Hair Color Ideas: The Statement Hues to Try in 2022, According to the Pros

From Billie Eilish’s buttery blonde to Gigi Hadid’s ginger, 2021 saw an explosion of warm, off-kilter hues as the world began to open up again. But what does next year hold in terms of hair color ideas? Will we see a return to slime green or peroxide blonde? Or will 2022 be a darker affair? Here, the experts make their hair color trend predictions.

Matt Rez

Warm it up

“Warmth is coming back in 2022.  Whether you are a blonde, brunette, or redhead, incorporate warm tones into your silhouette.  Ask your colorist to add a ‘midlight’ into their highlighting technique.  It gives the warmer and deeper color that connects your base and lightest highlight seamlessly, creating a controlled, multi-dimensional and warmer result.”

Daniel Moon

Be bold

“Sandy blondes like Sharon Tate will be big, as will electric coral because it looks great on everybody’s skin. It’s like capturing the magic hour in a hair colour. Then there’s Simi and Haze, the dynamic duo twins of Los Angeles who do it best. Natural but light. Dark blonde brings out the features like a brunette but is light enough to not change the vibe completely.”

Nikki Lee

Go high maintenance

“Get ready for high maintenance color in 2022! Everyone has been low maintenance and basic for the past two years and we’re all over it! Look forward to seeing double processed blondes (light base with highlights) like Paris Hilton and dramatic, dark edgy hair like Megan Fox.”

Rita Hazan

Keep it natural

“My prediction for hair color in 2022 is natural base colors, with lots of dimension, and bright highlights. Chocolate brown, toffee blondes, auburn reds.”

Michael Canalé

Customization is key 

“As we embark on 2022, you’ll see a move away from balayage and over-bleached two-toned looks that can be damaging to hair. Instead, the trend will focus on keeping hair healthier with blended and customized natural hair colors that complement each person’s individual skin undertones. You can enhance and maintain those custom hair colours with the Color by Canalé product line, including the Signature Glosses available in Midnight Blue, Cool Blue and Sunkissed Gold to complement your skin tones.”

Louise Galvin

Try a balayage  

“Inspired by the catwalks of Chanel, Dior and Celine, hair is returning to sleek and simple as a contrast to the bold colors and styles being seen in fashion.  Youthful and fresh, blondes will have undertones of honey, butterscotch, lemon and marigold—think Cher Horowitz in Clueless.

A strong Galvin classic since the ’70s is the childhood summer-into-winter hair. Capturing those sun-kissed locks of the summer as the hair grows out through the winter months, the colors play out through the lengths of the hair. As summer moves into autumn, then winter, the dark underside plays against the movement of the lighter end lengths—a little balayage will maintain the look and extend the illusion.