15 Hair Color Trends You Need to Try This Year

If you’re ready to freshen up your look, nothing says “new you” like a bold or subtle hair color switch. From lived-in blondes to bold fashion hues, the world of hair color is constantly evolving. Whether you’re looking to turn heads or just want a soft refresh, these 15 hair color trends are all the inspiration you need to book your next salon appointment.

Let’s dive into the must-try looks that are trending in 2025—and how to find the perfect one for your style, skin tone, and maintenance goals.

1. Expensive Brunette

One of the biggest hair color trends this year is the “expensive brunette”—and no, it doesn’t mean it’ll cost you a fortune. This look focuses on rich, multi-dimensional brunette shades with subtle highlights and glossing to create depth and shine. It’s low-maintenance yet luxurious.

✅ Best for: Medium to dark skin tones
💡 Tip: Ask for warm caramel or honey undertones for that sun-kissed glow.

2. Cowgirl Copper

Move over strawberry blonde—cowgirl copper is taking over. Think rustic, earthy copper tones that are both fiery and flattering. Inspired by the Wild West aesthetic, this shade adds a natural warmth that brightens most skin tones.

✅ Best for: Fair to medium complexions with warm undertones
💡 Tip: Use color-protecting shampoos to keep your copper looking vibrant.

3. Ashy Blonde Balayage

Ashy tones are still going strong, especially when paired with a seamless balayage technique. The mix of cool, smoky blonde tones with darker roots makes this look ultra-modern and incredibly low-maintenance.

✅ Best for: Cool skin tones
💡 Tip: Purple shampoo is your best friend to prevent brassiness.

4. Cherry Cola Red

This vibrant yet sultry hue mixes deep red and brown tones for a rich, cherry cola look. It’s a perfect way to make a bold change without going full fire-engine red.

✅ Best for: All skin tones—especially olive
💡 Tip: Use sulfate-free products to maintain that deep red pigment.

5. Buttercream Blonde

Lighter and creamier than platinum, buttercream blonde blends warm and cool tones for a soft, deliciously dreamy effect. This color screams luxury and is trending big among celebrities.

✅ Best for: Fair complexions
💡 Tip: Regular toners help maintain the creamy finish.

6. Smoky Lavender

Lavender isn’t just for spring anymore. This year’s version is smoky, with muted purple tones mixed with silvery grey for a moody, whimsical feel.

✅ Best for: Cool and neutral undertones
💡 Tip: Temporary color masks are great for keeping lavender tones fresh.

7. Face-Framing Highlights (The Money Piece)

The money piece is back—and brighter than ever. These bold, face-framing highlights are designed to pop against your natural or dyed base color. It’s the fastest way to refresh your look without a full color overhaul.

✅ Best for: Everyone
💡 Tip: Match the tone of your highlights to your base for a cohesive look.

8. Shadow Roots

Want bold color without the harsh grow-out line? Shadow roots are your answer. This technique involves a darker root that gradually fades into lighter mid-lengths and ends.

✅ Best for: Anyone with a busy schedule
💡 Tip: Perfect for extending the life of your color.

9. Chocolate Cherry

Combining deep brunette with subtle red and violet undertones, chocolate cherry is the perfect rich hue for fall and winter. It’s dimensional, dramatic, and totally on-trend.

✅ Best for: Dark complexions or anyone wanting richness
💡 Tip: Gloss treatments enhance this color’s shine and vibrancy.

10. Honey Blonde Melt

This trend mixes golden blonde with light brown in a melted, seamless transition. The result is a warm, soft blend that flatters almost every skin tone.

✅ Best for: Neutral to warm skin tones
💡 Tip: Use a shine spray to emphasize the soft melt effect.

11. Icy Platinum

Still a showstopper in 2025, icy platinum remains a favorite among those who love a striking, bold look. It’s not the easiest to maintain, but the payoff is worth it.

✅ Best for: Cool undertones
💡 Tip: Deep conditioning is essential to keep hair healthy post-bleach.

12. Bronde (Blonde + Brown)

Can’t decide between blonde or brunette? Go bronde! This universally flattering hybrid blends warm and cool tones for an effortlessly chic vibe.

✅ Best for: Every skin tone
💡 Tip: Ask for a root smudge to make the grow-out look natural.

13. Pastel Pink

Soft, playful, and feminine—pastel pink remains a favorite hair color trend for good reason. It’s flirty yet sophisticated when paired with neutral makeup and fashion tones.

✅ Best for: Pale to medium skin tones
💡 Tip: Use color-depositing conditioners weekly to keep it rosy.

14. Golden Auburn

Think of golden auburn as the fiery redhead’s sun-kissed sister. With a touch of gold and orange tones mixed into classic auburn, it’s warm, radiant, and on-trend.

✅ Best for: Warm undertones
💡 Tip: Use a color-safe heat protectant when styling.

15. Oil Slick Hair

If you’ve got dark hair and want something bold without bleach, oil slick hair is a must. Think jewel tones—blue, green, purple—layered over a dark base for an iridescent finish.

✅ Best for: Naturally dark hair
💡 Tip: Works beautifully under sunlight or in waves for added dimension.

How to Choose the Right Hair Color Trend for You

With so many trending options, choosing the right one might feel overwhelming. Here’s how to narrow it down:

Skin Undertone: Warm undertones pair well with golden or coppery shades. Cool undertones pop with ashy or silvery tones. Neutral undertones? You’re lucky—you can pull off most shades.
Maintenance Level: Bold shades and pastels often require more upkeep. Natural hues like bronde or shadow roots offer easier maintenance.
Hair Health: If your hair is damaged or fragile, avoid bleach-heavy styles like platinum and opt for glosses or semi-permanent colors instead.
Lifestyle: Do you love switching it up every few weeks? Try temporary fashion shades. Prefer a “set it and forget it” look? Balayage or shadow roots are perfect.

Final Thoughts: Embrace the Change

Hair color is one of the most expressive and transformative beauty choices you can make. Whether you’re going bold with oil slick hues or keeping it classy with expensive brunette, there’s never been a better time to experiment.

These 15 hair color trends aren’t just passing fads—they reflect a growing emphasis on personal expression, individuality, and tailored beauty. So go ahead—find the shade that speaks to you and book that salon visit!