- This winter's hairstyle trends are chic and polished.
- From bubble braids [1] and '90s blowouts [2] to treatment buns [3], these styles will transform your look.
- Learn how to create these winter hairstyles at home with tips from professional stylists.
On our summer hairstyle mood board [4] you might find beachy waves and extra-long braids, but our winter hairstyle mood board is a whole different vibe. Effortless and undone hairstyles make way for chic, polished styles and updos that wear great with turtlenecks or scarves. Even the season's hair accessories [5] are getting a makeover as we start incorporating more luxe materials and embellished clips.
As you start planning your cold-weather outfits for when the temperature drops, now is the time to think about the corresponding hairstyles that will match. If you're not ready for the commitment that comes with a bigger transformation like a new hair color [6] or winter haircut [7], then these hairstyle ideas are for you. After all, they are much easier to experiment with — and you don't have to pick just one.
From bubble braids to sleek buns, tousled blowouts, and easy claw clip styles, the pros are breaking down the top winter hairstyles for 2022 you need to know about, plus tips on how to create them at home, ahead.
2022 Winter Hairstyle Trends: Undone Buns
The "undone bun" hairstyle trend is effortless, chic, and functional. You can wear the look slicked back or by pulling pieces of hair out on either side to frame your face.
How to Get the Look at Home: To start, celebrity hairstylist and Unite brand ambassador Sophie Gutterman [8] recommends giving your hair a spritz with texture spray. We reccomend the the Andrew Fitzsimons Apres Sexe Texture Spray [9] (£9). "Wave the hair in different directions all over the head, then pull the hair back with fingers to create a textured look," Gutterman tells POPSUGAR. You can secure the bun with either bun clips or a hair tie — whichever you're more comfortable with.
2022 Winter Hairstyle Trends: Baby Braids
"Baby braids [10]" are a fun and flirty hairstyle to wear for winter and beyond. Not only is the look super fast and easy to create, but it keeps hair out of your face. "With the right products these tiny face-framing braids can easily be achieved on every hair type and texture, adding some YK2 edge to your everyday look," says Justin Toves-Vincilione [11], professional hairstylist and Authentic Beauty Concept brand ambassador. Just picture how cute the two face-framing braids would look peeking out from under a hat.
How to Get the Look at Home: Begin with a middle part, and gather a small section of hair on either side of your head. "Starting closely to the root, do a simple three–strand braid, braiding away from the face," Toves-Vincilione. To keep the braids tight, use the Ouai Matte Pomade [12] (£16) and secure the ends with an elastic. When you're ready to take the style out, this viral TikTok hack makes the process of removing the bands easy [13].
2022 Winter Hairstyle Trends: '90s Blowouts
The '90s blowout [14] has been a constant in hairstyle trends for the last year, and that's not changing anytime soon. This particular look is what Tom Smith [15], celebrity hairstylist and international colour creative director for Evo Hair [16], likes to call the "fluffy" blowout. "The '90s layers are all about bounce and volume, and are great for longer and thicker hair, providing fluffy, effortless glamour," Smith previously told POPSUGAR.
How to Get the Look at Home: Volume is the name of the game here. In addition to a handful of styling products, you're going to need two key things: a blowout brush (we think it's easier to use than a hairdryer and round brush) and velcro rollers. We like the Shark FlexStyle™ Air Drying & Styling System [17] (£300) because it has an oval brush attachment. For rollers, try the Drybar High Tops Self-Grip Rollers [18] (£10).
2022 Winter Hairstyle Trends: Barbie Ponytails
This isn't your average lazy updo — the "Barbie ponytail" [19] is red carpet-worthy. "This a fun look to do when wearing a turtleneck or earrings," Sarah Potempa [20], a celebrity hairstylist and the founder of The Beachwaver Co., tells POPSUGAR. Celebrity hairstylist Becca Mader [21] adds: "Showing off your cheekbones and getting hair off your shoulders is perfect during sweater weather." It sits high on the back of the head and is traditionally worn sleek, but you can customise it to fit your style.
How to Get the Look at Home: Potempa recommends you start by straightening your hair with a flat iron to achieve a sleek, frizz-free look. Then, pull hair back into a high ponytail using a hook elastic, like the Kitsch Black Bungees [22] (£7). To take it a step further, incorporate some clip-in extensions, like the Luxy Hair Ponytail Extension [23] (£200). Finish off the look with some hairspray to tame flyaways.
2022 Winter Hairstyle Trends: Treatment Buns
Winter can be rough on your hair — it's drying, and hats and scarves are a recipe for knots. To combat this, try a "treatment bun [24]." This hairstyle trend is making the rounds on TikTok. It combines a slicked-back bun hairstyle and a hair treatment into one look. "I'm obsessed with a sleek bun during all seasons, but can't wait to pair this look with a high neck knitted sweater or scarf this fall," says celebrity hairstylist and Unite brand ambassador Graham Nation [25].
How to Get the Look at Home: Bun pins, like the Goody Hair Spin Pin [26] (£18), are perfect for this look and help minimize breakage. To try the look at home, reach for your favourite mask. We like the OUAI Treatment Mask for Fine and Medium Hair [27] (£32).
2022 Winter Hairstyle Trends: Claw Clips
Claw clips have become a staple in our hair routines. This winter, if you don't have time to style your hair in the "undone bun" or "Barbie ponytail" but still want it up and out of your face, reach for a claw clip. There are countless different hacks for putting the accessory in your hair, including ways to make them work on fine hair [28] and layered haircuts [29].
How to Get the Look at Home: The beauty of this hairstyle is its simplicity. All you need is a claw clip of your choice. Some options we love are ASOS DESIGN Hair Clip Claw in Mono Resin [30] (£6), the Oliver Bonas Liveva Cutout Rectangular Brown Hair Claw Clip [31] (£13), or the Anthropologie Pearl Butterfly Hair Claw Clip [32] (£26).
2022 Winter Hairstyle Trends: Bubble Braids and Ponytails
The bubble braid [33] and bubble ponytail hairstyle trend that swept TikTok and Instagram this summer is getting a slight "cosy" update for winter. Instead of doing multiple braids, try creating one at the back of your head and accessorising it with hair clips and scrunchies. "Bubble braids look really cute in the back with a winter hat," says Potempa.
How to Get the Look at Home: For bubble braids, Potempa says to "create a small half-up ponytail from the arch of the eyebrows back and secure with a clear elastic." Then repeat that step to create another small ponytail underneath. "Split the first pony into two even sections, and bring them over the second pony, add hair from the root, and secure underneath with a clear elastic," she said. The Kitsch No-Snag Elastics [34] (£3) are great for this. Repeated the process until you reach the bottom of your hair. Once complete, pull on the sections to loosen them up and add volume.