Winter's chill is soon to be upon us, but things are heating up in the trending hair looks department. Typically, you would expect winter hair trends to favor darker hues, but this season, we're finding that's not totally the case.
To make sure we conduct a very thorough investigation for what will be favored this winter, we polled celebrity stylists to hear their thoughts on what their A-list clientele will be sporting for the colder months. They even clued us in on what products work best to score the look. Whether you're in need of a chic new cut or color inspo, take a peek below at what's trending for winter in the hair department.
1. Golden-Blonde Hues
Celebrity hairstylist and colorist Kiyah Wright (who styles celebs like Jennifer Hudson) predicts that shades of golden blonde will be trending for the winter. "A lot of people like to stay blonde but want a richer, warmer shade," she shares. "So they're going for that buttery rich blonde or a golden beigey blonde."
"In terms of upkeep for buttery blonde shades, Brite’s No Yellow Hair Mask is essential especially in the winter, as the cold dry weather makes the hair dry and the color fades. This mask is great because it conditions and brightens blonde hair at the same time, leaving it feeling soft, detangled, and manageable," says Wright.
This nourishing hair mask with vitamin E and hydrating fatty acids soothe ultra-dry hair. It's a perfect, inexpensive mask to keep on hand for colored hair in the colder months.
2. Fiery Red Hues
Wright is also anticipating the reprise of the fiery-red hair hue. "Fiery reds are making a nice comeback," she shares. I love reds too because there are so many different red tones you can go with. I think for the winter, we’ll see a lot of red coppers, red orangey tones, and some violet-red tones, too." To maintain such a vibrant hue, Wright recommends keeping products around that are deeply hydrating and color-safe.
Pureology is the gold standard for color-treated hair. The brand's Hydrate shampoo and conditioner set are sulfate-free, creamy, and smoothing for hair after a color treatment.
3. Rich Chocolate-Brown Hues
A duskier shade Wright predicts will ride the winter hair trends train in the coming months is rich chocolate brown. A little advice Wright has? "Any time you are coloring your hair, it’s important to keep it healthy and hydrated so it maintains its shine. For chocolate tones, I [also] love using Brite Hair Masks. They are by far one of my favorite products because they help keep the hair looking lustrous and shiny."
Packed with sea buckthorn and jojoba-seed oil, this mask is definitely soul food for your strands. It's also rich in antioxidants to promote extra shine.
This intense hydration mask works to transform brittle strands from the inside out. It's a post-color treatment essential for your winter routine.
4. Sleek and Straight
Renowned colorist to stars like Idina Menzel, Priyanka Chopra, and Anne Hathaway, hairstylist Jason Backe declares sleek and straight as the vibe for winter. "After eons of beach waves, smoothing hair away from the face and down the back is fire. Walk into any holiday event and everyone will stop to notice. It’s sexy, dramatic, confident, and elegant—a showstopper for sure!"
If you're in the L.A. area and are having a treat yourself moment, achieve the ultra-smooth look by heading to Starring Salon where you can get an innovative new treatment called The Crown. "It's a breakthrough treatment with five smart molecule technologies, no formaldehyde, and no toxins. It's literally changing the texture game when it comes to keratin-based smoothing treatments," says Backe.
No sleek, straight look is complete without a good pomade. This one from Ouai is hydrating, long-lasting, and perfect for everyday use.
"This product is great for flexible hold and a frizz-free finish. It’s also great for all hair types and textures. P.S. The fragrance is bomb!" says Backe.
5. Brassy Blonde Hues
Slightly more saturated than a golden blonde, Backe is calling this the It girl of winter-hair shades. It has more of a brassy tone to it with a hint of gold. "For Madelyn Cline, I kept a root and added a bit of gold for a stunning twist on the classic look," says Backe.
This product is a game-changer for bleached hair. If you'll be lifting your natural hue significantly this season, this renewing hair mask is 100% necessary.
If lifting and lightening your hair to any shade of blonde, you're always going to want to have a treatment nearby that prevents breakage. This luxe treatment from Oribe has your back.
6. Vintage Bouncy Blowouts
Celebrity stylist Matthew Collins (Demi Moore, Sophia Bush, Judy Greer) is loving a good vintage-style bouncy blowout for winter à la Farrah Fawcett. "[In the past], we've focused on straighter ends and more casual looks, but now a big soft bend to the hair and even a pronounced flip out or in is having a huge moment," he says. "For almost two years we have been not doing much to our hair. So now as we start to enter the world, most of us are wanting to glam it up a bit."
If you're in the mood to splurge and want to achieve this look in record time, Collins always advocates for the Dyson Supersonic—it's the ticket to easy, bouncy waves.
To keep your style in place.
7. '60s-Inspired Half-Up Hair
Collins also foresees the '60s-style up do continuing its reign. "This is one trend that never really seems to disappear which I am always happy about," he shares. "You can dress it up by having a more polished texture or use your natural texture for a more casual look, but still using the same shapes and techniques to create the look. The movie Last Night in Soho really showcases these looks in all their glory and many will be taking so much inspiration from this movie for their next event or night out!"
Volume is key for this look, according to Collins. "Before you comb back the top, sprinkle a little volume powder over the crown!"
For instant volume and texture without any stiffness, snag Living Proof's Full Dry spray.
8. Zigzag Parts
Collins is also loving the resurgence of folks rocking a zigzag part. "The call out to millennials has been huge lately on TikTok to bring this back. Almost every other '90s trend has made a huge comeback in the last year or so but this one trend has been a little quiet. Those who rocked this originally are looking for the right moment to bring it back!"
To successfully rock a zigzag part, you'll need a super sleek finishing cream. Collins loves this one from Larry King.
This styling cream is a great smoothing option for those with coils and tighter curls.
9. Bold Embellishments
Celebrity stylist, educator, and founder of Vernon François Haircare, Vernon François, shares that bold embellishments will be massive this season. "Embracing all things special and sparkly this season, is very on-trend. [Everything] from shiny clips on loose or taut hair to sparkly beads on braids and metallic twine wrapped around a ponytail, buns, or the hairline. My personal tip is to look beyond traditional haircare stores for unexpected treasures. Don’t aim for perfection because this can limit creativity, and there is often beauty and character in imperfections!"
Basically, what I'm hearing is that we now have full permission to rock an embellished hair comb outside of a wedding.
You don't have to rock a full-on comb to hop on this winter hair trend. Try a few embellished clips for a subtle, sophisticated look.
10. Demi-Permanent Hair Color
François thinks playing with demi-permanent hair color will be huge for the winter. Demi-permanent colors last about 12 to 24 washes as opposed to semi-permanent which only lasts around eight. "Experimenting with color in a way that complements your hair’s tone and texture is perfect for winter months. It can be lower maintenance than a dramatic change in need of regular touch ups—meaning more time for cozying up inside!"
"Some of my favorite demi-permanent liquid hair colors are Redken Shades EQ Glosses which I’ve been using for years," Says François. "They give a multidimensional effect to the hair—toning while adding shine to coils, curls, wavy, and straight hair."
Once happy with your creation, spritz on this shine spray for delicate subtle glam. It also adds a touch of moisture with the faint scent of vanilla and apple blossom.
11. Textured Protective Styles
Celeb stylist Ro Morgan (Jasmine Saunders, Amandla Stenberg) is calling it—textured protective styles are the new winter hair trend. "With the harsh winter temperatures, protective styles will make their way back. We will see them in so many different forms—from cornrows and braids with ribbons woven into them to twist outs that bring about beautiful curls, coils, and waves. If your hair is usually more dry during the winter months, you may also need a little help to maintain moisture levels in your hair."
Morgan considers this a daily staple to revitalize waves, curls, and coils or just to simply refresh dry ends.
For deeper curl replenishment, whip out Briogeo's Don't Despair, Repair! mask.
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