Winter 2026 Hair Color Trends + Where to Wear Them on the North Shore

Smiling woman with glossy copper hair in falling snow

When the lake wind picks up and the North Shore trades patios for fireplaces, it’s the perfect time to refresh your hair color. Winter 2026 is all about rich, glossy, dimensional color: deeper reds, warmer blondes and brunettes with a liquid-like shine. The stark, icy looks of past winters are giving way to softer, blended shades that look expensive and grow out beautifully.

Here are the top winter hair color trends Kathleen is seeing this season, who they suit best, and where to show them off around Chicago and the North Shore.

1. Mulled Wine & Black Cherry Reds

The Look: Deep wine, berry and black-cherry tones with a hint of plum. Rich in low light and jewel-toned in the sun.
Who It Suits: Especially flattering on neutral to cool undertones and deeper skin tones.
Kathleen’s Tip: Reds fade fastest, so wash with cool water and plan a gloss between visits to keep the color vivid. Not ready to commit? A semi-permanent gloss lets you try the shade first.
Where to Wear It: A holiday night at the Lyric Opera or the Chicago Symphony downtown.

2. Cinnamon Copper Melt

The Look: Copper is still going strong, now softened into a warm cinnamon tone and hand-painted so it melts from a deeper root into glowing ends.
Who It Suits: Warm and neutral undertones, and anyone with natural red or light brown hair.
Kathleen’s Tip: Balayage-style placement keeps copper looking lived-in and grows out softly.
Where to Wear It: Strolling the holiday lights at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe.

3. Espresso Martini Brunette

The Look: A near-black, deep espresso brown with a high-shine, liquid finish. It’s the definition of “expensive brunette.”
Who It Suits: Natural brunettes who want more depth and shine, and anyone looking for polished, rich gray coverage.
Kathleen’s Tip: A single process with a finishing gloss gives full coverage and that mirror-like shine.
Where to Wear It: Dinner and drinks in downtown Highland Park.

4. Cashmere Blonde

The Look: A soft, creamy blonde that blends beige, pearl and subtle golden tones. Warmer and more forgiving than icy platinum.
Who It Suits: Blondes who want brightness without brassiness, and brunettes easing into a lighter look.
Kathleen’s Tip: Toning is everything with blonde. A gloss every few months keeps it creamy instead of yellow or gray.
Where to Wear It: Holiday shopping around Market Square in Lake Forest.

5. Candlelit Chestnut

The Look: A warm chestnut brown with soft golden glints around the face that catch the light, like hair lit by candlelight.
Who It Suits: Almost everyone. It’s one of the most flattering, low-maintenance shades of the season.
Kathleen’s Tip: Ask for fine, face-framing highlights to add brightness without high upkeep.
Where to Wear It: Browsing the Christkindlmarket in downtown Chicago.

6. Soft Silver & Gray Blending

The Look: Instead of fighting every gray hair, more clients are softening and blending gray into a bright, intentional silver.
Who It Suits: Anyone tired of frequent root touch-ups or ready for a natural, modern look.
Kathleen’s Tip: Highlights, lowlights and a gloss (up to 70% gray coverage) can blend the transition so there’s no harsh line.
Where to Wear It: A crisp winter walk along the lakefront at Rosewood Beach.

Winter Hair Color Care Tips

Fight forced-air dryness: Indoor heat pulls moisture from your hair. A deep conditioning treatment restores softness and shine.
Turn down the heat: Use a heat protectant and rinse with cool water to help your color last.
Refresh before the holidays: A gloss a week or two before holiday parties and photos brings back shine and tone.
Book ahead: The weeks before Thanksgiving and the holidays fill up quickly, so reserve your appointment early.

Find Your Perfect Winter Shade

Whether you’re drawn to a deep wine red, a creamy cashmere blonde or a soft silver blend, Kathleen creates custom color using gentle ammonia-free and organic formulas that keep your hair healthy all season.

✨ Book your appointment or call/text 847-921-2757 to schedule a consultation.

🎁 Shopping for someone special? Give the gift of color this holiday season with a Kathleen Marie Hair Color eGift card, delivered instantly by email.