Discover 17 cute winter hairstyles for brunettes and winter hair color ideas to keep your look cozy, stylish, and on-trend all season long.
As the temperature drops and cozy layers come out, it’s also time to switch up your hairstyle. Winter brings its own beauty vibes—lush fabrics, twinkling lights, and an urge to reinvent. For brunettes, the season offers a chance to explore rich tones and elegant textures, perfectly matched with cute winter hairstyles and chic updates.
Whether you’re aiming for timeless, romantic, or practical styles, these 17 cute winter hairstyles for brunettes will keep you looking fresh, trendy, and winter-ready from December to February and beyond. Bonus: We’re also giving you the best winter hair color ideas for brunettes and essential hair care tips to combat winter dryness.
1. Side-Swept Braid
This effortless, bohemian style never goes out of fashion. It’s ideal for day-to-night wear and works beautifully with brunette hair, especially if you’ve added cinnamon or auburn lowlights.
Style Tip: Leave a few face-framing strands loose for a cozy, undone look that’s perfect under a knit beanie.
2. Classic French Twist
A classic French twist exudes elegance and sophistication—perfect for winter weddings or formal holiday gatherings. The twist tames flyaways and keeps your hair tucked in during dry, windy weather.
Why It Works for Brunettes: Darker tones showcase the twist’s shape and texture better than lighter hues.
3. Voluminous Soft Waves
Use a wide-barrel curling wand or overnight rollers for soft, voluminous waves. Ideal for medium to long hair, this look adds bounce and femininity.
Bonus: Add a moisturizing mousse to keep the bounce soft and hydrated all day.
4. Double Dutch Braids
These tight, functional braids work for active winter days, whether you’re skiing, hiking, or just running errands. They protect hair from wind and are easy to wear under a hat.
Hair Color Boost: Subtle caramel highlights add dimension to each braid.
5. Sleek Low Ponytail
Elegant and easy, a sleek low ponytail with a middle part looks incredibly chic. Use a shine serum or glossing spray for that ultra-glossy brunette finish.
Winter Win: It’s anti-static, stays neat under coats, and pairs beautifully with winter scarves.
6. Loose Romantic Updo
Nothing says winter romance like a tousled updo. Curl your hair loosely and pin sections up at the back, letting a few strands cascade.
Try This: Pair with a soft burgundy hair tint or wear with a velvet ribbon for seasonal charm.
7. Messy Top Knot
The ultimate casual chic hairstyle. Tease hair at the crown for volume and twist into a bun. Let some loose strands fall naturally for a laid-back, effortless vibe.
Style With: Oversized scarves, long coats, and hot cocoa in hand.
8 Braided Half-Up Style
Half-up braids are flirty and functional. Braid two small sections from each temple and pin them at the back.
Perfect For: Holiday parties or dinner dates—especially if you’ve added honey babylights for sparkle.
9. Twisted Crown Braid
A slightly more detailed version of the braided half-up, this uses twists instead of full braids. It’s ultra-feminine and pairs beautifully with moody brunette tones.
Pro Tip: Use texturizing spray for extra grip and volume.
10. High Puff Pony
Give your winter ponytail an edge with extra volume. Tease the crown, secure the pony high, and smooth the top.
Finish With: A satin scrunchie or metallic wrap to match festive outfits.
11. Clipped Back Curls
Curl your hair and use pearl or gold clips to pin each side back slightly. It’s a vintage, red-carpet-ready look that’s easy to achieve.
Hair Color Pairing: Espresso or dark chocolate tones enhance this elegant retro style.
12. Bubble Braid Ponytail
A modern twist on classic ponytails. Create sections along a long ponytail using hair ties every 2–3 inches and gently tug each section to create bubbles.
Use: Light pomade or gloss serum to keep each “bubble” neat and shiny.
13. Headband Tuck Updo
Use a fabric headband and tuck the lengths of your hair up and around it. This vintage-inspired style is great for second-day hair and offers full coverage from the winter chill.
14. Soft Chignon
A low bun that sits at the nape, the chignon is refined and ideal for formal settings. Use a smoothing brush for a flawless finish.
Hair Color Idea: Combine with a soft auburn glaze to warm your brunette base.
15. Curtain Bangs with Loose Curls
Brunettes with bangs, rejoice! Curtain bangs frame the face and pair beautifully with loose curls for an ultra-romantic look.
Trend Alert: This style is everywhere on Instagram this winter. It’s soft, cozy, and flattering.
16. Blunt Lob with Gloss Finish
A sharp, chin-length lob can be powerful and chic. Add a gloss treatment for high-shine impact—ideal for espresso or mocha brunettes.
Why It Works in Winter: It holds shape even under hats and scarves.
17. Layered Shag with Fringe
Retro and effortlessly cool, the shag cut adds volume and texture. Add curtain or wispy fringe to complete the look.
Color Tip: Try a balayage mix of mocha and ash brown for the full winter glow-up.
Hair Coloring Techniques for Brunettes
Not all hair coloring methods are created equal—especially in winter. These are the most popular techniques for brunettes looking to achieve stunning, long-lasting results.
Balayage vs. Ombre
Balayage offers hand-painted highlights for a natural, blended finish.
Ombre fades from dark roots to lighter ends with a more dramatic shift.
Best For Winter: Balayage is lower maintenance and grows out more softly.
Foil Highlights vs. Babylights
Foil Highlights create bolder streaks and more defined sections of color.
Babylights are ultra-fine and mimic natural sunlight.
Winter Pick: Babylights add soft sparkle without looking overdone.
Root Smudging for Dimension
This technique blurs the line between dyed and natural hair near the roots, creating a soft gradient that looks more dimensional and polished.
Glazing for Shine
Glazes are semi-permanent glosses applied to enhance your hair color’s tone and reflectivity. They’re ideal in winter when hair can appear dull.
Bonus: Glazes also help seal the cuticle and reduce frizz caused by dry, cold air.
Winter Hair Care Tips for Colored Brunettes
Keeping your color fresh and your hair healthy in winter requires a little extra love. Follow these tips to preserve the richness and shine of your winter brunette shades:
Color-Protecting Shampoo
Use a sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo to prevent stripping your hue. Look for formulas with UV protection, even in winter.
Weekly Hydration Masks
Once a week, apply a deep conditioning mask. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, coconut oil, or keratin.
Heat Styling Precautions
Always use a heat protectant before curling or straightening. Excessive heat can fade color faster and dry out strands.
Tone-Preserving Glosses
Use at-home toning glosses to refresh your hair color between salon visits. Brands like dpHUE and Redken offer easy-to-use options.
Winter Hair Color Ideas for Brunettes
One of the easiest ways to transform your winter look is by updating your hair color. For brunettes, winter opens the door to richer, more luxurious tones that reflect beautifully under soft, cold lighting. These winter hair color ideas for brunettes are warm, dimensional, and trendy enough to take you from the holidays straight into spring.
Glossy Chocolate Brown
This classic winter brunette shade delivers unbeatable depth and shine. It enhances your natural tone while making your hair appear thicker and healthier.
Why it works: Chocolate brown catches the golden tones of indoor lighting and glows under winter sun, making your hairstyle pop in photos and real life.
Caramel Balayage
Caramel balayage remains a go-to for brunettes who want dimension without full commitment to lightening. The warm tones pair perfectly with winter’s darker wardrobe palette.
Pro Tip: Ask your stylist for blended balayage starting a few inches from the roots for a seamless grow-out and less maintenance.
Auburn Highlights
Auburn gives your brunette base a fiery twist. Perfect for winter, it warms up your complexion and adds movement to darker shades.
Style Match: Works well with soft curls, romantic updos, or curtain bangs for a glow-up that looks rich and cozy.
Mocha Melt
Think hot cocoa with whipped cream. A mocha melt blends rich browns with subtle creamy tones for soft transitions and luxurious texture.
Ideal For: Brunettes looking for a natural but elevated winter update with minimal contrast.
Ash Brown Ombre
Prefer a cooler tone? Ash brown ombre fades from rich brown roots to icy ash ends, offering a modern edge to traditional brunette styles.
Great Pairing: This shade looks especially stunning with sleek straight styles or bubble braids that show off the color gradient.
Winter Hair Care Tips for Brunettes
As much as we love winter, it’s not always kind to our hair. Cold air, wind, indoor heat, and constant friction from hats and scarves can quickly dehydrate your locks. Here are essential tips to maintain the health and vibrancy of your brunette strands during winter.
Keep Hair Hydrated
Switch to moisturizing shampoos and conditioners that lock in hydration. Use hair masks once a week with ingredients like shea butter, argan oil, or keratin.
Try This: Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask (Sephora)
Avoid Over-Washing
Washing too frequently strips hair of its natural oils. Stick to 2–3 times a week and use a sulfate-free dry shampoo between washes to refresh your style.
Use Silk or Satin Accessories
Swap cotton pillowcases for silk or satin and use the same material for scrunchies or headbands. They reduce friction, preventing breakage and frizz.
Trim Ends Often
Cold, dry air can cause split ends to travel up the hair shaft. Schedule trims every 6–8 weeks to keep your hair looking fresh and healthy.
Deep Conditioning Rituals
Add a hydrating mask to your weekly routine and leave it in longer during cold snaps. Bonus: Apply heat (like a warm towel wrap) to help the product absorb better.
Winter is the season to experiment, glow-up, and enjoy the cozy glam that only cold weather brings. With these 17 cute winter hairstyles for brunettes and trending winter hair color ideas for brunettes, you’re set to turn heads while staying warm. Remember, your hair is your winter crown—treat it with love, hydrate it often, and don’t be afraid to change it up.
Whether you’re flaunting loose waves with curtain bangs, trying a romantic chignon, or embracing a rich chocolate shade with caramel balayage, there’s no better time than now to lean into your brunette beauty.
So, curl it, braid it, color it—make winter your season of effortless hair magic.
FAQs
What are the best cute winter hairstyles for brunettes?
Top options include curtain bangs with loose curls, braided half-up styles, messy top knots, and voluminous soft waves. These styles complement darker hair tones and work well with winter accessories.
How do I maintain hair hydration in winter?
Use moisturizing products, deep condition weekly, avoid excessive heat styling, and sleep on a satin pillowcase to lock in moisture.
Which winter hair color ideas are trending for brunettes?
Caramel balayage, auburn highlights, mocha melts, glossy chocolate brown, and ash brown ombré are all trending and perfect for the colder months.
Are bangs a good idea in winter?
Yes! Bangs like curtain or wispy styles add softness and warmth to your look and pair well with scarves, beanies, and winter coats.
Can I color my hair in winter without damaging it?
Absolutely—just follow with a nourishing aftercare routine. Use color-safe shampoos and invest in hair masks to prevent dryness or breakage.
What hairstyle is best for wearing under hats?
Low ponytails, French twists, or tucked updos work best. Loose braids or messy buns with a few face-framing tendrils also keep you looking cute post-hat.
