The Biggest Hair Color Trends Of Winter 2021
The Top 10 Hair Colors Clients Will Be Requesting This Season
This just in! Our trend radar is showing: Blondes are going darker (and warmer!), “expensive brunette” is in and Megan Fox’s midnight black is on your clients’ mood boards. We’re sharing winter 2021’s biggest hair color trends below, plus key techniques to achieve each look—no matter how complicated—with ease!
Keep scrollin’ for BTC’s Winter 2021 Hair Color Trend Report to find out the season’s hottest trends that EVERY COLORIST needs to know!
Learn techniques for foiled blondes, balayage, brunettes, coppers & MORE. Become a BTC-U Member: Access 150+ courses now!
1. Dark Brunette With Zero Dimension
What do Kourt K, Megan Fox and TikTok star Nessa Barrett have in common OTHER than mega successful careers and punk rock twin flames? Dark hair with minimal dimension! Expect a long list of clients requesting this color, but don’t forget this PSA: You must fill the hair properly when transitioning from light to dark.
Photo Credit: Instagram via @milesjeffrieshair
Photo Credit: Instagram via @natalieannehair
Photo Credit: Instagram via @scottkinghair
Photo Credit: Instagram via @laurapolko
How-To: Blonde ➡️ Dark Brunette transformation!
Tap the beaker for the color formulas.
Pro Tip: If you DO want subtle dimension on a super dark canvas, try “invisible foiling.” Julie Smith (@thathairmagic) used a combination of babylights in foils and lowlights to achieve a variety of reflective tones.
Photo Credit: Instagram via @thathairmagic
2. Expensive Brunette
It wasn’t long ago that TikTok declared blonde hair “cheugy”—don’t worry, we all know that blondes will be forever cool—BUT we are happy to see brunette getting the credit it deserves. The viral “expensive brunette” trend is the perfect opportunity to upsell brunette services with foil work for bold dimension.
Struggling with controlling warmth on darker levels? Read these tips!
- Flash toning with BLACK? Yes, it’s a thing!
- 5 warm balayage formulas you need to try
- 3 toning cheats to kick unwanted brass
Photo Credit: Instagram via @megumicolor
Photo Credit: Instagram via @jhair_stylist
Photo Credit: Instagram via @xo.farhana.balayage
Photo Credit: Instagram via @chelseahaircutters
Photo Credit: Instagram via @mickeycolonjr
How-To: Rich Chocolate Dimension
Tap the beaker for the color formulas.
Watch now: Dimensional Balayage Refresh 90-minute course with @linsonhair!
3. Mushroom Brown
Another brunette trend on our radar: Mushroom brown! 🍄 Think neutral, muted tones that range anywhere from dark ash to bronde. Want to try this viral color trend but don’t know where to start? Read this FAST guide to formulating toner for Level 7 and lower.
Photo Credit: Instagram via @bescene
Photo Credit: Instagram via @guy_tang
Photo Credit: Instagram via @bescene
Photo Credit: Instagram via @hayleykiyoko
4. Muted Beige Blonde
Picture this: Your client comes in requesting one of winter 2021’s color trends, a muted beige blonde. The KEY to achieving this look is neutralizing warm, yellow tones and making sure to avoid going too dark. Maintain soft, balanced blonde tones and take the worry out of the toning process with these fast purple shampoo cheats.
Photo Credit: Instagram via @jhair_stylist
Photo Credit: Instagram via @eunicekimhair
Photo Credit: Instagram via @beeblondor
Photo Credit: Instagram via @mane_ivy
Photo Credit: Instagram via @greg_gilmore
5. Natural Golden Blonde
Your client called… She’s looking for a golden blonde á la Serena Van Der Woodsen and she’s willing to pay the big bucks for it. Achieving naturally bright, golden tones is no small task. So, get your clients on a blonding schedule to create (and maintain!) their dream hair. But remember warmth should NOT equal brass—and if you’re running into this issue, metals in their hair may be the problem, so read this!
Photo Credit: Instagram via @daniellemarcan
Photo Credit: Instagram via @rachelwstylist
Photo Credit: Instagram via @ckaedingcolor
Photo Credit: Instagram via @fkatwigs
How-To: Natural Golden Blonde
Tap the beaker for the color formulas.
6. Smoky, Dimensional Bronde
“My most requested hair color of 2021: [This] Dimensional smoky blonde on Hailey Bieber,” says celeb colorist Cassondra Kaeding (@ckaedingcolor). When venturing into darker blonde and bronde tones, be strategic where you place highs and lows. Ready to try it yourself? Read five tips for formulating the perfect bronde, or check out this step-by-step color breakdown with color formulas.
Photo Credit: Instagram via @ckaedingcolor
Next, Hailey Bieber transitioned the trend ➡️ EVEN DARKER! // Photo Credit: Instagram via @haileybieber
Photo Credit: Instagram via @bel_pipsqueekinsaigon
Photo Credit: Instagram via @jeanpierresosa
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This 90-minute course: Bronde Highlights, Lowlights + Toning with @coloredbycaitlin is included in the BTC-U Membership!
7. Muted Red
We’re used to seeing red shades all over our IG feeds throughout fall, but it looks like this color trend is here to stay. Remember: Muddy tones will ruin reds, so read these six tips to avoid this common mistake. If you are approaching a red transformation with balayage, try this technique to add depth and dimension.
Photo Credit: Instagram via @barbieferreira
Photo Credit: Instagram via @rachel_redd
Photo Credit: Instagram via @bescene
Ask A BTC Expert: Don’t know how to choose which red is best for your client? Matrix Global Artistic Director Michelle O’Connor (@michelleoconnorbeauty) predicts coppers, wines and violet shades will reign supreme all season long.
Photo Credit: Instagram via @michelleoconnorbeauty
8. Copper Tones
Another trend we’re seeing everywhere? Red’s brighter, shinier sister: Copper! Learn how to transition warm tones for fall and winter, and prevent red and copper tones from browning out with these key tips.
Photo Credit: Instagram via @leventkilic0
Photo Credit: Instagram via @kacysilvahair
Photo Credit: Instagram via @hairbymickk
How-To: Rich Copper Balayage
Tap the beaker for the color formulas.
Learn how to formulate red & ginger hair color with @shmeggsandbaconn!
9. Gray-layage
Say it with us: Embrace the gray! We love to see a client who has been retouching their roots for years transition to all-over gray or silver. That’s why we asked gray transformation expert Jack Martin (@jackmartincolorist) his best tips for transitioning and maintaining gray. Plus, read Jack’s secret to making a toner last five months!
Photo Credit: Instagram via @maggiemh
Photo Credit: Instagram via @romeufelipe
Photo Credit: Instagram via @jackmartincolorist
How-To: Foiled Gray Blending
Tap the beaker for the color formulas.
10. Apricot Blonde
After years of cool, ashy tones—warm apricot blonde is making a comeback! Our blonde clients want what Kristen Stewart is having (just peep her dreamy color below!). This shade of blonde MAY require a base break AND if you want to pick up the pace, learn how to break the base and tone in one application.
Photo Credit: Instagram via @majormoonn
Photo Credit: Instagram via @maggiemh
Read Next: BTC’s Winter 2021 Trend Reports
