7 Hair Color Trends You're Going to See Everywhere This Winter
Hair colors never really go out of style. Sure, a shade may have its moment until another one is cycled in as the new "it color," but what's more important than following trends is finding a color that suits you.
That being said, it's hard to ignore the fact that the same handful of colors keep popping up on celebrities, as well as our Instagram feeds. And when you're dying to switch up your hair color for the new season, there's nothing wrong with turning to your favorite celeb or Insta-famous hair colorist for inspiration.
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If you've been looking for that perfect color, we've compiled seven shades that are on their way to becoming winter 2022's biggest hair color trends. We also turned to a handful of top stylists for details on why these colors are great for winter, along with helpful maintenance tips.
From platinum blonde to warm brunette tones, keep reading for a complete breakdown of the seven hair colors you'll see everywhere this winter.
RELATED: Low Maintenance Hair Color Ideas You Can Wear Year-Round
Strawberry Copper
According to George Papanikolas, celebrity hair colorist and Matrix brand ambassador, you can expect to see some strawberry copper tones this winter season. Celebrities like Phoebe Dynevor make a strong case for the warm-toned hue. It's the sister shade to strawberry blonde, but warmer and a cozy color that will warm you up all season long.
"This color is easy to do over blonde hair or existing red tones," says Papanikolas. As far as upkeep, copper hues can be a bit of maintenance, but systems like Unbreak My Blonde, which Papanikolas recommends for any light hair color, make it easy.
Dark Hair with Light Brown Highlights
On the opposite spectrum of strawberry copper, we're going to be seeing a lot of dark hair colors with subtle warm brown highlights throughout. "Soft dimension on even the darkest hair gives the hair movement," says Papanikolas.
If you're a brunette looking for a change that doesn't break the bank or require a ton of maintenance, this is the hair color for you. The soft highlights lend themselves for a natural and easy grow-out. "The depth and delicate balance of warm and cool tones create a sultry, luxurious finish to richen, refresh, and elevate our brunettes," says Nina Rubel, a master colorist at Rob Peetoom Salon in Williamsburg.
To maintain, Rubel recommends investing in a color-safe shampoo and conditioner to prevent any brassiness or faded color.
Icy Blonde
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"This winter, I expect to see icy cool blondes make a resurgence," says Nick Stenson, celebrity hairstylist, and Matrix brand ambassador. Icy blonde hair was trending last winter, too — and we get it. When it's snowy and cold outside, you'll inevitably get inspired by your surroundings.
Going platinum-like Lady Gaga isn't exactly gentle on your hair, so using a reparative treatment can help revive stressed-out strands. Demi Passaris, a master colorist at Spoke & Weal Chicago, suggests K18's Leave-In Mask, which repairs hair from the inside out.
Expensive Brunette
Darker hues in the winter surpass trends and will never go out of style. That's why Stenson says rich, shiny, brunette hair will be all the rage.
This year, the dark hair color trend is known as expensive brunette. Celebrities, like Hailey Bieber, Zoey Deutch, and Billie Eilish, are leaning into the chocolate hue. The best part about this hair color is it's so easy to maintain, whether you keep your brunette shade one hue or make it multi-dimensional.
Mulled Wine
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Rubel says hair colors inspired by your favorite cozy winter drinks will be one of the biggest trends this year. "Think, spiced cider, mulled wine, and cinnamon nutmeg blends," she says. These red-toned hues add vibrancy and contrast to the gray skies of the season.
While a professional colorist can help you achieve this look, you can try Overtone's pigmented Copper Conditioner Kit at home — the exact product Zendaya used in her hair before hitting the 2019 Emmy Awards red carpet. The semi-permanent color only takes 10 to 15 minutes to deposit and lasts several washes, depending on your natural hair color.
Espresso
Another drink-inspired hue that Rubel says will reign supreme for brunettes is espresso — a deep, rich, dark brown. Similar to the drink itself, the hue gives us a burst of delicious energy from just looking at it. You can choose to warm it up to add some dimension or keep it as is for easy, low-maintenance hair color.
Sand
While platinum is trending for winter 2022, so are warm-toned blonde hues. "We will see [more people] opting for a more neutral beige shade to harmonize and create balance in the winter months," says Rubel. "Shades such as camel and sand are universally flattering and create a subtle yet impactful change."
No matter what winter hair color you choose, the experts agree on your next step: "Color-safe shampoo is a must," says Passaris. "You have invested in your service, so don't muck it up with harsh cleansers that strip color."
