Hair color trends come and go faster than you can say ‘root touch-up’! As a stylist who’s seen it all, I’m here to spill the tea on what’s heading out the salon door in 2025. I’ve gathered the most cringe-worthy color trends you’ll want to avoid, plus the fresh new hues that’ll have everyone asking for your colorist’s number. Let’s transform those locks from ‘last season’ to ‘leading edge’!
1. Chunky Highlights Are So Yesterday
Remember those thick stripes of blonde that made everyone look like zebras in the early 2000s? They’re making a brief comeback now, but trust me—by 2025, they’ll be as outdated as flip phones.
Clients who jump on this nostalgic trend will be scrambling for color corrections faster than you can say ‘Y2K fashion mistake.’
2. All-Over Platinum Blonde Causing Major Damage
Though platinum blonde has been the celebrity go-to for years, I’ve seen too many crying clients with broken, straw-like strands. The maintenance is brutal, and the damage is real.
By 2025, we’ll be leaving behind this high-maintenance shade that demands weekly salon visits and prayer sessions for your hair’s survival.
3. Unicorn Hair Colors Losing Their Magic
While rainbow hair had its moment of glory, the fantasy color trend is fading faster than those actual semi-permanent dyes. Honestly, the upkeep is a nightmare!
Between the constant bleaching and weekly color refreshes, your hair becomes a science experiment gone wrong. Save your strands and your wallet from this soon-to-be passé trend.
4. Ombré That Starts Too Low
If your dark roots extend halfway down your head before the color transition begins, you’re not rocking ombré—you’re just overdue for a touch-up. This lazy-looking trend screams 2015, not 2025.
The harsh line between colors creates an awkward grow-out that even the most forgiving filters can’t salvage. Time to evolve, my friends!
5. Burgundy Box Dye Disasters
Nothing screams ‘I made a 2 AM decision’ quite like that purple-red box dye burgundy. Having removed this stubborn shade from countless regretful clients, I can confirm it’s heading for extinction.
The flat, unnatural tone lacks dimension and often turns into an unflattering purplish hue that’s impossible to correct without multiple salon visits.
6. Jet Black All-Over Color
Unless you’re Wednesday Addams, that flat, inky black dye job is doing you zero favors. Harsh against most skin tones, it emphasizes every fine line and wrinkle you never knew you had.
Plus, removing it later? Pure nightmare fuel. This unforgiving shade will be haunting your hair history by 2025.
7. Money Piece Highlights Gone Wild
Though face-framing highlights had their moment, the ultra-contrasting, too-thick money pieces are becoming a dated signature of the early 2020s. When they’re too chunky or too light, they scream ‘trying too hard.’
By 2025, we’ll look back at those skunk-like stripes and wonder what we were thinking!
8. Gray Coverage That’s Too Perfect
Ironically, that flawless, not-a-gray-in-sight coverage is aging you faster than the actual grays would! The solid, one-dimensional color creates an unnatural helmet-head effect that screams ‘dated.’
By 2025, that perfect coverage will be the telltale sign you’re stuck in outdated beauty standards. Time to embrace a more natural approach.
9. Cherry Cola Red That Fades to Pink
While rich reds can be stunning, that cherry cola shade quickly becomes a faded, brassy pink nightmare. I’ve seen too many clients return with what I call ‘accidental flamingo syndrome.’
The high-maintenance upkeep and inevitable awkward fade-out make this color choice one you’ll definitely regret by 2025. Your shower will look like a crime scene!
10. Bleached-Out Ends With No Toner
Those yellow, straw-like ends that were supposed to be ‘sun-kissed’ but look more ‘sun-damaged’ are on their way out. Without proper toning, bleached ends quickly turn brassy and scream ‘DIY disaster.’
The contrast between healthy roots and fried tips is a dead giveaway of outdated coloring techniques that won’t cut it in 2025.
11. Subtle Mushroom Blonde Takes Center Stage
Move over platinum! This earthy, cool-toned blonde with ashy undertones creates dimension without the damage. Mushroom blonde blends seamlessly with natural roots, making grow-out practically invisible.
I’ve been recommending this to my high-maintenance blondes who want to scale back salon visits while still looking effortlessly chic. It’s blonde, evolved.
12. Cinnamon Cookie Butter For Brunettes
Imagine your favorite spiced cookie in hair form—warm, rich, and utterly delicious. This multidimensional brunette shade incorporates subtle golden-red undertones that catch the light beautifully.
Unlike flat box dyes, cinnamon cookie butter creates depth that makes hair look thicker and healthier. My brunette clients are absolutely obsessed with this dimensional upgrade!
13. Lived-In Lowlights For Blondes
Instead of fighting roots, we’re now embracing them! Strategically placed lowlights create a shadow root effect that grows out gracefully. Your blonde will look expensive rather than desperate.
This technique has saved my clients thousands in maintenance costs while keeping them looking fresh. No more bi-weekly panic appointments when roots appear!
14. Expensive Brunette With Ribboning
Forget flat brown! This technique incorporates ultra-fine, barely-there highlights woven throughout dark hair like delicate ribbons. The effect is subtle yet transformative—creating movement without looking highlighted.
My brunette clients who swore off lightening are now converts to this whisper-soft dimension that makes hair look naturally sun-kissed year-round.
15. Strawberry Cream Blonde
Neither fully blonde nor completely red, this buttery shade with delicate rose gold undertones is universally flattering. The soft warmth brightens complexions without the harshness of traditional red dyes.
When clients ask for something unique yet wearable, this is my go-to recommendation. It photographs beautifully and complements both warm and cool skin tones.
16. Smoked Marshmallow Balayage
Imagine the perfect toasted marshmallow—that’s this hair color’s inspiration. Starting with a smoky, ashy root that gradually transitions to warm, creamy ends, it’s the ideal low-maintenance option.
My clients who’ve switched to this technique only need touch-ups 3-4 times yearly instead of monthly. The gentle transition makes grow-out part of the look, not a flaw.
17. Twilight Copper For Statement Makers
Unlike the harsh cherry reds of yesteryear, twilight copper combines deep auburn bases with multidimensional copper tones. The result? A sophisticated red that doesn’t scream for attention but certainly commands it.
This shade has converted even my most color-shy clients. It’s rich without being overwhelming, vibrant without looking artificial.
18. Charcoal Melt For Gray Embracers
Rather than fighting grays, this technique incorporates them into a deliberate, gorgeous gradient. By blending natural silver strands with deeper charcoal tones, the result is sophisticated, not aging.
My clients transitioning away from full coverage are amazed at how this approach actually makes them look younger than perfect dye jobs ever did.
19. Honey Almond Highlights For Depth
Unlike chunky highlights, these whisper-thin ribbons of warmth are painted specifically to enhance your natural color and face shape. The varied honey and almond tones create natural-looking dimension that moves with you.
My clients love how these highlights make their hair look naturally sun-kissed, as if they’ve spent summer at the beach rather than in my chair.
20. Denim Blue For Cool Personalities
Unlike the neon fantasy colors, this sophisticated blue-gray shade resembles perfectly worn-in jeans. Surprisingly wearable for professional settings, it fades gracefully into a soft slate rather than green or yellow.
When clients want something unique without the rainbow commitment, this dimensional cool tone provides the perfect balance of edgy and elegant.