Beauty
The 12 Buzziest Hair Color Trends Of 2023
New year, new hair.
by Jordan Murray
Updated:
Originally Published:
Getty Images/Frazer Harrison / Staff
In 2022, everyone saw red... hair. Copper was easily the breakout color trend of the year, judging by the slew of celebs who went auburn (Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid, Tessa Thompson, Florence Pugh, Sydney Sweeney... I’ll stop). Icy blonde strands were also big (see: Dua Lipa at the 2022 Grammys), as were golden browns and “expensive” brunettes. But a new year is upon us, and the hair color trends of 2023 are going to be just as cool.
For the inside scoop, Bustle tapped industry pros Shvonne Perkins, master colorist at Madison Reed, and Jamie Mazzei, creative director for NuBest Salon and Spa, who both spilled on exactly which shades are going to grace the heads of A-listers and dominate social media feeds in 2023. Their predictions? Expect to see everything from Barbiecore pink to softer brunettes with lustrous highlights, as well as even lighter blonde hues and a new it-shade of red. Suffice it to say: You’ve got options.
Whether you’re eager for a dramatic transformation by way of a dye job or are looking for a more subtle switch-up, keep reading to see the biggest hair color trends to know in 2023 — and then make a date on your cal for a salon appointment.
1
Pastel Rose Gold
This year’s going to be all about a soft, pastel rose gold look — a toned-down take on copper that combines blonde and gold to create a dusty rose gold tone, a shade that’s coming back from the ’90s and early 2000s. “I remember first seeing this in the late ’90s Japanese Harajuku fashion wave,” says Perkins. “It was a cooler take on the more vivid neons that had their moment.” She credits the hair color coming to the fact that interest seems to be shifting from bright, bolder hues to softer tones. “Everyone will want to lighten their hair to be softer and more organic,” she notes. “Plus, it’s easily achievable and not as high maintenance!”
2
Subtle Ombré
Another more toned-down hair color trend you’ll see is subtle ombré. This blending technique features a more solid shade on top with another hue that appears to naturally melt in from the mid-strands to the ends. “This is trending because it’s complimentary to the haircut styles we’re seeing that are a bit choppier, textured, and layered,” says Perkins. “This color is all about having a natural grown-out type of look that highlights the natural texture of your hair.”
3
Violet-Inspired Brunette
According to Perkins, 2023 will see brunettes shifting towards darker and cooler-toned browns that appear to have a hint of eggplant and cherry cola shades. “This hair color is a great seasonal shift for brunettes to add dimension and depth without having to add in lighter colored pieces,” she tells Bustle, noting that the violet hue adds a “vibrancy” to the hair without going full-on red.
4
Radiant Red
The red hair craze you saw throughout the fall is here to stay. “It can have many variations to personalize it to the client’s skin tone, so anyone can wear a radiant red,” says Mazzei, who predicts lustrous shades to dominate in 2023. Think more golden reds and rich strawberries with blonde highlights. To keep the color vibrant, Mazzei recommends using the Celeb Luxury Gem Lites ColorWash Color Depositing Shampoo and Color Depositing Conditioner with BondFix Bond Repair.
5
Barbiecore Pink
Barbiecore was a huge trend throughout 2022, thanks to the upcoming film — which means all pink everything, of course. Mazzei predicts that bright pink hair will have a major moment in 2023. “There are lots of different shades of pink to choose from, whether you want to go bright or more pastel,” he says. If you have blonde hair, he says it’ll be easier for you to dip into the shade, but darker hair colors may need to bleach their strands in order to ensure the pink really pops.
6
Illuminated Brunette
The illuminated brunette, à la Hailey Bieber, features a brown base with full highlights so that it looks dynamic from all angles. “It allows the hair to be in better condition as well since it requires little maintenance,” says Mazzei of the natural-looking hue. “This is what clients are wanting these days.”
7
Targaryen Blonde
HBO’s House of the Dragon has inspired the comeback of icy platinum blonde hair. While the color does require a lot of maintenance, it’s a super fun look and head-turning look to try. “You can do a cooler platinum blonde or warm it up a bit like Taylor Swift’s shade, depending on what looks best with your skin tone,” says Mazzei. “Ask your colorist for an all-over color or work with your own natural base with soft balayage around the bottom.”
8
Buttery Blonde
Experts are also predicting a rise in cozy, warm blonde hues. “A lot of people want a bit more warmth in their blonde,” says Glenn Ellis, a bicoastal colorist and hairstylist. “Not necessarily yellow hues, but that sun-kissed look.” Stylist and color specialist Jennifer Korab echoes this, adding that the golden color looks great on fair skin tones as it “warms things up.” You can opt to dye all of your hair this buttery hue or via money pieces for lightness around the face. “To enhance this trend a little more, try adding a little copper to this color for added depth,” says Korab.
9
Espresso Brown
According to Sunnie Brook, celebrity hairstylist and beauty expert, “liquid brunettes” will reign supreme this year. “This is a high-shine hair color that reflects the light,” she tells Bustle, describing the hue as a deep espresso brown. To enhance the shine, she recommends swapping your heat tools with reparative treatments like the Biolage Strength Recover Leave-In Conditioner.
10
Ribbon Lights
In the highlight realm, Brook is seeing lots of clients ask for ribbon lights — a technique that adds a lot of shine and dimension to waves or curls. “The highlight color is one to two levels lighter than the all-over base color to give the hair reflective qualities without being stripey,” she says. “Highlights are applied to naturally air-dried hair so that the colorist can see the best placement.”
11
Champagne Blonde
For a kiss of golden blonde strands that have a creamy, beige undertone, go with the champagne blonde hair color trend — a shade that Brook says is totally luxurious. “To create this look, I’ll do a few tiny lights in a shade or two darker than the overall color,” she says. “This is applied from roots to mid-lengths in tiny sections to add richness.”
12
Honey Red
If you’re looking for a less bold take on the red hair color trend, try the more warm and golden honey red, says Kevin Kelly, colorist and founder of Kevin Kelly Salon. “This looks best on someone with a tan/warmer skin tone,” he tells Bustle. Ellis adds that lots of blondes are rocking this hue by way of coppery and peach-strawberry tones.
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