When I think of color on a person, I do not mean the type of color that is bold and clashing or the kind that makes someone look like a clown. I mean something that allows someone to look at themselves in the mirror after service and think this is me, and that is what I think of when I am asked what is coming next. The 2026 collection will not be aimed to shock or awe. The feel of the colors will be more lived in for longer than the colors of 2025. Some will look almost natural and undetectable. People will only be able to see them when the light catches their hair.
Last fall, I had a client who is in her 40s and had never colored her hair. When she sat in my chair, she said she didn’t want to look different. I interpreted that as she didn’t want to look different from how she looks on a good day. That is what the best colors do, which is how I believe most of the hues I am seeing this year, are going. It will not take anything away, just improve what is already there. This will be good for the regular color clients and even those who have been on the fence about coloring their hair.
#1: Platinum Peekaboo Under Jet Black Bob
The black top layer is sleek and serious, but with some movement, that flash of platinum from the lower layers makes you do a double take! The surprise is subtle, and that’s what makes it so lovely! The platinum makes the entire cut playful and I believe that’s where all the personality comes from. I also really like the length. Shoulder grazing is the ideal length for easy manageability. All the black and platinum together is a winning combination!
#2 Dynamic Caramel Swirl with Soft Volume Layers
I love how the caramel melts out of the deep chestnut roots! It’s so seamless, and I love how it looks like the color warms up as you look down the hair, it’s so beautiful against the skin. The layers may be subtle, but they give the hair great movement, and that’s what you want with fine hair. The color looks like it summer from a long time developing instead of all at once, which is why it feels so natural.
#3 Soft Chestnut Waves with Tawny Highlights
I appreciate the tawny sections and how they reflect light. They integrate beautifully with the chestnut color underneath. I love how the color looks dimensional without looking busy– that’s so hard to do! The waves help with that because at different times of day, you can see light and shadow pockets that the waves create. I would steer you here if you have medium to thick hair and you want a color that is rich but not chunky. Just a note, though, warmer tones do shift over time, so it’s a commitment to maintain this level of saturation.
#4 Textured Caramel Waves with Precision Cutting
Even in the photo, the quality of the cut showcases the skill of the creator. You can feel the time spent with the layered waves. The light is captured well in the caramel color and the style’s warmth is effortless. The warmth comes from the warm color and the detailed warmth of the structure of the cut. It’s one of those styles that looks easy, but when you try to do it at home you realize how much more difficult it is to achieve. You can tell that that the color is secondary and the cut is the focus.
#5 Soft Brunette Waves with Light Balayage Accents
For clients who want something different, but aren’t quite sure what I recommend this type of color. The balayage is quite subtle and it looks like you have a few lighter strands woven into a brown base, so it gives a really natural look. It’s great for people with a busy schedule, since it grows out really well, and is easy maintenance. If you are outside a lot, it may need a toning shampoo to keep it fresh, but that’s pretty much all it needs.
#6 Soft Balayage Waves with Natural Highlights
It’s nice that this balayage looks relaxed rather than rushed. The sun streaks, stripes, or obvious placement. Instead, there is a soft graduation that looks like a sunburn over the summer. With wavy hair, the technique really comes alive because the color looks natural. You won’t need much curl cream because the texture will remain defined. This is about as graceful as it gets when the grow-out looks like this.
#7 Elegant Brunette-to-Caramel Ombre with Wavy Styling
There’s a nice seamless transition here as the deep brunette starts to turn into caramel, and the fact that it’s hard to pinpoint the exact line is what makes it a great ombre. The waves always enhance the effect, and in this case, the movement draws colour in and out of view, giving it that feeling of being alive rather than looking painted on. This is really well done if you want a bit of contrast but don’t want to go anything too crazy. Just make sure those lighter ends get a conditioning treatment every now and then because they are doing the most work.
#8 Auburn Waves with Glossy Finish
I love the shine of this auburn hue! The glossiness gives it a liquid appearance which is very touchable. This is a reflection of how healthy her hair is. Auburn has a warm and deep multi-dimensional quality that is not muddy. The front layers are great! A few back focals were added. A color safe shampoo will keep this hue rich to the next appointment.
#9 Classic Chestnut A-Line Bob with Textured Ends
A-line bob cuts are certainly a statement look, and it is clear this wearer is confident in this choice. The color is a chestnut hue, which is warm toned. This helps to make it a less striking choice while still poping. The warm toned color is combined with a good length, right at the jawline. This length creates a multitude of options while maintaining the structure overall. It is good for fine hair as the texturing provides the illusion of more volume without having to do extra work.
#10 Graceful Silver-Blonde Transition with Soft Ends
When it comes to silver blonde hair, it’s an all or nothing kind of deal. Luckily, this one goes all in and the results are amazing! The blend on the extensions is incredibly realistic, like the hair just naturally did this, and that’s the goal. Also, I do want to mention that the color can be high maintenance, but not daily. You will definitely want a professional toner at the salon and for those of you who don’t want to battle brass, you’ll need color safe products. Pulled hair with the right tones is just unmatched!
#11 Dimensional Brunette Waves with Subtle Highlights
This brunette may be understated, but she deserves some recognition! She has a very solid brown color, but as you get closer, yo can better appreciate the strands that are lighter at the ends and lengths which add great dimension. The waves create great movement and color shifts, and overall enhance the look. The best thing you can say about a color is how well it grows out and she is rocking it! If you have a bit of wave in your hair, add a styling product to help define the waves, but it will look good even without product!
#12 Effortlessly Chic Tousled Layers in Chestnut
I can say this particular hairstyle does give off an “I don’t care” vibe, but in a good way. The chestnut tone is such a great color, and shows off the layering beautifully without looking messy. The lighter pieces framing the face do a lot to brighten up the overall look and adds a warmth to the complexion. It’s a versatile cut that works great whether you put in 20 minutes of styling or just let it air dry, which is what I want for most of my clients.
#13 Soft Tawny Layers with Seamless Face-Framing
This has some nice face framing. It’s not some chunky, obvious type. It looks like some color was placed to bring focus to the structure of the jaw which creates that “I woke up like this” look that is really hard to pull off. The blend of tawny and chestnut is so even it would be hard to tell where one color starts and the other ends. For medium to thick hair, these layers give just the right amount of movement without too much thinning.
#14 Chic Textured Pixie Cut for Fine Hair
If you’re considering a short style, I’d suggest this one. It demonstrates a soft quality that is often absent with most pixie cuts, the texture is intentional, and the warm deep brown colour is softer than a lighter brown would be. A cut like this is actually great for fine hairs because the short layers create a look of fullness that longer styles aren’t able to provide. I understand that it may sound like a lot to come in for regular trims, but you get to spend virtually no time on your hair in the morning.
#15 Rich Brunette Bob with Soft Contouring
What struck me first was how glossy this bob is. It has a deep, close to mirror-like shine which is a good indication of the condition of the hair. The cut is neat, blunt and unfussy, and the face framing layers are subtle but flattering, providing a contouring effect to the face without being too obvious. This is a perfect example of the simplicity of the style doing all the talking. The even, rich brunette colour is polished and works just as well for an evening out as it does for a Tuesday morning.
#16 Effortless Chestnut Shag with Wispy Bangs
It is nice to see shags are back in, and this time they feel refined and this is a perfect example of it. The wispy bangs are what make the style, they are light enough that they won’t feel heavy on your forehead, and soft enough to relax the whole look. The layers give good texture which is amazing for finer hair as it gives the illusion of fullness without all the work every morning. The warm chestnut color is nice and looks good grown out which is important because the bangs are going to need trimming before anything else.
#17 Rustic Auburn Cascading Waves
The mid length gives you the versatility to wear your hair in a million different ways and the look is super forgiving if you want to put it up in a bun or pony. The color will shift and grow as it gets longer which is super cool because with a color like this, all stages of the growth will look incredible.
#18 Copper-Toned Beachy Waves with Voluminous Texture
I completely understand the appeal of coppers. In the sun, this shade just bursts with excitement. There is warmth and energy in this that no other color can replicate. The long layering combined with the natural volume provides a big and full quality that screams \”luxe\” in an understated manner. The only downside is that copper is one of the fastest fading hair colors, so you will want to plan for that, but while it’s fresh, the way it reflects the sun is unbeatable!
#19 Burgundy-Red Sleek Hair with Subtle Gradient
Burgundy definitely has an attraction that suggests mystery. Choosing such a bold color is an impact change, yet the effect is somewhat gentler because of the color styling impact from the roots to the ends. It has a drift effect with the ends being a little lighter as the gradient effect runs to almost white. The choice is rather dramatic but I find the effect far more interesting. For this style, you would ideally want your hair to be naturally straight, although if that is not the case, you probably don’t mind grabbing the flat iron on occasion.
#20 Lustrous Chocolate Layers with Natural Texturing
This color is just a little slower to capture because it is one of those colors that stops people. The brown is rich and clean and the healthy shine comes from well maintained hair as much as from the dye. The layering is almost non existing but it is placed very intentionally to create movement around the face and the overall weight of the hair. It is a look that speaks for itself. It looks like beautiful hair and sometimes that is all you need it to be.
#21 Subtle Ash-Brown Waves with Soft Mid-Length Cut
Ash-brown hair color suits a large number of skin tones, making it versatile. Of all the available ashy tones, this one is done exceptionally well. The color is blended to create a natural dimension to the hair, rather than pulling focus to the color. The mid-length cut is also a plus as it looks great and needs minimal upkeep. The gentle waves help keep the hair from looking overly blunt. This is a great choice for clients who are trying color for the first time or for those who are coming back to color after a break. The maintenance is also a huge bonus. All you need is color-safe shampoo and conditioner.
#22 Soft Taupe Waves with Seamless Layers
Taupe may seem unexciting, but it is a more interesting color than people think. It is a cool color that looks great with soft, flowing waves. The way this color moves and plays with the seamless layers is something a blunt cut wouldn’t allow. This color is super flexible because it sits between brunette and blonde and doesn’t fully commit to either. As far as dry texture, a moisture treatment every few weeks should do the trick to keep the waves nice and defined.
#23 Luxurious Espresso Layers with Soft Face-Framing
Long layered cuts in dark shades can come off as a bit heavy. However, the layers that frame the face here create dimension and structure without adding weight to the hair. The richness of the espresso color is beautiful and even. The slight color variation from root to ends is just enough to prevent an overall flat look, especially given the hair’s overall condition that contributes to the lovely silken quality and movement of the hair. I think what makes this successful is the restraint; nothing is competing for attention. The hair looks effortless and is polished to create a great finished look.
#24 Golden Chestnut Tousled Layers with Soft Balayage
The warm golden tones in this chestnut color are simply stunning; it looks like candlelight reflected through the hair. The balayage is beautifully done, with a touch more brightness around the mid-lengths and around the face, giving that sunkissed glow without looking too highlighted. The tousled texture is relaxed and effortless, which is how I like most hair to feel. It would look just as good pulled back as it would worn down, which shows that the color placement was purposeful.
#25 Deep Chestnut Waves with Luminous Highlights
The base color shines with a deep chestnut hue. Richness is added with highlights that are woven to keep the color from being one-note. Generous, full waves come from well-placed layers. The overall look is healthy and interesting without having to put in a lot of daily work. If your base color is dark, highlights will need to be touched up regularly to stay nice, but the great thing about a dark base is that with regrowth, nothing looks harsh.
#26 Sun-Kissed Caramel Waves with Curtain Bangs
Curtain bangs can easily go wrong. These bangs are soft and frame your face as opposed to being blunt. They are also center-parted to blend in as they grow. The light caramel balayage at the ends of the hair adds warmth and easiness to the look as if the wearer has just returned from vacation. The hair is of medium density, and the waves provide enough volume to create a balanced style, resulting in an effortless and organized look. It is true that bangs need to be trimmed more frequently than other haircuts, but in regard to color, it is forgiving enough to extend between appointments.
#27 Warm Auburn Waves with Soft Layers
Auburn works well for people who can’t decide which shade to go for since it adds warmth to the skin and brightens the eyes simply without being too extreme. This color also works well with softer layers since it shifts and moves with the layers and the lighter ones prevent it from feeling too bulky. This is a cut and color combo that will still look nearly as good as it does right now in three months which is a sign of an experienced professional.
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