The right hair color can completely shift your image—sometimes more than a new cut ever could. Think of how Jennifer Aniston’s honey-toned highlights became her signature style, or how Halle Berry’s caramel ribbons add an iconic softness and glow to her look. For mature women, strategic highlights are especially transformative. And with fall around the corner, the season brings rich, dimensional color trends to the forefront. There’s never been a better time to try something new. But what are the best fall highlights mature women should try?
Hair highlights don’t just brighten the look of women over 50—they can soften features, disguise grays and bring dimension back to hair that might feel flat or dull. Placement and tone are everything too. The right shades around the face can blur fine lines and add warmth to the skin for an instant youthful glow.
So if you need some inspiration, read on for celebrity stylist-approved advice on the most flattering fall highlights for mature hair this season.
Related: 7 Best Hair Colors for Women Over 60, According to Celeb Colorists
What Hair Color Makes a Mature Woman Look Younger?
Jenna Perry, celebrity colorist for Emily Ratajkowski, Lila Moss and Chloë Sevigny, and R+COLOR Collective Member, says the key to finding a hair color that makes a mature woman look younger lies in choosing tones that feel soft and luminous.
“The best colors for mature women are lighter, softer tones, especially when the lighter tones are centered around the face,” she explains. Think golden beige, soft caramel or champagne blonde—hues that reflect light and naturally brighten the complexion.
Lamont Gonzales of Rita Hazan Salon—who has styled the likes of Beyoncé and Nicole Scherzinger—adds that it’s less about looking younger and more about choosing shades that flatter your features and lifestyle.
“Sometimes adding highlights or blending grays is all it takes to freshen things up,” he says, pointing out that effortless, well-placed color can have just as much impact as a dramatic change.
Related: The One Hair Color Celebs Over 50 Are Asking For, According to A Celebrity Colorist
Should You Go Lighter or Darker With Hair as You Get Older?
According to Perry, lighter is almost always the way to go as you age.
“Lighter tones are the easiest to blend and work great at concealing grays,” she says, which explains why so many women find themselves embracing warm highlights and softer tones as they age. These shades blur regrowth lines and make upkeep more seamless, all while keeping the overall look luxe.
Gonzales agrees that leaning lighter (and warmer) often enhances natural beauty, but he also frames it as an opportunity for self-expression.
“Going a little lighter, brighter and warmer can soften features and bring more light to the face,” he explains. For him, it’s about evolving with your skin tone and style, ensuring the end result feels fresh, expressive and customized rather than forced.
What Kind of Highlights Are in Style for Fall 2025?
Highlights this fall are all about strategic placement and natural dimension.
“For Fall 2025, we’re seeing a lot of face-framing highlights that are placed thoughtfully and grow out seamlessly,” says Perry, who favors subtle pops of brightness that don’t require constant upkeep. This approach makes color look intentional but still low-maintenance.
Gonzales points out that the big shift this season is steering away from extreme lightening and moving toward rich, lived-in tones.
“Over-highlighting is cancelled this fall,” he says. Instead, the focus is on warmth, shine and hair that feels healthy. Soft transitions and dimensional color keep the hair looking elevated while still feeling approachable at any age.
Related: 5 Hair Color Tricks to Instantly Look Younger, According to Celebrity Colorists
7 Most Flattering Fall Highlights for Mature Hair, According to Celebrity Stylists
1. Golden strawberry blonde
A warm base with golden and strawberry blonde highlights adds instant vitality.
“In the fall, reds tend to deepen, so pairing them with golden tones creates balance and luminosity,” says Gonzales.
And for mature hair, this mix not only softens the complexion but also brings a youthful playfulness. The layered tones keep it from looking flat, while the golden pieces reflect light beautifully against the skin.
2. Honey highlights
Honey highlights are the perfect mix of polish and approachability, warming the face while keeping hair feeling vibrant.
“They frame the face with softness, brighten the skin and require less upkeep than lighter blondes,” says Gonzales.
These highlights are especially flattering for mature hair because they add depth and shine without harsh contrast, making every style—whether you’re rocking a short bob or long layers—look fuller and more dimensional. It’s a subtle trick for enhancing natural beauty while feeling seasonal and sophisticated.
3. Gray blending
Gray blending is a masterclass in subtlety and sophistication.
“Strategically placed highlights on top of natural grays soften the overall look, camouflage silver strands and keep hair dimensional without the full commitment of single process color,” explains Gonzalez.
This technique addresses common concerns like dullness or uneven tone while keeping the overall style modern. Fall is the perfect time for gray blending because it can lean warm or cool, depending on what best complements your skin tone, giving hair depth, movement and that just-right soft shimmer.
4. Salt & pepper
There’s something undeniably striking about letting natural grays shine through, and salt-and-pepper hair is a perfect way to do this. Take Meryl Streep as the golden example.
“Her highlights show balance, depth and confidence,” notes Gonzalez.
This look embraces silver strands while adding subtle highlights for dimension, so hair never feels flat or lifeless. Plus, it softens features and works beautifully across textures—straight, wavy or layered. Salt-and-pepper highlights are proof that embracing your natural tones can feel modern, chic and completely fall-ready.
Related: 7 Best Face-Framing Hairstyles With Layers, According to a Celebrity Stylist
5. Chocolate & honey blend
Fall calls for warmth, richness and cozy undertones, which is why chocolate and honey blends are having a moment.
“This combination is flattering, natural and grows out softly,” shares Gonzalez.
The chocolate base gives grounding depth, while honey highlights lift and creates movement that flatters every angle. For mature hair, which can lose vibrancy or feel flat, this blend adds instant dimension and luminosity. It pairs seamlessly with everything from curtain bangs to blunt bobs, making it versatile and low-maintenance for the season.
6. Smoky blonde
If you want a subtle look that still makes a statement, smoky blonde is it. This shade lifts dull strands and blends seamlessly with natural grays or roots, giving hair a soft, lived-in finish.
As Perry says, it’s all about the “less-is-more” mentality. She also recommends a brightening shampoo, such as purple shampoo, to keep color vibrant well beyond the salon. This gorgeous hue adds depth without harshness, and is a perfect choice for fall, bringing richness and dimension while keeping the look fresh and seasonal.
7. Timeless golden blonde
Some shades never go out of style, and golden blonde (a la Beyoncé) is proof.
“The lighter ends paired with the deeper root create depth and movement, while the brightness around the face delivers instant glow,” explains Gonzalez.
It’s basically the ultimate fall shade for women over 50, capturing the season’s warmth and glow. The sun-kissed tones mimic autumn light, adding richness and dimension to hair while giving an instant seasonal refresh that feels both vibrant and natural.
Up Next:
Related: 7 Best Face-Framing Highlight Hairstyles That Make You Instantly More Youthful, According to Celebrity Colorists
Sources:
- Jenna Perry is a celebrity colorist for Emily Ratajkowski, Lila Moss and Chloë Sevigny, and R+COLOR Collective Member.
- Lamont Gonzales is a celebrity colorist at the Rita Hazan Salon, and he’s styled the likes of Beyoncé and Nicole Scherzinger.
