Checkered Shirt — For Your Hair? Yep, this Cosy Hair Colour Technique is Currently Trending

"Winter flannel" highlights is the hair colour trend [1] taking 2022 by storm.
This highlighting technique adds both colour and dimension to the hair.
The style is an update to a technique we already know and love, the traditional balayage.

Checkered shirts, or as American's call them, flannel, has long been a winter staple and go-to to layering piece in wardrobes for years, but what if we told you that you could wear them outside of the quintessential button-up? According to experts, "winter flannel" highlights will be one of the hair colour trends [2] you can expect to see everywhere in the new year — and it's not nearly as out there as it sounds. In fact, it's a cool new twist on the traditional balayage technique [3].

"This look creates ribbons of colour while still maintaining dimension," Lorena Martinez [4], colourist at Maxine Salon [5] in Chicago, previously told POPSUGAR. "These chunky highlights [6] and money pieces [7] frame the perimeter around the face and look great styled with a round brush for movement."

While the technique itself is impressive, one of the best parts about this colour is its versatility — it can work on different styles, as well as textures, of hair: "[It] works well with curtain fringes [8] or face-framing layers [9], and traditional layered haircuts that complement the bold contrast," said Martinez. Anyone with kinky or coily hair can take a page out of Beyonce, Ciara, or Elaine Welteroth's books for inspiration as to what the colour can look like, whereas people with straight or wavy hair can look to Jennifer Aniston [10] or Jessica Alba [11].

Interested in the trend but confused on what to ask for at the salon? We've got you: "Create this [look] with a traditional balayage where it really showcases each piece rather than the overly saturated 'balayage' that we commonly see," said Martinez. "Ask your colourist for ribbons that pop and to leave a lot of background colour to ensure the colour stands out."

If you want to bid adieu to one-dimensional hair colour, while still playing it safe with a trend that is almost guaranteed to work, flannel highlights might be just what you're looking for. Click ahead for some inspiration to take with you to your next salon visit.

Auburn Winter Flannel Highlights

Flannel highlights aren't just for one hair colour or type. This depiction of the trend features bold auburn money pieces that add dimension while also playing up the natural hair colour.

Ash Blonde Winter Flannel Highlights

The ash blonde colour is the star of this transformation. Not only does this look have the traditional balayage and money pieces that are essential to flannel highlights, but the colour also play with tone. Some of the highlighted pieces are lighter than others.

Subtle Blonde Winter Flannel Highlights

Curly hair can take part in this trend too — just take Ciara for example. Note how the money pieces at the front of the hair are the lightest colour of blond and seamlessly blend with the rest throughout the hair; perfect if you want a more understated take on the trend.

Honey Blonde Winter Flannel Highlights

Want to make your natural brown hair colour pop? Try a honey hue with your highlights, which is close to the dark shade but still adds contrast.

Golden Brown Flannel Highlights

The flannel highlights here are dispersed evenly throughout the hair — a key trait in the traditional balayage technique — and some of the more dramatics pieces are at the top of the head (and will directly frame the face).

Blonde Winter Flannel Highlights

These blonde highlights follow the same rule of thumb. The naturally dark hair colour is elevated by the ribbons of colour throughout the entirety of the head and the lightest pieces directly framing the face.

POPSUGAR UK