For the second year running, smoked suede hair has us itching for a fall refresh.
Smoked suede hair first hit our radar last July, when SNL comedian Chloe Fineman was searching for the perfect shade for someone with “cool summer” features, ultimately tapping Méche Salon colorist and Schwarzkopf Professional hair color trend ambassador Jacob Schwartz for the job. The result: a rich, glossy, and multidimensional deep brown with cool lowlights and soft blends for added movement and a natural look.
Think of smoked suede brunette as a dark, almost coffee-like hair color. It strikes “that perfect balance of rich and cool, with just the right amount of depth and dimension,” Schwartz told Glamour last year. “It’s a modern brunette that feels soft, smoky, and luxe.”
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Why call it smoked? The cool tones give it that finish: “There’s this subtle ashiness layered into the warmth, which gives it a very refined, expensive finish,” says Schwartz. “Think seamless lowlights, muted brunette tones, and that silky suede texture that moves with the light.”
One year later, we turned to Schwartz for an update on the look for fall 2026. Here’s everything you need to know to find the right shade of smoked suede hair for you directly from Schwartz—plus some additional expert insight.
What’s so great about smoked suede hair?
“Smoked suede brunette brings in richness and depth while still feeling soft and wearable,” says Schwartz. “The cool, smoky tones keep the color from feeling too flat and give it that beautiful reflective quality.”
For fall 2026, specifically, Schwartz says his clients are looking for richer, darker tones without sacrificing shine, softness, and movement. “Smoked suede brunette hits that sweet spot,” he says. “It’s deeper and moodier for the season, but the tonal variation keeps it from looking flat or too dark. It’s really part of this bigger movement toward customized, low-maintenance color that enhances your natural features rather than competing with them.”
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How universal is smoked suede hair?
The good news is that it’s completely customizable, regardless of your skin’s tone and undertones. “You can make it slightly warmer or cooler depending on the client’s skin tone so it never looks like a one-shade-fits-all brunette,” says Schartz, who uses Schwarzkopf Professional’s Igora Vibrance line to create the perfect blends for his clients. “For someone with warmer undertones, I might keep a little more warmth underneath the smoky tones; for someone with cooler or more neutral undertones, I would lean more into ashier, muted brunette tones.”
What else to ask for at the salon
Celebrity hairstylist Joseph Chase is here to remind you that fun nicknames like “smoked suede” rarely translate at the salon. “I always tell clients to bring reference photos because hair color names can mean different things to different people,” he says. “For smoked suede, I’d ask your colorist for a rich, dimensional brunette with soft neutral-to-smoky tones, subtle warmth, and very little harsh contrast.”
As for the highlights and lowlights they should “melt into the base rather than look obviously placed,” he says. “Think soft, neutral, and blended—almost as if the color has been slightly diffused.”
Is smoked suede brunette hair low-maintenance?
In case you didn’t have enough reasons to love smoked suede brunette already, let us give you one more: The expensive-looking shade is low-maintenance, especially if you already have naturally brown hair. “One of the reasons I love this ‘smoked suede’ is that it can be very forgiving as it grows out, especially if you’re starting with a brunette base,” says Schwartz. “Because the dimension is soft and blended, you don’t get that obvious line between your natural color and the color created in the salon.”
How do you maintain smoked suede brunette hair?
Anyone who regularly colors their hair knows that a hair gloss is essential for shiny, soft strands. You can get this done professionally at the salon, but there are plenty of at-home hair glosses to choose from too. “To extend the life of the shade, I recommend heading into the salon for a professional gloss when the tone starts to lose some of its richness or shine,” Schwartz says. “Schwarzkopf Professional Igora Vibrance 0-00 is great for refreshing the hue and adding shine without having to completely recolor the hair. It’s enriched with vitamins B3 and B5, which helps shield and even the hair’s surface, keeping it healthy and delivering vibrant shine.”
As for how often to do a gloss for maximum results? “A gloss every several weeks can help keep the brunette looking fresh and radiant between more intensive color appointments,” says Schwartz.
That being said, Chase suggests you avoid using too many toning products at home. “With a color like this, you still want richness and warmth in the hair,” he says. “Overtoning can take away exactly what makes smoked suede so beautiful.”
Aside from hair gloss, Chase recommends finding a good color-safe shampoo and conditioner, using a heat protectant, and not overwashing your hair. “Heat and frequent washing are two of the quickest ways to lose that beautiful glossy tone,” he says.
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How does smoked suede hair fit within fall 2026 hair trends?
In an era of ghost lashes and bare nails, it’s clear beauty trends are continuing to move away from overt glamour toward an effortless, undone look. The same goes for hair trends.
“This shade fits perfectly into the larger shift toward hair that looks healthy, luminous, and expensive rather than overly done,” says Schwartz. “Across hair color, we’re seeing less interest in high-contrast, obvious color and more demand for seamless shine and tones that feel believable.”
Chase agrees. “We’ve been seeing a shift toward hair color that feels natural and lived-in rather than overly highlighted or overly done,” says Chase. “What I love about smoked suede for fall is that you don’t have to completely reinvent your color palette. You’re essentially taking that sun-kissed summer brunette and smoking it down—adding depth, softening some of the warmth, and making everything feel richer and more polished. It still has movement and dimension, but nothing jumps out. That’s what makes it feel expensive.”
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