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The Coolest Winter Hair Colors to Try Right Now 

Biscotti blonde, anyone?  

After you nail down holiday gifts for everyone on your list, might we suggest turning your attention to the hunt for the best winter hair colors? Yes, it’s somehow already that time, and what better way to usher out 2021 than with a fresh, new shade? 

Low-maintenance blondes, brondes, and browns are certainly having a moment fresh off another year of limited salon access and working from home, but that doesn't mean hair color is in a boring place—in fact, quite the opposite, and there's plenty of unexpected inspo to be had. Candy colors like pink and blue are going strong after last year's DIY revolution, and thanks in part to Gigi Hadid, vivid red is still very much happening. 

We asked top hairstylists for the coolest winter hair trends to try—no matter your style or texture. We also threw in a few DIY options in case you're not ready or able to head back to the salon yet (just be sure to read our guide on how to color your hair at home first). Read on for the best winter hair colors for 2021, and prepare to screenshot.

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Dark Coffee 

Consider this one of our favorite takes on dark winter hair colors. “It's softer and easy to wear if you add black to your medium or dark brown base color with foils or balayage rather than going completely solid,” says Rex Jimieson, color educator and colorist at Maxine Salon. “Ask for a demipermanent color so you can change it down the road. Plus, it will be super shiny.”

Iridescent Copper 

Peachy-orange shades were one of the top hair-color trends for fall, and it looks like the shade isn't going anywhere for winter; it's just getting a little richer. “This color palette frames your facial features with brightness when cold and dreary climates make everything else look dull,” says celebrity colorist and Clairol partner Jeremy Tardo. “These hair colors are especially flattering on fair complexions that can sometimes look a bit washed-out in winter.” To get the shade, he suggests asking for a light red color with peach and orange kickers. If you're already blonde and want to DIY the shade at home, try Clairol Nice’n Easy 8SC Medium Copper Blonde.

Biscotti Blonde

Tardo calls this soft shade a “timeless Tuscan blonde.” It's also the perfect shade to try if you want something on the light side but are weary of maintenance. “This look puts just enough sun reflection in your hair but avoids excessive bleaching,” says Tardo. “I’m enjoying creating these kinds of blondes for my clients who want to give their hair a rest from all of the summer lightening processes.” This shade is great for light brunettes who want to go blonder or blondes who want something more natural, but either way, it's best left to the pros. “If you’re already blonde, have your hairdresser add deeper wheat tones into your previously lightened hair,” he says. “If your hair is not too light already, opt for subtle pieces of neutral blonde.”

Icy Blue

If you've been platinum for a while, it may be time to give pastels a try before (if?) we head back to the office. While baby pink had a moment this spring, for winter, Tardo suggests a pale blue or teal. “Mermaids are a vibe all year,” he says. “If you’re someone who loves to play with hair color, this is a great way to change up your look. We all want more fun in 2021!” 

Honey Caramel 

You can never go wrong with classic caramel swirls, especially if you have curls. Jamila Powell, owner of Miami's Maggie Rose Salon, suggests asking for a caramel brown shade with a halo effect in the front to brighten up your face. 

Golden Platinum 

The most modern take on platinum is a little warmer that the icy gray shades that popped up a few years ago but is still super bright. “Platinum perfection is hard to achieve,” says celebrity colorist Bianca Hillier. “Buttery golden blonde tones are fun and reflect the most shine.” She adds that a more golden platinum is also easier to pull off if you're pale and prone to redness, since it doesn't contrast with the warmth in your skin like silver does. “Keep in mind that, when time passes, all color fades, so a perfect purple toning shampoo is key,” she says. “Try using the new Olaplex No 4p Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo for extra longevity between salon appointments.”

Opalescent Blonde

This shade of blond is so unique, as it just so slightly verges into pink territory without leaning too warm. “I love this particular shade because it’s a multifaceted, shiny, and opalescent blond that has a great dew-drop shimmer when the sun hits,” says Aura Friedman, master colorist at Sally Hershberger Salon. “Ask your stylist for a platinum base, and be sure to have a gloss applied. A key component to achieving this color is the application of a gloss formulated with both warm and cool colors to create the metallic, pearlescent shimmer of this look.” 

Golden Swirls 

Sometimes you don't need a cut to refresh your curls, just some carefully placed color. “This is what luxury looks like,” says Hillier. “Swirls of multidimensional sunshine brings blonde brightness to all curls. This look works on tight and loose curls and brings movement in real life and in a still frame. It’s beautiful for keeping depth but also bringing in pale tones.”

Cherry Cola 

For a different take on red, try a base that's more purple than gold. “This auburn color has various layers of dimension, which looks beautiful anyway the light hits it,” says Powell. “It’s suitable for all skin tones and definitely brightens up your face.” It's also a great way to warm up darker shades like black or brown. 

Honey Hues 

If you're looking to add just a touch of warm to your brunette, consider adding some honey-colored swirls. “Honey hues are a really natural way to add a bit of flair to your typical style,” says Powell. “Plus, the warm hue will stand out against the cold weather.” For a more natural feel, she suggests asking for a lived-in look that doesn't start right at the root. 

Golden Glow

Bring the sunshine with you with a shiny, golden shade. “I love this gilded shade of blonde because it’s very warm,” says Freidman. “As skin tones tend to gradually get a bit paler during the winter season, this look is great to infuse color back. To achieve this, I use a lot more golden, warm shades, rather than cool tones, to keep the color bright.”

Warm Brown 

“Brunettes can be tricky and there is a fine line between warmth and brass,” says Hillier. “Just because a brown is warm does not mean it has that red or orange hue. Keeping the root a bit deeper of a shade and the tips a bit warmer and softer will give the credibility of natural lived in hair.” She also suggests chatting with your stylist to choose a shade of warmth that makes your eye color pop.

Spiced Swirls 

Extensions aren't just for adding length—they can also be a temporary way to play with color. For this look, Clint Torres Jr., a stylist at L.A.'s Nine Zero One Salon, started with some brown highlights, and then added in swirls of caramel extensions, one or two shades lighter than her natural hair. “I love this look because of the color-blocking created,” he says. “Warm strands of honey and caramel blended together to create warmth to her naturally dark hair.”

Buttery Blonde

For blondes this season, it's all about more natural, lived-in color. “Blondes are opting for more casual, shade-on-shade dimension,” says Mark DeBolt, co-owner and master stylist at New York's Mark Ryan Salon. “We’re creating blondes that have shadowed highlights closer to the root with light ends. This season we achieve this by adding darker pieces directly beneath the lighter strands. This creates contrast and movement throughout the hair and will add depth closer to the root.” 

Jet-Black 

If you've been toying with going super dark, there's no better time than winter to go all the way. Not only is it dramatic and sexy, but it also makes hair look so shiny and healthy. “Black goes well on every skin tone, texture, and length of hair,” says Powell. “Just keep in mind that once you go black, it can be very hard to lift.”

Ginger Blonde

If you want to add some warmth without going full-on red, opt for a mix of gold and ginger tones. It's a pretty way to ease into red, and the pops of blond add tons of movement on any hair type. “This really works for anyone who wants to put in pops of color, but to also use warm tones,” says Torres. “Ask your stylist for a partial ombré with some warm tones.”

Lighten Up 

Torres is a firm believer in breaking hair rules and is a fan of going lighter for winter instead of darker. For a similar look to this one—which started as jet-black—ask your stylist to do a full highlight and melt your base color at the root.

 

Vino Rojo

“This is a gorgeous, deep ruby tone,” says Tardo. “It’s warm but dark, so it feels sexy and strong. This is a great color on most skin tones. However, if you have a super-fair complexion, I’d suggest adding a bit more warmth to the color formula.” He suggests asking your stylist for a deep neutral red-brown shade, or try Clairol Nice’n Easy 5M Medium Mahogany Brown at home.

Toasty Ginger 

“I always feel drawn to gingers, because how much movement and reflection of light these toasty tones give off,” says Torres. For another pretty take on peachy tones, ask for a warm toasty ginger with golden tones.

Honey Wheat Highlights 

Dramatic highlights are one of the season's biggest trends, but they particularly pop on curls. “This color is beautiful on warmer skin tones and is drastic enough to feel like you’re really switching up your look,” says Powell. “Dimension is key, so make sure you and your stylist are on the same page about the final color you're looking for.”

Creamy Blonde

“Warm is the best tonal direction to go for when it starts getting cold out,” says Matt Rez, celebrity colorist at L.A.'s Meche Salon. “If you're a blonde that’s been more on the creamy, or even the beige side, and have wanted to try a warmer allover feel, adding midlights that will lift warm and/or warmer highlights to your existing color will ease your way to super warm down the road. Fall is the best time to try this trend—not to mention intentional warmer colors have a softer fade over time.” To ease into the shade, start by asking for a warm golden gloss on top of your existing blonde. 

Cinnamon Chocolate 

The trick to nailing this perfect winter hair color is the contrast created between a warm auburn tint and a dark brunette base. The layering is super subtle and looks amazing on every length and texture.

Subtle Dimension

Hillier says it's all about creating movement and dimension through color. “Painted balayage throughout the bangs give for an even more natural vibe, but be sure to not over highlight and have a lighter chunk hanging in your face,” she says. “These warm tones are all the rage this fall and are giving us autumn inspo.”

Burnt Spice

“This winter is all about burnt copper and brandished red tones,” says DeBolt. “Think deep, earth reds with natural finishes. This works well for anyone with warm, peachy skin and looks particularly stunning on anyone with green or hazel eyes.”

Chunky Highlights 

“There’s a major nod to the ’90s happening right now in hair, from cuts to color,” says DeBolt. “For color, it’s the reimagined ’90s chunky highlights—it’s all about the contrast! This trend looks cooler with either a blowout or air-dried texture.”

Caramel Ribbons 

“I love a good brunette that doesn’t read red but has elements of warmth throughout,” says Rez. “It gives a really balanced result.” If you're a natural brunette, ask your stylist for midlights one or two levels lighter than your base and neutral-warm highlights. “The combo of the two will pick up so beautifully without unwanted warmth taking over and reading as a red,” he says. “Done right, warmth on brunettes is unbeatable.”

Cool Blonde 

Along with the cooler weather, consider going with cool tones for your hair. “A cool blonde really stands out in the wintertime,” says Powell. “It’s a subtle shade that instantly adds dimension to your hair and brightens your overall complexion.” To nail the look, she suggests asking your stylist for an ashy blonde balayage with lighter money pieces in the front, and a darker root shadow to transition into the blonde. 

Fine Lines 

For a more natural blonde, ask for a mix of finely woven highlights and lowlights. “As seen on Khloé it’s gives you an allover statement blonde,” says a colorist at Maxine Salon. “Ask for babylights to ensure the pieces aren’t chunky and very blended. This is best on short to medium hair lengths and great on our want to be blondes all year round including those winter months.”

Pastel Pink 

“Want to end the year with a bang? Pastel Pink is my favorite bold and flirty shade to recommend to my clients,” says Powell. Brighter DIY candy pinks were popular this spring and summer, but for the winter months ask your stylist for a shade with cool tones. “While the maintenance for pastel pink hair can be high, it’s so worth it if you want to celebrate the seasons with some color!”

Deep Espresso 

Embrace the cold-weather vibes and richen up your brown to an almost black espresso. DeBolt suggests asking your stylist for color support products like shampoos and glosses to maintain shine and depth between salon visits. 

Warm Dimension 

To get curls to really pop, add a variation of warm shades on roots and ends. To get a similar look at home, celebrity hairstylist Derick Monroe recommends Dark & Lovely Fade Resist in Chestnut Brown at the roots and Honey Blonde on ends. Since both colors are on the warm side, the result doesn’t look fake, just super dimensional and pretty. 

Blue Black

When it comes to paler skin tones, you want a hint of blue in your black for the most contrast possible. “This is juicy and shiny,” says Hillier. “It’s best on pale skin tones to truly give the sharp contrast. Using a blue tone will keep it looking extra shiny and even wet. Be sure that your colorist is glossing with a nonpermanent to prevent color buildup.”

Deep Auburn 

Red and copper popped up as It shades last year, it isn't slowing down any time soon. “I’m in love with this shade of red hair,” says Rez. “It’s the perfect marriage of warmth and depth that makes this color so special.” For a red with tons of depth, he says to ask your colorist for an auburn shade that doesn't read purple: “The perfect auburn has a brown background with a deep copper reflect.” 

Warm Bronze Brunette 

“Brunettes often are afraid of adding warm tones to their hair, but they shouldn’t be,” says DeBolt. “Warm tones reflect more light, so adding golden or auburn richness gives your hair a shiny, healthy finish.” He suggests asking for either delicate highlights one shade lighter than your base color or, for the noncommittal, a golden brown gloss. “The tone will fade out of your hair from wash to wash without any visible demarcation,” he says. 

Root Melt 

“With salons being closed in many states for months, a lot of people have embraced their dark roots,” says Katie Cartwright, a colorist at Nine Zero One. “What I like about this look is it keeps your color looking lived-in and sun-kissed. It doesn’t have to be a whole situation every time you go to the salon.” The trick, she says, is to ask your stylist for a hairline highlight and root melt to refresh your current color.

Bright Red 

If you're not afraid to make a statement, a bright, true red is a fun change that makes curls pop. “This shade is perfect for the winter because it will really stand out against all of the neutral winter shades,” says Powell. “It’s a fun yet still sophisticated hair color. ” Ask your stylist for a bold red that doesn't lean purple, with a little bit of a root. 

Honey Locks

“This is a gorgeous mix of buttery golden tones created by balayage highlights,”  “Keep the thicker lighter pieces closer to the face and closer to the root to create a more dramatic look. It’s best paired with soft waves to display the dimension. I suggest this for anyone wanting a warm glow through those colder months."

Ice Cube Blonde 

Schaudt suggests this look for someone who wears their hair up a lot, since the color is concentrated near the face and hairline. “If you’re planning on hitting the gym a lot this winter, try this one out,” she says. As for the color itself, “this tone is an ashy blonde, comparable to a platinum blonde,” she says. “This is heavily placed around the hairline and the first quarter to half inch of the part.” 

Solid Colors 

While ombrés and root smudges are one way to limit maintenance, Rez also suggests going the opposite direction with a solid color with no highlights. “I love this for people who want super-easy and quick trips in and out of the salon,” he says. “If you get touch-ups every two to eight weeks and want to keep it simple—especially now in these times—this is for you.” Although Rez suggests going into the salon if possible (ask for a base that's close to your natural color so there's no demarcation line), it's also easy enough to touch up at home if need be. 

Cold Brew 

You might be all about an extra-hot macchiato come fall, but the cold brew that carried you through summer can be a year-round thing. First spotted as the work of colorist Eric Vaughn, the multidimensional brown tones are paired with a subtle reddish warmth to create a rich mahogany effect.

Rainbow Spun   

“Right now we’re seeing a lot of rainbow hair as people are more inclined to experiment, since many are staying at home,” says Friedman. “Just the other day I saw a woman around 60 years old with multicolored, bright beautiful hair, and she looked absolutely fabulous.” While any color goes, she's particularly into a mix of shades right now, which can be a little harder to do yourself at home. “Bring examples to your stylist to show exactly what you’re thinking,” she says. “From an inspiration photo to a scarf you look great in, showing your stylist your ideal color palette will help them create a look that’s perfectly suited and unique to you.” To preserve the bright colors, use a dry shampoo and wash as few times a week as possible.

Go Back to Your Roots 

If there's anything 2021 has taught us, it's to embrace what you've got naturally. Torres suggests sticking to your roots and just giving your natural shade a boost with a glaze, a toner, or a demipermanent hair color.