My best girlfriend in middle school used to dip her head upside down in her bathroom sink filled with cherry Kool-Aid. My coworker during my banking days spent hours at the salon each week getting her hair straightened. A girlfriend of mine today schedules her braiding sessions weeks in advance, knowing she will spend hours chatting with her stylist while her thick braids are woven from her scalp down her back. Black women’s hair is easily the most versatile and showstopping in the world. Part of this versatility comes from the fact that Black women have African culture to draw on while also intermingling the most progressive trends in America today. The result of Black women’s style choices, especially with hair, quite often results in a cultural phenomenon that women across the country, and indeed the world, want to emulate. So, now that pumpkin spice season has arrived, what are the top fall hair colors for Black females? Read on to find out.  

Table of Contents:  

• History of Black Women’s Hair 
• Top 5 Fall Hair Colors for Black Females
• A Word on Cultural Appropriation
• Products to Support the Health of Black Women’s Hair 

History of Black Women’s Hair 

Black women have a long history of shame and cultural appropriation around their styles. Often, they are shamed for wearing braids, for having dreadlocks, or even for sporting an afro, which is as au naturel as it gets for most Black women. Then, women of other races and ethnicities adopt those same styles, from the braids to the afro, and receive praise in magazines and the workplace for being culturally provocative and inclusive in their style choices. Thus, it is refreshing today to see magazines including many more Black women with their naturally kinky hair, with a wide range of braids and twists, and even with no hair at all. The day has arrived for society to embrace Black women in all their style choices, and rather than co-opt them, the rest of us women can continue to seek ways to honor and appreciate them. As the weather cools, many of us fascinated by fashion in all its forms are looking to what fall hair colors for Black females are at the top of the list. After all, 85% of women today color their hair. We often need help figuring which color to go with next! 

Top 5 Fall Hair Colors for Black Females 

1. Cinnamon

I love this color against dark skin, especially for the fall season. My oldest daughter has very brown skin handed down through her father’s indigenous heritage from Mexico, and cinnamon is perfectly highlighted against it. Look for Black women to sport this rusty brown color to match the leaves dropping gently from the trees.  

2. Red

Back to those Kool-Aid days, Black females are embracing this bold and bright red this fall, and it is a perfect match to the brightest reds we see on our plants and trees this season. It is a great color for grabbing attention and juxtaposed against brown skin a bold red will surely catch the eye of many passersby.  

3. Bronde

Bronde is a color embraced by women of all colors, and it seems to be a favorite of Queen Bey on occasion. Bronde is that lovely blend between brown and blonde that Beyonce and so many other Black females seem to sport so well. It is a great honeyed color for fall, so expect to see it everywhere.  

4. Face Framing Blonde

Black women who went blonde for the summer may want to hang on to those lighter tones through the fall while embracing more of their natural darker tones as we head into winter. Face framing highlights are a great way to do that, especially for those ladies who wear their hair up a lot. Your face will still be brightened up by the blonde without giving off the impression that you cannot let go of summer.  

5. Ink Black

Finally, many Black women are simply returning to their roots, literally. Summer requires a lot of upkeep, and if your natural color is black, you may simply want to get back to it already. Indeed, some Black women with naturally lighter hair are also embracing this on-trend inky hue. And why not? The darker nights are upon us.  

A Word on Cultural Appropriation

Ultimately, Americans can be proud of our sisters of darker skin for always seeming so on top of trendsetting. We have taken many cues from Black women throughout history, whether it comes to clothing or makeup, or even music. Alongside that pride, it is essential to the rest of us women to show up as supportive and appreciative. All this appreciation means is that we honor the traditions we borrow from by being aware of the right time and place to do that borrowing. We can be appreciative also by giving credit when we have adopted a new style into our personal care arsenal.  

Black women have carried us through myriad style transitions with beauty and grace. It is now upon us to acknowledge those contributions to fashion and beauty with as much beauty and grace in return. 

Products to Support the Health of Black Women’s Hair

Coconut Milk Shampoo and Conditioner Set 

My husband has very dry kinky hair handed down to him from his African descended grandfather. This coconut oil shampoo and conditioner is perfect for adding moisture and softness to his curls.  

Moroccan Argan Hair Oil 

I love argan oil for all things moisturizing, so of course, for drier, coarser hair this stuff is a winner. You can apply it to your scalp, to your ends, or simply all over to calm down frizz and flyaway hair.  

Click the above links and take time to browse the rest of the site. You are sure to find products that will nourish and moisturize both your hair and your skin.