Of all the hair trends to try, colour is arguably the most fun to experiment with. And 2023 looks set to be no exception. From two-toned “Gemini hair” to Jenner-approved copper red, there are plenty of options to choose from if you’re looking to change up your hair colour in the year ahead. Expect to see new takes on classic blonde and the return of the grey, and if nostalgia is your thing, there’s something for you too, with Barbie-inspired blonde back in the spotlight.
Whether you’re a fan of a statement colour or prefer a subtler balayage, we’ve run through the eight biggest hair colour trends for 2023 with a little help from Milk + Blush hair expert Nicole Petty. Scroll down to meet your match.
“All shades of red will be popular in 2023, ranging from fiery reds and deep burgundy to warm auburn, “ says Petty. “In particular, copper will be the standout colour. It can act as a midpoint for blondes and brunettes who are not ready to go fully dark or light, and it’s a great colour to brighten up your locks.”
Kendall Jenner unofficially kicked off the copper-red trend off last summer, and we’ve seen a slew of celebrities, including Gigi Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski, follow suit.
This colour also looks great with lived-in roots.
Last autumn, actress Lily James transformed her classic balayage into a warm copper shade.
If you’re after a subtler hair transformation, Petty says that every hair colour and texture can easily embrace this trend. “Candlelit hair uses low-contrast and mid-tone highlights to give the hair a warm and reflective feel as if it were glistening in firelight or candlelight,” she explains. “It’s also a perfect way to add dimension and brightness to flat and one-toned hair.”
Ashley Park’s subtle highlights demonstrate how to upgrade dark hair for the candlelit trend without going too far out of your comfort zone.
Taylor Hill’s warm babylights lend subtle dimension and a natural finish.
Who wouldn’t want hair like Beyoncé’s? Note the tones and differing hues that give her hair a gorgeous shine here.
With Greta Gerwig’s Barbie set to hit screens in July, Barbie-inspired blonde will no doubt be a huge hair colour trend for summer 2023. This particular shade of blonde isn’t actually as icy as most people think it is, so be wary of blonde dye that leans a little too cool-toned or platinum. Instead, a warmer, golden blonde will be perfect for nailing this trend.
They key to embracing this trend? Maintain the same depth of bright blonde throughout the roots, lengths, and ends of your hair. Anya Taylor-Joy’s ‘do is textbook Barbie-blonde.
Gigi Hadid’s new warm blonde is soft, pretty, and totally Barbie-worthy.
Petty predicts that we’ll see more of people mixing their natural hair colours with bright shades. “Gemini hair is a fun two-tone style,” she says. “Inspired by its astrological namesake, this will make you stand out from the crowd and allow you to express your personality.” For dark hair, Petty recommends using pinks, purples, greens, and blues, and for light hair she suggests blues, greens, reds, yellows, and black. “If you are concerned about your hair coping with a colour treatment, opt for more natural colour choices that will cause less damage and are easier to maintain,” she advises. “To maintain the colour, try to wash your hair less frequently, use a heat protectant when styling, and use plenty of hair masks to moisturise and nourish your hair.”
Billie Eilish’s naturally dark hair is the perfect base to pair with a vibrant neon green.
If you’re after a low-maintenance approach to this trend, avoid adding colour at your roots (where regular top-ups will be needed), and keep it to the lengths and ends instead.
Proving that brown hair doesn’t have to be boring, this particular colour trend is all about finish. For a glossy, shiny effect, you’ll need to focus on hydrating your hair via masks, serums, and oils. And if you’re not a natural brunette, consider using a cool-toned brown dye, which will lend hair the desired bright, glassy finish.
Sold on the glossy brunette trend? Megan Fox is the perfect reference point for your colourist.
Kate Middleton’s signature long waves are the epitome of the glossy brunette trend.
“Whilst ash and platinum blonde hair have been more popular in recent years, 2023 will see the rise of peachy rose blonde,” predicts Petty. “This is a perfect shade for those looking to make a fun and colourful change and is a great way to transition from winter to brighter spring and summer. While this trend is best for blonde hair, as pink takes more easily to light hair, it is still possible to achieve this look in darker hair colours. “To maintain the colour, dye your hair slightly brighter than the goal colour, as the hue will inevitably fade and tone down after a few washes,” says Petty. “Additionally, aim to use shampoo and conditioner targeted towards damaged hair to nourish it as much as possible.”
Adding deeper colour lower in the lengths of your hair helps to add dimension when experimenting with lighter colours.
We love how effortlessly cool this faded neon pink looks in Busy Philipps’s beachy waves.
Expensive blonde is all about soft contrast and golden tones, and while the overall effect is incredibly natural, it can require a time-consuming and costly process involving both highlights and lowlights to really nail this trend. Essentially, you’ll need to ask for more than one shade of blonde—and expect to spend several hours in the salon chair.
No one does expensive blonde hair quite like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.
This warm-toned golden blonde perfectly flatters Jasmine Sanders’s skin’s warm undertones.
Unlike the icy grey of the 2010s, this return to grey hair has a slight natural yet slightly futuristic vibe. In order to lean into your very best pro-ageing hue, you’ll need to opt for a more complex grey that works with your natural root colour. Note that a multi-dimensional colour requires upkeep (unless you’ve been blessed with natural silvery locks), so try to alternate between a high gloss and tonal shampoo with root touchups that follow the natural growth gradient of your ‘grey’.
Anything Julia Fox does is immediately cool. Hey! We don’t make the rules. Here the actor and social media star can be seen sporting a grey-toned, wet-look style at the CFDA Awards.
Give your natural grey hue a boost with a nourishing curl cream or gel to get coils like uber chic Tennille Murphy.
Available in a full range of colours, this rinse-out masks adds shine and boosts colour in both natural and dyed hair.
Colouring hair almost always impacts its texture and health. This reparative treatment will help to fix damaged bonds, resulting in stronger, shinier hair.
Simply spray this treatment into damp hair and comb through before blow-drying. The heat activated formula adds major shine and softness.
For a two-in-one approach, this works to tone colour while also deeply conditioning hair.
If you hair feels brittle or broken post-dyeing, this affordable mask will restore moisture levels so hair feels healthier and softer after just one use.
If you are opting for a coloured grey hue, a gloss-forward shampoo is perfect for adding extra shine and dimensions to the colour.
Keep your coloured coils, curls and kinks nourished and glossy with this hybrid styling serum.
This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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