Few things inspire a trip to the hair salon as quickly as a trending hair color. Haircuts can feel too permanent, and hairstyles are hard to figure out on your own—but a new color? That’s easy to accomplish (and unabashedly, heart-racingly fun). There’s nothing like trying on a new hue to unlock an entirely new persona, and there’s no better time to make the switch than in winter.
Think about it: The short days and long nights can feel dreary, but donning a fresh, new 'do is one of the fastest ways to perk up. You’ll want to be seen (thus getting you out of hibernation mode) and will be more proactive about making plans with friends. (Am I therapizing you too much?) What I’m trying to say is that trying a new color is downright fun—and the best part about the hottest hues this winter is that they’re pretty natural-looking (thus easy to achieve at home).
From Hailey Bieber’s gilded brown waves to Ciara’s glazed taupe highlights, experts describe this winter’s color story as “rich” through and through. “This winter is all about rich, cozy tones,” celebrity hairstylist Naeemah Lafond previously told Who What Wear. “Chocolate browns and those deep, moody reds are going to be everywhere," she added. Celebrity stylists Becca Raziuddin and Olivia Casanova have also observed the slow rise of "old-money" hair colors, reporting coffee brown, warm honey blondes, and more muted hues trending upward this winter.
Ahead, a deeper dive into nine shades growing hotter as the days get colder.
9 Hair Colors Trending in 2025, Per Celebrity Hairstylists
Gilded Brown
Casasnova singles out "golden brown" as one of her top observations for winter 2025. Bieber's sometimes blonde, sometimes brown hair finds a sweet spot with this gilded hue—pulling gold in some lights thanks to a smart, ultrafine smattering of tactful highlights.
The hairstylist calls this look "versatile, customizable, and relatively low maintenance," as it only adds a radiant touch to medium-brown hair instead of stark highlights. If you're a brunette flirting with the idea of highlights, this firelight iteration is the perfect way to go.
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Casanova recommends this color-enhancing shampoo for brown hues. "It’s a gentle, pigment-depositing shampoo and conditioner that really helps keep the color rich and vibrant in between salon visits," she explains.
Raziuddin spotlights this hair oil for anyone post–dye job. "[It's] perfect for sealing in moisture, adding shine, and protecting hair from heat and winter dryness (especially after coloring)," she says.
Vampy Copper
Okay, this may be Riverdale alum Madelaine Petsch's natural hue, but that doesn't stop me from eyeing it for winter. Lafond singled out "moody red" as an up-and-coming shade for winter, and I can't help but think of Millie Bobby Brown's recent departure from brunette to burnished red—adding further flame to this trending shade's fire.
While the Stranger Things actress's locks lean scarlet, Petsch's tresses appear to have the slightest whisper of a cool brown tint—edging her shade into moodier territory than her usual strawberry shade. If you're nervous about reaching for the box dye, try a sheer-tint treatment like DPHue's Glossy Glaze in Copper first.
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This conditioning glaze is one of my personal secret weapons for ultra-glossy, shiny hair.
For something a little longer-lasting, try this permanent color kit from IGK for a salon session right at home.
Glazed Taupe
While it's true that hair colors tend to skew warmer in the wintertime (it's about balance!), stars like Ciara are proving that leaning into the icy tones of the colder months might be one of the coolest ways to go. (Pun intended.) The singer added dimension to her espresso hair with icy taupe highlights, resulting in this gorgeously glazed look that I can't stop staring at.
"These colors can be tailored to work with anyone’s natural base color, natural texture, skin tone [or] eye color, and desired level of maintenance," Casasnova explains. "They’re also fun in the sense that you can play around with them, whether that means you want one allover shade or you want to add in some highlights or lowlights for dimension." I'm certainly feeling inspired by the latter when I look at the "Level Up" songstress's long locks.
Rich Blonde
If you're itching to depart from your usual blonde color routine, Raziuddin recommends trying "warm honeys and soft neutral blondes" this winter. Case in point: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's honey-blonde hair. What makes this hue feel better suited to winter is its neutral shade at the roots—a deeper, more lived-in blonde—which fades into a warm, golden balayage with soft-gold, face-framing highlights. Each golden strand brings a warmth to your skin that might be lacking in gray winter weather, so even on the dreariest of days, your mane will still resemble sunshine.
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Raziuddin calls this purple shampoo a "must-have" if you dye your hair blonde or lighten your natural hue. "[It] keeps brassiness away and retains tone between salon visits," she explains.
They say wealth whispers, but nothing screams "rich" like healthy, glossy hair. This gloss treatment hydrates the hair with hyaluronic acid and tames frizz for healthier, sleeker strands.
Midnight Black
Lafond previously told WWW that "jet-black and deep brown pixie cuts" are everywhere this winter. If you're not yet ready to shear a Halle Berry–esque pixie, try this inky shade on for size instead.
Laura Harrier's midnight tresses have the slightest hint of sable warmth to them, which makes this deep hue look even richer against icy backdrops. While you can keep up the onyx richness of your locks with a color-depositing treatment like DPHue's Gloss+, the products that add gloss and hydration are what will really make your raven strands shine (and keep them healthy during the colder months).
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This semi-permanent color treatment is a conditioning agent and shade-enhancer all in one. If your hair is looking a bit dull, leave a few pumps of this rich conditioner on like a mask to restore shine and dimension for up to eight shampoos.
Assistant beauty editor Sabrina Talbert revived her heat-damaged curls with Briogeo's Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Hydrating & Defining Hair Mask—a protein-free conditioning formula that replenishes curls with moisture, bounce, and slip (a must during dry winters, if you ask us).
Glossy Espresso
Rich brown hues are classic among the cooler months, with shades like "molten brunette" to "coffee brown" spiking ever since the first leaves fell this year. Casanova says java-inspired shades are taking center stage this winter, and I couldn't help but notice deeper, richer hues trending over oat milk–lightened tints.
I personally keep coming back to Zoey Deutch's rich-looking espresso shade, sheared short into a chic Italian bob for that extra "wealth" factor. If your vibe this winter is the trending "Ralph Lauren Christmas," then I recommend trying this cut and shade combo before the holidays.
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Raziuddin recommends anyone who dyes their hair to use this shampoo (plus the matching conditioner) during the winter months. The stylist calls this combo a "great daily wash and moisture system to keep color-treated hair healthy and shiny," especially when the weather is cold and dry.
WWW editors ranked this luxe hair oil as the best they've tried all year. (Plus, it's a personal favorite.) Its nutrient-packed formula imparts lasting hydration and gradual repair to damaged strands, and it makes dark hair look extra shiny—even in the dead of winter. Oh, and did I mention it's also a heat protectant? Game changer.
Candlelit Blonde
There's something about Phoebe Dynevor's hearth-warmed honey blonde that feels so right for winter. The subtle dimension and whisper of red threaded throughout her blonde hair makes this color even more alluring—like the glow of a candlelit room.
You can achieve this look at home by layering a sheer copper glaze atop naturally blonde strands, or ask your colorist to stitch a hint of strawberry blonde into your next dye job. Thank me later.
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Balance your color with this tinting and toning hybrid from Pureology. This high-shine hair gloss prevents brassiness and fading while simultaneously hydrating your strands—thus leaving your mane looking glamorously shiny. Plus, it works on all hair types and textures.
If your scalp tends to get irritated following a coloring session, try following up with this calming scalp serum afterward. This nourishing serum is clinically proven to soothe post-dye irritation without altering the shade and vibrancy of your color—a must for anyone with sensitive skin.
Chocolate Brown
Don't get it twisted—this shade of brown is different from the aforementioned espresso hues experts are eyeing for winter. This color, much like Daisy Edgar-Jones's romantic cocoa hue, sits somewhere between milk chocolate and umber (and sometimes utilizes a mix of both with highlights and lowlights, as demonstrated by the Twisters actress).
Both Raziuddin and Casanova are expecting the reign of deep brunette strands to hold strong in winter, mostly because of their low-maintenance nature. Chocolate brown is the perfect low-stakes shade that offers dimension and warmth without making too much of a statement—plus, it shows off glossy strands beautifully.
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It's common to experience some color fading in between salon visits, but it's easy to touch up when you have the right tools. Wella's Color Fresh Mask is an easy, 10-minute treatment that restores your hair back to its chocolaty goodness without the spendy salon visit.
I'm a fan of Redken's entire Acidic Color Gloss line, and for a limited time, you can snag the entire collection for a discounted rate of $48. This gift set is in stock right in time for the holidays, which makes a great present for the hair lovers in your life (or a treat-yourself moment for you).
Muted Blonde
Elsa Hosk is all over my hairspo board, period—but this particular ashy blonde moment lives rent-free in my mind. The supermodel's base color is toned down to a muted blonde—which Casanova singles out as one of winter's hottest hues—and accented with icy threads of cool-toned highlights, giving this wintry style extra dimension and intrigue.
Ask for sparse highlights that frame the face and move gradually toward the back, while letting the muted, cool-toned shade of your middle layers to shine through. This adds depth and fullness to locks that will look stunning all season long.
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This shampoo may be pricey, but it's worth every penny for people wanting to maintain the tone and texture of their blonde dye job. Its nourishing formula revives and hydrates blonde-colored hair to replenish the color while effectively cleansing—just don't forget to use the matching conditioner to get the most out of it.
Sometimes you have to roll up your sleeves and do it yourself. This at-home hair dye makes it easy for beginners to do their own color without booking an appointment, and its ammonia-free formula ensures that you won't do any accidental damage.
