Say what you will about winter (you either love it or you hate it), but it's the best time to think about the biggest beauty trends. First, we get a little introspective and reflect on the ones we've seen throughout the past year. Throughout 2023, notable trends included the Hailey Bieber–inspired lob, the wildly popular cowboy copper hair color trend, and the unexpected yet ultra-flattering hush cut.
Once our reflection is complete, we look ahead and do our best to predict which ones are coming next. What can we say? We like a jump start. The only thing is that we need to know we're getting a jump start on the right trends. After all, it doesn't really pay to be ahead of the curve if you're incorrect. So, we reached out to the experts—six of them to be exact. Ahead, see all of their predictions, from warm, golden hair colors to cropped cuts and beyond.
1. Warm Hair Colors
While cool-toned hair colors were the standard for the past few years (think gray-toned shades of brunette and icy platinum blonde), the experts say the tides are turning. This year, it's going to be all about warm, golden-hued hair colors. Take it from Priscilla Valles, celebrity extensionist. "I’ve seen so many recent red transformations on my clients (Dua Lipa, Megan Fox, etc.) and have no doubt warmer tones will be in this winter."
Celebrity hairstylist Guy Tang agrees, citing "cherry cola" hair as a specific color that will dominate, along with a continued interest in cowboy copper. "Blonde never goes out of style, but I'm predicting 'bronde' will have a big moment in 2024 because it offers warmth with a classic hue," he says. "Overall, warm tones are trending for 2024 and I think we'll see a lot more celebrity hair transformations with these bolder colors."
Similarly, celebrity hairstylist Sophie Rose Gutterman is excited about warm shades of brown, which she calls "latte brown." She says this color family screams "sunny and rich." All you need to do to get it is use words like "honey" and "chestnut" when talking to your colorist.
As for hairstylist and content creator Matt Newman, the color of the season is cranberry. "Cranberry is currently the color I’m seeing in fashion; it’s so wintry and cozy," he says. "I’m thinking it’s going to be the next logical step to deepening all those summer coppers as the winter rolls through."
I always encourage my clients to use high-quality, color-safe products to keep their hair looking fresh and healthy," Valles says. "I love putting the Kérastase Discipline oil on the ends to protect the overall integrity of the hair."
"#MyRefresh Color Depositing Conditioner is the perfect tool to fix any color fading at home," Tang says. "This product keeps the color vibrant, while also improving softness and shine."
"For those who love to style their hair with heat, the #MyHero Collagen Shield Spray will strengthen and detangle hair, and shield from any heat damage," Tang says. "Heat tools are known to cause fading, so it is crucial to have protection especially when experimenting with color."
2. Shorter Lengths
Valles also predicts shorter, cropped cuts will dominate this year. "Shorter cuts are definitely trendy, especially this time of year," she says. "Expect to see a lot of French bobs and layered lobs. Shorter cuts look great with winter fashion. It balances the overall look to have a shorter cut with heavy coats, scarves, and hats."
Celebrity hairstylist Adam Maclay predicts that the pixie cut will be especially popular throughout winter 2024. "The pixie haircut has a lot of variations to its name," he says. "From Rosemary’s Baby to Taylor Hill’s take on the ’90s Linda Evangelista cut, this haircut shape is viable for all face shapes. Cut it to enhance your best facial features and to balance your overall silhouette."
And if you're either ready to or already in the process of growing out a short cut, Newman has a tip for you, and it involves regular shaping and trimming to manage new length. "The best way to manage the [growing out] process is by trimming and shaping the layers over the year while the length comes back."
Maclay recommends this styling paste to create a "piece-y textured look" with a short haircut.
If you want to display your natural texture, Maclay recommends this air-dry cream. Simply apply it to your damp hair, and let it do its thing as it dries.
3. Retro Bangs
"From face framing, side swept, to straight across, I love being able to switch up a look completely with a little fringe," Gutterman says. "You can do fun updos and keep pieces around the face to create a soft feel which compliments the beautiful warm colors we’re seeing on hair color for winter! If you’re not ready to fully dive into short bangs ask your stylist to give you some side-swept bangs, which I like to call sweetheart bangs."
For Maclay, the upcoming season is all about the curtain bang, specifically. "The curtain fringe has been around for a season or two but I don’t see it leaving anytime soon. This fringe allows for playful looks like a Brigitte Bardot feel to a 70’s Farrah Fawcett vibe!"
"Any of us who’ve had fringe before knows that it takes work and maintenance to make them look cute," Maclay says. "I’d begin with the René Furterer STYLE Blowout Balm and dry your fringe into place with a brush. You may want to use a flatiron or curling iron to add a little more bend to the ends to create the look."
"Once the desired shape is in place spray with the René Furterer STYLE Finishing Spray and Shine Mist ($32)," Maclay says.
On day two or three, Maclay recommends using this dry shampoo to extend the style in between washes.
4. Simple, Structural Hairstyles
Gutterman predicts simple and chic hairstyles will continue to trend. Think of a center-parted low bun or a straight-back ponytail. She says these styles are "simple but beautiful."
Celebrity hairstylist Danielle Priano agrees, saying ballet-inspired hairstyles will be big as well as a modern and avant-garde interpretation of slicked-back hair. "This style is super shiny and slightly textured, offering a modern twist on the classic wet hair look."
"I love the High Definition Gel by All About Curls because it never leaves my hair feeling dry or flaky," Gutterman says.
Priano recommends using this hair oil for the avant-garde wet-hair look since it provides "shine and texture without the stiffness of traditional gel."
For ballet-inspired styles, Priano recommends starting with this strong-hold hair gel to sweep and sculpt hair back into a bun.
Next, mist this hairspray over the style to "hold the hair securely in place while maintaining a sleek look."
5. Tousled Texture
The reversal of sleek and shiny hair, Maclay says the tousled look is in. It feels fresh and natural and it's also one of the easiest hair trends to achieve. "The tousled ponytail or updo will be a big trend this season. Scarves and hats (for those of us in the colder climates) make this style easy to maintain as you're in and out of the cold weather."
Priano agrees, although she calls it the "Boho Belle" look. "Featured at Chanel and Courrèges, this style involves a half ponytail with wavy, unruly locks, enhanced by barrettes for a carefree look," she says.
"This will give the hair a rough texture that makes it easy to sculpt into any desired shape," Maclay says.
Priano recommends this texture spray which will give the hair some necessary grit for this style.
6. 90's/60's-Inspired Blowout
We're not ready to part with the 90s blowout, and why should we be? It's the best hairstyle for big volume and bounce. Valles says we'll continue to see this hairstyle well into the New Year.
Newman recommends taking the 90s blowout and giving it a 60s vibe. "Coming off the '90s blowout' trend which people are still really into, the Brigitte Bardot style is a natural progression of bouncy feminine full hairstyles that are currently so in style." He recommends starting with a bouncy blowout before lifting the crown with volume powder and teasing for even more volume. "Secure the half up with clips and bobby pins instead of a hair tie. The hair tie will give u a more fitted, tight look, and we want to use pins and clips for a more airy, lived-in look."
"It’s no surprise the Dyson Airwrap is an absolute gem," Valles says. "I love using this to achieve big bouncy waves if you’re short on time."
Editor's note: the limited-edition Blue Blush colorway is currently $100 off!
Valles also likes these rollers for setting the hair and encouraging even more lift and volume at the roots.
Newman says a volume powder is a must for the Brigitte Bardot-inspired look.
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