15 Hair Color Trends You Need To Know In 2022
2022’s Biggest Hair Color Trends, According To Top Celebrity Colorists!
From expensive brunette to golden baby blonde—we’re predicting a LOT of new hair color requests in 2022. Here’s what our celebrity colorist friends are seeing on the trend radar: Every shade of brunette, boho blondes, bleach-and-tones, warmer shades and so much MORE!
Keep scrollin’ for 15 hair color trends that are about to be EVERYWHERE, plus the color formulas and pro techniques you’ll need to be ready for every client that sits in your chair.
1. Expensive Brunette
ICYMI: Right before 2021 closed out, TikTok users declared: “Blonde is officially cheugy!” Don’t believe everything you read online—blondes are forever cool—but let’s use this moment to celebrate brunettes taking the spotlight! “Darker, brunette hair is going to be the big trend for 2022,” says celeb hairstylist Sally Hershberger (@sallyhershberger).
Why? “There are so many flattering shades for any skin tone,” Sally added. Enter the expensive brunette trend, aka a sign for you to start upselling custom color services to routine brunettes!
Trend Cheat Sheet
Pro Tip: Avoid getting *that text* from your freshly brunette client about their color fading. Here’s a hack! Send them home with a Moroccanoil® Color Depositing Mask in shade Cocoa to richen the shade between visits without disrupting the base formula.
Photo Credit: Instagram via @jeanpierresosa
Photo Credit: Instagram via @kimdollxo
Photo Credit: Instagram via @hairby_chrissy
Tap the beaker for the brunette color formulas & click here for the how-to!
Going Darker: Why Filling The Hair Is Crucial!
2. Muted Beige Blonde
When you hear requests for a beige blonde—think neutral, buttery tones with dimension that reflects light. We love. Then, figure out how to properly formulate toner, like deciding whether to use Level 9 or Level 10 formulas depending on your starting canvas! Start here: Check out 8 color formulas to achieve the trend on any client.
Trend Cheat Sheet
Photo Credit: Instagram via @greg_gilmore
Photo Credit: Instagram via @josievilay
Photo Credit: Instagram via @pirania_ya
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3. Blended Bronde
Hailey Bieber is all over our salon’s mood boards and according to her colorist and Redken Ambassador Cassondra Kaeding (@ckaedingcolor), her bronde blend is a top request among clients. Gear up for an influx in lowlights, highlights and toning with five tips to achieve the perfect bronde formula.
“Brunettes are going strong for this year,” adds Cassondra. “All shades from warm to cool tones and also [dimensional] brunettes with movement like babylights and some beautiful balayage pieces.”
Trend Cheat Sheet
- How-To: Beige Bronde with PRAVANA
- 4 Tricks For Transitioning To Bronde
- Watch: How To Paint A Bold Perimeter On Curly Hair
Photo Credit: Instagram via @haileybieber
Photo Credit: Instagram via @bel_pipsqueekinsaigon
Photo Credit: Instagram via @chelseahaircutters
Photo Credit: Instagram via @colorsbyjaime
Tap the beaker for bronde color formulas & click here for the how-to steps!
Included in the BTC University online education membership: Learn bronding techniques with @coloredbycaitlin!
4. Golden Baby Blonde
This year, we’re dreamin’ of ultra-fine highlights and a golden glow! 🌟 Clients will be requesting naturally bright, almost childlike hair, says celebrity hairstylist and Virtue® Creative Director Adir Abergel (@hairbyadir). Instead of neutralizing blondes, give clients that dewy sunshine warmth for an instant dose of serotonin.
While lived-in hair color has been trending post-quarantine, Beverly Hills-based celeb colorist Drea Jaclyn (@andreahenty) predicts that “very done” hair, like foiled blondes or expensive brunettes, will become more popular—learn how to make more money on color services!
Photo Credit: Instagram via @bel_pipsqueekinsaigon
Tap the beaker for golden color formulas & click here for every how-to step!
Photo Credit: Instagram via @hairbyadir
Photo Credit: Instagram via @taviabonetti x @biancacolour
Trend Cheat Sheet: Learn how to use babylights and foilayage to create a bright blonde from Joico celeb colorist Denis de Souza (@denisdesouza) in the how-to tutorial below!
Tap HERE to learn foiled blonding techniques!
5. Dark Brunette with Zero Dimension
Megan Fox, Kourt K and Lucy Hale—the list of celebs opting for an all-over rich, dark brunette goes on forever. Think more shine and zero dimension! Andrew Fitzsimons (@andrewfitzsimons), aka the go-to stylist of Megan and the Kardashian fam, predicts the “jet black” hair trend will continue to be everywhere in 2022.
Trend Cheat Sheet
- Going Dark: How To Fill Hair + Avoid Splotches
- Repigmenting 101: Every Tip You Need To Know
- Blonde ➡️ Dark Chocolate Brunette Transformation
Photo Credit: Instagram via @jhair_stylist
Photo Credit: Instagram via @brittsully
Photo Credit: Instagram via @andrewfitzsimons
Photo Credit: Instagram via @andreahenty x @hairbychrissydanielle with Line One Hair Extensions
Photo Credit: Instagram via @vernonfrancois
Photo Credit: Instagram via @claytonhawkins
Tap the beaker for brunette color formulas + click here for the full how-to!
6. Warm Reds
There is nobody more (pop) culturally relevant than Zendaya—between her recent fashion accolades, box office hits and the premiere of “Euphoria” season 2, our girl is everywhere. So, when Zendaya dyes her hair dark red, we can expect our clients to follow.
Here’s what we’re seeing on the radar, according to celeb stylist Clayton Hawkins (@claytonhawkins): Warm reds, auburns and oranges!
Trend Cheat Sheet
- Reds Browning Out? Here Are 3 Tips!
- Do This To Add Depth When Balayaging Red Hair
- Warm Reds: 3 Common Problems To Avoid
Photo Credit: Instagram via @zendaya x @sarahoneeleven
Photo Credit: Instagram via @haircolorkilla
Photo Credit: Instagram via @artdr3am by @doubleqnyc
Tap the beaker for warm red color formulas & click here for the tutorial!
7. Smoky Brunette
Give us all of the brunette blends! We love smoky shades that add dimension, natural reflect and shine to a darker palette. Pro tip: Introduce brunette regulars into lightening services that will add a glow to their rich canvases, while adding extra dollars to your tickets!
Trend Cheat Sheet
Photo Credit: Instagram via @chelseahaircutters
Photo Credit: Instagram via @eunicekimhair
Photo Credit: Instagram via @yogacolourist
Photo Credit: Instagram via @hairbyvalerien
8. Bleach & Tones
Unlike some of the low-maintenance color trends we’re seeing, platinum will also reign supreme in 2022. “More icy blondes will take over but we’ll see them with [muted] or ashed-out, sheer tones,” says celeb stylist and Moroccanoil® Ambassador Greg Gilmore (@greg_gilmore). Pro tip: Clients starting with dark hair and transitioning to platinum? Read this first!
Trend Cheat Sheet
- Platinum 101: Your Guide To Bleach Outs
- 3 Platinum Retouch Tips To Avoid Banding
- 4 Mistakes To Avoid When Lifting Platinum
Photo Credit: Instagram via @saramay_level10
Photo Credit: Instagram via @roses_are_rosie
Photo Credit: Instagram via @styled_by_carolynn
Photo Credit: Instagram via @sarahoneeleven
Photo Credit: Instagram via @sabrinathehairwitch
Photo Credit: Instagram via @boho.blonde.australia
Tap here for GENIUS bleach retouch tips from Schwarzkopf Professional Pro Artistic Team Member Josie Vilay!
Want 90 minutes of platinum blonding education? Watch @rachelwstylist on BTC University right now!
9. Warm Chocolate Brunettes
After years of hearing, “I don’t want to see any warmth!”—let’s flip it back for 2022. We are LOVING heavy brightness, like caramel and golden tones, added to a rich base to create depth and contrast. Create max impact by adding light around the hairline and throughout the ends.
Pro Tip: Adding bright warmth to curls or coils? Celebrity colorist and educator Vernon François (@vernonfrancois) recommends formulating toner with Redken Shades EQ to create a subtle touch of color, while leaving curly hair super shiny and conditioned.
Trend Cheat Sheet
Photo Credit: Instagram via @bel_pipsqueekinsaigon
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Photo Credit: Instagram via @hairbykileyfitz
Tap the beaker for warm brunette color formulas & click here for every application step!
10. Blush & Nude Tones
From light peach to different variations of rose gold, Greg Gilmore predicts that blush and nude tones will be trending in 2022. Need some inspo? Check out some of our fave versions of the trend from Schwarzkopf Professional artist Maggie Hancock (@maggiemh), BTC’s Visual Editor @shmeggsandbaconn and more below!
Trend Cheat Sheet
Photo Credit: Instagram via @maggiemh
Photo Credit: Instagram via @catcoiffeur
Photo Credit: Instagram via @shmeggsandbaconn
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Photo Credit: Instagram via @maggiemh
11. Boho Blonde
Whether you’re transitioning bright blondes into something more low-key or giving brunettes a brighter glow they can live in—boho blondes are *it*. Balayage blends, natural depth and a no-toner vibe are all characteristics of this dark blonde trend.
Trend Cheat Sheet
- 4 Tips For Hand-Painted Lowlights
- How To Transition Platinum To Natural Blonde
- 6 Tips To Add Neutral Depth To Blondes
Photo Credit: Instagram via @justinandersoncolor
Photo Credit: Instagram via @lizhaven
Photo Credit: Instagram via @chelseahaircutters
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Watch on BTC University: High-Speed Balayage tutorial with beachy blonde expert @lo_wheelerdavis!
12. Warm Apricot Blonde
PSA: Don’t tone away the warmth out of every blonde! 🗣️ We love Kristen Stewart’s warm apricot tones by celeb colorist Danny Moon (@majormoonn), and adding coppery hues to a bright canvas. Just know that this look might require digging out older techniques from the arsenal—like base breaks or freehand balayage!
Toning Cheat Sheet
- Base Break & Tone In One Application? Here’s How!
- 5 Tips For Lifting Without Lightener
- How To Break The Base in 10 Minutes
Photo Credit: Instagram via @hairbyadir x @majormoonn
Photo Credit: Instagram via @hairerik
Photo Credit: Instagram via @maggiemh
Photo Credit: Instagram via @mariohenriqueoficial
Photo Credit: Instagram via @maggiemh
13. Ginger Spice
If your client is looking for a sign to go GINGER, here it is. “Euphoria” star Barbie Ferreira just debuted a copper transformation and we can’t get enough of it. When your next client requests the look, focus on creating glossy tones with high shine. If the color starts to brown out—don’t panic!—try this genius wet balayage trick!
Trend Cheat Sheet
Photo Credit: Instagram via @barbieferreira x @hairbyorlandopita
Photo Credit: Instagram via @mischag
Photo Credit: Instagram via @jhair_stylist
Photo Credit: Instagram via @nubiarezo
Copper Dimensional Curls: Click HERE & learn how to transform curls!
Learn how to formulate red & ginger hair color with @shmeggsandbaconn—tap HERE to watch now!
14. Traditional Blondes
When we asked celebrity colorists what blonde trends would pop off in 2022, hairdressers like Greg Gilmore delivered: ’80s-inspired Level 9 and Level 10 blondes. Think Michelle Pfeiffer in “Scarface,” Kim Basinger or Debbie Harry! We love the retro, raw blonde tones we’re seeing take over this year.
Trend Cheat Sheet
Photo Credit: Instagram via @ckaedingcolor
Photo Credit: Instagram via @rachelwstylist
Need inspo? Check out these throwbacks to ’80s blondes!
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15. Muted Tones
There is something so effortlessly cool about muted tones. Yes, these shades are more subtle, less saturated and softer—but that’s what makes them super wearable. Whether you’re going for a muted red or cool chrome brown, use toning to achieve the perfect shade.
Trend Cheat Sheet
Photo Credit: Instagram via @greg_gilmore
Photo Credit: Instagram via @hairhecker
