Fall and winter always feel like the perfect time to hit the reset button—at least in the beauty department. Personally, I love swapping out bright summer nail polishes for deep reds and chocolate tones , and my lipstick quickly follows suit. If you’re looking to transition your hair color to match the season’s deeper, moodier energy, mocha balayage is one of the year’s biggest trends .

“Mocha balayage is a coloring technique that blends a rich, deep brunette or espresso base with hand-painted, multi-tone ribbons like chocolate, caramel coffee, or soft bronze,” says celebrity hairstylist Michael Forrey . Unlike high-contrast highlights , this approach focuses on creating natural depth and dimension. Because it relies on a spectrum of shades, the look is also highly customizable. “You can opt for a cooler palette with ash or muted undertones, a true neutral chocolate, or a warmer version with caramel, chestnut, or golden brown notes,” says California-based hair stylist Kelly Zhang .…