As salons prepare for a new year of transformations, the biggest hair colour trends for 2026 are already beginning to take shape. From the rising demand for rich reds and moody brunettes to the growing shift toward natural grey blending and futuristic AI-inspired shades, the upcoming year promises one of the most diverse colour landscapes we’ve seen yet. To uncover which hair colours will be trending in 2026, we spoke with leading colourists, brand ambassadors and top colour houses. They shared the shades clients are requesting now, the colouring techniques set to dominate next year, and the social-media driven trends influencing consumer behaviour. Whether you’re planning your 2026 salon colour menu, forecasting client demand, or looking for inspiration for the months ahead, this expert-backed guide reveals the hottest hair colours and techniques set to define 2026.
#Trending Colours in 2026
Colour has always been one of the most dynamic facets of hairdressing, and knowing what colours are set to dominate is of paramount importance to stylists and salon owners. In recent years, and especially during the era of social media, colour trends have become more fragmented, as opposed to being dominated by one particular shade or technique. As such, our experts referenced a diverse set of shades and techniques that they feel are set to rule in the new year.
#1: Red is the New Blonde
Reds are having their moment and that will continue to trend in 2026. “We are very much in the cherry red, red, and copper era, where clients are booking in more often for those full head colours, so I think I will be focusing on this next year,” explains Brooke Evans, salon owner. Scott Thomas, Head of Creative Education for REF Stockholm UK, agrees that reds will be highly sought after by clients, adding: “There’s a return to fun with sophistication: think deep plum, velvet red, rich burgundy.”
Amelia Wilmot, Quif Centre Stage Winner, has noticed warmer, pared-down version of reds trending, stating: “On social media, there’s definitely a buzz when it comes to coppers and reds. Especially as Autumn comes in, everyone is toning down and adding warmth into their formulas.”
Suzie McGill, Ambassador for Schwarzkopf Professional UK, also adds: “We’ll be seeing a lot of beautiful brunettes, reds, and coppers, and the combination of copper tones with teal accents will be stunning.”
#2: Natural Beauty Era – Greys, Beige and Brunettes
The hair and beauty industry is finally waking up to the fact that there is a whole underserved demographic: middle-aged women with disposable income who are committed to spending money on looking and feeling good. Dubbed The Silver Generation, we’ve recently seen middle-aged women featured prominently in ads, films, as well as landing modelling contracts and grey-haired influencer brand deals.
Age positivity continues to make its way into popular culture, with hairstylists and trend forecasters alike agreeing that the trend for more natural hair tones is starting to influence the colour treatments clients are opting for when they hit the salon chair.
“In 2026, the theme of ‘natural beauty’ is definitely going to continue within hair,” NXT Brand Ambassador, Holly Bullock, states. “We can expect more grey blending/enhancing the greys and more blondies going back to brunette.” Rick Roberts, Ambassador for Schwarzkopf Professional UK, agrees, adding: “This year, I think we’ll see more people embracing their natural greys. There’s a definite shift towards blending rather than covering them completely and people want a softer, more natural transition. For clients with a darker base who are blending their greys, I recommend weaving in lowlights instead of highlights.”
Seung ki Baek, RUSH Artistic Team and Goldwell Ambassador, believes that natural tones across the board will be the key focus next year: “2026 will be the year of lived in colour; colour that looks a little more natural than normal yet still turns heads and makes a statement.”
What are the conversations around colour treatments?
With clients and customers now prioritising after-care treatments as much as colour services (and rightfully so), these are the treatments they are requesting in-salon, according to our experts.
Gareth Williams Global Colour Ambassador Moroccanoil, says: “Movement and shine are key factors for colour success in 2026. Bond Builders, layered gloss treatments and oil mists will be hot, hot, hot! It’s all about quiet luxury, whatever technique you choose to do, dial it down by 20%… less will really be more.”
Jake Nugent, OSMO Ambassador, says: “As we step into the colder months, lowlights and root melts are making a big comeback. Everyone’s after colour that grows out beautifully and feels rich and multi-tonal. It’s all about that low-effort, high-impact shine.”
Shady Harb, Lead Hair Colourist at Beauty Club London, says: “Clients are asking for balayage refreshes with root melts and glossing rather than full lightening sessions because they want their colour to grow out softly into 2026.”
#3: Futuristic Colour
In stark contrast to the natural colour trend, we anticipate that futuristic shades will be adopted by the colour adventurers, influenced by AI and the innovative cultural climate that we currently inhabit.
“For 2026, we’ll be taking inspiration from AI and the future, adopting some futuristic colours and techniques”, predicts Dan Spiller, JOICO Colour Ambassador for the UK, Europe and Ireland.
Jordanna Cobella, Wella Professionals Colour & Trends Ambassador, believes stylists will be taking inspiration from the flawless images created via AI, and incorporates them into their styles, stating: “We will be taking inspiration from AI-generated images to help create a more interesting way to inject colour and more creative placements. It’s all about creating different tones in the hair in a subtle way without being able to see where the colour starts and finishes. This is about layering colour, blending to perfection and lightening areas to contour the curvature of the head and to highlight clients’ best features.”
#4 Brooding Brunette
As winter settles in, stylists and trend forecasters predict that clients will be embracing the seasonal shift by opting for moody and deep brunette tones, such as smoked suede brunette, and Pantone 2025 Colour of The Year, Mocha Mousse. “For 2026, we will see darker tones and soft pastels”, predicts Maria Freitas, Andreia Professional Hair Product Manager. “My own personal preference includes mocha brown – it’s an elegant, sophisticated and discreet colour with low maintenance.” Commenting on the smoked suede brunette trend that has been dominating social media, celebrity stylist Aaron Carlo for Sally Beauty says this cool brunette shade is the perfect post-summer transition. “The look of the moment is smoked suede brunette, a rich, dimensional brunette featuring cool lowlights that creates a glossy ‘quiet luxury’ finish.”
Social Media Trends
Social media continues to be a space where trends and micro-trends evolve, and we discover new talent emerging. Here are some of the trends spotted recently by stylists and salon owners:
“On social media, there’s a strong move towards glossy, expensive-looking colour like creamy blondes, champagne gloss, and soft “bronde” blends that add dimension. Stylists online are also showcasing healthy, high-shine brunettes and richer tones that enhance natural beauty rather than over-lightening the hair.”
Daniel Rice at Daniel’s Chelsea
“On Instagram and TikTok, the most saved looks are all about effortless dimension and health. The #ColourMelting trend is huge. People want colour that’s not just pretty, but believable, with light and shade that move as the hair moves.”
Edward James, founder of Aveda partner salon, Edward James London
“There’s a huge resurgence of vivids, they were really popular in 2010 and then we saw more vivids being worked into naturals with faceframing but in 2026 I expect we’ll see lots more vivids, everything full heads of vivids to rainbows and vivid ombres. 2026 is all about explosions of colour.”
Heffy Wheeler, Global Educator and owner of Hx Hair
#5 Buttery and Champagne Blonde
While blonde colour treatments are typically associated with the warmer months, in the New Year, experts predict that clients will continue to request blonde shades in warmer and more subdued iterations, like buttery blonde and champagne blonde. “Warmth is very much back,” declares Edward James, founder of Aveda Partner salon, Edward James London. “We’ll be seeing more creamy blondes, honey, biscuit and beige blondes trending across social media. These tones sit in that perfect space between caramel and café-au-lait that look like natural lifting.”
There will also be a strong focus on soft, wearable blonds in 2026. Tracey Ann Smith, Creative Director MOOD & Coloraqua, comments: “Butter Blonde continues the “healthy hair” narrative. It’s all about glossy, luminous colour that looks expensive and well cared for. The shade offers an easier transition for those moving away from heavy bleaching, or a soft, fresh brightness for existing blondes who want something lighter and more refined.”
Burberry Blonde will also be key for 2026 adds Tracey. “It’s a rich blend of warm and cool tones, think honey, caramel and beige, balanced with soft ash or pearl undertones. This look relies on finely woven highlights and carefully placed panels for subtle contrast. It feels sophisticated, dimensional and endlessly wearable,” she adds.
2026 Colour Dos and Dont's
“DON’T: overprocess or chase unrealistic trends or client goals that will jeopardise their hair health.”
Ashley Long at Directors, Bearsted and Revlon Professional Creative Artist
“DO: play around with the fade-out Balayage trend. This will be a key look as we move towards techniques that give a more natural look.”
Let Lew, ASP Ambassador
“DON’T overdue ashy, purple-toned blondes or the start white look.”
Scott Thomas, Head of Creative Education for REF Stockholm UK
Colour Drops
The launches to know now that will make creating next year’s trends a cinch
