What to Buy Haircare Products 7 Winter Hair Trends to Inspire Your Next Color or Cut, According to Expert Hairstylists This holiday season and beyond is all about embracing natural tones and texture, like subtle honey highlights for brunettes and easy-to-maintain lowlights for blondes. Want go bold? Now's the time for bangs. By Grace Wade Grace Wade Instagram Twitter Grace Wade is an associate editor for Health.com. While her work covers a wide range of science and health topics, she has a particular interest in nutrition, mental healthcare, the wellness industry, and the relationship between the environmental and public health. Prior to Health, Grace was an associate editor at Insider where she spent the majority of her time trying to hack Google's algorithm. She is also a fact-checker and contributor for Popular Science. When she's not working, Grace can typically be found exploring Brooklyn or hiking mountains with her film camera. Grace holds a dual degree in journalism and science in human cultures from Northwestern University with a concentration in environment, science, and society. health's editorial guidelines Published on November 18, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Whether you're looking for a complete redo or a subtle switch, winter is a great chance to reinvent your hair. Since your mane may change with the chillier weather, styles that were once impractical during sticky summer months (hello, bangs!) are now a possibility. Getty Images Here are seven expert-recommended hair looks to herald in the winter season. The "modern Rachel" Inspired by Rachel from Friends' iconic 1990s hairdo, this contemporary cut has the same classic face-framing pieces, but with longer layers. It's ideal for anyone looking to make a change while maintaining length. "I usually like to start the layers right below the face to accentuate the cheekbones and contour the jawline," Rubyna Kim, a Los Angeles-based hairstylist of 12 years and StyleSeat professional, tells Health. Kim says it's become her most requested cut, popular among models like Hailey Bieber and Christina Nadin. Bangs, bangs, bangs There's a bangs style for every hair type, whether it's a feathery 1970s-inspired fringe (like the one Billie Eilish sports) or a subtle curtain bang across the cheekbones. Even curly haired folks can ask for playful wisps—think Mariah Carey a lá early 1990s. "Winter is the best season to make the bold move and try bangs because there is far less humidity this time of year," Kim says. "If you've been thinking about it for a long time, do it!" Cornrows with designs One style rising in popularity that's perfect for cold weather: intricately woven cornrow designs, Geneva Fowler, the lead braid stylist at BEAUTYBEEZ tells Health. They can last up to a month and take less time to create than classic box braids, she says. While cornrows work for any hair texture, Fowler says they're particularly beneficial for people with curl types between 3A and 4C. "In this cold weather, we want to protect our curls by keeping them moisturized and tucked away in our protective styles," she says. For added hydration, she recommends using a moisturizing braid spray like Uncle Funky's Daughter Hair Refresher Tonic and Shine n Jam's Magic Fingers for braiders to tame pesky flyaways. The 10 Best Natural Hair Products, According to Experts and Reviews Slicked-back ponytail braids Updos aren't just for warmer weather. This winter, try braiding your pony for a (literal) twist on the classic slicked-back look, Jen Atkins, celebrity hairstylist and founder of OUAI and Mane Addicts, tells Health. Even if your hair is on the shorter or thinner side, Fowler says you can add temporary extensions to achieve extra length and volume. Just make sure to use a strong-hold hair spray, like Aquage's Finishing Spray, to reach maximum levels of sleekness. Lived-in chestnut and honey tones For a touch of warmth in the wintertime, try streaming strands with caramel, copper, or amber hues; this will make your usual color pop. Just be sure to choose a shade that doesn't clash with your natural pigments, says Kim. That way, the added color can gradually fade with minimal upkeep. "As skin complexions tend to get paler during the colder season, subtle hair color can be an amazing way to bring some glow back into the face," Kim points out. She recommends starting the highlights at the cheekbone level, leaving roots mostly untouched, and then dying the tips a few tones lighter for a softer look. Both Atkins and Kim recommend getting regular glosses—about every six to eight weeks—to maintain richness and shine. While you should always ask your colorist for advice on products, Atkins recommends the DPHue color glosses for easy at-home treatment. Low-maintenance "bronde" While brunettes may go for a more sun-kissed look this holiday season and beyond, Atkins predicts blondes will take the opposite route and go one or two shades darker. Not only will a "bronde" color be easier to upkeep, but it will also give your hair a break from bleaching, which can damage and dry out strands. "The focus is really on adding dimension and barely there highlights and lowlights," Atkins says. "Bring photos to your colorist, since this isn't a color you're going to be able to achieve easily with box dye." For further hydration, use an anti-frizz hair oil like Color Wow's Supernatural Spray or Rahua's Legendary Amazon Oil. Natural textures Low-maintenance hair colors will be a big hit this season, and so will embracing your natural texture, Atkins says. It's usually easier to do so in the winter since less humidity means less frizz. The best way to bring out your locks' instinctive shape depends on your hair type: For wavy hair: Rake mousse through damp strands, and then place an old silk scarf on top of your head with the ends by your ears. Wrap sections of hair around the scarf before securing with a scrunchie. Unfurl your tresses once they're dry for heat-free waves. For straight hair: Apply a nourishing cream through partially dried hair, then twist it into a tight bun to create a voluminous texture. For curly hair: Massage a curl cream (like this one from OUAI) into wet hair and twist individual ringlets around your finger. This will help twists dry in their natural curl pattern. 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