From Colours to Cuts, These Are the Hair Trends That Matter Most This Winter

Talking about the onset of deep winter can be fairly stressful when you're still enjoying a few last chilly-but-sunny days and the lovely relishes that come with it: walks that be taken up until 4 p.m. We've been thinking about how the plunge into this slow and cold part of the season can affect our skincare routines, wardrobes and nail games, and hair colour can be adapted as we prepare to ring in the new year. (If you're so inclined, of course.)

ICYMI, we already published a pretty extensive guide to 2020 autumn hair colours, but we thought we'd round it out with an expert-led side serving of haircut, hairstyling, and hair accessory inspiration. Below, we're recapping the colour trends we discussed earlier this year in addition to sharing a fresh new crop of A/W hair trend predictions from some of the best celebrity hair experts in the industry—all of them will last well into 2021. Ready your camera, and keep scrolling! 

The Colour Trends

"From knee socks and platform sneakers to wide-legged pants, the '90s are back," notes celebrity colourist Jeremy Tardo. "This matten stripe hair-colour trend is bringing us '90s vibes with a twist. Think Ginger Spice meets Rogue from X-Men, and a few modern-day references include Beyoncé, Jackie Aina, and Sable Yong, who credits Elizabeth Hiserodt at Cutler Salon for her stunning colour." 

"After all of the quarantine hair disasters, lots of people are opting to get back to their roots," shares Tardo. "A return to more natural colours will give overprocessed strands a healthy break. Celebrities like Jane Fonda, Jourdan Dunn, and Julianne Hough are great examples."

It seems as though every celebrity has been debuting a new, ultra-juicy iteration of red this summer, and according to pro colourists such as Tardo and Chris Appleton (who just took Kim Kardashian West to her stunning shade of cherry!), this hue will have legs well into autumn. FKA Twigs and Sarah Hyland have also tried the trend. 

"Summer's pink hair colour trend is making way for this bright hue," emphasises Tardo. "Because shades like poppy and cherry are more pigmented than the pastel colours of late, it will have more wearability, and it will still look rich even as it fades."

Bright blonde is timeless, but Tardo tells us to expect glowing shades of wheat blonde (à la Chrissy Teigen, Jennifer Lopez, Jasmine Sanders, and Ciara) as autumn sets in. Plus, this tone, he notes, is easier on the shade and will add more shine and gloss back into sun-bleached or damaged strands. 

Yes, more red! But, according to Tardo, this colour trend is a deeper, richer, more "natural" take on the aforementioned juicy hues like poppy or cherry. Celebrities such as Issa Rae, Zendaya, and Madeline Brewer all have iterations of it. 

"Auburn tones make this hair colour look natural and rich," explains Tardo. "It is great for adding depth to the hair while maintaining more brightness than we get from darker brunette shades or ultra-light red tones."

Dua Lipa, Amandla Stenberg, Billie Eilish, Kristen Stewart—what do all of these celebrities have in common? Eye-catching, juxtaposed hair colour. 

"For autumn, the fashion-forward can expect to begin seeing more high-contrast hair colour trends," predicts Tardo. "Colour blocking in hair is about to have a big moment. We are beginning to see panels and large sections of hair coloured differently than the hair that lies right next to them. Boredom with balayage is creating a space for creativity in hair colour." 

The Haircut Trends

"It might sound crazy, but the modern mullet worn by celebrities such as Miley Cyrus and Barbie Ferreira is making a major comeback," celebrity hairstylist Justine Marjan tells us. "This look is shaggy, edgy, easy to style, and can be cut to work with your natural hair texture."

As far as styling the cut, Marjan suggests using R+Co's Aircraft Pomade Mousse (£28) and the diffuser attachment on your hair dryer. (This one from GHD is a favourite.) To finish, give your strands a bit of hold using Tresemmé's Extra Hold Hairspray (£4). 

"When salons started to reopen, everyone was ready for a big chop, and the classic lob isn’t going anywhere," Marjan predicts. "We’re seeing versions that range from the chin to the collarbones and lots of straight variations that are worn behind the ears." Marjan suggests looking to celebrities such as Dua Lipa and Olivia Culpo for inspiration.

"This cut will be going strong due to its ease and versatility," adds celebrity hairstylist Cynthia Alvarez. "It’s a great option for people who want shorter length hair but still want the option of pulling it up and off their face. It can be worn straight or wavy and can even be worn in a cute half-up style."

"A face-framing fringe is the perfect transitional haircut to get you through the seasons," explains Marjan. "This cut draws attention to the eyes, opens up the cheekbones, and is perfect for growing out that DIY fringe you cut during quarantine."

Once you book with your stylist, Marjan suggests asking them for "soft, eyebrow-grazing bangs" that are longer at the temples but blend smoothly into the rest of your haircut.

"During this pandemic, monthly trims might not be realistic, so switching to a low-maintenance cut is key," says Alvarez. "Since curtain bangs grow out gracefully, you won’t need to trim them every two weeks like you would with shorter bangs, which typically require more maintenance. This cut works well with any length of hair or texture."

The Styling Trends

According to Marjan, volume will be back in a major way this fall. To perfect your blowout, you can opt for Wet Brush's Volumising Round Brush (£15), or you can try out GHD's Rise Hot Brush (£169) to fake a blowout on already dry hair.

This summer, celebrities like Addison Rae and Hailey Bieber (who was styled here by hairstylist Amanda Lee) have proved pigtails to be anything but childlike, and Marjan predicts the whimsical trend will have legs into autumn. 

"Make them modern by wearing them half up and putting the placement toward the back of your head," she notes. "They’re also the perfect way to camouflage dirty hair in a pinch."

"The two-strand tendrils of the '90s are getting a vamp up," predicts Alvarez. "You can wear this style in so many ways: with a fresh, bouncy blowout or paired with beachy waves to create a more lived-in vibe. To recreate the trend, plait a tiny section of hair on each side of your part, leaving the rest of your hair down or pulled back. Add some thread or ribbon to the braid for an eye-catching effect. To finish, spritz Amika's Un.Done Volume and Matte Texture Spray (£18) all over."

The Accessory Trends

Delicate Demure Scrunchies

Diamonté Pins

Statement Pieces

Super-Sized Headbands

Scarves