Google searches for ‘Espresso Brown Hair Colour’ have surged by 30% this past month, pointing to a chic new obsession… Caffeine inspired hair colours.
For those clients looking to warm up their hair with a caffeinated hair colour, Laura Elliott, Head Stylist and Educator at Neäl & Wølf, and Dan Spiller, JOICO Colour Ambassador, are spotlighting the most flattering coffee hues for your clients – along with advice for achieving the perfect finish.
"While fiery reds, copper and cherry mocha shades remain popular, I'm seeing a move towards more lived-in, natural colours such as milky brunette for SS26," says Laura. "With the focus shifting to shiny, healthy, glass-like hair, choosing a natural brunette is one of the simplest ways to achieve that effortlessly luminous finish."
Espresso Brown
“Hailey Bieber has just debuted her darkest shade yet, and it’s perfect for the change in seasons,” comments Dan. “As we transition to Autumn, Hailey’s new ultra-luxe-brunette focuses on depth, shine and gloss.
“Marrying chocolate, espresso, and mocha tones, Hailey’s new brunette hair is rooted in warmth with lowlights blended throughout for subtle depth and dimension. The result is a multi-dimensional brunette shade that will make your client’s complexion glow and give the hair a truly mesmerising shine.”
Laura comments: “The espresso brown hair trend will look best on clients who have darker natural hair and want something low maintenance while still having a little dimension. This shade will particularly compliment those with a medium skin tone - glossy, rich chocolate brown colours like espresso brown will suit cool undertones and help to bring out blue eyes.”
Milky Brunette
Milky brown is a soft, creamy brunette with natural warmth and a subtle, luminous glow, offering a polished yet effortless look that works for all hair types and makes it the perfect shade for spring.
Laura adds: “Milky brunette combines both cool and warm tones for a polished yet effortless look, often featuring gentle, blended highlights that add depth and dimension. This versatile colour can be adapted to suit any skin tone; warmer, caramel undertones enhance medium and olive complexions, while cooler, ashier tones complement fairer skin for a naturally radiant finish.”
Vanilla Latte
Vanilla latte blonde is the ideal shade for anyone seeking a sunlit boost for summer without going full bleach blonde, offering effortless, low-maintenance brightness perfect for the warmer months. Speaking of blonde, check out these 5 blonde trends!
“Vanilla Latte Blonde is a soft, understated shade of blonde that combines cool and warm tones, often featuring a more sun-kissed look with hints of taupe, honey or beige,” says Laura. “It’s less vibrant than traditional blonde with ashy or beige undertones, giving it a subtle, almost smoky finish. This versatile colour can be adapted and adjusted depending on skin tone; add warmth for medium skin tones with golden hues or cool it down for cooler skin tones with ashier tones.”
Read next: These Are The Colour Trends You Need to Keep on Your Radar for 2026
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