 08C Cayenne Shades EQ Gloss
2 oz. Shades EQ Processing Solution
“Even a natural redhead can benefit from Shades EQ Gloss!” say Cunningham, who uses this pumpkin spice hair formula on Isla Fisher. “A quick glaze for Isla helps keep her color vibrant and rich. As red can be a tricky color to maintain at home, help clients preserve the life of salon results with the newly-reformulated Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo and Conditioner,” she shares.
Cherin Choi
FORMULA:
STEP 1: Bleach with Redken Flash Lift, 20 & 30 volume
STEP 1: Gloss using clear and Olaplex.
STEP 3: Towel dry and apply Joico Bronze from roots to ends.
To get her special bronze-toned spice, Choi bleaches with Redken and layers in Joico’s bronze. “I love the shimmer and tone,” says Cherin. “It fades fast but I’m loving the warmth and tone for fall.”
Cassondra Kaeding
Redken Shades EQ
FORMULA: 1/2 8G + 1/2 8WG + 1/4 8C + 1/8 9AA
“Pumpkin spice is such a pretty combination of coppery undertones with hits of gold and bursts of red,” explains Cass of why she loves this dark pumpkin shade. “The great thing about this color is that depending on your skin tone, you can have variations of light copper tones to deeper copper tones.”
However, Cass reminds us, that if you are going to take the leap to pumpkin spice, your trips to your colorist will be more frequent. “Red/warm tones are the hardest to maintain and one of the hardest to remove,” she explains. “So make sure you are ready to visit the salon every 3-6 weeks for root touch up and glosses.”
Matt Rez
Redken Shades EQ
FORMULA: Equal parts of 8c and 9aa with 2 full caps of 5c
“I love orange based red hair colors,” Rez tells us, adding that these colors are definitively pumpkin spice to him. The formula used will dictate the outcome of your color. “I would say for true pumpkin spice, the color formulas need to be above a level 8, so no blue or violet undertones exist,” says Rez. “I love when reds look believable, even if they are super intense, the base should be of pumpkin tone… aka orange-y.”He says, adding the transformative power of this color is key. “I love switching my blonde clients over to red heads. It’s so fun building in that dimension.”
Ariel Hauck
Redken Shades EQ
FORMULA: 6CB, 7CB and 8C
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MARCIA HAMILTON
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Did you know you can DIY your own gloss using a pumpkin spice mask? Our no-fail step-by-step is here.