Winter 2025 Hair Colour Trends: From Gothic Brunette to Muted Blonde

Winter is the season when hair colour takes a moodier, quietly luxurious turn. As highlighted by Refinery29’s latest reporting, top colourists are forecasting a spectrum that ranges from deep, glossy “gothic brunette” to softly dialled-down, “muted blonde” finishes. In this report, we unpack why these tonal directions resonate right now, how to make them wearable for different undertones and textures, and the smart salon strategies to keep them looking polished through the colder months in the UK.

The Season’s Palette: Deeper, Softer, More Dimensional

Winter 2025’s colour story is about depth, restraint, and refinement—tones that complement knitwear, low-contrast daylight, and skin that may be slightly cooler in the colder weather. Two headline looks stand out:

• Gothic brunette: A high-shine, inkier brunette that leans into dramatic depth without looking flat. Think espresso, bitter chocolate, and black coffee—polished, reflective, and multi-dimensional.
• Muted blonde: A desaturated, gentle blonde palette that sidesteps raw brassiness. Picture beige, toffee, and cool-neutral champagne—less beachy, more softly tailored.

Why now? Low winter sun can wash out overly bright or warm shades; deeper and dialled-down colours often photograph beautifully in grey light and feel more sophisticated against tailored coats and winter textures. After long cycles of lived-in blondes and high-contrast balayage, many clients also want cleaner finishes that read intentional but understated—elevated rather than attention-seeking.

Dimension remains key. Even the darkest brunette benefits from micro-lights or subtle panels to keep movement and avoid a blocky finish. Likewise, muted blondes often rely on shadowed roots, pearlised toners, and whisper-fine lowlights to create a seamless, expensive-looking blend.

Personalising Colour: Undertone, Texture, and Cut

Great winter colour is never one-size-fits-all; it’s a conversation between your undertone, natural depth, and the way your hair moves and falls.

• Undertones: If you have cooler skin (pink or rosy), consider neutral-cool brunettes (espresso, cola) and beige or champagne blondes. Warmer skin (golden or olive) pairs well with chocolatey brunettes and buttery, biscuit blondes. Neutral undertones can flex both ways—ask for a balanced, “not-too-warm, not-too-ashy” direction.
• Texture: Coily and curly patterns showcase tonal dimension beautifully—ribboning lowlights and gentle glosses can add sheen without sacrificing bounce. On straight hair, ultra-fine foiling or reverse balayage helps create movement so deep shades don’t read matte.
• Cut synergy: Strong, glassy brunettes flatter precision bobs and sharp fringes. Muted blondes suit soft layers, polished blow-outs, and modern shags where light and shade can play through the shape.

Glossing is the unsung hero across both trends. A demi-permanent glaze can enrich brunette depth, knock back blonde brass, and add a reflective topcoat that reads “healthy” under winter’s harsher indoor lighting. For anyone testing the waters, a gloss is also a lower-commitment way to preview a tone before fully committing.

Salon Strategy and Maintenance Through Winter

Successful winter colour is as much about upkeep as it is the initial appointment. Plan your schedule and aftercare deliberately:

• Appointment cadence: Rich brunettes: 6–10 weeks for root blending and shine top-ups. Muted blondes: 6–8 weeks for toners to keep the hue neutral-cool and refined.
• Toning and glossing: Expect a professional toner or gloss between major lightening sessions. It keeps brunette light-catchers dimensional and blondes softly desaturated.
• Bond care: If your route to muted blonde involves lightening, consider bond-protective services in-salon and bond-supporting care at home to reduce breakage and maintain a silky finish.
• Hard water awareness (common in many UK regions): Minerals can dull blondes and muddy brunettes. A monthly chelating or clarifying step—separate from your usual hydrating routine—helps reset shine.
• Heat management: Lower the heat tools, always use protection sprays, and embrace air-dry techniques where possible to preserve tone and integrity.

For brunettes edging darker, ask for soft-root melts or “smudging” at the regrowth to make grow-out more forgiving. For blondes, ask your colourist to note the exact toner formula so it can be repeated consistently for that signature muted finish. And across all shades, target scalp health—winter central heating can cause dryness. Introducing gentle scalp exfoliation and replenishing oils (used sparingly) can support both comfort and hair vitality.

How to Brief Your Colourist—And Protect Hair Health

Communication is everything. Before your appointment, collect 3–5 reference images that demonstrate not only the final shade but also the finish you like—glass-like and reflective, or soft and airy? Precision roots or lived-in diffusion? Then consider the following briefing checklist:

• Bring photos that match your hair texture and skin tone for realistic expectations.
• Be upfront about your colour history (box dyes, previous bleach, henna), as it affects process and timing.
• Specify the finish you want: ultra-glossy, satin, or softly matte.
• Discuss maintenance: how often you can realistically return for toners or root work.
• Request a strand test where appropriate to preview lift and integrity.
• Complete a patch test per UK safety best practice when trying new colour services.

Budget-wise, remember muted blondes often require careful maintenance to stay creamy rather than brassy, while dark brunettes may need regular glosses to maintain that mirror finish. Sustainability matters too—talk to your salon about low-waste foiling methods, water-saving rinses, and responsible pigment disposal where available.

If you’re torn between the two directions, a happy medium exists: deep lowlights through blonde lengths to desaturate summer brightness, or soft face-framing champagne ribbons through brunette hair for lift. The goal is harmony—enhancing your features while staying in tune with the season’s understated, luxury aesthetic.

Key Takeaways

• Winter 2025 colour leans polished and refined—think high-shine gothic brunette and softly desaturated muted blonde.
• Dimension is crucial: micro-lights, shadowed roots, and glossy toners prevent flatness and create movement in low winter light.
• Match tone to undertone and texture: cool-neutrals flatter rosy complexions; chocolate and biscuit shades glow on warmer skin; curls love ribboned dimension.
• Plan maintenance: schedule toners/glosses, protect bonds, and address hard water to preserve clarity and shine.
• Brief your colourist with realistic references, be transparent about history, and prioritise patch/strand tests for safety and predictability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is “gothic brunette”?
It’s an ultra-refined, high-shine brunette palette that leans deep and inky—espresso, cola, bitter chocolate—often with subtle dimensional panels to keep it lively rather than flat.

What does “muted blonde” look like?
Muted blonde is a softened, desaturated approach to blonde—beige, champagne, or cool-neutral—designed to dodge harsh brass and feel elegantly understated under winter’s grey light.

Can I move from bright summer blonde to a muted blonde in one session?
Often, yes—with strategic lowlighting and precise toning. Your colourist may recommend a staged approach if hair needs strength rebuilding or if brass must be neutralised gradually.

How do I stop brunette shades from looking flat?
Ask for micro-lights, underlayer panels, or a shadow-gloss that adds reflective depth. Styling with a smoothing finish can amplify shine, while avoiding product overload keeps movement.

How frequently should I refresh my toner or gloss?
Every 6–8 weeks is typical, though water hardness, heat styling, and sun exposure can shift that window. Your colourist can tailor the cadence to your routine and environment.

Does hard water really affect colour?
Yes. Mineral build-up can make blondes brassy and brunettes look dull. A monthly chelating/clarifying step plus regular hydration helps maintain clarity and shine.

Is a gloss damaging?
Demi-permanent glosses are generally gentle and can improve the look and feel of hair by adding slip and shine. They don’t replace strong conditioning, but complement it.