While winter already has us swapping out our lighter wardrobes for puffy coats and boots, a new season also gives us an opportunity to switch things up with our hair. Whether you’re looking for a new hairstyle for your upcoming holiday party or you’re ready to finally try a new trendy shade or bold haircut for the new year, we compiled the coolest winter hair trends of 2024. According to our expert friends, these styles are going to be everywhere over the next couple of months.
11 Winter Hair Trends of 2024, Approved By Celebrity Hairstylists
The “coolest” styles around
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Meet the Experts:
- Kevin Kelly is a hairstylist and owner of Kevin Kelly Salon in New Jersey. He has over eight years of experience, specializing in extensions, color treatments and styling. His services also include bridal hair, color consultations and haircuts.
- Davontae Washington is a celebrity hairstylist and specializes in wigs, hair extensions and natural hair. His work has been featured in numerous publications, red carpets and brand campaigns. His previous clients include Kim Kardashian, Victoria Monét, Ciara and Keke Palmer.
- Clayton Hawkins is a celebrity hairstylist and brand partner for Dove. He has decades of experience, specializing in wigs, extensions and editorial styling. His previous clients include Olivia Rodrigo, Dove Cameron, Lily Rabe and Ashley Park.
- Tukia Allen is a master cosmetologist and educator coach for Aveda Arts & Science Institute in Atlanta. She has a decade of experience, specializing in cutting, coloring and styling all hair types. She also spends most of her time training other aspiring stylists.
- Gregga Prothero is a master stylist and founder of Gregga LA in California. She has over 17 years of experience, specializing in cutting, coloring and styling hair. As a salon owner, she leads her team in trying out new trends and techniques for their clients.
- Gregory Patterson is a celebrity hairstylist and a DIY Color & Styling expert for Sally Beauty. He’s based in New York City and has previously worked as a lead stylist for Project Runway. His previous clients include Britney Spears, Anne Hathaway and Julianne Moore.
- Sarah Potempa is a celebrity stylist and co-founder of The Beachwaver Co. She is known for designing the first-ever rotating curling iron, the Beachwaver, and uses the tool to create waves for her clients. She has also worked on editorial shoots for publications such as Vogue, Marie Claire, Teen Vogue and Vanity Fair. Her celebrity clientele includes Camila Cabello, Jennifer Garner, Ana de Armas and Lea Michele.
- Graham Nation is a celebrity hairstylist and lead artist for Sexy Hair in Los Angeles. He specializes in red carpet, runway and editorial work. His clients include Emma Chamberlain, Simone Ashley, Dove Cameron and Madison Bailey.
- Wes Sharpton is a hairstylist and lead brand educator for Hairstory. He has experience working for editorial and print publications such as Vogue, Elle and Allure. His specialty includes trendy and traditional cutting styles for all hair types.
1. Mid-Length Bob
2023 is the year of the bob and we’re predicting this iteration is going to be a hit for winter. If you’re looking to sport shorter locks, show your stylist this reference photo of Hailey Bieber. “I think what gives this trend life is it’s a very voluminous blowout with bouncy, undone ends,” says Kelly. To style the look at home, he suggests bending the ends using a one and a half (or two) inch curling iron or setting them with hot rollers.
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2. Le Petit Bob
Here’s a sign to trim off some inches and add some volume to flat hair. “This bob has a straight line and cut, which helps to create a more striking effect for individuals with fine or thin hair,” says Washington. “It’ll give more volume because the ends are cut in a blunt style, as opposed to angled. The ends are cut sharp, which helps make your hair look fuller.” Once you commit to the haircut, Washington recommends using styling products like a hair serum or mousse for more texture along with a heat tool to set your look.
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3. Braided Ponytail
We predict that this braided ponytail, as seen on Sheryl Lee Ralph, is going to be a hit at all the holiday parties this year. Stylishness aside, Hawkins believes this look serves another purpose. “Hair is so dry in the winter and it’s more fragile. This is a fabulous protective style that will keep your locks healthy and prevent the dreaded winter static,” he says. To recreate the look, Hawkins recommends using hair ties, a detangler brush and a smoothing serum to add shine and reduce any frizz.
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4. Mixie
The “mixie” was the haircut of 2022 and it continues to be a hot ticket item this winter. The top is usually cut short like a pixie, while the back is left long and tousled like a mullet. “It’s the tousled look for me! It looks edgy and you won’t have to worry about having ‘hat hair’ during the colder months,” says Allen. She also notes that your hair texture and density can play a role in how a mixie looks, however, all hair types can get in on the fun. One more thing: The stylist suggests having a heat tool and styling products handy to enhance your piece-y layers.
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5. Barely-There Bangs
Whether you’re not entirely convinced about getting bangs or you’re growing out your current fringe, this trend offers a low-maintenance look you should consider for the colder months ahead. “It’s the perfect way to test the waters of the full fringe without diving in headfirst. These bangs are all about gracefully grazing your hairline with delicate layers, striking the perfect balance between subtlety and boldness,” says Prothero. Similar to ‘wispy bangs,’ this fringe blends nicely with the rest of your hair. As Prothero explains, this universal look can flatter any face shape. With just a few pieces in the front, they “play peekabo rather than hog the spotlight.”
6. Cool Brunette
This hair color gets a stamp of approval by a royal, which is reason enough for us to consider it ourselves this winter. “This brunette shade offers sultry, high-shine glamor. The glossy hair color paired with cool tones stand alone as a strong accessory and makes your hair look healthy as well,” says Patterson. To maintain Kate Middleton’s cool shade, the stylist recommends using a blue shampoo to neutralize brassiness and brighten up your dark locks.
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7. Slick-Back Bun
In September, Sofia Richie went viral for her “lazy girl bun” and the experts are saying the slicked-back bun is here to stay this winter. “It’s easy and can be worn for a variety of occasions. It gives your hair a refresh after summer styling and keeps it hydrated during cold winter months,” shares Potempa. While Richie provided a helpful tutorial on TikTok, Potempa says massaging a hair oil into the roots and applying a hydrating hair mask afterwards is key to getting the look just right.
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8. The Tendy
We’re calling it: This simple style is going to be the go-to style this winter—just look at celebs like Lori Harvey, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Graham and Gigi Hadid for proof. “A tendy is a tendril of hair used to frame the face on just one side, as opposed to two tendrils framing the face on both sides,” explains Potempa. “It gives your hair a fashionable edge with its asymmetry.” Pair it with a slicked-back bun or high ponytail so you can give all the attention to this one strand of hair.
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9. Big Blowout
Winter calls for voluminous locks. As Nation explains, this blowout features heavy layers, but not a whole lot of texture. “This trend is popular because it works great with all hair types. I’ve actually been loving blowouts on a bob haircut like Zendaya’s,” says Nation. To recreate the look, use a large curling iron or hot rollers before brushing out the tight curls. He adds, “These tools will create the perfect blowout that’s not too curly, nor too straight.”
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10. Whisper Fringe
Popularized by Zoë Kravitz, ‘whisper fringe’ is a shorter bang that’s “slightly broken up to create more of a whisper without looking weak,” explains Sharpton. “It works with almost every hair type and length. Plus, the bangs add the perfect accent to whatever style you already have.” To maintain your fringe, the stylist recommends using hair wax and a flat iron with a beveled edge. He adds, “The edge will allow you to get the iron closer to the forehead more than a standard flatiron, which is helpful given that whisper bangs have less depth.”
11. The 'I Don't Care' Cut
For one stylist, the shag is on its way out in favor of a subtler style. “The ‘I don’t care’ cut is the answer to the shag cut and the many versions of it that we’ve seen over the years. It’s a low-maintenance, effortless cut that allows the wearer to move on from the shag in a stylish way,” says Sharpton. If you want to try Lady Gaga’s look, ask your stylist to balance out any shorter layers to create a more uniformed style.
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