Sandy blonde for 2023

An overall 2023 hair trend you’ll be noticing? Light-to-medium brown shades. “People will be taking their color deeper this year,” says hairstylist Clariss Rubenstein, “even if it’s just a darker, more blended shade of blonde, or a creamy mushroom brown.” Enter: This dark, sandy blonde. which has a neutral undertone that’ll look good against a mix of skin tones and eye colors. If you’re not ready to totally give up your bright-blonde highlights, do like Margot Robbie and try a balayage right around your face for dimension, then tone it with a cool-toned gloss to match the rest of your beige-y vibes.

Gemini hair-color trend for 2023

Call your air-sign bestie because indecision is in, bb. Two-tone dye jobs are the latest trend to blow up on Pinterest, where it’s been dubbed “Gemini hair.” The trend is all about mixing hues, whether it’s two contrasting shades (like Kehlani’s blonde and brunette shades above), or mixing complementary colors, or playing around with multi-tonal hues. Sound intimidating? No worries—you can always take the trend for a spin with some wigs, colorful braiding hair, or DIY extensions.

Onyx hair for 2023

Ah, yes, the Wednesday effect. If your FYP has also been inundated with grunge and goth fashion as a result of Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams, you’ve already seen the trickle-down effect in action with a rise in jet-black hair colors. I, for one, think everyone should try an inky shade at least once in their life—but be prepared to moisturize tf out of your hair. “If colored hair gets dry, it will oxidize and cause your color to fade quickly and possibly unevenly,” says Rubenstein. So before your appointment, stock up on moisturizing deep conditioners and leave-in conditioners.

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Saddle-brown hair trend

The coolest thing about this sandy-brown hair color is that it can really work on every undertone because it’s fairly neutral. It’s similar to the mushroom-brown hair trend of 2022, but with a sandier vibe (some might call it “mousy,” which like, cute). Before committing to this color, try it with a hair gloss if your hair is on the lighter side, says hair colorist Matt Rez. “You can have your colorist deepen your current color by a level or two with an in-salon gloss, which lasts about four to six weeks and will be easier to reverse if you want to go back to a lighter color later,” he says.

Champagne-blonde hair

Rez describes this shade as “a light, vibrant, golden-toned blonde with super-subtle rose reflects,” noting it’ll be seriously popular come spring/summer 2023. Rez is the stylist behind Madelyne Cline’s take on the trend above, using a mix of highlights, a golden-beige hair gloss (per the IG caption), and lowlights (to “add some depth to really showcase and define the champagne-blonde highlights,” he says). If you swipe through, you’ll notice he kept the highlights an inch or two from Cline’s roots for a natural, smudge-y look, which you can totally ask your stylist to do too.

Chunky highlights for 2023

I didn’t think we’d see Y2K trends in hair color just yet, but I’m honestly here for it with these chunky-blonde highlights (especially on Madison Bailey’s ultra-long hair). But don't worry—rather than chunky blonde streaks à la 2003, this year's trend will be sightly blended and easier to wear, with a soft balayage that, ahem, goes well with lip gloss, side bangs, and a Juicy Couture tracksuit.

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Butterscotch blonde

I literally just forwarded Mia Goth’s blonde hair color to my stylist as inspo for my next spring hair color. Her creamy, slightly golden blonde is an updated take on the warm, honey tones of 2022, which feels like a smooth transition between the cool tones of winter and the warmth of summer. Because I’m a busy lady who doesn’t have time to go get my hair done all the damn time, I’ll prob request the same shadow root as Goth, which also has a bonus effect of making her blonde hues seem even brighter for spring.

Brownie hair-color trend

Want your brunette color to look ~deliciously~ dimensional? Rez suggests adding lowlights for contrast, noting that the most popular hair colors of 2023 will be full of depth, like this look on Ashley Park. You can ask your stylist to go subtle with the brownie-hair trend, with some subtle flecks of golden-brown tones throughout. Or, you can go all in with a whole caramel-drizzle situation with a whole head of warm highlights. Oof, I’m hungry.

Gray hair colors for 2023

As Julia Fox recently declared: Aging is fully in. So whether you’ve got grays coming in, or you’re jumpstarting the process a lil bit, going gray is a vibe we’re all about. Once your natural grays peak through, swap your usual cleanser for a purple shampoo once a week to keep them bright and shiny. Or, if you bleached your hair to recreate the gray effect, incorporate a bond-repair treatment once every two weeks to strengthen your hair (hairstylist Clariss Rubenstein swears by the Monat Damage Repair Bond-Building Treatment, whereas I am fully a Living Proof Triple Bond Complex convert).

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Vibrant-red hair colors

Nope, bright-red hair moments are not being left in 2022, babes, according to Rubenstein. Megan Thee Stallion’s rich, crimson hair color is super striking, whether you’re walking an actual red carpet or just turning the Whole Foods hot bar into your own personal one. A wig is a great way to try this trend if you’re a bit intimidated by the upkeep, btw.

Espresso hair color

Fun fact: After seeing Nicola Peltz-Beckham’s deep-brown hair color on my feed, I got up, walked straight into the Cosmo beauty closet, and grabbed an espresso hair glaze off the shelf (also, yes, werk perks). And good thing, because Rubenstein says rich, saturated hair colors are majorly trending for 2023. Just note that however you cash in on the look—whether an at-home hair dye or a dark hair gloss—you’ll want to start using a shampoo for color-treated hair to avoid stripping the color.

Apricot hair for 2023

This ~sweet~ shade is a fun twist on the copper hair trend we saw everywhere in 2022 (yup, I tried it too). Not only is it slightly lighter than last year’s trend, but it also has a peachy undertone that keeps it from falling into true-orange territory. Just remember that pink, orange, and red tones fade the fastest, so to prolong your shade, swap out your regular conditioner for a color-depositing conditioner instead. And be prepared to make root touch-up appointments every four to six weeks, too (trust).

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Cherry-cola hair trend

If you’re not totally ready to commit to full-blown red hair but have been influenced by every redhead in Hollywood (hi, Kendall Jenner and Zoey Deutch), you should try this warm-toned brunette shade. Think medium and dark-brown colors coated in a glossy, red sheen. Consider trying warm-toned highlights throughout for a subtle nod at the trend, or go for an all-over auburn glaze for a more monochromatic look.

Meet the experts:

• Matt Rez is a hair colorist in Los Angeles, CA. He is also a Redken brand ambassador and specializes in balayage and highlight techniques for dimensional dark hair colors.
• Clariss Rubenstein is a celebrity hairstylist based in Los Angeles, CA. She’s previously worked with Mindy Kaling, Joey King, and Gemma Chan.

Why trust ‘Cosmopolitan’?

Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with four years of experience researching, writing, and editing hair stories that range from blue hair to fall hair colors to hair botox. She’s an authority in all hair categories but is an expert when it comes to 2023 hair color trends after interviewing some of the industry’s top hairstylists.

Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months. 

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