One of the best parts of being a beauty lover is that you can reinvent yourself anytime. Feeling bold? Swipe on some red lipstick. Channeling your inner grunge with an elevated twist? Treat yourself to a designer vampy nail polish. With 2025 right around the corner, there’s no better time to transform (or refresh) your look and step into a new era with a brand-new hair color.

So, what’s on the horizon for next year? Our predictions point to major celebrity-inspired moments, with everything from bold reds to classic natural hues taking center stage. “Hair color is as much about artistry as it is about personalization, and next year’s trends reflect a mix of bold statements and timeless elegance,” says celebrity hairstylist Castillo Bataille. “Warm, dimensional tones like copper and rich brunettes will remain timeless, as they flatter a wide range of skin tones and styles.”

Of course, we can’t forget food-inspired colors—a perennial favorite in the world of hair color trends. “Hair color has always been named after some favorite foods—caramel, chocolate, butter blonde, etc.,” explains Schwarzkopf Global Color Expert Jonathan Colombini. “And this coming year is no exception.” Don’t just take our word for it either—for 2025, Pantone announced Mocha Mousse, a rich espresso brown swirled with a touch of creamy froth, as the year’s defining shade.

Pros are also predicting that blondes will get a refresh next year. “People are learning to find which shades of blonde best suit their skin tone and features—but also considering the health of their hair,“Jackie Seabrooke, a celebrity hairstylist based in New York City, says. As a result, expect to see a shift toward more intentional, customized blondes that prioritize tone and texture.

1. Mocha Mousse 

Espresso brown isn’t going anywhere, but add an extra splash of milk, and you get Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year: Mocha mousse. Described by Pantone as “a soft brown whose warming glow awakens the inherent radiance of individual skin tones across a wide variety of undertones,” this shade offers a fresh, modern twist on a classic brunette. Think: soft and rich rather than inky and solid. “Mocha mousse is making its name due to its soft and creamy tonal value,” Colombini explains. It’s the kind of shade that grows gracefully, making it ideal for those who want to embrace a low-maintenance color. “Mocha mousse speaks to a desire for balance and simplicity—it’s timeless but never boring,” Bataille adds.

Take Lisa from Blackpink, for example, whose cool brown hair has just the right amount of subtle shine by way of babylights, which perfectly capture the mocha mousse vibe,

Jessica Alba’s take on the trend is slightly different, with bolder pieces of cool brown paired with her thicker hand-painted highlights. Ultimately, her color blends together perfectly like a freshly poured latte.

2. Black cherry red

If you thought black cherry beauty was just a phase, think again. According to Pinterest, the obsession with cherry red will be front and center for 2025. Searches for “dark cherry red” are up 235 percent, while “cherry vibe” has spiked over 300 percent. “Vibrant shades of red—like cherry cola or fiery crimson—are bold and attention-grabbing,” says Bataille. The rich tone has been spotted on stars like Dua Lipa and Megan Fox, proving its versatility for long, flowing looks and sleek, modern cuts. To keep the striking color vibrant and prevent fading, experts recommend an at-home gloss treatment like Pureology’s Color Fanatic Top Coat + Tone Hair Gloss ($36) and color-safe shampoo.

Dua Lipa’s take on cherry red mixes burgundy-red tones with the singer’s trademark black strands to create a look that’s equal parts subtle and bold.

Yin Chang took a more all-over approach to cherry red, with the vibrant shade starting at her roots. If you want to try a similar look without the commitment, you can use a color-depositing mask for vibrant color that washes out over time. However, keep in mind that these typically appear much more vibrant on blonde and lightly colored hair (whereas it’ll show more like a tint on darker colors).

3. Soft Shadow Roots 

One of the most frequently mentioned celebrities by our experts? Miss Espresso herself. “Sabrina Carpenter is having a huge impact right now,” says celebrity colorist and salon founder Rita Hazan. “Her hair color and style are fun, sexy, and natural all at the same time.” The smooth, gradual transition from root to tip creates a polished yet effortless look that stays fresh for longer, making it the perfect choice for a statement-making, low-maintenance blonde. This shade strikes the ideal balance between lived-in ease and refined sophistication. It’s a timeless look that will be undeniably on-trend for 2025. 

Margot Robbie’s soft shadow roots is a great option if you don’t want to worry about touch ups between salon appointments. There’s just enough root to make growing out a breeze, but her highlights still melt seamlessly, creating a natural-looking color.

Carpenter’s hair is a brighter-all over blonde with a subtle brown root peeking out that still adds an effortless element to her look.

4. Copper Hair 

“Copper is all about making a statement. It’s vibrant, eye-catching, and full of personality,” says Bataille. True copper blends warm chestnut brown with hints of gold—without any purple undertones. Achieving this shade is relatively straightforward for lighter hair, as it only requires a color-depositing process. “For darker hair, you’ll likely need to lift the base to create that bold, fiery glow,” he explains. Bataille emphasizes that customization is key in copper hues, as the wrong undertone can clash with your skin tone, highlighting redness or making the skin appear dull. Since copper tones are prone to fading, using color-safe shampoos and conditioners is essential to keep the shade fresh and radiant.

We love Kendall Jenner’s all-over copper tone a natural mix between brown and red, which you can achieve with a color depositing mask at home, like Overtone’s Semi-Permanent Color Depositing Treatment Mask in Ginger Glow ($19).

Lindsay Lohan’s copper is super glossy. For a similar look at home, add a gloss to your routine to keep you color just as vibrant

5. Lacquer Black 

Or should we say Brat Black? “Lacquer black is all about blinding shine and depth,” says Diana Mildice, a colorist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. This ultra-glossy shade, seen on celebrities like Charlie XCX and Katy Perry, is achieved by asking for a semi-permanent color paired with a mirror-like gloss treatment. “[One solid color] gives off more richness, depth, and shine than the faded, multi-tonal look,” celebrity colorist Meri Kate O’Connor previously told Well + Good. The result is a bold, high-impact color that feels sleek, sophisticated, and cool. Best of all, it’s easy to maintain at home with color-depositing conditioners and semi-permanent hair-coloring products that keep the shine and depth intact between salon visits.

Rihanna’s laquer black hair (and soft shoulder-length waves) makes a strong case for solid-color hair in 2025.

Charlie XCX’s color is slightly less jet black, but still a glossy, tonal look nonetheless that’ll look good at any event at any time of year.

Final takeaway

As we look ahead to 2025, one thing is clear: hair color is all about self-expression, artistry, and embracing what makes you feel confident. Whether you’re drawn to cherry red’s fiery allure, copper’s timeless elegance, or mocha mousse’s subtle sophistication, there’s a shade for every style and personality.

Great color begins in the salon, but maintaining its vibrancy and integrity requires the right at-home products. From statement-making brights to low-maintenance classics, next year’s color trends offer endless possibilities to reinvent your look. So, if you’ve been toying with the idea of a bold (or subtle) change this upcoming year, consider this your friendly push to go for it.