For many, thoughts of espresso brunette, deep chocolate, and rich auburn hair start to materialize the second fall temperatures roll around. But this year’s looks prove you don’t necessarily need to go dramatically darker for autumn. In fact, some of the chicest seasonal shifts are much more subtle. Case in point: honey-latte hair. Think of it less as a complete color overhaul and more about adding richness and definition to a shade that may have gotten lighter over the summer months. Below, W tapped hair colorists to learn how to get the honey-latte hair color, for whom it works best, and why it’s shaping up to be one of fall’s chicest shades.
What is honey-latte hair?
According to celebrity colorist and Paul Mitchell global color artist Matt Rez, honey-latte hair is a dimensional, neutral-warm blonde that combines creamy beige tones with strands of golden honey and soft caramel. “I would tell your stylist you want a lived-in blonde that feels warm and luminous, isn’t yellow or brassy, and has a slightly deeper base with seamless brightness through the mids and ends,” he says. The beauty of this shade is that it lets you hold onto that sun-kissed, summer glow while introducing the richer, creamier tones we naturally gravitate toward during fall.
Honey-latte hair lives in the same family as honey blonde, caramel blonde, and bronde, but the difference comes down to the balance of tones. Think of honey blonde as more uniformly golden; caramel blonde as a way to introduce deeper, richer tones; and bronde as having a stronger brunette presence. Honey latte borrows a little from each, combining the radiance of blonde with the richness of caramel and depth of bronde, then balancing it all with a creamy beige finish that feels modern, says Rez.
How to achieve the look
Achieving honey latte hair is all about harmony between lighter pieces, deeper accents, and muted gold tones. Rather than one solid shade, Rez recommends asking your stylist for “strategically placed highlights to create brightness, lowlights or a deeper base for contrast, and midlights to connect those tones so there are no harsh transitions.” This mix of varying tones gives the color its signature latte-like effect.
Hair texture can also play a role in how honey-latte color reads. Rez considers where the hair naturally bends, separates, and reflects light to determine where the highlighted pieces will have the most impact. “On straight hair, every placement is visible, so the blend needs to be especially seamless and refined,” says Rez. “Wavy hair naturally reveals dimension, while curls and coils often need slightly bolder, more intentional pieces so the color doesn’t disappear within the pattern.” In other words, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to placement.
Haircuts that complement honey latte hair
Holland Hager, a colorist at Flore Los Angeles, is a big fan of pairing the shade with a layered haircut, because “the flow of the cut brings out every caramel and blonde tone, creating even more depth and softness,” she says. You’ll also want to consider placement as it relates to your specific cut. For instance, with layers or curtain bangs, Rez says to add lightness around the face and through the movement of the cut. “On a bob, carefully placed ribbons can make the shape look fuller and more sculpted,” he says. And for those with longer hair, you’ll have more space to create a gradual, melted transition from the deeper root to brighter ends.
How to maintain honey latte hair
Like most multitonal blondes, honey-latte hair requires some upkeep to keep it looking vibrant. “I recommend a gloss every six weeks to keep the color fresh, shiny, and vibrant,” says Hager. Because the shade relies on a strategic mix of beige, gold, and caramel tones, this can help revive the color as it begins to fade while restoring that health-looking luster between larger color appointments. If you’re seeking an at-home treatment, go for the Kristen Ess High Gloss Longwear Shine Treatment, which provides a reflective shine for up to four weeks.
Also, use a gentle, color-safe shampoo and conditioner that will protect the tone without stripping the hair, like the Amika The Protector Color Protect + Strengthen Shampoo and Conditioner. The duo is made with a color longevity complex that preserves vibrancy, plus black currant extract to defend against the oxidative stress that can cause color to shift.
Finally, minimize heat exposure, as high temperatures can cause color to fade more quickly. When you do heat style, always use a heat protector (the Paul Mitchell Hot Off The Press Heat Protectant Spray is a solid option) to create a barrier between your strands and hot tools.
