Colorists at leading publication Who What Wear have identified the key color trends for this season. The main trend for 2026 is the “healthy hair” effect, where aggressive contrasts are replaced by soft transitions and glossy shine.
At the beginning of each year, a new map of beauty trends emerges, revealing which hair colors will be the most popular and set the mood for the season. Leading colorists told Who What Wear that clients still want the most natural but enhanced look for their hair. Aggressive contrasts, sharp highlights, and artificial shades are taking a back seat, making way for the “healthy hair” effect. Meanwhile, some past techniques, such as color melting, are making a comeback. Here are seven trends that will define 2026:
Buttercream Blonde
After years of cold and ash tones dominating, warm, creamy golden blonde is making a comeback. This soft, sunny shade will refresh your look and make your hair look well-groomed. To achieve this look, you’ll need a warm blonde shade with creamy golden highlights throughout your hair.
Chromatic Bob
The classic bob gets a new look thanks to multi-tonal coloring. Light color transitions add volume, shine, and an “expensive” look to even the simplest haircut. Choose a light shade at the roots, a subtle blend of colors throughout, and a slight shine at the ends.
Burnt Sienna
Warm blondes with a slight copper undertone are another step towards a more natural look. This shade resembles sun-bleached hair and harkens back to the 90s aesthetic — before everyone became obsessed with achieving an ashy or white-blonde look.
Charcoal brunette
2026 will be a year of cool and muted tones for brunettes. A uniform color from roots to ends with a grayish undertone creates a deep, mysterious look without being overly dark.
Color Melting
A smooth “melting” of shades replaces contrasting highlights, making hair look as if it has naturally lightened in the sun—without sharp boundaries or transitions. Women will opt for more saturated neutral shades, such as mocha, espresso, and creamy blonde.
Sun-Faded Tones
The slightly sun-faded hair effect is flattering for both blondes and brunettes. Stylists recommend using hair masks that lock in color and temporarily add warmth or hair sprays that add natural highlights.
Glazed and Glossed
The main universal trend of the year is shine. Regardless of color, the focus will be on achieving a healthy, well-groomed look with glosses and glossy treatments.