Winter’s 10 Biggest Hairstyle Trends Are All About Expensive-Looking Hair

Fall hair was defined by air-dried textures and low-maintenance cuts, but winter's best hairstyles? They're bringing a shift toward polished, voluminous, expensive-looking hair. The effortless vibe isn't gone—just refined. Christian Cowan's FW '24 collection brought back sleek styles with sharper edges, while Chanel's Haute Couture upgraded low ponytails with maximalist hair accessories, sparking street style inspiration from Copenhagen to Paris Fashion Weeks.

Zendaya and Lily Collins are among many to join the “bob-assaince,” opting for sharp, angular bobs or layered variations, while side parts—revived by Tory Burch and Fendi runways—have become staples in off-duty celebrity looks and Instagram feeds alike.

Subtle tweaks—an accessory here, a part switch there—are turning casual styling into something more elevated. Think relaxed waves à la Chloé and Ferragamo FW '24, now zjuzh'ed up with added volume. Glossy blowouts are also back in a big way. Likely a nod to fall's rich-girl blonde trend (championed by Kendall Jenner and Rihanna), these luxe, bouncy styles echo the discourse around Sabrina Carpenter’s signature hairstyle. Fall’s relaxed, low-maintenance ease lingers, but winter brings more definition with structured cuts, fuller textures, and glossier finishes.

As the season unfolds, these subtle refinements set the stage for a possible movement toward a bolder, more dramatic approach to hair. Celebrity hairstylists Lacy Redway, Rogério Cavalcante, and Mia Santiago weigh in on what’s defining the moment—and what’s around the corner for the hottest hairstyle trends for winter 2025.

Side Parts

While middle parts have dominated the past decade, the FW ‘24 runways and red carpets tell a different story: there’s an undeniable shift of the part—and it’s to the side. Spotted atop smooth, polished hair at Tory Burch and Fendi, and styled into Marc Jacobs’ larger-than-life spring collection looks, the part’s versatility is undeniable. Santiago loves pairing a side part with a slicked-back style, noting it’s an effortless way to elevate everyday hair.

Styled Bobs

Surprise: the bob remains a standout trend, solidifying its place as one of 2024’s biggest hairstyles yet again. “I’m seeing bobs everywhere!” says Redway. As this timeless cut evolves, both bobs and lobs are taking on fresh shapes this winter. Redway highlights short haircuts and bouncy, voluminous iterations as the season’s top contenders. "The Nexxus Slick Stick is great for an evening version of your bob that is super sleek with all the hair off your face and pushed back,” Redway says.

Another winter hairstyle option? Braided bobs, a style that offers a smart way to blend a protective style with this year's hottest trend. They're especially practical during winter when cold, dry air can wreak havoc on natural hair as protective styles can create a barrier against moisture loss and damage.

Bouncy Blowouts

“I’m seeing more luxury blowouts,” says Santiago, which could very well be a result of the massive discourse surrounding Sabrina Carpenter’s hair on TikTok, in the media, and among Gen Z. Her signature glam look stands in stark contrast to the laid-back styles of fall, but it’s quickly become one of the most requested celebrity hair inspirations this year, according to the 2024 Glossed Report by GlossGenius, a platform powering over 80,000 beauty and wellness businesses.

This trend could signal a shift toward bolder hairstyles in the next season. To achieve this style, Santiago recommends using a mousse for volume, velcro heatless rollers to set the style, and a texture spray to finish.

Low-Dos

Slicked hair ponytails and buns remain a fan-favorite, says hairstylist Rogerio Cavalcante, as showcased in Michael Kors’ last two runway shows. However, these styles are sitting lower on the neck this time around. If you have braids, simply tie them off at the nape of your neck, or if you're looking to achieve a snatched, polished finish, Cavalcante recommends using mousse for hold and a boar bristle brush.

The trend can also take on a more effortless vibe. Case in point: Chanel's Haute Couture models wore low ponytails adorned with bows, styled with a relaxed, slightly undone finish.

Expensive Glam

Some of this winter’s hairstyles are leaning luxe, marked by glossy, polished finishes that look filthy rich. The best celebrity inspiration? Zendaya's hairstyles in Monte Carlo and at Paris Fashion Week, which compliment the old-money hair trend that dominated earlier this year.

Not sure how to emulate the "rich" aesthetic? Santiago says, "Think expensive!" This look is all about being effortlessly refined without going overboard. From voluminous, brushed-out blowouts (often paired with a bob), to chic low-dos, these looks are all about creating hair that's healthy, shiny, and put-together—never overly elaborate.

Decorated Hair

One of the simplest yet most impactful ways to level up your look this season is by embracing the art of accessorizing. Winter’s all about “decorated hair,” a trend that makes your hair feel just as styled as the rest of your outfit. Add chic details like gold and silver hair cuffs, bejeweled barrettes, oversized scrunchies, and giant bows. The beauty of it? These accents work on any hair type and with virtually any style.

Slicked-Back or Slicked-Down

Both Cavalcante and Santiago agree: the slicked-back hair trend is still going strong. Whether styled into a sleek ponytail, braid, or bun (à la Hailey Bieber) or paired with a runway-inspired side part, this look has proved it has staying power—especially because it’s so easy to do when it’s been a few days since you last washed your hair.

Cavalcante points to the high-fashion slicked-back styles that kept the hair loose and down at Helmut Lang’s fall runway and Lacoste’s spring show for inspiration. Just know that the slick-back requires commitment. Once your style is set, it's best to keep your hands off your head. Start with clean hair, apply mousse, smooth it back with a gel-pomade mix, dry gently, and finish with hairspray for a long-lasting finish.

Headscarves and Berets

A step up from the decorated hair trend, headscarves, berets, and hats have been in no short supply—debuting on fall runways and swiftly becoming a staple of Paris street style. Anna Sui blended them all, incorporating hair accessories with chic headwear for a layered effect. “Hair has become an essential part of the outfit itself,” says Cavalcante, noting that accessories like berets and scarves not only elevate any look, but also add a practical touch of warmth in colder weather.

Glossy and Sleek

Take the “wet trend” of years past and tone it down a notch. Winter is all about the glossy hair trend—sleeker, more wearable, and focused on healthy, high-shine finishes. Santiago notes this look is everywhere right now, with the 2024 Glossed Report by GlossGenius confirming hair gloss services as one of the fastest-growing salon treatments. Chanel’s Pre-Fall ‘25 show highlighted super-straight, glossy styles, while “glass hair” remains a TikTok favorite, raking in over 12,000 posts. “I sent models down the runway in sleek jobs for the Christian Cowan shows,” says Redway, crediting hair wax for eliminating flyaways and achieving high-shine finishes.

Voluminous Waves

Fall introduced us to low-maintenance waves, a staple on the FW ‘24 runways of Gabriela Hearst, Chloé, Ferragamo, and Burberry. As the season transitioned to winter, these waves took on a bolder life in street style, with added volume becoming the focus. Unlike the polished bouncy blowout trend, this look leans into a more effortless vibe—waves are brushed out for a relaxed finish with the goal of achieving maximum volume.

Why Trust Marie Claire?

Siena Gagliano is a New York-based beauty editor and writer specializing in digital features, trend stories, and shopping roundups. In her prior role, she was an editor at Cosmopolitan, focusing on beauty commerce and SEO-driven content. She spoke with celebrity hairstylists about the newest and trendiest in the hair space to compile this list of the best winter hairstyles this season.

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Meet the Experts

Lacy Redway

Lacy Redway is a New York-based celebrity hairstylist. Throughout her career, she has worked with an esteemed roster of clients including Anne Hathaway, Simone Biles, Alicia Keys, Tracee Ellis Ross, and many others. Her work has appeared in Marie Claire, Allure, Elle, and Vogue among others.   

Mia Santiago

Mia Santiago is a celebrity hairstylist and master hair cutter. She honed her talent of cutting and styling at the iconic Sharon Dorram at Sally Hershberger salon in New York, NY where she started her career. Mia spent 15 years in New York City focusing on building her salon and celebrity clientele, creating advertising, editorial, and red carpet looks, and has worked with celebrities including Mariska Hargitay, Hugh Jackman, Martha Stewart, Dr. Oz, Dove Cameron and Grammy Award winners such as Ed Sheeran, John Legend and Twenty One Pilots.

Rogério Cavalcante

Rogério Cavalcante is a seasoned hairstylist with over 20 years of experience and the owner of The Second Floor Salon in New York, NY. He regularly travels between New York, London, and Paris, collaborating with industry professionals and staying on top of global hair trends. For the last three years, Cavalcante has been dedicated to developing his own clean haircare line.