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The Coziest Winter Hair Colors, According to Celebrity Stylists

 

While we'll never be particularly excited about the sun setting at 4 p.m., winter is hands-down the most exciting season when it comes to hair. Glamorous hairstyles and winter hair colors debut at holiday parties and awards season red carpets, providing plenty of inspo for the next dye job.

So, what's on deck to dazzle this winter? Experts report a subtle approach to color with nuanced, personalized shades. "Hair color trends have shifted in a more natural direction," celebrity hairstylist Gonn Kinoshita says. "And this winter, I've noticed colors like golden copper and honey blond — shades that feel natural and neutral." Think of it like transitioning your base shade into a richer, cozier version of itself.

Whether you're looking for the luxe take on your natural hair color (like espresso brunette and lacquer black) or wanting a bold change (icy blue, anyone?), we tapped a handful of experts to share their favorite winter hair color ideas. From winter hair colors for blonds, brunettes, and everyone in between, keep scrolling to read their picks for the best winter hair colors of 2025.

Experts Featured in This Story

• Gonn Kinoshita is a celebrity hairstylist and Balmain Hair ambassador. His clients include Emma Roberts, Nicole Scherzinger, Julia Garner, and more.
• Diana Mildice is a colorist at Maxine Salon in Chicago.
• Dimitris Giannetos is a celebrity hairstylist and colorist. His clients include Megan Fox, Amal Clooney, Camila Cabello, and many more.

 

Lacquer Black Hair

Glossy, bold, and a surefire statement maker — lacquer black combines epic shine with jet-black hues — and it's an easy, deep winter hair color transition for brunettes. "I love the boldness and the incredible reflection with lacquer black," colorist Diana Mildice says. "Ask for a single process color and a gloss afterward. And when the color needs an extra boost of shine, glosses are safe to repeat and can be done monthly."

Palomino-Blond Hair

The horse girl era continues from the summer of cowboy copper to this incredibly dimensional blond for winter. "Palomino blond is a rich-yet-bright wintery blond that allows a client to have depth and brightness during dull winter months," says Mildice, adding that the magic of this shade lies in how the ends of the hair "ribbon" next to each other. "Deep, golden-topaz highlights among strategically-placed pale tones amplify the contrast on the mids to ends."

Praline-Brown Hair

Gourmands aren't just for your fragrances. Eva Mendes sports a sweet praline-inspired hair color that harnesses gold and hazel shades to enhance her natural brunette. "The gold threads are woven in a delicate, fine placement to give the hair a 'glow' vs a large chunk of highlight. The fine strands reflect and glisten rather than overpower the brunette," says Mildice.

Praline brown is also an incredibly low-maintenance option for winter months. "By adding the hazel backdrop, we achieve a dimensional color with a subtle grow-out that's not too obvious," Mildice says.

Golden-Copper Hair

There are plenty of bold options on the copper spectrum, but this winter's version steers towards a more refined, golden hue — like Lindsay Lohan's iconic copper style. "Golden copper is a rich color that feels cozy and seasonal," says Kinoshita. "To get this shade, mention wanting a natural copper with golden undertones for a more neutral finish."

Espresso Brunette

Espresso brunette reigned in popularity through 2024 and shows no signs of stopping any time soon. "It's a dramatic, cool-toned, deep brown that gives a sleek and polished look," celebrity hairstylist and colorist Dimitris Giannetos says.

"You definitely want to ask your hairstylist for a gloss to get that gorgeous shiny finish and make the color stand out," Giannetos advises, adding that pre-appointment moisture is a must. "It's best to add some extra moisture to the hair with a hydrating conditioner before dyeing it."

Icy Hues

"I'm really excited about seeing more people open to experimenting with color," Giannetos says. "I think people will expand their color choices even further and play around with other pastels, including blues and lavender shades."

Neither warm nor cozy, a stunning icy blue shade break all the rules of your usual winter hair colors — and it's one that Giannetos is particularly into. "I colored Megan Fox's hair with a 'blue jeans' cool shade of light blue and looked absolutely gorgeous on her." Just note: we would suggest making big color changes in the salon.

Caramel Highlights

Craving a little extra oomph in the depths of winter? Giannetos suggests adding a soft radiance with caramel highlights. "It's a great, subtle way to add dimension to dark hair," says Giannetos. Amal Clooney's naturally dark shade is studded with caramel-tinted highlights that enhance her hair's body and movement. "You can ask your hairstylist to add in touches of caramel and a honey blond to really lift brown hair," adds Giannetos.

Natural Color

Similar no-makeup makeup, this trend is a your-hair-but-better take on color. "I've noticed a lot of people, including models, returning to their natural hair color or opting for less processed looks after the summer," Kinoshita says. The natural color trend not only removes the guesswork out of choosing a color (perfect for the commitment-averse) but provides an opportunity to focus on restoring hair health after damaging treatments or excessive heat styling."To embrace this trend, opt for subtle enhancements, like gloss treatments or low-maintenance balayage, to enhance your natural color," says Kinoshita.