Colour Trend FORECAST 2026

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Colour Trend FORECAST 2026

Salons and stylists predict the hottest shades set to dominate next year

SARA CESTER

With the year winding down, and salons and stylists looking towards the new year, now is the perfect time to get inspired by the emerging colour trends bubbling under the surface and ready to take centre stage in 2026. We spoke to top colour technicians and leading colour houses to discover which aspects of colour services they’ll be focusing on, the colour techniques they are eager to try, and what shades are trending on social media. Read on for your colour trend forecast for 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. “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, 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 versions of reds trending. “On social media, there’s definitely a buzz when it comes to coppers and reds. 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.”

AMELIA WILMOT

#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. Age positivity continues to make its way into popular culture, with the trend for more natural hair tones starting to influence the colour treatments clients are opting for. “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.”

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.”

NANCY STRIPE

What are the conversations around colour treatments?

Clients are now prioritising aftercare treatments as much as colour services (and rightfully so!) These are the most-requested in-salon treatments.

Gareth Williams Global Colour Ambassador Moroccanoil, says: “Bond Builders, layered gloss treatments and oil mists are hot, hot, hot! It’s all about quiet luxury, whatever technique you choose to do, dial it down by 20%… less is more.”

#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 incorporate them into their styles, stating: “We will be taking inspiration from AI-generated images to help create even more interesting ways to add colour and more creative placements. It’s 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.”

HEFFY WHEELER

#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.”

FERGAL DOYLE

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:

ASHLEY LONG

“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

TRACEY ANN SMITH

“Lowlights and root melts. Everyone’s after colour that grows out beautifully and feels rich and multi-tonal. It’s all about that low-effort, high-impact shine.”

Jake Nugent, OSMO Ambassador

EMMA SIMMONS

“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 from 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, 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.” Dan Richards, Regional Partnership Manager at KEVIN.MURPHY agrees: “Warm blondes are far more wearable and durable than the icy, ashy or platinum tones that have dominated in recent years... Interestingly, highlights are making a big return, replacing the ultra-blended, lived-in looks with more defined lightness and contrast.” There will also be a strong focus on soft, wearable blondes in 2026. Tracey Ann Smith, Creative Director MOOD & Coloraqua, comments: “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.”

NURU PERKINS

The Colour Dos and Don’ts

“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 natural techniques.”

Let Lew, ASP Ambassador

“DO: Adapt celebrity trends. Singer Rosalía’s Halo Hair features quite a raw lift to create a bold band, but using L’Oréal Professionnel Dia Light you can create a rose gold or a mottled brunette band. Although this look may seem quite daring, it would grow out really beautifully.”

Zoë Irwin, L’Oréal Professionnel UKI Editorial Colour Ambassador

BROOOKE EVANS

JORDANNA COBELLA

2026 Colour Drops

The launches to know now that will make creating next year’s trends a cinch...

L’Oréal Professionnel Vitamino Color Spectrum Mask

The right colour care is essential for a longer lasting salon finish. Vitamino Color works to lock in colour vibrancy for up to 100 days.

RRP: £18.60

Wunderbar Gloss’n Tone Demi- Permanent Colour Liquid

An ammonia-free, liquid demi-permanent hair colour designed to tone, enhance, and intensify natural or previously coloured hair.

RRP: £8.34 inc. VAT

Alfaparf Milano Professional Semi di Lino Style&Care range

The range contains Color Fix Complex, a UV filter and antioxidant to prolong the beauty of colour, as well as the new Style Guard tech, which forms a protective barrier around the hair fibre, shielding it from environmental stressors.

RRP: £13.50-£17.50