From muted metallics and chrome, to warmth and natural greys, these are the colour trends you need to keep on your radar, according to top colourists...
You may not love the word 'trend', but in an industry so closely associated with fashion and beauty, it's unavoidable. Rewind back to our February issue, where we highlighted the styles popping off on the SS25 runway. Since then, clients have been embracing natural, undone texture, wet-look waves, and sculpted styles that are actually wearable (hello sleek ponytails). And then there's social media, celebrities, influencers and star-studded events (at HJ we loved the Met Gala). Keeping up with the trending hair looks on everyone's fingertips keeps you relevant. The benefits? Your clients want the latest looks and you'll be ready to deliver. You'll gain trust which will lead to increased client loyalty. So, with that in mind, and colour services being one of the biggest revenue drivers, take a read of the latest colour trends and what you can expect to see moving into 2026, from top colourists...
SS25 Colour Trends
“This year’s trends have had the feel of self-made colour,” Grace Dalgleish tells us. “Something that feels a little offset, a little lived-in, and not too uniform. Tones have become softer, more washed out, and definitely less ‘perfect’. There’s been a real shift towards warmth, golden blondes, terracotta, and rich coppers – clients are genuinely embracing it and there’s less fear around warmth. It’s no longer seen as brassy, but instead as something bright and natural.” Likewise, Amy Meah adds: “There’s a real want for colour that enhances the cut and shape of the hair – think big, healthy hair paired with rich, warm colour that brings the hair to life. Glossy golden tones, soft cinnamon balayage, and healthy blondes with depth will be key,” she says. “Buttery blondes are soft, warm, flattering, and work beautifully with low maintenance blends.”
I’m really inspired by the art of refined minimalism. Those effortless sun-kissed looks that feel natural but are thoughtfully crafted. My moodboard reflects that understated luxury: soft linens, golden light and timeless beauty. I’m drawn to the way fashion and beauty work together in warm neutrals and creamy textures.
Amy Meah, Blonde Specialist and REF Stockholm Content Creator & Enthusiast
3 Colour Trends on Jack Howard's Radar
- Beautiful Brunettes: "The brunette conversation is so good to witness with all the varying hues. I love the way the industry is finally talking about colour like food, giving shade names that clients understand."
- Grey Blends: "The grey blending conversation is everywhere. It's authentic and a brilliant conversation that allows us to show our skillsets off."
- Warm Blondes: "Warm blondes, uptown blondes, wheat blondes, ginger blondes are all so much more polished with lots hitting at the root or close to it."
Brunette Colour Trends
Following the rise of expensive brunettes (Mocha Mousse anyone?), brunettes are still on the trend agenda according to colourists. “I predict mushroom browns will be huge,” Joseph Boylan tells us. “Unlike other shades of brown, mushroom brown doesn’t lean distinctly warm or cool, offering a balanced mix of both undertones.” Similarly, Maria Freitas, Andreia Professional Ambassador shares: “We’ll see shades that enhance individual features, delivering a sense of effortless sophistication. My own personal preference includes mocha brown. It’s an elegant, sophisticated and discrete colour with low maintenance.”
SS25 is all about soft-focus dimension. Think blush blondes, apricot browns, and cool smoky coppers. Our favourites are the muted mocha mousse and strawberry milk blondes – they’re wearable but still creative!
Michela Bazzoli & Charley Henery
Trending Hair Colour: Metallic Tones
Moving into 2026, it’s all about futuristic, metallic tones. “Expect to see vivid shades like Electric Fuchsia and Transformative Teal take over, inspired by nature, digital worlds, and a shift in global mood,” says David Baker. For Grace, it’s all about depth and layering, building tone-on-tone to create something nuanced and unexpected. “It’s less about a single shade and more about how different colours interact and play with each other within the hair,” she tells us. “That layered approach brings a new kind of movement and dimension that feels really modern. After the last few years of embracing warmth, I think we will start to see a shift towards cooler, metallic chrome tones.” Likewise, James Earnshaw, Wella Global Ambassador adds: “The muted metallic trend works with different hair depths, taking the shimmer and cool factor of metallic tones and softens them into more wearable, low-key shades that catch the light with specially placed highs and lows in the hair. Think smoked out bronze all the way to lavender tones. This just gives the hair a super expensive, luxe feel.”
Think metallic hues, avatar blondes, purples, lilacs and global colours!
Jordanna Cobella
The Next BIG Colour Trends, According to Top Colourists
We asked some of the biggest colour names what they think will be the next BIG trend, here's what they had to say...
“I’m finding a real appreciation in letting trends breathe with my clients. That space between appointments where hair grows and changes, becomes an interesting part of the process. The slower approach is empowering my clients to become bolder with their choices through subtle colour adjustments before committing to dramatic transformations.”
Siobhan Haug
“Vanilla blonde – a creamy, cool hue. For clients seeking a refined blonde, take note of Vanilla Blonde. This is achieved by blending highlights and a natural tone to add dimension. Maintaining this shade involved using a champagne-coloured toner to preserve its smoothness and depth.”
Tracey Ann Smith, ASP Global Ambassador
“I think the next big colour trend will focus on bold, expressive shades that allow people to showcase their emotions and individuality. Deep, intense colours like rich reds and vivid blues will lead the way, as they convey confidence, passion, and creativity. I think we’ll also see more playful combinations, like pairing bold colours with metallics or neon accents for added impact.”
Seung Ki Baek
“Mahogany colours – those deep, elegant reds that allow clients to express their style and personality with sophistication.”
Maria Freitas, Andreia Professional Ambassador
“I’d say chrome palettes. It’s that combination of high shine with soft, matte contrasts – almost holographic with colour that plays with light and layering. It gives this four-dimensional feel that can be tailored to the individual.”
Grace Dalgleish
“When I first started in my career, I was someone who would wait for colour trends to hit and find inspiration from other stylists on social media. Now, I love scouring the web to find the hottest and newest trends – almost being ahead of the game when it comes to colour.”
Holly Bullock, NXT Ambassador
The Colour Trends The Pros Are Welcoming Back
Find yourself wishing for your favourite trends to come back around? Here's just some of the trends the colour pros are waiting to welcome again...
“Chunky contrast panels but done with intention! We’d love to see early 2000s boldness return with cleaner placement and richer tonality. Think chunky espresso pieces through soft beige or platinum – statement without chaos.”
Michela Bazzoli & Charley Henery
“Cobain blonde which I did a few years ago. It highlighted the return of very golden tones with different panels.”
Zoe Irwin
“I’m a huge fan of late 90s and early Y2K hair trends – I’d love to see their return. Dark on top and blonde underneath (or the reverse!), as well as dip-dye looks but with a more modern ‘tip-out’ approach.”
Joseph Boylan
“I love 1990s grunge and minimalism. I’d love to see the return of colour blending – especially ombre styles where one shade seamlessly transitions into another.”
David Baker
“Throughout my career, I’ve learned that while colour trends are amazing for inspiration, it’s all about adapting them to suit each person – their lifestyle, taste, and maintenance preferences. That’s how you gain loyalty and long-term relationships with your clients. It’s about making the trend theirs.”
Adele Clarke, OSMO Ambassador
The Peekaboo Hair Colour Trend
Is it the return of peekaboo hair? Zoe Irwin, Editorial Colour Ambassador for L'Oréal Professionnel Paris seems to think so: “Peekaboo hair is really emerging as a big trend, especially on TikTok. The look is super wearable for clients as they can flip the hair from one side to the other to reveal the asymmetric colour.” Another fan of peekaboo hair is Siobhan Haug. “If I could bring back a colour trend, it would absolutely be the strategically placed peekaboo colour panels. There’s such a playful versatility in having those hidden pops of pastel or bolder ribbons tucked away,” she says. “The idea that you can choose when and how much personality to reveal with a simple hair movement – tying the hair up or flipping the parting to showcase vibrant hues. I’d love to see more of that playful dynamism making a comeback!”
