20 Trendy Hair Colors You'll Be Seeing Everywhere in 2021

By Kaitlyn Yarborough
Updated October 06, 2020
Credit: @curlfactor

With the start of a new year comes an impulsive urge to shake things up. While some are enthusiastically starting new habits—for a few weeks, at least—we’re making an appointment at the hair salon. As soon as possible.

It’s finally time to follow that itch to change up your look, starting with a trendy new hair color. We're predicting that 2021 is going to be all about subtle but statement-making color that doesn't require constant upkeep. That means low-maintenance color in extra eye-catching shades. After that, possibilities are endless.

Between the creamy blondes and metallic brunettes, the zippy reds and toasty ash hues, these hair color trends are here to give inspo all year long. You'll find more than one shade to rock for the winter, spring, summer, and fall. Kick off 2021 with one of these 20 hot-on-the-scene hair colors.

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Ginger Brunette

Credit: @curlfactor

Ginger Spice called, and she wants her name back. This toasted ginger color pops on warm skin tones like nobody’s business.

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Blended Bronde

Another easy-peasy pick: this color that gives cool-toned brunettes a chance to lighten up with blonde that will last months and months. Blending is the key. 

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Caramel Melt Balayage

Credit: @megan.e.grimm

Roots, who? You can caramelize up your entire brunette mane without risking any growing-out pains by asking for balayage that focuses on the ends and around the face. 

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Low-Maintenance Platinum

Credit: @nicolawelshhair

Think of this as a new and improved version of platinum blonde that starts with darker blonde roots and melts into all the bright color you could want—without risking major damage with constant touch-ups. 

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Strawberry Brown Balayage

Credit: @colour.jade

Say hello to the coolest brunette color to grace 2021’s lineup. Zhuzh up your dark brown base color with deep strawberry red for a look that makes plain brown look like child’s play.

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Statement Blonde Money Piece

Credit: @danielmbeauty

Literally anyone with any natural hair color can make the leap into blonde-dom by going super, super subtle and focusing just on the "money pieces," which are the flattering strands right around the face. Minimal babylighting can work the blonde of choice into the rest of your hair to match. 

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Sunlit Honey Blonde

Credit: @studiolioness

Think beach blonde, but more subtle and grown-up. Warm blondes like honey and gold work in harmony to create a multi-dimensional look that makes you look lit from within. 

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Robust Ruby Red

Credit: @megan.e.grimm

We're adding this dreamy redhead inspo onto the Pinterest board, stat. Rich and vibrant, this color is all about honing in on the darkest of ruby reds. 

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Mushroom Brunette

Credit: @hair_bynikki85

When everyone else is going warm with caramel and gold, go cool with a case of the mushroom brown. It might be the trendiest look in the bunch. 

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Soft Cool Black

Credit: @natalieannehair

Black hair color is often misunderstood to be harsh—when in fact, it can be striking in the most stunning way if you make sure to flatter your skin tone. This soft cool-toned black pops on a warm skin tone like nobody's business. 

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Peach Blonde

Credit: @colour.jade

Say hello to the new strawberry blonde. More on the orange-toned side, it settles into the prettiest peach blonde shade and can be worked into natural blondes and redheads alike. 

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Auburn Tinges

Credit: @studiolioness

Natural brunettes can get just a touch of extra zing with minimal balayage babylighting in a warm shade like reddish auburn. 

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Burnt Caramel

Credit: @mizzchoi

Caramel hair color is a classic brunette accessory for all seasons, and this more subdued version is a total knockout. It’s low maintenance and decidedly moodier.

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Pearly Blonde Dimension

Credit: @colour.jade

Combine the pearly, silvery blonde shades of trends past with more wearable shades like golden blonde to create a hair color that requires much less upkeep.

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Blushed Chocolate Brown

Credit: @tina_doeshair

If you blink, you might miss this color’s subtle blush tint. Enter: the dreamiest way to tweak your natural brown strands for 2021.

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Sandstone Blonde

Credit: @novaartssalon

This is the best neutral blonde if you’re not sure you want super warm honey or cool-toned ash. It has tinges of both sides of the spectrum.

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Apricot Red

Credit: @bobbymackhair

Mark our words: Nothing brings out those baby blues like a bright apricot red. Incorporate shades of copper, apricot, and strawberry blonde to get the most dimension.

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Rooty Blonde Blend

Credit: @kelseymorris18

Raise your hand if going to the salon every six weeks for a root touch-up sounds about as fun as a root canal. Y’all, too? Ask for a shadow root or root smudge to go with your multi-dimensional blonde to push back your salon trips.

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Hints of Cinnamon

Credit: @chrisgreenehair

Talk about spicy. This color feels extra cozy at the start of the year and stays just as fresh as you head into summer. 

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Glossy Mocha

Credit: @mikaatbhc

This brunette color is a smokeshow. Glossy coats of deep mocha brown will see you through every bad hair day, and it's an easy option for naturally darker brunettes.

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By Kaitlyn Yarborough