The holidays in Chicago hit fast: one minute you’re in a crewneck and sneakers, the next you’re layering parkas and sprinting from party to party with lake-effect wind coming for your blowout.
If your hair feels a little… “meh” heading into the season, a Holiday Refresh at Gordon Salon is the perfect reset. Think: richer color, softer shine, extra volume, and serious hydration to protect your hair from our cold, dry Chicago winter air.
Here are some ways to glow up your hair before the invites start rolling in.
1. The “New You, But Make It Subtle” Cut
Big chop not on your wish list? No problem. This winter’s cuts are all about soft, wearable shapes instead of dramatic, high-maintenance changes. Trends like mid-length butterfly layers, shaggy bobs, and romantic, face-framing pieces are huge right now because they move beautifully and grow out gracefully.
Ask your Gordon stylist for:
- Soft, layered movement – perfect for styling with waves for holiday parties and then air-drying on off days.
- Fringe moments – full, blunt bangs and softer curtain bangs are both trending and surprisingly winter-friendly, especially when you’re living under hats and hoods.
- Shape refresh – even a “mini cut” (dusting the ends and cleaning up layers) can make your hair look brand new in photos.
Because Gordon is all about personalized, lifestyle-friendly cuts, your stylist will work with your texture and how you actually wear your hair, not just a Pinterest photo.
2. Extensions… Even If You Don’t Want Length
Holiday hair = photos, parties, and “I woke up like this” volume that actually shows up in selfies. If you’ve always thought of extensions as “super long mermaid hair only,” it’s time to rethink.
Gordon’s extension services can be used to:
- Add fullness, not just length – perfect if your hair feels thinner in winter or you’ve had some seasonal shedding.
- Balance out a haircut – fill in around the front where layers got a little too ambitious.
- Level up special-occasion styles – buns, braids, and Hollywood waves look richer with a bit of extension support.
Tell your stylist you’re interested in a “volume set” instead of dramatic length. They can color-match to your current shade or your new winter color (more on that next 👇), so everything looks seamless.
3. Cozy Up Your Color: Lowlights, Molten Brunettes & Winter Blends
Winter color is having a moment, and it’s all about richness and dimension rather than drastic contrast.
Across the runways and magazines, we’re seeing:
- Glossy espresso & mocha brunettes – deep, shiny browns with subtle honey or chocolate threads running through.
- Molten brunette – a major trend for fall/winter 2025: think chocolate, amber, and mocha tones that look almost “liquid” in the light.
- Soft coppers & cinnamon tones – not neon red; more “spiced latte” warmth that flatters winter skin.
- Multi-tonal balayage and hazelnut swirl – blended, dimensional shades that grow out softly instead of a harsh line.
If you’re already blonde or highlighted, ask for:
- Lowlights in warm, deeper tones – this adds depth and a “cashmere” feel to your color.
- A softer blend at the root – so your holiday color still looks good when you’re in full January hibernation.
If you’re brunette, consider:
- Moody, high-shine browns with just a few lighter ribbons for dimension.
- A gloss or toner to cool down brass or add richness without a full color overhaul.
Your Gordon colorist can help you choose a shade that works with your skin tone, eye color, and how often you realistically want to be in the chair. They specialize in customized color and balayage, so you’re not walking out with a one-size-fits-all formula.
4. Deep Conditioning & Scalp Care for Chicago Winter
Chicago winter = cold wind + dry indoor heat = your hair’s villain origin story if you don’t prep.
This season, haircare trends are very focused on:
- Serious hydration – hydrating shampoos and masks, bond-building treatments, and oils that repair and smooth.
- Scalp health – treating your scalp like skin care (think gentle exfoliation and nourishment) to keep hair strong and shiny.
At Gordon Salon, you can book therapeutic, botanical-based hair treatments that drench your hair in moisture and protect it from the drying effects of winter.
Ask about:
- Deep conditioning + heat – to push moisture deeper into the hair shaft.
- Scalp-focused services – perfect if you’re dealing with tight, itchy, or flaky winter scalp.
- Color-care treatments – that protect your new holiday color from fading or getting dull.
Pro tip: book a treatment with your color or cut so you walk out with shiny, bouncy, fully rehabbed hair instead of just “freshly trimmed.”
5. Glossed & Glowing: Shine Is the Trend
One of the biggest winter hair themes right now? Shine that looks expensive.
Stylists everywhere are talking about:
- High-reflection glossing to make color look richer and more polished.
- “Clean,” intentional color that’s dimensional but not stripey or overdone.
Adding a clear or tinted gloss at Gordon is a quick way to:
- Refresh faded color without starting from scratch
- Add a glassy, reflective finish for holiday photos
- Smooth down frizz and winter static so your hair looks more “effortless chic,” less “I just took off my hat in public”
It’s also a great add-on if you don’t want to commit to major color but still want your hair to look wow for events.
6. Party-Perfect Styling: Blowouts, Waves & Updos
Sometimes the refresh you need is all about styling. Gordon’s styling menu is ideal for:
- Bouncy, long-lasting blowouts – think big, polished movement that survives a full night of dancing and a little lake breeze.
- Soft, romantic waves – right in line with this winter’s “cozy glam” vibe.
- Holiday updos and half-up styles – perfect for formal parties, winter weddings, or New Year’s Eve.
Extensions + a great blowout = ridiculous holiday hair in the best possible way.
If you’ve got a full event lineup, you can even plan a “style strategy” with your stylist:
- Week 1: Color + treatment
- Week 2: Cut/shape refresh
- Week 3: Blowout for a big party
- Week 4: Updo or glam waves for New Year’s
7. Set Up Your At-Home Winter Routine
Your salon visit sets the stage—but your at-home routine keeps the magic going. Haircare trends for 2025 are all about personalized, high-performance products that keep hair hydrated, smooth, and protected.
Ask your Gordon stylist to help you build a simple winter routine using Aveda’s botanical-based products they carry in-salon:
- Hydrating shampoo & conditioner for dry, indoor-heated air
- Weekly deep mask that you can throw on while you answer emails or watch Netflix
- Leave-in for heat protection (yes, even if you “only” blow-dry a couple of times a week)
- Lightweight oil or serum to fight static and add shine without weighing hair down
Think of it as your winter hair survival kit—Chicago edition.
Ready for Your Holiday Refresh?
Gordon Salon has six Aveda Lifestyle locations across Chicagoland—in Chicago, Evanston, Glenview, Highland Park, Wilmette, and Algonquin—so you don’t have to travel far to glow up your hair before the season hits.
Whether you’re craving:
- Extra volume with subtle extensions
- Cozy, dimensional winter color
- A deep hydration reboot for dry hair and scalp
- Or just a “who is she?” blowout for your next party
…your stylist can create a custom Holiday Refresh plan that keeps your hair healthy and on-trend all the way into the new year.
Book your appointment at Gordon Salon, grab a latte, and let someone else do the magic while you mentally plan your outfit. Your holiday hair era starts now.
