Looking for hair inspiration as we approach autumn and winter? Look no further. Leading stylists and coloursists are here to advise their trend predictions and recommendations.
Deep Plum Shades
As the nights become moodier and darker, so does our hair!" says Marlene Lamont, Owner of Urban Hair Beauty salon. "This season’s colour is all about deep plum and purple shades, giving the perfect mix of mystery and elegance for the winter months."
Marlene explains how deep plum shades give flat or faded dark hair a multi-tonal, high gloss boost that mimics the shades of the season: "It works seamlessly as an upgrade for darker brunettes looking to add a hint of colour into their hair."
"The shade works beautifully on all skin tones because it mixes red and purple, preventing pale skin from looking washed out and popping against darker skin without losing depth or looking flat."
Brian Leo Mccallum, Owner of Roar Hair & Beauty, believes that moody, gothic plums will be another vivid hue trending over the autumn and winter months. "For brunettes, these tones can give a playful update to their hair, whilst also adding immense shine," he says.
"These deep dark plum hues not only look bold and striking, but also luxurious and high fashion, and are great for clients that not only like to be creative with their hair colour, but also those who like more commercial, subtle tones too."
Luxurious But Low-Maintenance
Peter Mellon, Owner of Medusa salon in Stockbridge and Elm Row, believes this autumn and winter brings a shift towards low-maintenance hair, but colour that feels luxurious, beautiful, glossy, conditioned and expensive - with stronger shapes and a much more natural texture.
"Espresso brunettes are a big one for me," says Peter. "Think deep, glossy, multidimensional brunette rather than a flat, one-dimensional dark. There’s something really luxurious about that kind of colour when it has movement and incredible shine."
Amber copper is also evolving, continues Peter. "We’re moving away from the bright, almost crazy oranges we’ve seen and into richer, burnished coppers. Warmer, deeper and much more expensive-looking. It still has personality, but it’s more sophisticated and wearable."
On colour, it's all about "lived-in" tones, agrees Graeme Fawns, Owner of @66 Hair & Lifestyle.
"Warmer reflections are key for bringing richness and warmth into the darker months, think golds and bronzes, adding depth and dimension without looking flat or too freshly done."
Micro Fringes
Micro fringes are back for autumn and winter as the cooler weather makes high-maintenance face-framing cuts easier to manage without summer sweat, explains Marlene. "Less humidity and heat mean bangs stay styled longer without sticking to the forehead and short, blunt lines contrast sharply with heavy winter coats, scarves and structured autumn fashion.
"Micro fringes are popular in the colder months as they offer an instant, edgy change to your look and pair gorgeously with autumn layers and bobs, drawing a sharp focus to the eyes."
"This AW26, the key fringe style will be micro fringes (or as some call them, baby bangs!)" agrees Brian. "This ultra-short fringe sits high on the forehead, around two inches above the eyebrows, and can be cut either super precise in a clean, blunt line, for those looking for a striking take on the look or made choppier and more textured for those looking for an even quirkier take on the trend.
With this cut, he advises, clients will need to visit the salon regularly to keep the fringe style looking its best. However, the choppy micro fringe does also look great slightly worn out for a more wispy, whimsical finish.
Textured Mullets
The return of 70’s, 80’s hair trends has influenced the rise of textured mullets in the autumn and winter months, highlights Marlene.
These "offer a bold, low-maintenance style while adding natural volume and edge that stands out during the gloomy months. The soft, face-framing pieces flatter the eyes and cheekbones, and the harsh wind and rain doesn’t ruin the shape, making it a perfect choice for winter."
Peter believes that the biggest shif of all will be natural texture: "I’m seeing such a huge movement towards people working with what they naturally have rather than trying to change it. Curls, coils, waves - it’s about celebrating texture rather than fighting it."
Sriracha Inspired Reds
Reds always make a comeback every AW season and they remain on trend for autumn and winter 2026, says Brian.
He believes this year, we will see ‘Sriracha Red’ being one of the favoured tones of the season: "A fiery red hue that adds warmth to the client’s complexion in the cooler season. Although vibrant, the tone has a sun-kissed brown hue undertone and can look gorgeous weaved through darker hair tones to give dimension, depth, and shine, as well as being worn as an all over colour or through panels in the hair for those who like to really express themselves through their hair."
Nancy Stripe, Owner of Stripe Colour Studio, agrees that adding a touch of red "creates depth and interest, making the colour feel dimensional and playful, and perfect for an autumn wardrobe."
Ultra Glossy and Sleek
Marlene suggests that after a summer of textured, beachy waves, sleek and glossy hair is making its comeback for the colder months.
"Offering polished minimalism and quiet luxury, shiny hair looks rich and well-cared for and gives the illusion of very healthy, strong hair that may be drier due to the harsher weather. Salon glossing or at-home shine sprays add instant shine to the hair and applying a small drop of hair oil to the ends helps keep the hair nourished."
Razor Hair Cuts
This season is all about razor cutting, says Graeme. This is "a technique that adds movement, softness and effortless texture, and one we're excited to build out as a real point of difference in our styling offering."
The overarching mood is natural and undone, he continues. "Think enhancing what you already have rather than styling it into something overly polished or "salon-perfect." Androgynous shapes are having a moment too, with clients feeling bolder about shorter cuts that frame the face and bring real definition."
Airy bobs
"Bobs have been a favoured trend for the past few years, but for AW26, they will become ‘airier’ with a textured, choppier finish, and the appearance of grown out ends", Brian says.
"This haircut trend is lightweight and looks effortless but is in fact full of soft layers to give the hair maximum volume and shape."
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