John Snow really was right when he said, “Winter is coming” – especially when it comes to winter hair colors! I can talk about cute Haircuts And Hairstyles all day long, but what interests me more is hair Colors at the moment. This time last year I started playing around with caramel and chocolate balayage to see how I liked it, but I didn't expect to fall in love with these shades! They seemed to give my face a cozy, warm glow that matched the season and I have yet to look back on them!
I still haven't decided if I'm ready to take the step and color my natural hair because I'm not sure if I want to cut it or not. Since that's another story, I decided to do what I do best when I have burning hair questions: talk to famous hairdressers!
As luck would have it, I spoke to him three Experts with an excellent customer base and knowledge about using a color service:
Much like fall, winter is about “enjoying warmth and depth,” according to Edson Ibarra. He feels that “auburn, caramel balayage and copper tones” will “play beautifully with the winter sun.” “Subtle reds like auburn and soft cinnamon are also making a strong comeback, adding a little spice to classic looks,” he adds.
The best trending winter hair colors for 2024-2025
1. Maroon
Filipa Matos
This rich brown color will always be a staple no matter what season we are in. Kim Kimble believes this is the time when colors like these “complement the cozy feel of the season.” She personally feels the shadow”Bold & Bright 40 Brown Sugar [by Clairol]“is a soft, natural brown that “adds incredible warmth to any look.”
Whether you get one Silk press or a new hair color, stylists often recommend a consultation. According to Keith Shore, this is because “advice is an essential part of the color service.” This gives him the opportunity to “assess the current condition of the hair” rather than jumping straight into the process. Kimble also says, “The hairdresser will ask you what you're looking for and whether your hair already has color or is virgin, etc. They may also do a patch or strand test to check how the hair reacts to the color. applied.
Once it is determined that your hair is healthy enough for treatment, an appointment will usually be made for the big day! However, there are things you should avoid. According to Kimble, the worst thing clients can do before their color treatment is “irritate their scalp, scratch it aggressively, or manipulate it very heavily.” Keep this in mind if you want to try one of the popular winter hair colors!
2. Teddy Bear Brown
Instagram/MarkMena
Kimble also swears by Clairol's Teddy Bear Brown for a softer shade if you're worried about going too dark. Once your color service appointment is complete, it is important to maintain your new style.
Because of the frequent process involved, it is crucial to maintain the health of your hair after a color treatment. Shore says: “My number one care tip is hydration, which is crucial after a color treatment. I love.” It is a 10 leave-in conditioner; It sprays easily, prepares hair for styling and is perfect for clients who are short on time. I also recommend K18 for blondes who want to maintain their luminosity.
Both Kimble and Ibarra recommend using sulfate-free shampoos. “You should go for very light, mildly moisturizing shampoos and conditioners. These are important for maintaining hair color. “It’s also a great treatment mask,” says Kimble. “She doesn’t want you to use alcohol-based products,” though.
Ibarra personally recommends using “leave-in conditioners with UV protection to protect against sun damage, which can dull color.” He doesn't want you to skip deep conditioning “once a week” because it “doesn't damage the hair moisturized and kept shiny.” What if you have a “cool” hair color? Ibarra says, “I suggest a purple shampoo to maintain shine and neutralize brassiness.”
PS Kimble recommends making appointments every 2-3 months to maintain the health and color of your hair!
3. Caramel balayage
Jasmine Williams
If you're thinking about getting a color service but are afraid to take the plunge, Shore and Ibarra have the best words of encouragement for you! Everyone agrees on one thing: taking small steps. Shore says: “The best advice I can give is to start small – consider adding pops of color with balayage or lowlights. This is a great way to test the waters without drastically changing your look.”
Caramel balayage is always my go-to color when I want a little change during this time because it beautifully captures the essence of fall and winter. Due to the layering of the balayage, it also seems to add some extra shine.
“I often suggest a shine treatment or subtle highlights to make changes easier to manage – they add dimension to the hair without being too drastic. You can also try Overtones Color Depositing Treatment Masks or clip-in extensions to experiment with different shades,” suggests Ibarra. Above all, he doesn't want you to think about it too much. “The most important thing is to have fun with it! Hair color is not permanent and it is a great way to express yourself and explore new sides of your style.”
4. Cashmere blonde
Theo Wargo/Getty Images
What about blonde you ask? It's not impossible! “Interestingly, there are some shades of blonde that work well on brown skin, but it depends on which shade of blonde is used. I recommend tones that are warmer and not too brassy. Think neutral tones,” explains Kimble.
You can also try the blonde hair color that Gigi wore Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Shore: “This time we chose a cashmere blonde for Gigi Hadid, combining lowlights and highlights with strategically placed pops of color to highlight and highlight her natural tones,” he says.
Based on his experience, he has noticed a trend with the other VS models. He says: “Alongside cashmere blonde, I’m noticing a shift towards more natural tone-on-tone colors in all shades. Many of the Victoria's Secret models opt for less contrasting, more muted, but still dimensional colors.”
5. Beautiful copper
Kaylee Blackman
Celebrity hairstylist David Stanwell has managed to capture copper hair in all its glory. As Ibarra said, this is one of those winter hair colors that loves to reflect the sun.
Both Ibarra and Kimble like to take a collaborative approach to serving their clients, which I find makes appointments more enjoyable. “It’s really a co-creation process. “I start by understanding the client’s lifestyle, personality and desired level of care – because hair color should enrich their life, not complicate it,” says Ibarra.
Kimble says something similar, saying, “Choosing the right shade is all about highlighting natural beauty.” She takes a client's skin tone and eye color into account to find the perfect color that will “highlight those unique features.” . Without hesitation, she provided the perfect illustration. “For example, a subtle honey blonde like Nice 'n' Easy 8G Medium Golden Blonde can really brighten warmer skin tones!”
Ibarra follows a similar process, as he likes to look at clients' “skin undertones and natural hair color to find shades that complement them.” He also says, “I always encourage clients to bring inspirational photos to help us align toward a vision. My goal is to help them walk with confidence and be the best version of themselves.”
6. Black
Dominique Goncalves
How red lipstick or acne friendly FoundationWinter hair colors won't look the same on everyone. This is especially true if you have brown skin. Kimble says, “Black, chocolate brown, wine tones in the burgundy family, and auburn look great on tan skin.”
In my opinion, you can never go wrong with this color as it looks fantastic on everyone. Look how well it suits Keke Palmer's beautiful brown skin!
7. Silver tones
Haley Sprankle
Kimble says you can always try silver if you're not afraid, and even offers light on the different dyeing processes you can use to create silver. “Non-permanent is temporary because it fades quicker when washed. “Semi-permanent, however, contains a little bit of peroxide, providing a deeper color deposit,” she says. But there is something you should know about semi-permanent products. Kimble says, “You can only apply paint with it, but you can't lift it.”
If you want something that's even less likely to fade, consider permanent color. Kimble says, “…the color stays – reds and blondes fade, but they don't come off – and you can lift them.”
Subscribe to our newsletter for more winter beauty inspiration!
Brit + Co occasionally uses affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.