I first became a Claire Danes fan after binge-watching Homeland at an alarming pace. So naturally, The Beast in Me, which comes from the same team behind the spy thriller, had me hooked immediately. And with the 2026 Emmys landing smack in the middle of New York Fashion Week, I’m already in full trend-spotting mode. While tonight is technically about television, as a beauty editor, I was mostly waiting to see what Danes would bring glam-wise to the 78th annual Primetime Emmys red carpet.

Danes is nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for her role as Agatha “Aggie” Wiggs, but her beauty look made a case for its own moment on the carpet. For the occasion, Danes wore her blonde bob sleek and straight with a deep side part, tucking one side behind her ear and letting the other sweep across her forehead. The blunt ends landed just above her shoulders.

Her makeup stayed soft, with super-illuminated skin and gorgeous rosy cheeks—pared-down makeup and statement-making hair are a trend I am seeing on this Emmy carpet often. And I have to say, the side part got me. After years of center parts dominating basically everything, I'm loving the little switch-up. Let's not forget to give her sculptural silver gown its flowers, too. Danes looks like she walked straight off a NYFW runway.

Shop the Best Products for Claire Danes’s Glam

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Emmy Rossum's 2026 Emmys hair is my fall inspiration, and in a second, it's going to be yours, too. The Furious actress hit the red carpet for the night's festivities, wearing a gorgeous black dress with scalloped edges and sporting a chic, short baby French manicure design on her nails. Still, her hair and makeup were the star of the show thanks to her glam team: makeup artist Jo Baker and hairstylist Vernon François.

Rossum opted for a monochromatic makeup look for the big evening, with Baker using products from Glossier, Victoria Beckham Beauty, and her eponymous makeup brand to create the simple brown, smoked-out eye as well as the matching blush and lipstick. Francois, known for his mastery of curly and coily hair, had his expertise on full display tonight. Not only were Rossum's tresses full and voluminous, but each curl was meticulously defined, with not even a hint of frizz anywhere. Do you know how hard that is to achieve? Especially in a place as hot and humid as Los Angeles?

While the hair details are still forthcoming, I was able to snoop around on Baker's Instagram to see a few of the products used to get Rossum's look. Keep reading to shop her glam if you want to recreate your own version at home. In the meantime, keep up with MC's coverage of the most glamorous night in television.

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Nicole Kidman has been on a serious beauty streak lately. She’s been turning out look after look on the Practical Magic 2 premiere circuit, so I wasn’t exactly surprised to see her keep it going at the Emmys. The actress returned to the 78th annual Primetime Emmy Awards as an executive producer of Apple TV+’s Margo’s Got Money Troubles, wearing a custom white Chanel gown covered in handmade florals. Gorgeous, obviously—but my eyes went straight to the hair.

Kidman wore her blonde hair pulled into a low, intentionally messy bun, with long curtain bangs and a few wispy pieces left loose around her face. And she wasn’t the only one keeping things low on the carpet. Between the buns, ponytails, and other nape-grazing styles I’ve spotted tonight, I’m officially sensing a fall hair trend. After seasons of slicked-back everything, I’m very into seeing things loosen up a little.

Her makeup was equally soft. Kidman went for fresh, bright glam with softly defined eyes, flushed pink cheeks, and a glossy peachy-pink lip that really gave her a youthful-looking glow. Paired with the statement-making floral Chanel gown, the undone hair and fresh makeup complemented the look perfectly.

Shop the Best Products for Nicole Kidman's Low Updo

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The 78th annual Primetime Emmys are currently underway (in the midst of New York Fashion Week, no less!) and the stars are already storming the red carpet with enough hair and makeup inspiration to last through the rest of the year. Of course, I'm playing beauty police from the comfort of my home, but there is always one star who everyone can unanimously agree never fails to turn a look: Zendaya Coleman, everyone.

Both a nominee and a presenter tonight, the actress had the internet in a frenzy over the weekend when she debuted a gorgeous curled pixie ahead of the award show. Tonight, she is sticking with the short hairstyle, but instead of the playful curls and colorful makeup she sported just 24 hours ago, she's taking a page from Halle Berry's hairstyle book from the 2002 Oscars.

While she did away with the flipped curls from the weekend, Zendaya's hair, courtesy of Coree Moreno, who used the ghd Speed hair dryer and Sculpt flat iron, still had that tousled volume we've all come to know and love from the star. That volume was emphasized even more by the perfectly gelled pieces closer to her hairline and the crown of her head, just like Berry's version when she won an Oscar for her role in Monster's Ball. A razor-sharp brow served as a gorgeous complement to a sultry, lash-forward eyeshadow look, which gave way to a bronzy-pink blush and a neutral lip. A milky, almond-shaped manicure completed the beauty details and allowed her dress (which is dripping in jewels, mind you) to really be the star of the show. In short? She looks tanned, is dripping in jewels, and still appears to have that newlywed glow from her marriage to longtime partner, Tom Holland, earlier this year.

The two-time winner is hoping for a third trophy this evening for her portrayal of Rue Bennet in the hit HBO series Euphoria. Until then, all we know for sure is that she will also be presenting tonight, so if we're lucky, we may get another head-turning beauty and fashion moment from that star before the festivities are over. All of Zendaya's exact beauty details are still forthcoming, but keep scrolling for the exact hair tools used, as well as a few other products that can help you to achieve her glam.

Shop Zendaya's Emmys Glam

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I see a lot of bobs in my line of work, but Lukita Maxwell’s might be the one that convinces everyone—and even me, a long-hair-til-I-die girl—to finally go short this fall. Maxwell, who plays Alice on Apple TV+’s Shrinking, arrived at the 78th annual Primetime Emmy Awards with an ultra-short, cheekbone-grazing baby bob—and suddenly, all the longer versions we’ve been seeing during the bob-assiance feel a little less exciting.

The cut is obviously tiny, but I’m even more into the way she styled it. Maxwell’s glossy brunette hair is parted down the middle, with the ends kicked outward in soft, flippy bends around her face. There’s something a little retro about it without making it feel like it has to be worn only at a special event, and the shape keeps such a short cut from looking too severe. It’s also fairly easy to recreate: a small round brush or flat iron can give the ends that same flick, while the rest of the hair stays smooth and shiny.

Her makeup stayed much softer, with airbrushed skin, rosy cheeks, and wispy lashes. Then there was the dress: a huge, cupcake-y gold gown with layers of sculptural volume that looked incredibly elegant without leaning into costume territory. Against something that dramatic, the tiny flippy bob felt like exactly the right move—it kept the whole look from veering too princess-y.

For me, though, the hair is the whole story. If the bob has been getting progressively shorter for the past few seasons, Maxwell just took it to its logical next step for fall and winter 2026.

Shop the Best Products to Recreate Lukita Maxwell’s Baby Bob

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It's definitely not Mariska Hargitay's first time at the Emmys. She's been nominated 12 times. She won for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Olivia Benson in Law & Order: SVU circa 2006, and again in 2017 for her directing work in I Am Evidence. But the 2026 Primetime Emmy Awards, taking place a decade later, are a Big One for the actress. Not only did she already win two Emmys tonight for My Mom Jane, but she's also the host. And, she is the first female host in 15 years, I might add.

While I'm confident that she will do an A+++ job (supposedly Stephen Colbert's writing team helped her prep), I'm going to spend the little bit of time leading up to the show by doing a deep dive into her glam for the evening.

Here's what I know: she teamed up with makeup artist Kate Synott for the big night. Her skin was prepped exclusively with Cetaphil products, proving once again that drugstore staples can help you achieve a very luxe-looking glow. Her makeup—from foundation to mascara—is courtesy of It Cosmetics. She's playing in the peachy -nude family (at least for her first look) and is reminding me exactly why I should never forget to tightline. I'll be restocking the Superhero No-Tug Eyeliner ASAP.

As for her hair? It's looking particularly thick and voluminous courtesy of the genius that is Adir Abergel and Virtue hair products. After proper prep, he whipped out a GHD flat iron to achieve the most gorgeous mermaid waves, which I suspect will be a huge fall hair trend.

Below, shop the exact products used to get this look.

Shop Mariska's Look

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There's nothing quite like the charm and chaos that come with the 78th annual Primetime Emmys happening right in the middle of New York Fashion Week. It's been perhaps the busiest week for spotting new beauty trends—sunglass nails at Diane von Furstenberg and petal lips on the street style circuit. And now that the red carpet is in full effect, my eyes are scanning for every possible fall beauty trend poised to take over in the next four to 12 weeks.

So far, it's looking like color is having a moment, hair is getting longer (dare I say the bob era is on its way out?), and nails are getting richer—earth tones all the way. It's a chic group in attendance tonight, and frankly, I wouldn't expect anything less than what they've been serving.

To get the full breakdown on the best 2026 Emmys beauty looks—along with product breakdowns and tips and tricks straight from the pros—read ahead.

Ciara Miller

Deep side part? Incredible. Smoky eye? Also love. But it's the Love Island Aftersun host's manicure that caught my attention. I haven't seen a traditional French manicure like this in a hot minute—and I'm very here for it.

Supriya Ganesh

I know the night is young, but I'm calling it: this is my favorite look of the night. The center part paired with the crimped waves is a hairstyle straight out of Aquamarine. If you need me, I'll be digging in my back cabinets to fish out my crimper.

Abby Elliot

Beauty Director Hannah Baxter spotted petal lips as a big makeup trend during NYFW, and it looks like The Bear actress is co-signing the look. The key? Find a blurring, matte lipstick and dab off the excess with a tissue.

Lisa Rinna

While I'll certainly miss having Rinna on my Traitors screen, I'm thrilled to be getting my fix of RHOBH star tonight. The pixie cut queen is giving her classic style a little twist tonight. Rather than her normal spiky style, she's fully committed to a slicked-back, side-part.

Grace Gummer

Love it or hate it, low ponytails are very much back. Although, admittedly much cooler than the Founding Fathers-esque vibe I wore throughout middle school. Just look to Gummer, Meryl Streep's daughter and Love Story actress, for proof.

Shabana Azeez

Curious how The Pitt actress got this good of a glow? She worked with makeup artist Aimee Twist, who prepped her skin with Icon Skincare. My favorite product from the brand is the Heritage Cream—it gives an incredible glow.

Carrie Coon

 The nominee for Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series wanted to keep her look “ youthful, fresh, and modern to balance the structural look of the dress and show her beautiful skin and large, expressive eyes,” per celebrity makeup artist Rebecca Restrepo. To execute the laidback glam, Restrepo used the ZIIP Halo and Beau Domaine for skin prep.

Mariska Hargitay

The host for the night went with beachy waves and glowing skin, courtesy of Cetaphil (love a drugstore find!) and It Cosmetics.

Zendaya

The '90s lip liner! The pixie cut! The thin eyebrows! I have no notes. This is a 10/10. And honestly, I'd expect nothing less.

Quinta Brunson

Makeup artist Rebekah Aladdin teamed up with Aveeno to tackle Brunson's skin prep—and clearly it paid off. The Abbott Elementary actress looked absolutely radiant with very glowy skin and gorgeous mermaid waves.

If you’re new here, let it be known: I have super fine hair. One of my beauty editor missions is finding the shampoos, conditioners, dry texturizers, and styling products that provide max volume because if you’re also part of the Fine Hair Club, well, you know that lift and body are hard to come by. My routine is down to a pretty solid science, but I’m always game to improve. When I heard that Drybar (which makes one of my favorite hot tools, FYI) was coming out with a new blow dryer—the Buttercup Pro—that could amp up volume, add shine, and cut frizz, my ears perked up a bit.

Here’s the deal: the blow dryer is the first of its kind to let users choose the ion level, from 1 to 3. For a little context, high ions are typically positive—they boost shine and cut frizz. But they also flatten the cuticle in the process, and when you have fine hair, that’s less than ideal. Having the flexibility to turn the ions to the lowest level when I’m blasting my roots with heat and then up again when I’m polishing off my blowout throughout the mid-shaft to ends is a gorgeous recipe for voluminous, shiny hair—and one I haven’t been able to replicate with other blow dryers.

“The best hair dryer is one that doesn't ask you to work harder for better hair. Buttercup PRO remembers how you like to style, adjusts to your hair, and protects it while it works,” says Amanda Knappman, the General Manager of Drybar. “You get effortless control of your blowout, and your hair health is never the trade-off.” She’s onto something.

For my full, honest review of the new hot tool, keep reading.

What Features Does the Drybar Buttercup Pro Have?

I’ve tried dozens of blow dryers. My tops: the T3 Travel BlowDryer (it lives in my carry-on), the Dyson AirWrap (for when I’m looking for easy styling), and now, this guy. It’s the one I’ll reach for when I actually plan on taking my time with a blowout. I’ll always grab my Dyson Airwrap when I’m in a rush or want something that requires zero technique, but this new launch is my new go-to for big events, special occasions, or just when I want to guarantee a good hair day.

There are three big features that set this apart. The first: it remembers your preferred settings for each attachment and will automatically set to your last-used heat, ion output, and airflow preference. The second: it alternates between hot and cold temperatures, which help your hair retain moisture. The third (and my favorite): the ion selection isn’t just on or off. You can select between three levels to customize volume and shine.

How Do I Use the Drybar Buttercup Pro?

Obviously, the best settings will depend on your goals and hair type. Personally, though, I like to turn the ion setting down to one and the airflow and heat on high while I do a rough dry, making sure to pay extra attention to my roots. Once my hair is about 85 percent dry, I pop on the concentrator, grab my round brush, and split my hair into three different layers. I keep the settings the same and really focus on getting each section of hair almost entirely dry. To finish it off, I turn the ion level up and the heat down. I go over my mid-shafts to ends with this combo to add shine back to my hair and help the blowout set with cool air.

Is the Drybar Buttercup Pro Worth It?

At $229, it’s definitely an investment. It’s slightly cheaper than luxe competitors like Dyson and ghd, but it certainly falls in the luxury sector. That being said, it’s well worth the price. It will also last 10 times as long as standard blow dryers. So, while you might have to replace your $30 blow dryer every year, this baby will stand the test of time. It’s also travel-friendly, works with a converter, and folds up nicely into a suitcase.

I’ve noticed such a big difference in how my blowout turns out since I started using this. I have so much more volume—and it actually lasts throughout the day. I normally feel like I have to sacrifice shine for volume (dry texturizers and dry shampoos can leave a bit of dullness behind), but this lets me achieve both at the same time. That’s the definition of a win-win hair tool in my book.

Shop More Drybar Products I Love

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New York Fashion Week S/S '27 is underway in NYC, and unsurprisingly, the street style set has not disappointed. Editors, creators, and buyers are rushing all around Manhattan (and parts of Brooklyn) to view the upcoming season's collections from buzzy designers like Henry Zankov (who made his debut as the new creative director of Diane Von Furstenberg), Daniella Kallmeyer, Jamie Haller, Maria McManus, Tory Burch and more. As a beauty editor, my eyes are always trained on the hair and makeup moments, especially for the attendees outside the shows, and I'm happy to report that the best street style beauty looks are offering up plenty of inspiration.

Although the New York weather has been behaving itself, the crowds proved that updos are having a moment, specifically chignons—both messy and sleek—braided pigtails, and all variations of the ponytail. Bare skin is also a common sighting this season, with radiant complexions on models and show-goers alike. The occasional pop of color on the lips is another welcome addition to the fashion party.

For more of the week's best beauty looks, keep scrolling, and check back here over the next few days for all the hair, makeup, and nail inspiration you need to enter fall in style.

The Best New York Fashion Week Street Style Beauty Looks

Bless This Mess

All Curled Up

Defying Gravity

Petal Lips

Party In the Back

Braided Beauty

Bold Pout

Top to Toe

Silver Siren

Add a Bandana

Double Up

Cranberry Kiss

Maximalist Mani

It's Giving Glow

All Twisted Up

Bangs, Baby, Bangs

Extra Accessorized

Curly Crop

Matchy Maroon

All About a Bixie

Spaced Out

Beautifully Ballet

Serving Side Braid

Money Piece Chignon

Flirty Pony

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The future is female when it comes to the monarchies of Norway, Belgium, Spain and the Netherlands, with all four countries set to welcome reigning queens one day.

Unlike generations before them, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Princess Leonor, Princess Elisabeth and Princess Catharina-Amalia are steering clear of the heavy makeup and highly-polished curls of the past—and Los Angeles hair stylist Danielle Louise of Fresha says Gen Z is going with a softer beauty identity.

“What’s interesting about this new generation of royals is that their beauty doesn’t feel particularly ‘royal’ in the traditional sense," Louise says. "The younger generation still looks polished, but it doesn’t necessarily look overly styled."

Louise adds that instead of caking on foundation or heavy eyeliner, the future queens' "makeup tends to enhance their features rather than dominate them."

"Ingrid Alexandra, Leonor, Elisabeth and Catharina-Amalia each have their own style, but collectively there’s already a softer, younger approach emerging," the beauty pro continues, pointing to a more "relatable" era of royal beauty coming.

"The ‘future queen effect’ may ultimately be less about everyone copying one haircut or lipstick and more about making polished beauty feel achievable again," she notes.

Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway

Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 22, is the newest Gen Z princess to become first in line to the throne after her grandfather, King Harald V, died on August 28, making her father the new King Haakon.

Louise says that Ingrid Alexandra's Scandi style "is a really good example of beauty that looks considered without looking overworked." The crown princess favors light makeup and soft, bouncy waves, and the stylist notes that "healthy hair is doing much of the heavy lifting," for the princess.

"When hair has shine, movement and well-maintained ends, you don’t necessarily need complicated styling for it to look expensive," she adds.

Princess Leonor of Spain

Princess Leonor, 20, is the eldest daughter of King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain and will become queen after father's reign. She switches up her hairstyle more often, whether it's a tight ponytail, soft curls or beachy waves like she wore this summer.

“Leonor manages to look incredibly polished without the beauty becoming the main event,” Louise says.

"Her softer waves are especially interesting because they’re much less rigid than the traditional royal blow-dry. There’s movement and texture rather than every section of hair being perfectly positioned," the hair expert continues, adding, "It’s the type of hairstyle people can actually take to their hairdresser as inspiration.”

Princess Elisabeth of Belgium

Belgium’s Princess Elisabeth, 24, is the eldest daughter of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, and is taking a gap year after recently graduating from Harvard University.

Louise notes that Elisabeth's glossy hair and polished makeup is closer to traditional royal beauty, but in a slightly more understated way. “Not every Gen Z beauty trend has to be experimental," the beauty expert says. "There’s also been a renewed appreciation for beautifully maintained, classic hair."

She adds, "Elisabeth is probably the best example of how the traditional royal aesthetic is being updated rather than completely abandoned. A really good blow-dry, healthy shine and a simple shape can look incredibly modern when the finish isn’t too stiff."

Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands

Princess Catharina-Amalia, 22—who more often goes by Amalia—is titled the Princess of Orange as the eldest daughter of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands.

Louise notes that while the Dutch princess often goes for minimal makeup and casual styles, she leans into high glamour at formal events.

“The interesting thing about this generation is that they don’t have to maintain one beauty identity all the time," she says. "Beauty now is much less about having one signature look and more about knowing when to dial things up or down.”

The start of September means we're easing our way back into awards season, and for the past few days—until 12 September—I'll be enjoying the best hair and makeup looks on the 2026 Venice Film Festival red carpet. There's just a certain something to the Italian event that coaxes out some of the most glamorous beauty moments of the year. Maybe it's because we're all not-so-secretly mourning the end of summer, celebrities included, that inspires a touch more glitz and glam. Whatever it may be, I know that we've only seen the start of the best beauty looks in Venice, from Old Hollywood-inspired curls (thank you, Brittany Snow) to the type of come-hither smokey eye that announces that, yes, you are so winning the breakup (ahem, Nina Dobrev).

Keep scrolling for plenty of hair and makeup inspiration courtesy of the 2026 Venice Film Festival red carpet, and stay tuned for more beauty updates over the next few days.

The Best Beauty Looks at the 2026 Venice Film Festival

Pamela Anderson

Marion Cotillard

Sydney Sweeney

Kendall Jenner

Rooney and Kate Mara

Zazie Beetz

Amal Clooney

Bianca Balti

Nina Dobrev

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Brittany Snow

Laura Dern

Claire Foy

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Up until pretty recently, I took frizz as an accepted fact in my life, as fixed as my height or my eye color. This can mostly be chalked up to two other facts, one also fixed, the other less so. Firstly, I’ve got desert-dry, coily hair, which is unaffected by oils, leaving my strands extremely vulnerable to lifted cuticles. And secondly, I live in New York City, a literal subtropical island that is very, very humid. But as I have come to learn, the best anti-humidity hair products do a fabulous job of helping to keep my hair frizz-free and protected against humidty. “We can't control the weather, but we can control how much water our hair absorbs,” says Elle Medico, pro hairstylist and co-founder and stylist at UMI Salon.

As is the case with most things in life, preparation is key. To keep humidity from ravaging your ‘do, “try to be preventative by conditioning well and using the right products before styling,” says Sean VanGelder, pro hairstylist at Flore Los Angeles. “Prepping the hair with moisture and a smoothing or humidity-protective product can help create a barrier before humidity and environmental factors have a chance to disrupt the style.”

If you’re looking for an especially comprehensive approach to humidity hair control, “there are temporary, longer-term, and structural ways to combat frizz,” says Medico. “As a stylist, I recommend all three.” In the short term, she says, you can opt for “an oil-based product that coats the outer cuticle of the hair and repels moisture in the moment.” Long-term, use “products that build protein and moisture into the hair, creating a stronger, smoother cuticle.” And to build that foundation upon which you build all the above, she recommends “treatments that add keratin bonds to the outer layer of the cuticle for three-to-six -month periods.”

Read on for a roundup of the best anti-humidity products to fight frizz and leave your hair shiny and smooth.

The Best Anti-Humidity Hair Products

• Best Anti-Humidity Product For Serious Moisture: COLOR WOW Dream Coat
• Best Anti-Humidity Product For Fine Hair: Oribe Impermeable Anti-Humidity Frizz Control Hair Spray
• Best Bond Builder for Humidity: K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
• Best Anti-Humidity Hairspray: Amika The Shield Anti-Humidity Spray
• Best Anti-Humidity Hairspray For Blowouts: R+Co Moon Landing Anti-Humidity Spray

Best Anti-Humidity Product For Serious Moisture

Best Anti-Humidity Product For Fine Hair

Best Bond Builder for Humidity

Best Anti-Humidity Hairspray

Best Anti-Humidity Hairspray For Blowouts

Best Humidity Hairspray For Silk Presses

Best Anti-Humidity Oil for Curly Hair

Best Anti-Humidity Hair Gel For Curls

Best Anti-Humidity Shampoo

Best Anti-Humidity Conditioner

What Causes Frizzy Hair?

If your hair has lifted cuticles—which can be caused by dryness, damage, or simply genetics (shoutout to the high-porosity baddies) —you’re more likely to experience frizz than your flat-cuticle counterparts, especially in a humid climate. “Two factors contribute to frizz: humidity in the air—I'm looking at you, Florida—and cuticle damage/porosity of the individual hair strand,” Medico explains. “The more porous the hair, the more likely it is to absorb moisture on a steamy day. Once that excess moisture gets into the cuticle, the bonds react by folding in on themselves, and pop goes the frizz!”

What Hair Care Ingredients Help With Humidity?

If the goal is banishing frizz, and frizz is caused by moisture entering lifted cuticles… you gotta seal up those cuticles. “Look for ingredients that smooth, condition, or help create a barrier around the hair fiber,” says VanGelder; think butters like murumuru and shea, oils like coconut and almond, and, if your hair isn’t too fine and can handle their potential weightiness, silicones.

“Ingredients that coat and smooth the cuticle can help reduce friction and keep the hair looking more polished, while conditioning ingredients help improve softness, manageability, and overall moisture balance,” says VanGelder.

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For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Meet the Experts

I'll put it plainly: August 2026 has been an elite month for beauty launches. While some people are lamenting the end of summer, I am more than ready to go full-speed ahead with all things cozy, glowy, and moisturizing, and it seems like the beauty industry is in agreement because there have been quite a few new launches that I’ve been loving.

​Not only has Initio, one of my favorite fragrance brands, expanded its existing Oud line (more to come on that), but your skin is about to be very happy with a new scrub from Dove, another expansion to a pre-existing collection that I rave about constantly. On the skincare front, 111Skin is bringing its world-renowned spa right to your front door with its Precision Peel, which gently yet effectively sloughs off dead skin to boost cell turnover—in turn revealing baby-soft, radiant skin. My new favorite face tool combines all the best qualities of a microsonic cleansing brush with the ergonomic advantages of its triangular brush head, making for an easy at-home spa experience or daily cleansing ritual. Even with all of this newness, this isn’t even half of the list.

​My favorite way to do a seasonal reset is always to refresh all my beauty routines and rituals, so if you’re in the same boat, keep reading for the products that will make the transition to fall a little more intentional, courtesy of the team at Marie Claire, who have tested them all.

• Best New Dark Spot Patches: Topicals Faded Tranexamic Acid Dark Spot Patches
• Best New Facial Tool: BioTheraputic Bt-Sonic Gen2 Cleansing Brush
• Best New At-Home Peel: 111Skin Precision Peel
• Best New Moisturizer: La Prairie Swiss Pristine Cream
• Best New Blemish Serum: Biologique Recherche Serum Vivant
• Best New Gentle Cleanser: Versed Daily Dissolve Gel Cleanser
• Best New Eyeshadow: Chantecaille Luminescent Eye Shade
• Best New Foundation: Tower28 Swipe Serum Non-Acnegenic Foundation
• Best New Lip Liner: Maed Duet Two-Sided Satin and Matte Lip Liner
• Best New Powder: Dior Forever On-Set Powder
• Best New Mascara: KJH Microscara Tubing Mascara
• Best New Retinol: Dieux FirmRevival Retinol Serum
• Best New Body Scrub: Dove Radiance Body Scrub
• Best New Fragrance: Initio Oud for Grace Eau de Parfum
• Best New Extensions: Bellami Flex Weft
• Best New Hair Serum for Dryness: Innersense Overnight Repair Serum
• Best New Hair Serum for Thinning: Sisley Paris Revitalizing Fortifying Super Serum

Best New August Beauty Launches

Best New Dark Spot Patches

Best New Facial Tool

Best New At-Home Peel

Best New Moisturizer

Best New Blemish Serum

Best New Gentle Cleanser

Best New Eyeshadow

Best New Foundation for Sensitive Skin

Best New Lip Liner

Best New Powder

Best New Mascara

Best New Retinal

Best New Body Scrub

Best New Fragrance

Best New Extensions

Best New Hair Serum for Dryness

Best New Hair Serum for Thinning

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

This was almost the summer I accepted defeat in the hair styling department. Between the recurring heat waves, disgusting humidity, and the fact that I have a very fine hair texture, I’ve spent the majority of the season wearing a baseball hat and pigtail braids. But leave it to some of my favorite hairstylists to convince me that with the right beach wave technique, volume and body aren’t out of the equation for fine hair.

With texturizing spray and the right curling iron, I can achieve a messy, tousled style that actually holds up on a hot, humid day. “Don’t fight too hard for perfection,” says hairstylist Rogerio Cavalcante. “Beach waves look better after they’ve relaxed a little. Good prep, the right amount of heat, letting the hair cool, and a little texture at the end can make a huge difference.”

I’ve tried dozens of product combinations and hot tools to figure out which routine holds best on my fine hair. And, of course, I’ve consulted the pros for their tips and tricks. It wasn’t easy, but after testing for the past two weeks, I feel like I’ve finally unlocked the key to styling beach waves for fine hair—and making them last. My step-by-step routine, ahead.

Prep With Volumizing Products

It seems pretty intuitive, but if you have fine hair that’s prone to falling flat in the summer heat, do your best to stack volumizing products. Try a thickening shampoo to plump hair strands, plus a lightweight volumizing mousse or root lifter. The key is to use just enough product that you’ll reap the benefits without weighing your hair down too much.

Consider an Air Dry

If you can swing beach waves without a curling iron, well, I’m jealous. “I love how unique an air-dried look is. Having soft, imperfect waves or even “bed head” is more fun,” says Spoke and Weal stylist Liz Criscione. Just make sure you grab an air dry product to enhance your natural texture—all you need is a little product; too much will work against you.

Make Sure You Add Texture

Next, is a non-negotiable step: dry texturizer. I never go a day without it—it adds just the right amount of grit so I’m able to hold a style and prevent my roots from going slick against my scalp. “The key is to use these products strategically, especially at the roots and through the mid-lengths,” says Cavalcante. “You don’t need half the can.”

Use a Curling Iron or Crimper

If an air-dry beach wave isn’t in the cards for you (it’s certainly not for me), then it’s time to grab a curling iron. “Don’t try to make every wave perfect. Alternate directions, leave the ends a little straighter, and once everything cools down, break it up with your fingers,” says Cavalcante. “Beach waves should look a little undone.” Criscione recommends using a Marcel curling iron to achieve the ribbon wave vibe, but regardless, she tells clients to “make sure the tool has temperature control, so the hair doesn’t burn.” Honestly, you shouldn’t need to go about 350 degrees—especially if you have fine hair.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Meet the Experts

It was exactly one year ago when Princess Kate shocked royal fans with her drastically lighter hair, and it seems blonde highlights have become part of her Balmoral vacation routine. Last summer, the Princess of Wales was spotted driving to church with a bright bronde hair color, and on Sunday, August 23, she repeated the tradition.

Princess Kate headed to the Sunday morning service in Crathie Kirk wearing a Princess Diana-esque piecrust collar blouse by Holland Cooper, topping off her blonde highlights with a chocolate brown Lock & Co pillbox hat.

The royal's new hair color appears lighter than the slightly sun-kissed brown shade the princess showed off during her last public appearance on August 1, but not as drastic as the blonde transformation Kate made last summer.

The Princess of Wales caused a social media frenzy when she made her first public appearance of fall 2025 with shockingly light, extra-long blonde hair. But four days later, Kate was back to brunette while attending an event to mark the anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s death.

This summer, Princess Kate went for a more subtle bronde shade—a look that hair color specialist Leslie Shores recently told Marie Claire is one of autumn’s hottest trends. “It adds exotic warmth, depth, and dimension to the hair that feels like a golden hour,” Shores says.

Whether the Princess of Wales returns to her deeper brunette tone once the temperatures drop remains to be seen, but until then, there's still plenty of summer days left to soak up before royal duties await.

I have some hot takes as a beauty editor. I’m anti-beef tallow skincare. I have a strong distaste for floral fragrances. And dare I say short nails are chicer than long ones. But without fail, I get the most visceral reactions when I reveal that I don’t brush my hair. Like, ever. You see, I have very fine hair, and brushing it has historically been the quickest path to breakage. Don’t get me wrong, breakage finds other ways to show up. There’s daily life and styling. Hot tool usage. Color treatments. But cutting out a brush felt like the easiest way to avoid it.

But a few months ago, the team at Tangle Teezer let me in on a secret. Their first new innovation in 10 years—The Complete Carebrush—causes less breakage than any other brush on the market and will actually improve my hair health, smooth my hair cuticle, and stimulate my scalp to promote growth. Now I’m a pretty hard sell, but after seeing the technology up close and studying some of the brands' wild before-and-afters (so much shine! So few tangles!), I decided to put it to the test for a full three months. And 90-ish days in, I’m actually shocked to say that I have less breakage than before and my hair feels stronger and looks shinier.

I know, I can’t believe it either.

To get the full breakdown on the new brush and see it in action, keep reading.

How Is the Complete Carebrush Different From the Detangling Brush?

Most people associate Tangle Teezer with the classic Detangling Brush, which comes in just about every color and collab—from The Devil Wears Prada 2 to Barbie—that you could possibly imagine. While you might not be able to tell the difference between the OG and the newest innovation at a cursory glance, I promise you there’s a big one. “The Complete Carebrush has a new and unique layout as well as design of the teeth,” says Heather Page, the brand’s Global Innovation Director. “The design of the bristles allows hair to flow through the brush like a river, with the teeth acting like the banks, guiding hair smoothly through the brush rather than allowing it to meet a sharp surface head-on.”

Now, during that process is where the magic happens. The brush is designed to stimulate the scalp—in fact, you can double it as a scalp massager—so it stimulates blood flow to the follicles, which in turn can promote hair growth. It also seals the hair cuticle as it runs down the shaft, so hair looks shinier and smoother.

How Do I Use the Complete Carebrush?

There’s really no wrong way to use this brush. I personally do one pass right when I get out of the shower to help work my leave-in conditioner through my hair and then again to brush through my curling-iron waves, which is something I never in a million years thought I would do. Rather than my hair looking puffy, my ends scraggly, or removing any semblance of volume, I actually find that brushing my fine, dry hair gives it a polished look without disrupting the lift I worked so hard to achieve at my roots.

Is the Complete Carebrush Worth It?

For $23, this is pretty much a no-brainer purchase. But the affordable price tag aside, this is actually a really solid investment in hair health. I was so worried that I would lose volume and experience more breakage by regularly brushing my hair. Going from no brushing at all to a twice-a-day routine is a bit of a shock to the system. In practice, I actually experienced quite the opposite.

By gently working through knots before using a hot tool and smoothing down my hair cuticle, I’m actually finding less breakage and more shine. While I can’t say that this brush alone is causing my hair to grow (it’s a mix of products, hormones, haircuts, and TLC), my hair is actually getting longer for the first time in a long while. The little baby hairs around my hairline are actually making progress, and it at least appears that I have fewer split ends. Call me a convert—I’m Team Complete Carebrush now.

Shop Tangle Teezer Products I Love

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Meet the Expert

Looking hot has no age limit. There is also no one singular product or treatment that can elevate your hotness factor. In fact, hot girls know that 90 percent of being, well, a hot girl, is mindset; that enviable mentality and confidence that you carry with you from day to night. But for that remaining 10 percent? Well, that's the stuff we need to know, because who doesn't want to hone their hot factor with a few buzzy additions to her beauty routine? It's why I had to chat with Cyklar founder, OG creator, and certified hot girl Claudia Sulewski.

Even if you're not chronically online, or completely and utterly obsessed with her body care brand like the rest of the Marie Claire team, you might have spotted Sulewski on the most recent Forbes 30 Under 30 list, or flashing a rather sizable diamond on her ring finger (she's currently engaged to musician and producer FINNEAS) in a few shots on Instagram. A stranger to the spotlight she is not, and to my delight, she is equally well-versed in the beauty space. I mean, how could she not be when she's been creating YouTube beauty tutorials for the last 17 years, and launched an award-winning line of body care and fragrance products that now sit on the shelves at Sephora?

"I remember having a very extensive nail polish collection," she tells me over Zoom. "By the time I was 10 years old, I was painting my nails every single color. And I started making YouTube videos at 13." The founder adds that by that point, she had fully infiltrated her mother's makeup collection. "I'd steal my mom's makeup and create these makeup tutorials and eye tutorials and post them online. I was so serious at 13... but now I view beauty as an enhancement or an extension of myself. I feel like we're in this fun phase of just embracing our natural beauty and doing these little tips and tricks that make you just feel a little bit hotter, but still you."

It comes as no surprise, then, that with well over a decade spent immersed in beauty, both personally and professionally, Sulewski has amassed more than a few secrets to look and feel smoking hot. Keep scrolling for more.

What are the moments in your life when you feel the hottest, naturally?

It really is so simple. When I'm tan, not from the sun, but when I've self-tanned. When my skin is breathing and hydrated—it's not covered in a ton of makeup. And when my hair is done, I really think when you walk out the door and you've done something to your hair to just make it look a little bit more presentable, you don't need to touch your face. That's my philosophy.

When do you feel like you need a bit of a hotness boost?

If I was out the night before and had some alcohol and need to de-puff essentially, or when I don't get eight hours of sleep. I mean, sleep is so important. If you had a late night or if you have to wake up super early, a few more steps [get] tacked onto my skincare routine when I've lost my sleep.

What in-office treatments help you feel like the hottest version of yourself?

I've finally started seeing an esthetician on a schedule. I really don't do too many [beauty] things out of the house, but [I'm] seeing an esthetician at least once a month right now. We do a lot of peels, a lot of spot treatment lasering, which I didn't know was a thing. I though you kind of have to just get lasers across your whole face, but she'll just zap certain areas for dark spots, which makes it a way shorter downtime. Also dermaplaning I started doing for the first time this year, and it lets your makeup and everything on your face just sit so much better. So I'm doing all of those things when my esthetician feels that we need them. I go to Lisa Karadjian.

Also nails, that's a huge one. If I have a good set of Builder Gel nails, I'm walking differently. I am talking differently. I'm feeling so hot and so confident. Depending on what I'm getting ready for, if it is a big life moment or a red carpet, [I see] Jenny Jenny's or Nails by Zola, they're so good. Or I just go to the nail salon that's five minutes away from my house. But I love just having a natural, long almond nail. It just does so much.

But that's kind of it. I've joked in the past that my Notes app is just a graveyard of recommendations for my friends like, here's the lymphatic drainage person that you need to go to. Here's where you need to start going to for this. It's overwhelming to know what you should be doing and outsourcing.

What does your at-home hot girl routine consist of, from products to practices?

Obviously having my own body care brand, the lineup is extensive. So I really, really enjoy luxuriating in my body care routine. I'd love to call out the Cyklar Self-Tanning Milky Essence. It's just such an easy self-tanner that we developed that allows you to just maintain your tan in between spray tans, or if you got a little bit of sun. It's just really easy, so that's always a confidence hot boost for me personally. I'm sauna-ing a lot. Strength training. My answer to almost everything these days is strength training. Longevity! It makes you feel so good, so sexy. It gives you energy. I love to elevate my legs at nighttime. I'm always thinking about circulation, blood flow. I have the vibrating plate. So certainly all of those things, we're embracing all of them.

For skin, I love at-home devices. Shark Beauty, the CryoGlow mask is so good. I've found that as a hard shell mask, it sits on my face lighter than any other one. And also the cooling underneath for your eyes is so nice for the morning time. I'll often habit stack with that mask. This morning upstairs, I had the mask on in the dark and I was doing calisthenics with my arms and just getting a little workout in, a little six-minute arm circuit. We're doing a lot of habit stacking.

Also, I really believe in a high quality peptide serum. There's a Medik8 one, Advanced Peptides MP. I've been using it all year. Obviously sunscreen every day. The Shark Beauty DePuffi. On those nights where I didn't get a lot of sleep or I was out the night before and want to chisel, contour my face, that cooling setting feels so good to use in the morning.

I try to stay as low maintenance with my hair as possible. I love a heatless curl if I know I don't have a bunch of time in the morning and just want to run out and have some sort of texture going on with my hair. If I'm styling it, Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System. They have these auto-wrap curlers that hold your curl for so, so long and have it look blown out for the next four days. And it also just helps with heat damage.

Right now I've been loving Chanel Gardenia and actually mixing that with [Cyklar] Sex Musk, which is one of our perfume oils. I mean, I like to layer that with anything. I love a very light white floral, and for the summertime it makes me feel very feminine and ethereal.

What’s a mantra or words of wisdom you swear by to feel confident, hot, and in-charge?

I would say that just reminding myself that confidence really is built on the promises you keep for yourself. More often than not, the days where I am feeling so confident about myself and feeling like that hot bitch is crossing off my to-do list. Giving myself a plan of what I need to do and what I'm going to do and getting it done and getting it done earlier than I thought I would. I really think so much of it comes down to that, just walking the walk and doing what you're telling yourself you're going to do. And obviously you can have beauty routines and products and treatments in the mix of that, but it's really just feeling like you respect your relationship with yourself. You can rely on yourself, you're consistent. Those daily habits, it's cliché to say that, but it's so true. That's what matters the most.

Do you think that purposefulness in the way that you attack your day is the secret to radiating hotness at any age?

A million percent. Because you trust yourself more. Obviously you can alter yourself and try to fix all these things on the outside, but in terms of how you walk into a conversation with someone, how you walk into a room, I think all of that stems from the inside and the work that you do with yourself, whatever it is, whatever makes you feel good. You know what I mean?

If reading makes you feel smart and empowered, keep reading, keep picking up that book. Or if it's being super communicative and in tune with your emotions, meditating, journaling. I'm oftentimes when I'm wearing the LED mask, I'll journal. These little things just help give you this self-identity. I think it's so important to feel connected to your unique self, if that makes sense.

Sometimes buying the same foundation that everyone else is buying is not going to do that. It's not going to fill that gap. I mean, we're getting cheesy, but it's just true. That's what it is.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

I won’t lie: One of the coolest parts of my job is getting to interview some incredible people. All of my nonchalance evaporated as soon as Tracee Ellis Ross appeared on my screen via Zoom. Not only did the actress look as phenomenal as she does on my TV, but she also had the most snatched ponytail I’ve ever seen. It was fitting, given that we were there to discuss the launch of Pattern Beauty’s new heat styling products.

​The multi-product launch includes the brand’s first-ever vibrating flat iron, which, the brand says, allows for fewer passes to get the look that you desire. Alongside the tool is the blowout primer, a lightweight heat-protecting cream that preps, detangles, and softens the hair post-wash to set the stage for a seamless silk press. The final piece of the collection is a detoxifying shampoo. Perfect for removing product buildup or simply giving your hair a reset, it’s fantastic for setting the foundation for any post-wash hairstyle.

​Ross and I were able to chat about all things Pattern Beauty, skincare, hair care, and more during our recent sit-down, and I have to say: She is one of the wisest people I have ever met. Ahead, we get into everything from her favorite red lipstick to her philosophy on power, so if you want to step into the world of Tracee Ellis Ross, keep reading to see the products, routines, and practices that get her In The Mood.

I don’t know that I have a mantra that steps me into my feminine power. I think my power is just part of who I am as a human, and it’s a power that we all have. My mantra really is ‘thank you for this day and what’s ahead.’ It’s about a sense of gratitude and right-sizing.

I'll be honest, Pattern Body is all in my shower. I feel my best when the skin that I'm in feels hydrated and smooth. I guess the specific product that helps me create that vibe is the Dry Exfoliating Body Scrub. I love that it just sloughs off dead skin and leaves me feeling pillowy soft.

I just discovered this incredible new deodorant. There’s no aluminum, and it’s not an antiperspirant. The brand is called To My Ships, and the scent is Marjoram. It smells beautiful and feels so nice when it goes on. It’s incredible.

Haley Alexander van Oosten has a brand called L'Oeil Du Vert, and I’ve been wearing scents from the house for about 20 years. There are some special formulations that she makes just for me, but she also has others in the line that I adore. Nomad and Peacock Tail, in particular, feel like I’m pouring diamonds on my body.

My go-to is no makeup. My favorite look is fresh skin and a nice, hydrated lip. I love my skin, and I personally have no interest in hiding who I am or covering it up. Maybe by, like, the third or fourth date I’ll do a bit of black liner or my classic red lip, but otherwise, I keep it extremely minimal.

I have three looks. My ‘70s porn hair, which is big, bouncy curls with a ¾ inch barrel. The second will be my slicked-back bun, just because it's how I like to wear my hair and you can see my face. There's no hiding. The third is just my normal morning hair. I sleep with a pineapple in, and when I wake up, my hair is always just big, bouncy, and tousled.

I love an elegant almond shape, but I’m such a plain nail-color girl. Sometimes I’ll do a red nail in the fall, but I usually keep it neutral with a color that looks close to my natural nail.

Full regimen. I wear contact lenses, so I have to take them out. Then, there's no way I'm going to bed without brushing my teeth. So I’m already in the bathroom; I might as well just do the whole thing. I'm 53. I don't look like this by accident. I take really good care of my skin.

Just more of my face. I don't know about this neck, but my face is great, so it's all good.

Shop Tracee Ellis Ross' Beauty Routine

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

There’s very little I don’t love about summer: sun-soaked beach days, lazy afternoons by the pool, scenic boat rides. My color-treated, naturally fine hair, however, isn’t quite as big a fan. By the time August rolls around, all that saltwater, chlorine, heat, and sunshine has usually left my strands completely fried—and in desperate need of some end-of-summer hair repair. In fact, as celebrity hairstylist Mitchell Ramazon puts it, “Summer can be a perfect storm for hair damage.”

As it turns out, “chlorine and salt can strip away moisture, while repeated UV exposure weakens the hair’s protein structure and roughens the cuticle,” he adds. And it’s not just what you expose your hair to: “Pulling wet hair into a tight bun or brushing it aggressively after swimming can also create additional tension and breakage.” The telltale signs of damaged hair usually include dullness, dryness, frizz, tangling, and split ends. But, Ramazon says, “your color may also fade or look less vibrant, and your hair might feel brittle and suddenly become harder to style.”

Luckily, you don’t need to make an emergency appointment at your nearest salon to undo this summer’s damage. I’ve rounded up the 10 hair repair products my stressed-out strands swear by, along with the formulas beauty pros reach for—so you can restore your hair’s moisture, strength, and shine just in time for Labor Day.

The Best Summer Hair Repair Products

• Best Summer Hair Repair Overall: K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
• Best Oil for Summer Hair Repair: Tresemmé A-List Collection Bonding Oil
• Best Leave-In Treatment for Summer Hair Repair: Nexxus KERAPHIX Liquid Crystallizer Reconstructive Leave-In Treatment
• Best Summer Hair Repair for Swimmers: Philip Kingsley Swimcap Water Resistant Mask
• Best Summer Hair Repair for Color-Treated Hair: Aveda Color Control Light Shampoo
• Best Hair Accessory for Summer Hair Repair: DevaCurl DevaTowel
• Best Summer Hair Repair for Fine Hair: Bessa Beauty Pre-Wash Conditioner
• Best Hair Repair for Curly Hair: CurlSmith Bond Curl Rehab Salve
• Best Hair Repair for Mature Hair: Kérastase Elixir Ultime Hydrating Hair Oil
• Best Hair Repair for Dry Hair: Living Proof Triple Bond Complex

Best Summer Hair Repair Overall

Best Oil for Summer Hair Repair

Best Leave-In Treatment for Summer Hair Repair

Best Summer Hair Repair for Swimmers

Best Summer Hair Repair for Color-Treated Hair

Best Hair Accessory for Summer Hair Repair

Best Summer Hair Repair for Fine Hair

Best Hair Repair for Curly Hair

Best Hair Repair for Mature Hair

Best Hair Repair for Dry Hair

How Does UV Damage Hair?

“UV exposure creates a form of hair ‘photoaging’,” explains Ramazon. “It can break down proteins and lipids within the hair, weaken the cuticle, and oxidize melanin, which is why natural and color-treated hair can become lighter, warmer, or faded after a lot of time in the sun.” Sadly, he says, “once the cuticle becomes rough or lifted, the hair has a harder time retaining moisture and becomes more vulnerable to frizz, tangling, and breakage.”

Diaz adds that “most people think about protecting their skin from UV rays, but the sun affects hair in many of the same ways.” According to the stylist, “prolonged UV exposure gradually breaks down the proteins that give hair its strength while also oxidizing both natural pigment and artificial hair color.” Meanwhile, “as the cuticle becomes damaged, moisture escapes more easily, leaving hair drier, duller, and increasingly vulnerable to breakage.”

What Ingredients Should I Look for to Repair Damaged Hair?

According to Ramazon, “damaged hair needs both internal strengthening and surface-level conditioning.” That’s why he looks for formulas containing “amino acids, hydrolyzed proteins, keratin-inspired technology, bond-building ingredients, glycerin, panthenol, silicones, and lipids that work together to strengthen weakened areas of the hair, restore moisture, and deliver shine.

Similarly, Diaz recommends looking for products that focus on restoring moisture, strengthening the hair fiber, and reinforcing the cuticle. He claims that healthy hair isn’t the result of one miracle ingredient, but rather about “consistently replenishing what summer has taken away.” That said, he still looks for ingredients like ceramides, botanical oils, and amino acids.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Meet the Experts

There’s nothing more autumnal than leaves changing color—nature’s palette shifts from vibrant green to golden yellows, burnt oranges, and rusty reds; it literally defines the season. Like the leaves, I, too, like to change color as the calendar approaches September. For the past few years, I’ve held a steady hair appointment right at the start of fall to dye my hair to match the vibe of the season. Most recently, I’ve gone from honey-brown highlights to a moody auburn and from muddy brown to a rich, chocolatey shade. This year, however, I feel slightly uninspired. Are we doomed to keep repeating the same five hair colors for fall, or could an understated gem emerge this season?

The answer is yes and no. While staple fall shades like chestnut and auburn are making a return, our approach to fall 2026 hair color trends is different. “It's less about chasing a new fall shade and more about bringing warmth and depth back into color that's already there,” says Kadi Lee, celebrity colorist and founder of Highbrow Hippie. This fall, the goal is color that looks intricate and expensive but is actually designed with ease in mind.

In years past, high-contrast shades like expensive brunette and cherry cola dominated social feeds, but “this season people are looking for something softer and more wearable than a dramatic color transformation,” says hairstylist Daniela Bastidas. Instead of the cool tones that typically arrive with fall, Lee says we’re keeping summer’s warm, golden undertones and infusing them into more autumnal colors. The result? Dreamy shades like toffee brown, golden chestnut, and honey bronze.

Ahead, discover the 10 fall hair colors pros predict will be everywhere this season.

Candlelit Brunette

There’s arguably no experience more romantic than a candlelit dinner. The way the soft, luminous flame gives every feature a subtle glow is the exact effect this shade of brown aims to achieve. Instead of the deep, old-money brunette that leans almost black, this fall, “we're thinking of caramel tones and amber tones baked into a brunette,” says Madison Reed lead colorist Shvonne Perkins. “So they just reflect the light around them.”

For light to medium brunettes, the look can be achieved by simply adding a bit of warmth through subtle caramel, amber, and amaretto tones, resulting in a color that reads natural yet glamorous. A shade like this thrives on shine and smoothness, so use a glossy hair oil like the Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil to add a light sheen to your strands, and keep a Crown Affair brush handy for hair that falls like a ribbon.

Golden Hour Bronde

Summer sunsets and the selfie-inducing light they bring will be very missed, but we’re bringing that same golden glow into fall with this sunny shade. According to Leslie Shores, a color specialist at Eric Marshall Salon in Nashville, TN, this pretty hue mixes caramel and amber tones for a beautiful blend of colors that warm up the face and add a lit-from-within glow.

Shores adds that amber undertones in general will be the most asked for addition to every shade this fall. “It adds exotic warmth, depth, and dimension to the hair that feels like a golden hour,” says Shores.

To keep this color vibrant, she suggests using a color-safe shampoo and conditioner like the Davines MINU Illuminating Shampoo For Colored Hair and the Color Wow Color Security Conditioner.

Honey Bronze

For blondes who want to play in the danger zone, Lee says this bronzy shade veers close into the brunette lane, but still holds the warmth and light that blondes love. “This shade pulls everything into like deep warm territory while still keeping that lit from within quality and glow,” says Lee.

Those with darker brown hair should keep in mind that it will take a lot of time and effort to achieve this shade. Hairstylist April Pattara recently spent 13 hours turning content creator Alice T.’s dark brown hair into a honey bronze shade. While this doesn’t make the shade inherently high maintenance, it’s an easier transformation for those with naturally lighter hair.

Deep Espresso/Cocoa Brunette

Slightly more laid back than the old money brunette trend from a few years ago, “deep espresso” is a dimensional brunette that Lee says reads as “a natural extension of summer into fall.” Lee notes that clients are leaning towards brown shades that look really “baked in” rather than ribbons of highlights.

The warm undertones are more subtle, and there’s an emphasis on shine over depth. Shores says the easiest way to maintain the shine this shade needs to thrive is a gloss—I rely on the IGK Color Depositing Mask in Brown Bella to spruce up my natural dark brown color.

Toffee Brown

This is your Girl Next Door brunette. The soft brown hue with slight golden undertones has the easy-going appeal of a ‘90s rom-com heroine—the kind of warm brown that looks at home on Jennifer Garner or Keri Russell. The warmth in this shade is diffused throughout the hair rather than sitting right on top. For those who got lighter highlights for summer, Lee says this toffee hue takes the brightness from that season, and deepens just enough to avoid a flat-looking brown.

Content creator Alissa Ashley, who wore this shade last fall, reaches for the Sky Organics Castor Oil to condition her hair for hydrated strands and, in turn, more vibrant color.

Honey Latte Blonde

Remember when Zendaya went on the press tour for Challengers and we all fawned over her for like a month? (Sorry, Tom Holland). I think a bit part of why her look at the time was a 10 out of 10 was her honey glazed blonde hair. On the surface, it just looks like a dimensional blonde, but take a closer look, and you’ll see “golden, caramel and soft amber undertones woven throughout,” says Bastidas.

While this may seem like a more summery shade, Bastidas says it works well for fall because “It gives you that seasonal shift through warmth, depth and dimension while still feeling luminous.”

This color really relies on shine to create the ‘glazed’ effect, which is done by maintaining the health and condition of the hair—”this is just as important as the color itself,” says Bastidas. “I love pairing the Hair Generation Alpha Scrub to care for the scalp with Hair Generation Hair Boomer as a nourishing pre-wash treatment to help maintain that smooth, healthy, glossy finish.”

Deep Golden Copper

Sadie Sink is giving everyone green eyes over her red hair. While Sink’s hair perfectly encapsulates the deep golden copper tone colorists are predicting for fall, it’s important to note that this is her natural hair color (some people are just blessed like that).

Lee does note that for those with darker skin tones, this particular shade may not be the most flattering. “I had that color accidentally at one point, and let me tell you, it was not very cute,” says Lee. Instead, the colorist suggests a reddish chestnut as an alternative that complements deep to dark skin tones.

If you weren’t lucky enough to be born with naturally golden copper hair, Madison Reed Permanent Hair Color in the shade Genova Red can help you fake it. Between salon visits, add depth and shine to the shade with Kristin Ess Signature Hair Gloss in Copper Penny.

Chestnut Red

This dark blend of brown and red is a quintessential fall shade. Stars like Keke Palmer and Ayo Edibri have worn the style recently, proving that “it's so flattering against olive and deeper skin tones,” says Lee. I can also attest to the allure of this shade as someone who got it two Octobers ago—it was my most complimented color. This rich shade has a way of adding subtle warmth to darker skin tones, drawing out softer features while adding an air of mystery and a subtle edge.

For naturally dark brunettes, this tone can actually be achieved by skipping the dye and adding a red-tinted gloss like HighBrow Hippie Instant Silk Vitality Mask. A moisture-rich mask like the HighBrow Hippie Instant Silk Vitality Mask can also help boost the vibrancy of the shade.

Gray Blending

Since this fall's all about enhancing your natural hair color, it’s only right that gray blending will be trending. Thurston says many of her clients are “really wanting to embrace their gray because they are sick of doing root touch-ups or they just want to have a lower maintenance routine and not have to deal with going to the hairstylist as often,” she says. Gray blending allows roots to grow naturally and cascade into a blend of silver and white color with different undertones, from warm browns to golden blondes.

Thurston explains that the technique involves “a combination of highlights, lowlights, and toning all over to bring the whole look together.” Emily Noorwood, a colorist in Houston, Texas has clients flocking to her salon for grayblending. To achieve your ideal blend of grays, Noorwood recommends asking your stylist for “very soft babylights or a teasy-light, balayage technique to create brightness that mimics and blends with the natural gray.”

Champagne Blonde

For blondes who had all the fun over the summer and want to switch up their color for fall without losing vibrancy, Lee suggests a champagne blonde. “It lets them tone down [the color] without flattening it out or losing the dimension they built up over summer,” says Lee.

Lee adds that this luxurious shade uses lowlights to “add movement so it's never just one flat darker tone.” Use a purple shampoo to keep brassiness at bay and a deeply nourishing repair mask to strengthen your strands.

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Meet the Experts

I am not someone who changes her hair color on a whim. I dyed it once, very subtly, in college, then let the color completely grow out, which means I’ve spent the better part of the last six years with my natural, deep chocolate brown hair. I like being a brunette, and I had absolutely no interest in going blonde, black, or red. But after seeing "espresso brunette" everywhere this summer, I started to wonder if there was a way to make my hair feel a little more fun without going overboard.

That was exactly what I told Pamella Gonzalez, colorist at BENJAMIN Salon in New York, when I sat down in her chair. I wanted something flirty and fresh that would brighten up my face but still have enough depth to feel like my hair. Her answer was a barely-there veil of dimensional brown highlights without reading as obviously lightened—or requiring bleach, for that matter. In other words, I still looked like a brunette, just a slightly more expensive-looking one.

It also happens to be perfect timing for this color. Right now, the subtle brightness keeps my dark hair from feeling too heavy after a full summer of sun, but I can already see it working just as well during the transition to fall thanks to the deeper base. And because I am clearly not interested in becoming someone who books a color appointment every six weeks, the grow-out might be my favorite part. There’s no harsh line at the root, so I get the fun of changing my hair without committing to a pricey and time-consuming color appointment every few weeks. Here's your guide to achieving, and maintaining, espresso brunette hair.

What Is Espresso Brunette Hair Color?

Espresso brunette is essentially a way to give deep brown hair more dimension without taking it dramatically lighter. You’re still firmly in brunette territory, but there are slightly lighter ribbons woven through the hair to create movement.

For my hair specifically, Gonzalez was able to create that dimension without bleach. Instead, she used hair color to lift pieces of my natural brown just slightly—a technique that works particularly well on virgin hair like mine. “This look was achieved by highlighting the hair using hair color to lift the natural brown ever so slightly, creating a natural glow,” she tells me. “This is an elevated, low-maintenance look that is great for people who identify with having dark hair but want more dimension and texture to it.”

There’s another perk to skipping bleach: Gonzalez says using color instead helps preserve the hair’s health and integrity while preventing the highlights from getting progressively lighter over time. The end result isn’t a dramatic brunette-to-bronde transformation. Mine still looks deep and chocolatey overall; there are just little flashes of lighter brown running through it now, which is exactly why the change feels so wearable.

What Should I Ask for at the Salon to Achieve the Color?

If you want a result similar to mine, the key phrase to bring to your colorist is "a soft brown dimensional highlight using hair color,” says Gonzalez. From there, your colorist can tailor how much brightness is added and where it’s placed based on your natural shade and how noticeable you want the change to be.

There is one catch, though: this exact technique only works if the hair being lifted hasn’t already been colored. “Color cannot lift color,” Gonzalez explains. “If you have previous color on your hair, talk to your stylist about different avenues you can take to achieve this look.” That doesn’t mean espresso brunette is off the table. If you have existing color, ask your stylist for the same soft, dimensional brunette effect and let them determine the best way to get there based on what’s already on your hair—you may need a different lightening technique rather than color alone. Because mine had completely grown out from the one time I dyed it in college, Gonzalez was working with a fully natural base and could use color alone to create those softer brown pieces.

I’d also bring reference photos rather than relying on the name espresso brunette alone. Hair color trends can mean slightly different things depending on who you ask, and my goal was never to walk out with a dramatic transformation.

My Espresso Brunette Hair Transformation

How Do I Maintain Espresso Brunette Hair Color?

One of the biggest selling points of espresso brunette is that the upkeep is pretty minimal, but what you use at home still matters. “The best way to maintain your color is surprisingly simple: invest in a really great shampoo and conditioner,” says BENJAMIN Salon colorist Allison Varmette. Because hair is especially vulnerable when wet, she considers your wash routine an extension of the color appointment—not an afterthought.

That doesn’t mean every product in your routine needs to come with a luxury price tag, either. Varmette prefers a mix of luxury, mid-range, and affordable formulas, prioritizing products that help keep color-treated hair hydrated and prevent the shade from fading prematurely.

The Best Products for Espresso Brunette Hair

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For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Meet the Experts

I take pride in the fact that my blonde hair is pretty low-maintenance, all things considered. I get balayage, which helps with an easy grow-out, and because my naturally brunette tone has fairly neutral undertones, I rarely have to worry about picking up an orange or yellow tint. But summertime is when my luck runs out. Pool water, UV exposure, and salt from the ocean—on top of daily color degraders like metals and minerals in tap water—and my blonde has the tendency to take on a brassy tone.

The good news: a few subtle tweaks to my routine and a color appointment timed strategically at the start and end of the season keep the brassiness from getting out of hand. I’m very regimented with my purple shampoo, which cancels out those yellow or orange tones. I also make sure to use color-safe styling products, and incorporate my secret weapon—a $4 metal detox packet from CVS—every month. My hair stays covered under a wide-brimmed hat as much as possible, and I try to shampoo as quickly as possible after taking a dip in the pool or ocean.

To shop my whole routine for fighting brassy hair, keep scrolling.

Best Products for Brassy Hair

• The Best Color Protector for Brassy Hair: Amika The Protector Treatment
• The Best Gloss for Brassy Hair: dpHue Toning Gloss
• The Best Purple Shampoo for Brassy Hair: Kérastase Blond Absolu Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo
• The Best Hair Serum for Brassy Hair: Davines Heart of Glass Instant Bonding Glow Hair Serum
• The Best Daily Shampoo and Conditioner for Brassy Hair: Maria Nila Color-Preserving Shampoo and Conditioner
• The Best UV Protector for Brassy Hair: Rahua Hydration Detangler UV Barrier
• The Best Heavy Metal Remover for Brassy Hair: Malibu C Wellness Hair Remedy

Best Color Protector for Brassy Hair

Best Gloss for Brassy Hair

Best Purple Shampoo for Brassy Hair

Best Hair Serum for Brassy Hair

Best Daily Shampoo and Conditioner for Brassy Hair

Best UV Protector for Brassy Hair

Best Heavy Metal Remover for Brassy Hair

Why Does Blonde Hair Get Brassy in the Summer?

If you feel like your hair color is fading faster in the summer, you’re not delusional. The biggest culprits are chlorine and ocean water, which decompose deposited color. Add UV rays into the mix, along with the fact that you’re likely washing your hair more frequently, and it’s easy to see how color can get out of whack. “All hair color fades with time through washing and heat styling,” says hairstylist Shvonne Perkins.

How Can I Fix Brassy Hair?

Just because your hair looks a little brassy, doesn’t mean you need to schedule a color appointment ASAP. There are a handful of products that can tone down brassiness and preserve your color. “Hair color is like a bank account; as it gets withdrawn, you need to keep depositing,” says Perkins. She recommends using a hair toner to neutralize orange tones (purple will cancel orange), as well as a gloss or glaze to add additional shine. There are also products, like UV protectors, that will minimize your chances of getting brassy.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

Meet the Expert