These Are the Hair Colors to Bookmark for Winter, According to the Pros

Whether we like it or not, winter is on the horizon. During the coldest and darkest months of the year, it can be tempting to stay indoors, heat roaring and blanket-covered. But just like fall, winter beckons major main character energy, starting with a new hair color. It may not be the best time of year for outdoor activities, but it is the perfect time to embrace a fresh shade. This season, the best winter hair colors are embracing the frigid air and leaning into cool tones. 

Featured experts

• Jacob Sirianno is a New York-based colorist
• Tiffanie Richards is a New York-based colorist
• Liz Jung is a Los Angeles-based celebrity hairstylist

Blondes, for example, are having a big moment thanks to stars like Sabrina Carpenter and Beyoncé who’ve delivered inspiring icy looks. Similarly, deep shades of red and copper are also trending. Even simple brunette colors have begun to make their mark. In short, there’s something for everyone this season. The only thing left to do is find your favorite and head to the salon. Below, we chatted with three colorists about the best winter hair colors to try this season, including how to get and maintain the look at home.

Hair Colors You’ll See Everywhere This Winter

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Espresso Brunette

This espresso brunette shade embraces the old-money and rich-girl styles that have been trending recently. “This shade of brown is less about standing out and uses subtle dimensions to create a more uniform color,” says professional colorist Jacob Sirianno. To get the look, he recommends requesting a dark, solid brunette with rich espresso tones and scheduling regular glossing appointments to keep it shiny.

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Vanilla Blonde

This shade of blonde is meant to appear natural and effortless thanks to an expert blend of blonde tones. “Mixing soft versions of colors like bright blonde, straw and hay is key for creating the airy, whipped feel of vanilla blonde,” says Jung. With that in mind, this shade is most ideal for those already sporting golden strands. Just think of it as an icier version of your beach blonde—with a touch less warmth, it falls right in line with the cool-toned trends of the season.

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Butter Blonde

This season, butter blonde takes on a frigid look, embracing creamy pale yellow tones instead of golden hues. The lack of warmth makes it a great option for winter, but like all blondes, it requires a good amount of care to achieve and maintain. “Butter blonde has an overall paleness that can be difficult to attain, and the final results will depend on your natural color,” says professional colorist Tiffanie Richards. If your hair is on the darker side, she recommends asking for either a high-lift single process or highlights to get the look.

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Cayenne Copper

ICYMI copper hair isn’t just for fall. As the season shifts, warmer versions, like this cayenne shade, are more favorable. The vibrancy of the hue provides a nice contrast to the cooler tones that tend to rule winter and feels aptly appropriate for the cold weather. Red hair is notoriously difficult to maintain, as fading is inevitable. However, adding preserving products like color-depositing conditioner to your wash routine can help keep it looking fresh in between touchups.

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Brownie Highlights

Highlights are a great choice if you want to change up your look with little effort. They also work well with a range of brunette hues, making it easy to customize your color. “Dimensional highlights with warm caramel tones are best for rich chocolate hair, while mocha and beige elements will create a subtler look,” says celebrity hairstylist Liz Jung. To preserve your color, she recommends swapping out your go-to shampoo for a non-stripping option and avoiding overwashing.

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Ash Blonde

With so many celebrities going platinum blonde, it’s no surprise that this washed-out shade is trending right now. Achieving the color is no easy feat and requires a skilled colorist and difficult techniques that can be damaging if approached the wrong way. Before heading to the salon, do your research to find a colorist specializing in blonding and prepare a routine that will maintain your color and hair health. Hair masks go a long way to preserve both while preventing dryness and brittleness.

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Ribbon Blonde

“With ribbon blonde, the goal is to create depth, so it features blonde highlights on the top layers while the roots are kept a natural shade for a soft, lived-in look,” says Sirianno. The pro notes that the key to nailing this color is opting for lowlights and a root melt that keeps it looking organic. Darker roots also require much less maintenance than other blondes, so you can go longer in between salon appointments.

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Burgundy

Rich burgundy is one of the most suitable shades of red for winter. The color has depth and a dark, icy appearance akin to the days of the season. Still, getting the intensity requires some skill. When consulting with your colorist, Sirianno says it’s important to settle on a shade with true red undertones to ensure the final shade best fits your complexion. You’ll also need to schedule regular appointments with your colorist. “Deeper shades of red are just as high-maintenance and require glossing services to maintain their vibrancy and shine,” he adds.