Pumpkins and apples might be autumn’s most popular fruits—yes, pumpkins are fruits—but this year, cherry blonde is the next big food-inspired fall hair color trend.
How do we know? According to Pinterest’s fall 2024 trend report, online searches for “cherry blonde” hair color have increased by a whopping 6,300% ahead of the autumnal season. That tells us people are seriously interested in trying the shade for their post-summer hair transformations. We can’t blame them. The cool looks cool without feeling over the top (or like that “How do you do, fellow kids?” meme), while still being super low-maintenance.
But what does cherry blonde hair color actually looks like? “Cherry blonde is a beautiful shade that can vary slightly in depth and saturation, but generally, it’s characterized by a soft red-copper hue with a warmer pink undertone,” says Renée Valerie, a hair colorist, R+Color Collective Member, and the director of R+Color Education. “This color is more intense and vibrant compared to pastel shades, offering a rich tone with a more unique feel.”
That’s why Lauren Mildice, a colorist at Chicago’s Maxine Salon, defines it as more of a papaya-cherry blend. “Think of when you dilute pure cherry juice with water,” she explains. “It brings out the pink and ginger tones. That means that the pigment won’t be as dark and it will show the underlying color.”
As for why cherry blonde is trending now? “As summer winds down, many people start leaning toward warmer, fall-inspired shades for their next color choice,” says Valerie. “This shift is a wonderful way to add warmth to your complexion as the cooler months approach. With some subtle adjustments, these tones can be tailored to complement any skin tone.”
What’s more, deep reds were everywhere last year, so it’s it only natural that “everyone’s diluting it into a lighter color” for fall this time around, according to Mildice. “This color is on the rise since it has a perfect blend of fall tones,” Mildice explains. “The papaya ginger color along with the soft blend of pale red, and/or pink, creates a harmonious hair color.”
It’s also worth noting that cherry blonde is pretty similar to Pantone’s 2024 color of the year “Peach Fuzz,” so they were clearly very onto something.
One major benefit to cherry pink is how incredibly customizable it is: You can fully lean into the “pink” (or peach) of it all or opt for more of a ginger-based tint. Or, for a less in-your-face look, blend into your natural shade with balayage, weave just pops of it throughout your hair, or try low-key highlights over a more neutral base like papaya or auburn so that it’s almost natural but not quite.
It also doesn’t hurt that so many celebrities have been rocking cherry blonde-inspired looks as of late: Kate Beckinsale, Georgia May Jagger, Karol G, Lana Condor, Kaia Gerber, Ava Philippe, and Black Pink’s Rosé have all experimented with pink and cherry-inspired hair colors, while Megan Fox and Dua Lipa are known for pioneering cherry tints in particular.
Feeling inspired? I don’t blame you. Here’s how to master your very own cherry blonde hair color for fall.
