Top Winter Hair Color Trends You’ll See Everywhere This Winter

Hair color trends continue to influence the global beauty industry, which generated around 86 billion U.S. dollars in revenue in 2022 and is expected to cross 104 billion U.S. dollars by 2028. This growth highlights why seasonal shifts, especially winter hair color trends, play such a key role in how people update their look.

Winter is a great time to refresh your hair color. With softer daylight and heavier winter clothing, shades that are richer, warmer, and more dimensional tend to look better. This season’s winter hair color trends focus on natural depth, subtle warmth, and healthy shine rather than overly bright shades.

If you’re planning a refresh, these are the hair color trends you must try this winter.

Biggest Winter Hair Color Trends for 2026

The standout hair color trends this winter are less about extremes and more about balance. Here are the most in-demand winter hair colors right now.

1. Muted Mid Tones

Muted mid tones sit between blonde, brunette, and copper, creating a soft, neutral-warm shade that feels effortless and modern. This hair color trend works especially well in winter because it reflects light gently, making hair look healthier even in low-light conditions.

Best for: All skin tones

Why it works for winter: Soft warmth + natural depth

Maintenance: Low

2. Cherry Cola Brunette

One of the most requested winter hair color trends, cherry-toned brunette adds a subtle red-violet undertone to a deep brown base. The result is rich, moody, and polished, without tipping into obvious red.

To maintain the depth and richness of cherry-toned brunette shades, a high-quality permanent hair color helps lock in pigment and prevent hair color fading throughout the winter season.

Best for: Natural brunettes

Why it works for winter: Adds warmth and shine

Maintenance: Medium

3. Molten Brunette

Molten brunette combines chocolate brown with soft amber tones for a glossy, dimensional look. It makes hair appear smoother, fuller, and healthier without requiring high maintenance. Among winter hair colors, this shade is definitely a great choice.

Best for: Medium to dark brunettes

Why it works for winter: Rich tone + high shine

Maintenance: Low to medium

Also Read: Brown Hair Color Ideas

4. Honey Butter Blonde Hair

Warm blondes are back, and honey butter blonde is one of the most popular picks this winter. It blends creamy blonde with soft golden tones, giving hair a natural glow that looks amazing in colder light.

Unlike icy blondes, this shade feels softer, making it one of the most wearable blonde hair colors for winter.

Best for: Warm and neutral skin tones

Why it works for winter: Adds warmth to dull winter complexions

Maintenance: Medium

5. Auburn Brunette

Auburn brunette is a subtle take on auburn hair color, mixing a brunette base with a hint of copper for a warm, natural finish. It adds interest without looking too red or bright, making it an easy winter update.

Best for: Brunettes wanting warmth without going fully red

Why it works for winter: Adds depth and cozy warmth while staying understated

Maintenance: Low to medium

Also Read: Auburn vs Copper Hair Color

6. Gothic Brunette

Gothic brunette is a deep, near-black shade with intense shine. It’s bold, sleek, and perfectly suited to winter’s darker wardrobe and makeup trends. Despite its dramatic appearance, this is one of the lowest-maintenance winter hair colors, especially for those with naturally dark hair.

Best for: Naturally dark hair

Why it works for winter: Deep color = maximum shine

Maintenance: Low

7. Deep Burgundy

Deep burgundy is a rich cherry-wine shade with a soft brown base, giving bold color without looking too bright. The added depth makes it easy to wear and especially great in winter, when skin tones can look lighter.

Best for: Brunettes and red lovers ready for a statement shade

Why it works for winter: Deep, wine-toned hues add warmth and contrast in cooler light

Maintenance: Medium

Also Read: Top 15 Red Hair Color Ideas to Try for a Bold & Stunning Look

8. Golden Strawberry Blonde

Golden strawberry blonde mixes blonde with a soft touch of copper, creating a warm but light-looking shade. It’s gentler than traditional copper tones and works well in winter, when very bright colors can feel too strong.

Best for: Blondes and light brunettes

Why it works for winter: Soft warmth with dimension

Maintenance: Medium

9. Espresso Martini

Zendaya, an American actress and singer, inspires this sleek, glossy brunette that looks rich and polished in winter light. The key to keeping it flawless is protecting the color from fading, as deep brunette tones can lose depth faster with heat styling and seasonal dryness.

Best for: Brunettes

Why it works for winter: Deep, glossy tones add richness and warmth during colder months

Maintenance: Medium

10. Velvet Hazelnut

Velvet hazelnut is a warm brunette with soft golden tones that add depth without looking heavy. It feels natural but still has dimension, making it a great hair color idea for winter. This shade looks especially good on layered and textured cuts.

Best for: Brunettes

Why it works for winter: Cozy, rich, and versatile

Maintenance: Low

11. Very Merry Berry

Emma Stone, an American Actress and Film Producer, inspires this deep red shade infused with moody berry and subtle purple undertones. Rich and dimensional, it feels elevated rather than bright, making it ideal for the winter season.

Best for: Redheads and brunettes wanting a bold shift

Why it works for winter: Deep berry tones complement cooler light and winter wardrobes

Maintenance: Medium

12. Muted Blonde

Muted blonde shades such as beige, sandy, or mushroom blonde are replacing high-lift, overly bright blondes this season. These tones feel lived-in, refined, and far easier to maintain. Many people achieve this look using semi permanent hair color or gloss treatments, making it a smart winter option.

Please note: Lighter blonde shades typically require gentle pre-lightening, making a professional-grade hair bleach and balanced hair developer essential for maintaining softness and warmth.

Best for: Light blondes and light brunettes

Why it works for winter: Soft, damage-conscious coloring

Maintenance: Low

From timeless brunettes to modern blondes and berry hues, these winter hair color trends prove that thoughtful hair color ideas can feel both seasonal and long-lasting.

Also Read: Why Glossy Brown is the Must-Have Hair Color of 2026

How to Choose the Right Winter Hair Color?

Winter is an ideal time to deepen, soften, or enrich your color rather than going drastically lighter. When selecting a winter shade, consider:

• Your natural base color
• How much maintenance you want
• Whether you prefer warmth or neutrality
• How often you style your hair

Winter is the perfect time to rethink your hair color; not with extremes, but with intention. The winter hair color trends celebrate softness, depth, and understated luxury, offering something for every hair type and lifestyle.

If you’re ready to refresh your look, explore Moehair’s hair dye color essentials today! These include permanent hair color, semi permanent color, hair developer and hair bleach - all designed to deliver salon-quality results at home.

FAQs

Q. Are semi permanent hair colors better for winter?

Yes, for many people, semi permanent hair color is a smarter winter choice. These formulas enhance tone and shine while minimizing dryness and damage caused by cold weather and indoor heating. They’re perfect for refreshing dull hair and adding warmth or depth.

Q. What color should I dye my hair this winter?

Rich brunettes, warm blondes, and softly muted tones perform best in winter lighting.

Q. Are blonde highlights okay in winter?

Yes - softer, blended blonde highlights look more natural and seasonal.

Q. Can I change my hair color without bleach?

Many winter trends rely on deepening or toning, which often doesn’t require bleach.

Q. What hair color looks best on me?

The best hair color depends on your skin tone, natural hair color, and how much maintenance you prefer. Warm skin tones usually suit golden blondes, auburns, and warm brunettes, while cool skin tones look best with ash blondes, cool browns, and berry shades.

Q. What is the rarest hair color to try in winter 2026?

Rarest winter 2026 hair colors to try include Cool purple-tinged red, Slate brunette and Muted blonde.

References:

https://www.statista.com/topics/6216/hair-color-dye-market-in-the-us/
https://www.vogue.com/article/winter-2025-hair-color-trends
https://www.thezoereport.com/beauty/winter-2026-hair-color-trends
https://www.instyle.com/winter-hair-color-trends-11862625