If you spend any time scrolling through hair color ideas every season (and who doesn’t?), you’ve probably noticed something: hair now feels a lot like fashion. Cyclical, nostalgic, rooted in mood rather than rules. And for fall and winter, the mood is warm, dimensional, and quietly expensive. Think the kind of ladies hair colour trends that don’t scream for attention but still make people ask, “Wait—who’s your colorist?”
Which is why we turned to Maria Dowling, Founder of mariadowling Salon Dubai and one of the region’s most trusted names in hair dye trends. Dowling has been shaping color in the Gulf long before TikTok decided copper was “in.” So we asked her to walk us through the trending women’s hair colours for fall/winter, what suits who, and how to actually maintain them without losing your mind—or your shine.
This season is also defined by different kinds of hair color techniques—balayage, glossing, grey-blending, global tints—each one offering its own mood and maintenance level. Because here’s the thing: 2025 is already shaping up to be the year of nuance. Temporary hair color, brunette hair color upgrades, clever highlights for black hair, even the return of short hair color experiments and summer hair color ideas resurfacing in winter—nothing is off-limits anymore.
Below, the full breakdown of the season’s most-requested shades, straight from the Middle East’s “Queen of Color” Maria Dowling.
LADIES HAIR COLOUR TRENDS: BLONDES
1. Heritage Blonde

Bella Hadid’s Dubai-era shade lives rent-free in everyone’s mood board, and for good reason. Heritage blonde is warm without turning brassy, elegant without looking overdone. It blends toasted tones and softer highlights—perfect if you want a blonde that feels chic instead of flashy. Dowling says it’s ideal for natural blondes or brunettes wanting warmth “in a way that still keeps depth.” It pairs nicely with caramel glosses and beige shades, making it one of the best hair color for women who love subtle luxury.
2. Spiced Honey Blonde

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If you like your color mellow but expensive-looking, this is your girl. Think soft copper meets amber meets a little toffee. It’s basically the hair version of autumn sunlight. Dowling describes it as “understatedly chic… a warm fusion of blonde, brunette, and copper.” It suits most skin tones, especially when winter dullness starts creeping in. And if you love temporary hair color spray for touch-ups, this shade blends beautifully with it.
LADIES HAIR COLOUR TRENDS: BRUNETTES
3. Raven Black

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Glossy, moody, and dramatic in the best way. Raven black is the comeback shade of the season, especially with the rise of goth-glam. The hair expert notes that it works best for those already on the darker end of the brunette spectrum. The trick? Shine. You’ll need glossing treatments, hydrating masks, and maybe even a temporary hair color gloss between salon visits to keep it reflective instead of flat.
4. Espresso Brown

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Call it “expensive brunette” or just “the cool girl brown,” espresso is deep, chocolatey, and slightly ashy. Dowling says it’s rich, dimensional, and best suited to cooler skin tones with pink or blue undertones. Ask your colorist for carefully placed tones and a cool brown gloss. It’s a major upgrade from plain brunette hair color, and one of the most wearable ladies hair colour trends 2025 has to offer. Anyone who loves brown hair color with highlights will naturally gravitate toward these richer tones, because the dimension reads soft, expensive, and never streaky.
LADIES HAIR COLOUR TRENDS: REDS
5. Warm Cinnamon-Hued Red

Emma Stone fans, here’s your cue. This shade is perfect if you want red without really going red. It sits between copper and auburn, adding vibrancy without shouting for attention. The hair expert recommends it for golden, peachy, or olive complexions—it balances warmth beautifully. Since reds can fade quickly, glossing every few weeks is key.
6. Copper

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The Devil Wears Prada reddish-gold tone is back. It’s warm, flattering, and feels modern thanks to its golden undertone. Dowling notes that deeper or warmer skin tones carry it effortlessly, though fair skin with pink undertones can also pull it off. Ask for a light-to-medium brunette base and a cooler red layered over it. And yes, reds require commitment—expect regular salon visits.
LADIES HAIR COLOUR TRENDS: BALAYAGE
7. Tortoiseshell Brown

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Hailey Bieber’s favorite blend is your new fall/winter inspiration. This takes classic balayage and gives it warmth, depth, and a little high-gloss drama. Caramel highlights, contrasting brightness, dimensional tones—you can tailor it to suit any skin tone. It’s especially good if you love hair color ideas that grow out softly and work on shoulder-length or long hair. Tortoiseshell brown is an especially smart ladies hair colour for anyone with naturally dark roots because the placement mimics the way sunlight hits deeper shades. It’s also a great entry point if you’ve been curious about hair highlights for black hair but want something soft, blended, and not overly contrasting.
8. Grey Blending

This might be the most practical trend but also the most beautiful. Instead of trying to cover greys, Dowling’s technique blends them—using lowlights, highlights, or glosses to make regrowth softer and more dimensional. She recommends it for anyone with “at least 30% grey,” noting that glossing every 6–8 weeks keeps it fresh. For those with 50%+ grey, highlights and toning create the most natural effect.
Ladies Hair Colour FAQ’s
What is the best hair color for shoulder length hair?
- Shoulder-length cuts look amazing with dimensional shades—espresso brown, spiced honey blonde, and tortoiseshell balayage top the list.
- These shades add movement and prevent mid-lengths from looking flat.
What is the best semi permanent hair dye for dark hair?
- Look for ammonia-free formulas with deep pigments—espresso, raven black, cherry cola, or cinnamon red tend to show up best.
- Temporary hair color sprays also help brighten roots or add tone between appointments.
What are the 7 natural hair colors?
- Black
- Dark brown
- Light brown
- Blonde
- Red
- Grey
- White
What hair color is trending right now for females?
- Heritage blonde
- Tortoiseshell brown
- Copper
- Espresso brown
- Warm cinnamon red
Which hair color type is best?
- Permanent gives longevity
- Semi-permanent offers shine and flexibility
- Temporary hair color (or temporary hair color spray) is perfect for experimenting without commitment