A Guide to the Biggest Hair Colour Trends of 2026—From Bold Stripes to Rich Shades
Trend Forecast
Thinking of getting a hair refresh soon? Read this before you head to the salon…
We’re calling it now: 2026 is the year of duality. With the zeitgeist completely split at totally opposing poles, the beauty industry is bound to follow. What does this mean? Well, putting it simply, we’ll be seeing a lot of contradiction in the trends that pop up this year, and absolutely no middle ground.
Think timeless classics like the lob contrasted with shock-inducing cuts like bald mullet fades, both existing within the same red carpets. In fact, we’ve already seen it happen multiple times, and it’s only February!
All of this is to say that 2026 is the year of experimentation, within bounds. Think crazy colours on staple cuts, or bold patterns etched into tresses in “natural” hues.
Of course, with Chinese New Year on its way out and Hari Raya on its way in, it’s probably time you get a hair refresh—and we’ve got the low-down on what hair colour trends you should try in 2026. Ahead, find five hair colour trends you’ll be seeing everywhere this year to inspire your next makeover:
Striped strands
View this post on Instagram
Call it stripes, raccoon hair, halo hair—whatever it is, one thing’s for certain. It’s going to be a huge trend with the alt-girls this year! The rise of this hair trend is all thanks to Olympic US skater Alysa Liu, who rocked her signature blonde stripes when winning the gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics. “I just want to be a tree,” Liu says, when asked about the inspiration behind her look in a TikTok. “Three years ago, I put my first [stripe] in, then I thought, ‘Oh, next year around December I’ll do the second one’. And then this December, I did the third one.”
Lived-in roots
View this post on Instagram
Thinking of growing your colour out? We bear good news. As housing prices soar and the cost-of-living crisis comes to a head in the West, recession-core is on the rise. And, with it, the culture follows, bringing low-maintenance en vogue. That means grown-out roots and big blends are set to take centre stage as salon appointments get less frequent. Take it from Katseye’s Megan Skiendiel—she’s made growing out a statement pink bang look effortlessly cool!
Deep, rich brunette
View this post on Instagram
As the girls collectively step away from the bleach and embrace their natural roots, we’ll also be seeing a lot more all-over permanent colour. As seen on Alexa Chung, rich, deep browns with lots of gloss and shine will soon replace dull, bleached tresses as we collectively move towards more low-maintenance styles. It’s not just plain brown, either—think dimensional shades with hints of copper and red for added luminosity!
Caramel blonde
View this post on Instagram
Platinum and ice, make way! This year, the girls are going darker and warmer, opting for blondes that feel more lived-in. Think sun-bleached tresses, styled with lots of texture and wave à la Bella Hadid. It’s a colour that’s easier to maintain and less damaging for the hair—overall, a win-win for those who want to stay light but don’t want to compromise on hair health.
Atomic Red
View this post on Instagram
We saw every celebrity from Jennie to Gigi Hadid go ginger in 2022, then we saw Dua Lipa go cherry red in 2024. For 2026, red returns, but with a vibrant twist. As seen on FKA Twigs, this year’s take on the colour embraces the absurd, championing an almost electric hue that’s sure to turn heads.
For more hair stories like this, click here.
| SHARE THE STORY | |
| Explore More |
