Hair color goes candy-coated for fall. Caramel is prettier than ever in the season’s multi-dimensional trend. Celebrity stylist Hadiiya Barbel – whose hands have graced the heads of Iman and Angela Bassett – shares her expert tips to drenching your coif in the rich color, along with another bold look you should try.

Typically, we’d recommend going deeper and darker in these cooler months, but the beauty of these warm tones is undeniable. “I love caramel hues. They remind me of the varying shades of leaves in fall,” explains Barbel. “I like to infuse it with a variety of low lights and highlights to add depth and creativity to the shape of the hair.”

Flat color is a thing of the past. It’s all about ombre flare –  a two-toned technique that normally flaunts darker roots and lighter ends. “A nice ways to achieve the ombre look with caramel hues is by lightening up the base color of your hair to your desired level, and adding a caramel or golden brown tone to the tips. You can go from darker to lighter with two caramel shades to make to make it more interesting.”

For those looking for something more bold, try the chalking method. “It’s the process of lightening your ends and painting vibrant colors over it,” Hadiiya remarks of the newest trend of using indigo blue, violet and fuchsia. “I adore the pale shades and jewel tones that are now being used.”  

The process of lightening one’s hair should always be done by a professional, but when your stylist is away, you must go the extra mile to intensely condition your processed mane. “Color-treated hair needs to be conditioned with a deep mask treatment every 1 – 2 weeks. Keep heat minimal to avoid excessive damage.”

Multi-layered caramel hues work wonders for both natural and faux tresses. —Kimberly Walker