As the seasons change, most of us also undergo a change. Our flipflops and tank tops get put away, and out come the boots and the cozy sweaters. But what about your hair? Do you hold true to your color, or do you shift shades to embrace the season?

If you’re a shade shifter, we’ve not only got great color for you, but it’s the hottest color trend around. Get ready to call your favorite colorist, because you’re going to want a caramel mocha balayage. And it looks as delicious as it sounds.

The caramel mocha balayage trend

This hair color trend not only sticks with the coffee colors but also warms them up for the fall and winter months. The mocha tone holds on to the rich deep brown of a strong coffee and gets a pop of soft golden caramel with just a touch of peach. It becomes the perfect pairing of luxurious dark tones with sweet summer highlights.

Balayage is a hair color technique that gives your hair a natural well-blended look. When you have a really well-done balayage, your hair is full of different shades that harmonize to create the illusion of depth and thickness. It also grows out without obvious roots showing.

To keep your fantastic balayage look, you may need a refresh every 12 weeks. Your stylist will also recommend that you care for your hair with a shampoo that’s designed for colored hair and one that features a great sunscreen, so those highlights don’t get brassy in the sun.

Getting a great balayage requires a very skilled colorist. It’s not something that everyone can do, and it takes practice and a very artistic eye to master this technique. It also takes a long time to achieve the desired results. For these reasons, you can expect to pay more for your balayage treatment, but it’s well worth it.

How to wear your balayage

While a beautiful balayage looks fantastic with any hairstyle, it really shines with longer locks that have soft waves or curls. The turning of the hair in a wave or curl catches the light in a lovely way that adds extra shimmer to the highlights and extra depth to the darkest pieces.

If you weren’t born with soft, beachy waves, that’s okay because you can easily create them. There are several different ways to create that soft, sea salt swept look. The problem is there is probably only one or two different ways that really work for you. 

Because everyone has different hair, the only way to figure out what works for you is to play around a little. Try the following techniques to see what looks best.

♦ Let your hair dry in braids or sleep in them, and then release the braid.

♦ Use a flat iron or curling iron to curl sections of your hair.

♦ Twist hair sections, and then work a flat iron down the length of the twist.

♦ Use a cone barrel iron to curl sections, and then shake loose with your fingers.

♦ Pin damp hair into little buns and secure in place until dry, then shake loose.

While you’re experimenting, try using different products to give your hair more hold, more shine, and added protection. You’ll eventually find the best technique and product for your hair.

How to dress for your balayage hairstyle 

Now that your hair looks super-sexy and your balayage is on point, it’s time to refresh your wardrobe. 

The first thing we need to discuss is the fall color trend. This is not another year of black being the primary color of the season. This year it’s all about color. 

The most popular colors are every shade of purple and soft pistachio green. Rounding out the color palette, you will find more traditional fall hues in the orange and gold family.

Experts are predicting that neon hues will make a big splash, but unfortunately, neon is not a great way to show off your balayage. Frankly, it overpowers and overwhelms your gorgeously natural highlights, so stick to soft brown neutrals and a pop of purple, pistachio, and maybe a little orangey gold. These colors let your hair shine.

Your clothing must-haves include a cape, a trendy jacket, and lots of prints, and if you can mix and match these items, all the better. No need to rush out and buy a whole new wardrobe, just invest in a plaid jacket, a neutral cape, and a few floral printed blouses.

How to accessorize to match caramel mocha hair

While hair accessories are the hottest thing around this season, you might want to steer clear and focus on your wrists instead. Stackable and stringy bracelets are a sizzling statement, and the more you wear, the better.

Small purses are raging, so it’s time to pare down or pitch so that you can fit your junk in a micro purse. If you’re going to go truly micro, don’t even try to get anything in it. Think of it as an accessory with no function whatsoever.

Final thoughts

The coffee color trends are still here, and this season’s lovely caramel mocha is too gorgeous to ignore. To give your look all the charm you can, wear your hair with soft curls and skip the trendy hair accessories. Focus on a micro purse and stacks of bracelets.

Pair your hair with a plaid blazer or a tan cape over a floral printed blouse. Make sure you work in a little pop of purple or pistachio to hit some colorful high notes.