8 Winter Hair Color Trends You’ll Love This Season [2024 Edit].

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The leaves have fallen, the air is getting colder and you can finally put on that cute sweater you bought last month!

But all of this means only one thing; it’s time to make sure your hair color is on-point and on-trend ready for the winter party season!

Luckily, we’re here to tell you what colors are rocking our world (and heads!) right now and how you can lighten up your look in the darker months.

So go ahead, curl up in front of the fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa (or coffee if that’s your thing), browse through our list and choose the best winter hair color for you!

Winter Hair Color Wonderland: This Year’s Top Seasonal Shades

This winter, the hair color palette is all about making a statement that’s as bold as it is warm. The season beckons for hues richer and more vibrant than those of spring, summer, or fall.

The trendsetters over at Hair by L’Oreal tell us that luxurious browns, deep reds, and cool-toned highlights are at the top of the rising trends list.

Celeb Hairstylist & Hair Influencer, Guy Tang says that this year it’s the berry spectrum—think plum, blackberry, and dark strawberry blonde—that truly captures the winter spirit.

Yet, the winter hair color adventure doesn’t stop at choosing the perfect shade.

It’s also an invitation to play around with different lengths and styles to fully embrace the seasonal shift. Whether it’s a sharp bob or long, flowing locks, the right color can totally transform your look.

And hey, if you’re not feeling it, there’s always the trusty bobble hat to fall back on!

Check out the latest winter hair color looks on our Pinterest board for ideas and inspiration.

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Finding Your Perfect Winter Shade.

  • People that suit winter tones typically have blue eyes, green eyes or dark brown eyes.
  • You have cool, lighter skin with pink undertones.
  • You don’t tend to tan too easily.
  • You were probably born with black/darker hair.
  • You might have a striking contrast between your eyes, hair and face.
  • The clothes colors that suit you are – whites, blacks, browns, navy, mustard, and burgundy.
  • You prefer to wear silver rather than gold jewellery.

Expert Insights

“Trust me, this winter it’s all about going bold but staying warm with your hair color. I’m loving the deep auburns that just glow under the winter lights, and they’re a breeze to look after. And if you’re after something with a gentler vibe, you can’t go wrong with honey or caramel highlights. They add a lovely warmth and give that cozy winter feel.”

Enza Piazza, Hair Stylist & Color Consultant

2023 Winter Hair Color Trends.

As the chilly season rolls in, it brings with it a fresh wave of hair color trends. Here are eight stunning seasonal hair color ideas to keep you in style this winter.

#1 Ashy brown hair color. 

Cozy ash brown shades are a flattering choice for cool skin types.

It’s wonderfully low maintenance, requiring only a monthly root touch up to keep it looking fresh. It can be toned lighter or darker to suit your preference but we love it medium brown for richer wintery vibes.

Ash brown hair color does require regular upkeep though if you want to avoid the color washing out and gradually lightening, so will need to be dyed back every 4-6 weeks.

This is the perfect winter hair color for those who want rich brunette tones with cool undertones throughout the year.

#2 Solid, jet black hair color.

Black hair is always a classic choice, but it can be overwhelming for pale skin types. 

This winter, the trick is to go dark with less contrast between your natural hair color and dyed shade.

A solid jet black will make you appear even paler in comparison, so opt for something with subtle undertones or add an element of warmth yourself by pairing it with glistening highlights

Have some fun at Christmas and wear some hair tinsel, it looks stunning against black!

#3 Ash blonde hair color.

Ash blonde a cool blonde color that’s perfect for those who want to brighten up their complexion.

It’s a versatile choice for those with pale skin, as it works equally well as a natural winter look or a striking statement style.

Adding ash tones to blonde hair gives the cool tone more depth and definition – particularly if you have naturally lighter shades of blonde.

You can opt for subtle lowlights throughout your hair or (if you’re feeling adventurous) try balayage for that sun kissed effect! You can also warm it up with on-trend mushroom blonde.

#4 Beige blonde hair color.

Beige blonde is a warmer, softer version of ash blonde.

It’s ideal for those who want to avoid looking washed out by choosing a neutral, low contrast color that blends into hair naturally.

You can also achieve this look with softer strawberry blonde tones. It creates the same effect but won’t wash you out in cooler winter lighting! 

#5 Midnight blue hair color.

Midnight blue, or blue-black, is a popular winter hair color choice and an edgy alternative to pure black.

The lighter you go on your base shade, the more intense and striking it will appear.  

This new take on a classic is utterly unique with shimmering glints of blue giving black an irresistible metallic sheen.

If you’re feeling really brave, why not opt for pastel blue?

#6 Plum hair color.

This deep purple plum shade is a stunning choice of color for winter, but not for anyone with pale skin!

It’s best suited to those who already have some natural warmth in their skin tone or regularly use products that provide a subtle golden glow such as bronzers and highlighters.

Dark hair looks particularly good with this hue – just remember to always keep your roots darker than the ends if you’re going for a gradual fade effect.

#7 Burgundy hair color.

This gorgeous burgundy winter color has less warmth than red so won’t look too intense against cool skin tones. 

It’s also more versatile than darker berry shades as you can warm it up with a splash of color like red or pink when leaves begin to change color once again in spring/summer!

#8 Mahogany Brown Hair Color.

Mahogany is a warm, rich dark brown shade with a wine red tint has been popular for years and remains a classic color for brunettes in winter.

It’s a great choice if you want to go for something low maintenance with a beautiful, natural sheen.

However, if you have pale skin this look can make you appear washed out. Opt for a lighter alternative such as milk chocolate or golden chestnut if you want to stand out from the crowd.

Is dark hair better for winter?

Dark hair generally looks more intense in the winter months. But, don’t let your hair color stop you experimenting with lighter colors! They can look very striking with the right styling.

If you have dark hair it’s easier to go all one shade for a softer winter look without it looking ‘flat’.

Lightening bleached blonde hair in particular is much harder work during the colder months, where bleaching out brassy tones becomes much more difficult due to the cold weather making skin paler overall.

Darker colors also have the fabulous effect of making hair look more voluminous, glossy and fuller!

The most important thing to consider when choosing your lightness of shade is whether you have cool or warm undertones in your skin tone.

The general rule of thumb is that cool undertones (usually pale skin and grey/blue eyes) suit ash blonde and pale beige blonde best, whereas warmer undertones (olive skin, yellow/green eyes) suit reds and warmer brown-based colors best.

Lucky for you, we’re covering them all!

What hair colors suit me?

You can also find out which hair color suits you by taking our quiz! Just answer a few quick questions to find out what other hair colors most suit you!

Which Hair Color Suits Me?

How can I care for my hair in winter?

The winter elements can be harsh on your hair condition and color.

It’s a great idea to invest in a weekly mask or intensive conditioning treatment to make sure your hair is nice and healthy!

It’s also important not to neglect your hair when it comes to styling, so choose products which will protect the hair from heat damage like a heat protection spray.

Seal in moisture with oils such as argan oil, coconut oil or olive oil before blowdrying.

Stay away from silicones which can actually cause an imbalance that leads to dryness, breakage and frizziness.

Lastly, don’t forget to cover up your hair outside to protect your hair color from cold, wind and UV rays! Put on that bobble hat and thank us later!


Parting words.

The perfect hair color for winter is waiting for you! We hope we’ve helped make your search a little easier.

Whether you’re looking for a new hair color to bring some warmth and vibrancy into your winter wardrobe, or just want to try something different, we’ve got the perfect shades of red for every skin tone.

No matter how dark or light your natural hair color may be, there’s bound to be a rich combination that suits your taste and complexion perfectly.

What are you waiting for?

This article was written by:

  • Nicola Freeman, Creative Director & Content Lead
    Creative Director & Content Lead

    With over two decades of passionate hair dyeing experience, I've experimented with nearly every shade imaginable. My journey began long before blogging; as an award-winning copywriter in London and New York, I shaped narratives for iconic brands. However, when friends sought advice during lockdown for at-home hair dyeing, I realized my true calling. Beyond being your hair color expert, I'm a mom of two girls, wife to artist Tony, and an avid soccer player!