Mushroom Bronde: The Must-Have Hair Colour For Autumn 2026

The swap from summer blonde to brunette is in full swing this autumn, and one of the hair colour trends making its way onto the salon floor is Mushroom Bronde. Combining cool, earthy brunettes with soft, muted blonde tones, this understated shade is the perfect middle ground for clients who want to go darker for autumn without losing too much brightness.

It’s a creamy beige bronde with smoky ash brown when fully blended, creating a lived-in finish that feels effortlessly expensive.

Mushroom Bronde sits right between blondes and brunettes, combining the best of both to create a cool-toned, multi-dimensional finish.

Inspired by the earthy shades of a portobello mushroom, it features muted beige blonde, soft ash brown and subtle cool undertones for a desaturated, neutral-looking result. Unlike warmer caramel or golden bronde shades, Mushroom Bronde keeps things cool, making it ideal for clients wanting to move away from summer's brighter, warmer blondes.

Our favourite thing about this trend? The dimension. Rather than being one solid shade, the combination of darker brunette tones and softer blonde ribbons creates depth and movement, while the muted finish keeps everything looking seamless. Plus, it’s also the perfect choice for clients wanting a low-maintenance colour.

For this Mushroom Bronde transformation, Quif Educator Sara Simpson demonstrates how to achieve this stunning autumnal shade with a model who had a grown-out root with dull, brassy blonde lengths.

Formula: Quif Magi:gloss 6.01 + 5.0

Start by mixing 6.01 + 5.0 to create the root smudge. Apply the formula throughout the roots, making sure to leave it to develop for the longest time. This will establish the deeper base needed for the Mushroom Bronde result, creating a soft transition between the root and the lighter lengths. The combination of cool ash and natural brunette tones gives the root its earthy depth without making the overall result look too heavy.

Once the root smudge has been applied, take alternate weaves throughout the hair and apply the same gloss mixture through the lengths. This helps tone the existing blonde darker, introducing that signature mushroom-toned base while retaining subtle dimension through the hair. Allow the formula to develop for 20 minutes, then rinse at the basin.

Sara tells us, “The key here is to create a seamless blend between the darker root and lengths, keeping the finish soft and lived-in, rather than overly solid.”

Formula: Quif Magi:gloss 8.13

For the finishing touch, apply the 8.13 Magi:gloss formula globally to damp hair at the basin. This final gloss helps refine the overall tone, bringing everything together with a soft, cool beige finish that complements the deeper mushroom base. Allow to develop for 10 minutes before rinsing, then shampoo and condition!

Once finished at the basin, blowdry the hair to reveal the finished Mushroom Bronde. The result is a beautifully blended combination of cool brunette and muted blonde, with soft dimension and a high-shine finish. The deeper root gives the hair depth, while the cooler beige lengths keep the colour looking light, polished and wearable.

This shade is the perfect autumnal refresh for blondes wanting to head to the dark side, without committing to a full brunette transformation.

For clients who love their lightness but want something different for autumn, Mushroom Bronde is the perfect choice. Mushroom Bronde offers a way to introduce depth without losing the depth and dimension they’re used to. With the magic of Quif Magi:gloss, you can easily refresh, refine and customise the tone to suit each client’s starting colour and desired finish. Discover Quif Magi:gloss and create this season's must-have autumn hair colour with a beautifully glossy, multi-dimensional finish.