Something exciting is coming from Wella Professionals and James Earnshaw, two new colour creations for 2026. To celebrate take a look at our January cover creative celebrating all things blonding and Blondorplex. From the must-have shades of the season to the latest advances in BlondorPlex 9.
To see the full cover, head here!
Did you know?
9/10 stylists find it difficult to achieve a clear blonde*
Damage is the top barrier to clients going blonde**
58% of female hair colourers ask for blonde***
*PRO H&P 2022/ UK Blonding services - 2021 - HD
**Consumer H&P 2022
***Consumer H&P 2022. SALON Services used at least once in 3 months/Look/Result desired to achieve
The Perfect Partnership with James Earnshaw and Wella Professionals
From career milestones to colour innovation, James Earnshaw shares his Wella Professionals journey and the debut of his latest toner creation
How did your relationship with Wella Professionals start?
I had been using Wella in the salon and entering TrendVision for years, and then in 2020 I officially signed as an Ambassador.
What has been your journey to becoming Global Ambassador?
I started as a Digital Ambassador for the UK, then in 2021 I was the lead colourist behind the Shinefinity campaign. This connected me with the Wella Global team, and I started travelling the world working on trend shoots, product innovation and launch shows. I was made Global Ambassador in 2023.
What does it mean to be co-creating toner shades with Wella Professionals?
I remember saying “one day I’m going to have my own name on a shade I created” and people said, “that will never happen”. It proves if you work hard enough at something, it will happen. It means so much to be supported by a great brand like Wella, I really did make these shades myself in our lab in Germany with the scientists.
Talk us through the new shades and why they’re set to peak in 2026?
The idea is to make a colourist’s life easier. To create a shade like /05 Scandi Rose you would normally have to mix 3-4 things together. I’ve made something that is ready to go. It’s great for clients who want to try something new that isn’t too bold but has a hint of rose. The beige tone /97 is the perfect not too warm, not too cool tone, that works on so many skin tones – and best of all it processes in just five minutes.
How did you bring those shades to life in this gorgeous cover shoot?
I wanted to show both shades on two popular salon techniques. The scalp bleach is always a popular service, showing the results after just five minutes of toning. The balayage model had a dark red box dye on her hair before so I wanted to show how amazing the toners are at working over an uneven lift.
What can we expect from the Signature Looks inspirations and Spring/Summer “What’s Hot” trends?
We are going to see a lot of cleanly lifted blondes, that look premium and healthy. It’s all about high maintenance sexy hair! Scandi Rose captures the cosmetic blush trend that feels modern, filtered and premium. Scandi Beige is 2026’s return to hyper natural warmth with a creamy sunlit tone that looks effortlessly luxurious.
A Revolution in Blonde
Wella Professionals is elevating blonding once again with BlondorPlex. With 9 out of 10 stylists* saying they struggle to achieve a clear blonde, BlondorPlex sets a new benchmark and marks a fresh era in blonde services. Delivering nine levels of lift, built-in Plex technology, and a Metal Purifier for cleaner, brighter results, it’s a revolution in blonding!
As well as offering unbeatable clarity of lift*** and a quicker colour process, the launch coincides with two new trend-led Cream Toner shades designed by James Earnshaw, plus fresh Signature Looks inspiration and the latest Spring/Summer “What’s Hot” trends.
*PRO H&P 2022/ UK Blonding services - 2021 - HD
Meet Blondorplex
During colour services, hidden metals within the hair fibre can make it tricky to get a clean lift and keep hair in peak condition - but the new BlondorPlex 9 is set to change that. BlondorPlex 9 isn't just an upgrade - it's a breakthrough in blonding. For the first time, Wella Professionals has combined its Plex Technology with NEW Metal Purifier Technology inside the lightener itself. The revolutionary formula removes hidden metals for cleaner lift and rebuilds inner bonds for stronger hair, giving colourists unbeatable lift clarity and enhanced neutralisation for pure, clear blonde results. With controlled lift and minimal swelling for complete precision - plus a vegan formula in 100% recycled packaging* - BlondorPlex 9 sets a new benchmark for performance and sustainability.
*Instrumental test vs. leading global competitors
** Jar and lid, except for additives eg. colourants
Meet Blondorplex Step 2
NEW BlondorPlex No2. is the essential second step in Wella Professionals' advanced blonding system. Designed to complement BlondorPlex 9, this upgraded formula works deep within the fibre to rebuild inner bonds and visibly repair hair that has been lightened, highlighted, or otherwise compromised – delivering up to 97% less breakage in just two minutes* thanks to our much-loved Plex Technology. Damage remains the number one reason clients hesitate to go lighter**, by protecting hair integrity, BlondorPlex No2 helps maintain long-term hair health and keeps clients returning. Developed by Wella Professionals' research lab, it gives colourists complete confidence when performing blonding services.
*BlondorPlex 9 + BlondorPlex No2 vs BlondorPlex 9 alone
**Source: Consumer H&P 2022
Time to Tone
Wella Professionals has teamed up with Wella Global Ambassador James Earnshaw to co-create two new Cream Toner shades for Spring/Summer, with James’ signature of approval of course! Reflecting the upcoming move toward cooler, more neutral palettes, the new Scandi Rose and Scandi Beige toners deliver soft, pastel finishes that make it easy to create the snowy tones and sandy neutrals that your clients want now.
Don’t Forget: Colour Care
As we all know, there’s no point in giving your client amazing colour, only for them to not keep up the good work at home. Now they can maintain colour vibrancy up to 10 weeks*** with Wella Professionals Ultimate Color range. Containing Glycine to give antioxidant protection, metal purifier and B5 to replenish moisture, the 4-step regime allows clients to keep colour lasting for longer.
Of course it all starts in the chair with the salon-exclusive Color Lock Service that rebalances the hair’s pH back to natural levels and boost smoothness and shine. After delivering the Color Sealer in salon, follow with the sulphate-free shampoo, conditioner, leave-in mask and shine spray, which are all available for clients to take home too.
***With regular use of full Ultimate Color Regime
“These shades are what everybody is going to want in 2026”
James Earnshaw
Blonde Ambition
Take note! These are the steps you need to take to achieve the most in-demand blonde looks of 2026
Lived-in Blonde
A stunning, modern blonde with effortless dimension and a soft, cashmere tone
Step 1 – Lift
1. Lighten using a foil technique, working with gentle teasing towards the root to soften the blend. BlondorPlex 9 mixed with Welloxon Perfect Developer 6% was applied for controlled, even lift, and developed for up to 50 minutes.
2. Once the desired level of lift was reached, the hair was thoroughly rinsed and shampooed with Ultimate Color to prepare the canvas for toning.
Step 2 – Tone
1. With the hair pre-lightened, tone using the co-created BlondorPlex Cream Toner /97 mixed with Welloxon Perfect Developer 1.9% to create a soft, luxurious cashmere blonde. Develop for five minutes.
2. Once developed, rinse, add Ultimate Color conditioner, then dry and style to perfection.
Rosé Season
A stunning rose blush with a beautifully subtle platinum accent
Step 1 – Lifting
1. Lighten with BlondorPlex 9 with 6% Welloxon Perfect on the regrowth area. Develop for up to 50 minutes, allowing the lift to reach the perfect brightness while maintaining the integrity of the hair.
2. Once the desired level of lift is achieved, shampoo with Wella Professionals Ultimate Color Shampoo to cleanse and prepare the canvas for toning.
Step 2 – Toning
1. For this beautifully refined result, James kept the sectioning simple yet strategic. A triangular section through the fringe was left out, while the co-created BlondorPlex Cream Toner /05 was applied to the remainder of the hair and developed for 5 minutes.
2. To create a softer, more delicate accent through the front, comb the /05 Toner through the fringe section for the final two minutes of the development time, ensuring a light veil of tone that complements the overall look.
3. Once fully developed, rinse and condition using Ultimate Color Conditioner, sealing in shine and enhancing the final shade.
Link to courses & events on blonding on WellaEducation.com
This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Wella Professionals
Credits
Hair assistant: Emily Dyer, KH Nottingham
Make-up: Meg Lindow
Styling: Melia Birch
Photography: Ash Martin
