Winter Hair Trends 2026: The Colours, Cuts and Styles We’re Loving

New season, new hair mood. As temperatures drop and our wardrobes shift into winter mode, there’s something very tempting about switching up our hair too.

And for 2026, the biggest winter hair trends aren’t about one dramatic transformation. We’re seeing glossy brunettes, softer takes on blonde, deep cherry tones, statement cuts and hair styles that work with your natural texture rather than against it.

So, whether you’ve been saving salon inspiration for months or your usual autumn hairstyle just needs a winter update, consider this your moodboard. Here are the colours, winter haircuts and hairstyles we’re loving right now, plus how to look after your hair when the cold weather arrives.

The Winter Hair Colours We’re Loving for 2026

1. Ice Beige Blonde
If you love icy blonde hair but want something a little softer than an ultra-cool platinum, meet ice beige blonde.
One of the blonde shades tipped for 2026, it combines cooler tones with a subtle touch of warmth, creating a brighter blonde that feels less stark than traditional platinum blonde. British Vogue named ice beige blonde among its key hair colours for 2026, with Gigi Hadid providing some serious inspiration.
If your recent searches read something like “blonde icy hair inspiration”, this is the update to know. Rather than eliminating every hint of warmth, the finished colour has more dimension and a slightly lived-in feel.

If you’re lightening your hair significantly to get there, speak to a professional colourist first. Bleaching can weaken the hair fibre, so going lighter gradually and giving your lengths plenty of care between appointments can help minimise unnecessary damage.

2. Espresso Brunette
Brunette is getting richer for winter.
Hailey Bieber recently swapped her lighter brunette for a deep espresso shade, with long layers and face-framing pieces giving the darker colour plenty of movement. It’s her darkest shade in more than a decade and very much fits 2026’s move towards rich, glossy, natural-looking colour.
And of course, when it comes to coffee-inspired tones, we’re all on board at UKLASH with our Mocha Brown and Americano Black Tubing Mascaras.

3. Deep Plum
Ready to go a little darker? Deep plum is bringing a richer, moodier feel to winter colour.
Sitting somewhere between brunette, burgundy and purple, plum dyed hair can look almost dark brown in lower light before those berry-toned hues come through. It’s a statement, but a surprisingly wearable one.

We especially love the depth it can bring to darker bases. Rather than feeling bright or overly vivid, a deep plum shade can add dimension and a subtle pop of colour that comes alive in the light.

4. Glossy, Natural-Looking Brunette
Sometimes the best colour change isn’t a huge colour change at all.
One of the broader themes we’re seeing in 2026 is hair that looks glossy, dimensional and expensive without appearing overly processed. Warm, light-catching brunettes have been seen on the likes of Amal Clooney, Dakota Johnson, Jennifer Lopez and Hailey Bieber.
The result is a Brunette that looks natural and lived in, just with more dimension.

What Haircut To Ask For At The Salon Winter 2026

Colour isn’t the only way to switch things up. Sometimes, a really good haircut is what you need for a style refresh and to snip off any damage or breakage to give your hair a fresh start.

The Chunky Bob
The bob isn’t going anywhere.
For 2026, we’re seeing chunkier, slightly imperfect versions that feel less precision-cut and more relaxed. Zendaya is a great reference for this style, with a bob that can move between polished and undone depending on how it’s styled.
The beauty of a bob is how adaptable it can be. Your stylist can adjust the length, weight and shape around your face and natural texture, so take references you love rather than feeling like you need to copy one cut exactly.

Long Layers
Not every winter refresh needs to involve a dramatic chop. Long layers are firmly back in the conversation, bringing movement and shape to longer hair without sacrificing the length you’ve spent all year growing.

The key is soft, blended layers that create movement through the lengths, with shorter pieces around the face to add shape. They work particularly well with bouncy blow-dries, natural waves and heatless curls, giving longer hair that effortless, swishy finish.

Fringes Are Back
Consider this your sign to revisit the fringe.
From full, eyebrow-skimming bangs to softer curtain fringes and wispy, face-framing styles, fringes are having another moment. And because there are so many ways to wear one, you don’t necessarily need to commit to a heavy, blunt finish.
The trick is finding the version that works with your hair texture, face shape and, importantly, how much time you actually want to spend styling it. A softer curtain fringe can be easier to grow out and blend into the rest of your hair, while a fuller fringe delivers more of a statement.

Just remember, fringes tend to need more regular trims than the rest of your haircut, so factor the upkeep into your decision before reaching for the scissors.

Winter Hairstyles: It’s All About Texture

It seems this season the slick back styles are out and we’re embracing texture a little more, which is great news for hair health to reduce tension and prevent unnecessary breakage.
Here are our favourite hairstyle options that we feel work for the winter season…

Heatless Curls
Soft curls and waves work beautifully in winter, and you don’t necessarily need to reach for a curling iron to create them.
Regular high-temperature styling can weaken the hair over time and contribute to breakage, so heatless curls are an easy styling swap when you want to give your hair a break.

Our ⁠guide to hairstyles that help prevent breakage includes a simple heatless curls tutorial, alongside loose braids, claw-clip styles, bubble ponytails and low loose buns.

One tip before you start: hair doesn’t need to be soaking wet. For overnight heatless curls, we recommend starting when your hair is mainly dry.

Natural Texture
Winter 2026 is also giving us permission to work with what we already have.
If London Fashion Week was anything to go by, it’s clear that slick styles are out and more lived-in textured styles are back. 
Rather than forcing hair into a completely different texture every morning, experiment with styles that enhance your natural waves, curls, coils or straight hair. Less manipulation and less reliance on hot tools can also be helpful if your lengths are already feeling dry.

Embrace Your Curl Pattern
Curls and coils deserve their moment this winter. For Type 3 and Type 4 hair, embracing your natural curl pattern is less about creating a particular style and more about working with your texture. Defined curls, fluffy volume, twist-outs and wash-and-gos can all put your natural pattern front and centre.

Winter can call for a little extra care, though. Curly and coily hair can be more prone to dryness, so focus on keeping moisture in and unnecessary manipulation to a minimum.

Try washing with lukewarm rather than very hot water, detangle gently while your hair has plenty of slip, and introduce a conditioning treatment when your hair needs extra moisture. Between wash days, protective or low-manipulation styles can also help reduce the amount of brushing, restyling and heat your hair is exposed to.

At night, a satin or silk bonnet or pillowcase can help reduce friction while you sleep, which may help preserve your curl pattern and minimise tangling. And if your ends are feeling particularly dry, regular trims can help keep them looking and feeling their best.

Most importantly, get to know what your curls respond to. Type 3 and Type 4 hair covers a huge range of curl patterns, densities and porosities, so there’s no single routine that works for everyone. Your winter routine should work with your hair, not against it.

How to Look After Your Hair in Winter

The colour might be glossy and the cut might be fresh, but winter can bring a few less glamorous hair concerns with it. Cold outdoor air, lower humidity and heated indoor environments can leave hair and skin feeling drier, so your winter routine may need a little adjustment.

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Give Dry Hair Some Extra Care
If your lengths suddenly feel rougher, duller or more difficult to manage as the seasons change, add some extra nourishment into your routine.

Colour treatments, heat styling, environmental stress and over-washing can all contribute to dry-feeling hair. Regular trims, reducing unnecessary heat and introducing a nourishing hair mask can help keep your lengths feeling softer and more manageable.

If your hair is asking for a little more TLC, read our full guide to ⁠dry hair treatments and how to use a hair mask.

It’s particularly worth thinking about if you’ve opted for icy blonde hair, platinum blonde or another colour that involves significant lightening.

Don’t Forget Your Scalp
Your lengths aren’t the only part of your routine worth revisiting.

Cold, low-humidity weather can contribute to dry scalp, which may cause itching and flaking. Dandruff can look similar, but the two aren’t necessarily the same thing.

If you’re searching for dry scalp treatment, start by looking at your routine. A gentle shampoo may be more appropriate for simple dryness, while dandruff may respond to a dedicated anti-dandruff shampoo.

And if you’re wondering how to get rid of dandruff, don’t assume flakes automatically mean your scalp simply needs more moisture. Persistent flaking, itching or irritation can have different causes, so speak to your GP or a dermatologist if over-the-counter care isn’t helping or you’re unsure what you’re dealing with.

The best thing about winter hair trends in 2026 is that it’s a bit of an open book, and is more about opting for what works for your hair type, face shape and lifestyle. You might be ready to swap blonde for dark brown hair. You might want to take your platinum blonde even icier. Maybe plum dyed hair has been sitting in your saved folder for months, or perhaps the only change you need is turning your favourite autumn hairstyle into a softer winter look.

Before committing to colour, consider your starting shade, how often you realistically want to visit the salon and how much maintenance you’re comfortable with. For a cut, talk to your stylist about your natural texture and how you normally wear your hair, not just how you want it to look when professionally styled.
Because the best winter hair trend is ultimately the one that still feels like you.
Whether that means glossy brunette, an icy blonde bob, heatless waves or simply healthier-looking lengths, we’re here for the switch-up.