Keeping your finger on the pulse of consumer trends has always been an essential part of hairdressing, and in 2025 it’s no difference. Last year saw the resurgence of the bob, celebrated the success of Cowboy Copper and introduced us to Expensive Brunette – but what hair trends will 2025 bring? Here’s what industry trend forecasters had to say…
Mocha Mousse
While Pantone’s Color of the Year isn’t always an obvious choice when it comes to beauty trends, this year’s shade, Mocha Mousse, lends itself particularly well to hair.
“Mocha Mousse embodies a warm, earthy tone that combines rich brown with subtle hints of cream,” shares Laura Thornhill, Moroccanoil Colour Educator. “It evokes a sense of comfort, coziness and can be described as a soft, muted shade.”
Discussing why Mocha Mousse is particularly apt when it comes to salon colour, Robert Eaton at Russell Eaton, Leeds for L’Oréal Professionnel, explains: “For me this is a brilliant colour palette and trend to work with as it represents tones that are accessible to lots of clients; it also relates really nicely to skincare and make-up trends and visuals which helps us bring this to life on hair too.”
Au Naturale
After the success of Expensive Brunette and Sunflower Blonde in 2024, natural, effortless colour is set to stick around in 2025. Terry Longden, OSMO Brand Ambassador, shares: “I forecast the colour trends for 2025 will continue with balayage, brondes and lived-in colour techniques. The tones used will range from glossy chocolate, mocha and coco blends, offset with cool pink under and overtones to complement the richness and liquid reflect of the base colours.”
Meanwhile, Jose Amoros, Art Director at Myla + Davis, is forecasting a new colour trend he’s calling Sweet Thing. “We see you, old money, heritage blondes, and raise you to the sweetest sugary blonde instead. While these incarnations are, of course, timeless and classic, this sweet treat, as seen across the SS25 runways at Grace Ling, Stella McCartney, Coach and Richard Quinn, is sure to be a hit for its ability to enhance clients’ skin tones while keeping them bang on trend with their hair colour, too.
"What I love about these hues is that while blondes traditionally sit within a neutral to cool palette, this takes in warmer tones to brighten the hair and complexion. To perfect the look, a clay-based balayage bleach is essential for that delicate lift, and a soft blending technique keeps the brightness scattered and sun-kissed. Follow with a toner that complements and enhances the natural warmth of your client's hair.”
60s Inspired Volume
Bouncy blowdries and voluminous updos are likely to prove popular in 2025, thanks to SS25 catwalk trends and the rise of the reining pop princess, Sabrina Carpenter. There are plenty of ways you can capitalise on blowdries in your salon, from a blow dry bar with a custom menu to treatment blowdries – here’s everything you need to know.
Modern Mullet
The mullet has been having more than a moment over the last few years, helped in part by Miley Cyrus and Billie Eilish, among others. This year looks to be no exception, with modern variations also seen across the runways. Ellen Rutherford, Creative Stylist at Myla + Davis, recalls Marni’s SS25 show, sharing: “One of my favourite mullets of the season was a mussed-up micro-fringe with feathered sides, for Marni. What I love about this look is that it has an attitude that screams a rebel yell, while the modern incarnations include a softness and feathered femininity that is decidedly fresh.
“Instead of a super short fringe, short sides and longer, wispier length at the back, this season, it’s taken on a more relaxed, wispier vibe, making it much more wearable. From wolf cuts to the mixie, the mullet is surprisingly versatile.”
Sequin Styling
If your clients are looking to elevate their hair for a party or other special occasion, sequin hair could just be the next big thing. This technique involves weaving sequin ribbons directly into the hair using an extension looping tool. The sequins are held in place with micro beads or fused directly to the hair and finished off with a decorative jewel or other adornment at the end. Sam Borenheim, the creator of the technique, tells HJ: “I wanted to offer my clients something beyond the tinsel hair that’s everywhere these days. For an added burst of sparkle, larger embellishments such as spangles, sequins, or charms can be attached to the ends of the strands.”
Rich Auburn
Goodbye Cowboy Copper, hello Rich auburn – as seen at the 2025 Golden Globes with Emma Stone and Zendaya. “While bold copper styles were huge in 2024, this year we will see a more subtle and softer take with Rich Auburn, which has lots of depth and richness,” explains Suzie McGill, International Artistic Director at Rainbow Room International. “It’s multi-tonal and incorporates soft and natural copper, caramel and auburn tones”.
