THE COLOUR TRENDS AND TECHNIQUES THAT WILL DEFINE 2025

Is your goal for 2025 to boost colour bookings? Then these trends will help you do just that

Last year was a big year for colour, with trends such as ‘Cowboy Copper’ and ‘Expensive Brunette’ taking salons by storm. As colourists continue to offer results that can’t be achieved outside of the salon, we take a look at the trends that will get your clients talking – and more importantly booking – in 2025.

LIAM TYLER

1 All About That Blend

2024 saw a surge in requests for low maintenance colour, and after speaking to colourists on the frontlines, we’re not anticipating this to change anytime soon. “I think this year will be all about blending, softening and polishing when it comes to blondes, brunettes and greys,” explains Liam Tyler, founder of THERE SHE GLOWS SALON in the Cotswolds. Discussing greys in more detail, he shares: “For so long we have been covering and hiding grey hair, but I think we’re now in a phase of embracing it and creating tones to complement our clients’ natural colour, helping them to achieve a seamless grow out.”

DARREN CUNNINGHAM

2 Luminous Blondes

Over the past few years there has been a marked shift away from high maintenance beauty trends, with descriptors such as ‘effortless’ and ‘natural’ frequently trending on social media. Darren Cunningham, co-owner of The Secret Garden Hair, believes that this attitude will continue into 2025 – specifically in the form of soft, luminous blondes. “This trend will be all about embracing warmth, brightness and versatility, with a sun-kissed, effortlessly chic finish,” he says. Breaking down the popularity behind the trend, Darren adds: “Clients are opting for hues that feel light and fresh; these blonde shades radiate vitality and a sense of ease, with minimal upkeep required, making them the per fect fit for the modern client who wants beautiful hair with simplicity.”

NAOMI BROOKS

3 Colour Blocking

Connor Stansfield, a scalp bleach and vivid colour specialist based in London, believes that colour blocking, a technique that was quietly making waves in 2024, is about to explode into the salon. “Colour blocking allows for boundless creativity, whether clients lean toward a natural, tonal palette or crave vivid, high-impact hues,” says Connor. Naomi Brooks, owner of The Hair Sanctuary in Manchester, agrees with the versatility of colour blocking, noting: “Natural, muted tones can be used in panels to create impact while maintaining a soft appearance.”

When introducing a trend or technique to a client, language is key. “When it comes to colour blocking, avoid words like stripey, which can scare people off,” says Connor. “Instead, describe it as bold, dimensional or striking to make it feel fresh and desirable.” Meanwhile, Naomi suggests using phrases such as “subtle enhancements” to steer colour-shy clients towards a new service.

“BEING CLUED-UP ON THE COLOUR TRENDS AND TECHNIQUES SET TO DOMINATE 2025 IS ONLY HALF OF THE BATTLE WHEN IT COMES TO PROMOTING YOUR SERVICES – KNOWING HOW TO COMMUNICATE THESE TRENDS EFFECTIVELY TO CLIENTS IS ALSO VITAL.”

CHRISTY VLAHOU

4 The Airtouch Method

While colour blocking is perfect for clients looking to make a statement, the AirTouch method is set to prove popular for those looking to embrace their natural beauty. Often considered a more refined variation of balayage, the AirTouch method uses air, as opposed to teasing or backcombing, to achieve a seamless blend of colour, by gently blowing away finer hairs from a section, allowing a stylist to apply lightener or colour to the remaining longer strands. Discussing the technique, colour educator Christy Vlachou explains: “The AirTouch method delivers a multi-dimensional effect that appears incredibly natural, with a particular focus on face framing; the bright details around the face are smoothly incorporated into the rest of the hair, creating subtle tonal transitions that highlight the features without overly contrasting with the rest of the hair. The result is an elegant and balanced look that complements every style and complexion.”

EMMIE RAE BLISS

5 Talk the Trend Talk

Being clued-up on the colour trends and techniques set to dominate 2025 is only half of the battle when it comes to promoting your services – knowing how to communicate these trends effectively to clients is also vital. “I feel trends on social media can feel overwhelming to some clients; there’s this pressure to always follow the latest trends,” admits Emmie Rae Bliss, a lived-in colour specialist based in Surrey. To help clients avoid falling into this trap, Emmie recommends speaking to clients about what makes them feel most confident, as this can help you identify the best tones to utilise and the features to enhance. “Mocha Mousse, Pantone’s Color of the Year, is a great trend because it has a mix of warm and cool hues, meaning it will complement many clients’ features.”

In addition to using the right language, Liam believes that how you present your work on social media can also make a difference in attracting clients into your chair too. He says: “I have found that since using content models of an age range between 35-55, clients have felt more confident to transition over to the current trends without feeling like they are ‘too old’. Regardless of age, clients want to leave the salon feeling confident, and a new trend that’s been tailored to their hair type and facial features is the perfect way to achieve this.”