Winter 2024 hair highlights are all about warmth, depth, and dimension. Whether you prefer rich chocolate tones, icy platinum hues, or bold mulberry shades, this season offers something for every style. Here’s a quick look at the top trends:
- Warm Tones: Chocolate brown with caramel swirls for a radiant, natural glow.
- Cool Tones: Platinum ice with smoky undertones for a frosty, sleek vibe.
- Natural Looks: Sun-kissed honey balayage for soft, golden highlights.
- Bold Shades: Deep mulberry highlights for a dramatic, head-turning style.
- Dimensional Techniques: Shadow melt balayage for a low-maintenance, blended effect.
Pro Tip: Use color-safe products, purple shampoo (for cool tones), and deep conditioning to maintain vibrant highlights all winter. Whether you want subtle or bold, this season's highlights are designed to complement winter's muted light while keeping your hair healthy.
Hair Colour Trends for 2024 | Bright and Bold
1. Warm Tones
Rich Chocolate Brown with Caramel Swirls
Elevate your winter hairstyle with a stunning combination: a rich chocolate brown base paired with caramel balayage highlights. This look adds depth and movement while mimicking the effect of natural sunlight, giving your hair a warm, radiant glow - perfect for brightening up those darker winter days.
Caramel highlights that are 2-3 shades lighter than the base create a soft contrast that feels elegant and understated. Plus, the balayage technique ensures a natural grow-out, meaning fewer trips to the salon during the colder months.
To keep your color vibrant, use sulfate-free, color-safe products and treat your hair to weekly deep conditioning to ward off fading and dryness.
Not into warm tones? No problem - winter is also the perfect time to try cool-toned styles for a sleek, icy vibe.
2. Cool Tones
Platinum Ice with Smoky Undertones
Elevate your winter style with platinum blonde highlights paired with smoky undertones. This striking combination adds depth and dimension, giving your hair a frosty, winter-inspired look that's both chic and modern.
The balayage technique ensures a smooth blend between your natural hair color and these cool highlights. To keep the icy tones fresh, use a purple shampoo once a week to fight brassiness and combine it with color-safe conditioners to protect your hair from winter wear and tear.
For those with darker hair, consider starting with ash-toned highlights and gradually transitioning to platinum. This approach ensures a healthier lightening process while maintaining the desired cool tones. Regular use of purple shampoo and protective products will help avoid unwanted warm hues.
"The key to maintaining cool-toned highlights is consistent care with the right products. Purple shampoo and color-protecting conditioners are essential for preventing unwanted warm tones from emerging." - Korab, Bustle [1]
If these bold cool tones aren't your style, you might prefer the next trend, which highlights softer, more natural hues for a subtle winter look.
3. Natural Looks
Sun-Kissed Honey Balayage
Honey-toned balayage brings a soft, golden glow to brunette hair, reminiscent of winter's gentle light. This approach uses carefully placed highlights around the face and crown, blending them with deeper tones underneath for a layered, natural effect.
To keep these highlights looking fresh, stick to sulfate-free shampoos and use color-depositing treatments every two weeks. These steps help maintain the warmth and prevent unwanted brassiness during the colder months. If your hair is darker, start with soft lowlights and gradually add lighter highlights to protect your hair while achieving a smooth, blended look.
"Focusing on enhancing the hair's natural color and texture rather than trying to drastically change it is crucial for achieving a natural winter look. Using subtle, multi-dimensional coloring techniques helps maintain healthy, vibrant hair while avoiding harsh chemicals."
This method suits all hair types and textures, with only slight tweaks needed to match your natural features. If you'd rather go bolder, vibrant shades can create a stunning contrast against winter's subdued backdrop.
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4. Bold Shades
Deep Mulberry Dimension
If you're looking to turn heads this winter, deep mulberry highlights could be your go-to option. This rich purple-red shade captures the dramatic and moody vibe of the season while still being surprisingly easy to wear [1].
Collaborate with your colorist to incorporate mulberry highlights using balayage. Focus on face-framing strands and crown sections to create striking depth and dimension. Balayage helps the color blend smoothly with your natural hair for a polished look. To keep the color fresh, plan for touch-ups every 6-8 weeks.
"Rich red hair with brown undertones adds warmth and intensity, creating a sultry, moody feel perfect for the season." - Korab, Bustle [1]
To preserve the vibrancy, use cool water when washing your hair and stick to color-protecting products. A red-violet color-depositing conditioner can also help maintain the bold mulberry tones.
For those who prefer something less intense, dimensional coloring methods can still make your hair pop this winter in a more understated way.
5. Dimensional Techniques
Shadow Melt Balayage
Shadow melt balayage is all about blending darker roots into lighter ends with a soft gradient. This creates a smooth, natural transition that adds depth and dimension. Plus, it’s a low-maintenance option - ideal for the colder months when soft lighting and muted tones are everywhere.
Here’s how it works: your colorist will leave about 1-2 inches of your natural root color and gradually blend lighter shades as they move toward the ends. This technique creates a multi-tonal effect that mimics the subtle shifts of winter light and shadow, giving your hair a natural, flowing look. It’s also easy to maintain, which is a bonus during the busy winter season.
To keep the look fresh, aim for touch-ups every 8-10 weeks. Use a sulfate-free shampoo, rinse with cool water, and follow up with a color-protecting conditioner to maintain the color and shine.
Pro Tip: Ask your stylist to combine warm honey highlights with ash lowlights. This mix creates a rich, multi-tonal effect that flatters most skin tones.
Dimensional techniques like shadow melt balayage are a great way to keep your style low-maintenance while still looking polished. Want more ideas for winter hair? Let’s dive into some final tips.
Winter 2024 Hair Highlights Guide
Winter 2024 is bringing a variety of hair highlight options designed to match every style and hair type. From warm honey and caramel shades to cool lavender and icy platinum tones, there’s something for everyone this season.
When selecting your winter highlights, it’s all about finding the right match for your skin tone and personal style. If your skin has warm undertones, think about rich chocolate browns paired with caramel highlights or the trendy cherry coke shade for added depth. Cooler undertones? Smoky brunette or icy platinum shades can give you a bold, eye-catching look.
To keep your highlights vibrant throughout the winter, proper upkeep is crucial. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose highlights based on your skin tone and how much maintenance you’re willing to commit to:
| Skin Tone | Recommended Highlights | Maintenance Level |
|---|---|---|
| Warm | Golden Honey, Caramel, Cherry Coke | Medium |
| Cool | Icy Platinum, Smoky Brunette, Lavender | High |
| Neutral | Shadow Melt Balayage, Rich Chocolate | Low |
Whether you’re leaning toward bold, statement-making highlights or a more subtle, dimensional look, winter is the perfect time to update your style. This season’s trends blend warm and cool tones, enhancing the natural light of winter and creating a balanced, flattering effect.
Want to stand out? Combine different techniques and shades for a customized look that adds depth and movement to your hair. Winter highlights aren’t just about keeping up with trends - they’re a way to showcase your personality while embracing the season’s charm.
With these ideas and tips, you’re set to step into winter with a hairstyle that’s both fashionable and manageable. Need more guidance? Check out our FAQs for expert advice on achieving your perfect winter look.
FAQs
Should I go darker or lighter for winter?
Your choice between darker or lighter highlights for winter depends on your skin tone and how much upkeep you're comfortable with. For Winter 2024, both options are trending. Cooler tones work well with shades like icy platinum or snow blonde, while warmer tones shine with rich chocolate brown, caramel accents, or deep mocha bases. If you're looking for something easier to maintain, balayage offers a natural blend of tones with less frequent touch-ups.
"Regular touch-ups are necessary, especially for fashion colors like blue and magenta that tend to fade quickly. Consider using demi-permanent or semi-color for your ends to make changing tones easier at your next appointment", advises color specialists [2].
Once you pick your shade, keeping it fresh through the winter is essential.
What are the best winter hair colors for cool skin tones?
Cool skin tones pair well with cool-toned hair colors. Great options include:
- Icy blonde with metallic undertones
- Ash blonde variations
- Frosty lavender blended with beige blonde
- Clear, cool-toned reds
How can I maintain vibrant hair color during winter?
To keep your highlights looking their best, use sulfate-free, color-safe products. If you're blonde, a purple shampoo can help prevent brassiness. Treatments like Moroccanoil Purple Hair Oil are also great for protecting your color. Regular toning appointments will ensure your color stays vibrant all season long.
What are some popular balayage techniques for winter?
This winter, balayage is all about natural, dimensional looks. Popular techniques include shadow melt effects, dark mocha bases with chestnut highlights, and warm strawberry blonde accents. These styles not only add depth but are also easier to maintain.
Can I still wear bold hair colors in winter?
Absolutely! Bold shades like deep berry, rich red, and fireside red are perfect for adding a pop of color to the season's muted palette [1]. These vibrant tones make a statement while staying stylish this winter.