Change your hair color, and your life will change. It may sound like an oversimplification, but sometimes a change of color is all that stands between you and an entirely new perspective—even if only aesthetically. “I can see it on my clients’ faces, that moment when they get to shed some of the past and feel like there’s a lightness and bounce in their hair,” says Mara Roszak, a celebrity hairstylist. “It brings hope and a genuine joy to the new year and everything that is to come.”
The bold tones of 2023 are a continuation of an existing palette, with a desire for rich and warm tones threaded through with softer (and chillier) options.
The fire-and-ice approach to manes feels almost ancient, a nod to the kind of hues immortalized in artwork throughout history, reimagined for a modern setting. These colors complement every possible cut, whether you prefer Y2K-slash-sci-fi styling or more dreamy, “I just stepped out of a John William Waterhouse painting” notes.
Here are five hair colors that will be popular in 2023.
Subtle Cinnamon
Cinnamon may be the 2023 hair color for you if you’re looking for a subtle way to transform your brunette into something a little, well, spicier. “This is the most beautiful marriage of red and brunette,” Perry says. “It’s a unique hair color that draws everyone’s attention.” The color allows you to incorporate the red hair trend, which has shifted from ginger to copper to sunset in the last year, while still maintaining the classic benefits of a brunette mane. “I love that this color leans into the natural warm undertones of so many brunettes,” says Baum.
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Vampy Red
Consider this the pinnacle of the red wave of 2022. “This is a fun play on the recent redhead trend,” says Baum. “It’s a deep red-violet tone that looks supervampy and unnatural.” The moody take completes the trend, matching the beauty landscape’s overall vibe of over-the-top, near-camp glamour. Violet red, like the other colors on this list, pays homage to both the future and the past—all it’s in how you wear it.
Personalized Platinum
Platinum is making a comeback, as evidenced by Kim Kardashian and her grunge-girl roots. “More is more,” says celebrity hairstylist Jenna Perry, of this look. The high-maintenance color is a response to the pared-down natural beauty that was popular post-pandemic, and, while seemingly specific, is as versatile as they come. According to hairstylist Emaly Baum, washes of warm tones allow this chilly trend to find favor with those who have previously found platinum lengths out of their above-neck realm. “I love that the trend this time around is so tailored to the individual,” she adds. “It’s not all white and blonde.”
Rich Chocolate
Rich is the primary descriptor for 2023, and brunettes are no exception. Those who choose to remain in their brown-mane lane would be wise to consider crossing completely into the dark side. Roszak suggests subtle, dimensional highlights that are more for shine than anything else, as well as an overall deepening of the hue. “I love healthy-looking hair, and these rich browns emphasize that,” she adds.
Beige Blonde
Sandy beige, also known as honey-wheat blonde or baby Bella, is expected to lead the lighter side of things in terms of trend. “Beige is ideal for cooler months when the sky has more gray and cool tones,” Roszak says. Perry, who recently lightened Bella Hadid’s brunette hair, agrees. “The color feels virgin and natural,” she says, adding that she wanted a dark beige-blonde base with lighter highlights for Hadid. This type of blonde is meant to feel effortless, the perfect counterpoint to the playful excess of ’20s beauty and fashion.
