Emerging colour trends for Spring 2026

2026 is all about naturally toned hair with red-heads leading the charge. The last few years has held a torch for platinum, icy blondes and even though it still exists a stunning statement colour, this year we’re embracing warm hues across blondes, reds and brunettes.

Butter blonde

Instead of bleaching and toning hair as white as possible, there’s now an emphasis on something called ‘butter blonde’. Celebrities such as Sabrina Carpenter and Reese Witherspoon are showcasing this natural blonde highlighted look with soft, gold undertones with a creamy finish.

Lived-in blonde

Low maintenance hair is here to stay with root melts and balayage still in high demand. ‘Lived-in hair’ is basically grown out colour – but make it fashion. This look relies on multi-tonal shades throughout the hair, creating a soft blend from natural root to faded tips.

Sandy, natural reds

Red heads are renowned for covering up their fiery hues with highlights or darkening them down completely. However, 2026 sees natural red hair making a well-deserved breakthrough with celebs such as Sadie Sink and Isla Fisher embracing their fiery shades and encouraging people to follow suit.

Cherry reds

Darker, more vibrant reds are also making a bold statement. Striking reds in cherries, berries, coppers and rubies are adding a rich, luxurious look to darker heads of hair. Rich, dark reds make hair look healthy and shiny, which is also a trend for 2026. Having healthy hair is at the top of people’s priorities, which means that glossing and shine products are filling people’s baskets to accentuate their smooth, silky locks.

Peekaboo colours

If people don’t want to commit to a full head statement colour then expect peekaboo colours to be a popular request in salons this year. A flash of colour integrated in an otherwise natural colour is a great way to experiment with bold colours – either in scattered slices, or in a hidden panel underneath.

Dark brunettes

Rich brunettes are also making a bold entrance in 2026. Dakota Johnson rocks a velvet chocolate hair colour, which is emphasized by her blunt bangs. Dark, glossy hair in every percentage of cocoa is a popular choice this year, and much like the ‘lived-in blonde’, flashes of caramel and lighter brunette tones throughout make it look effortlessly expensive.

Takeaway?

This year proves that natural in the way to go. You can achieve beautiful, coloured hair by identifying natural undertones and creating a blend which works to your client’s palette. Hair doesn’t have to undergo a drastic change to be effective.

Encourage red heads to have fiery tones through their natural colour to reveal their hair’s true potential, and brunettes to choose a different hue to transform an otherwise 'flat' look. Similarly, a multitude of toners are available for blondes which don’t always have to be violet or pearl. Try something with hints of gold and red for different look, or alternatively, you can try a semi-permanent colour or a coloured hair mask to try a tone on for size before fully committing.