We can't decide which of these 2026 hair colour trends to try first
But honestly, it'll probably be #4
From barely-there blondes to rich, light-catching brunettes, 2026 hair colour trends are already shaping up to be more polished, personalised and celebrity-approved than ever. As A-listers debut fresh shades on red carpets, Instagram and front rows alike, we’re seeing a clear shift towards luxe, wearable colour that feels effortless—but still makes a statement. Think glow-enhancing hues inspired by Hollywood’s chicest muses, designed to flatter your skin tone and grow out beautifully between salon visits.
Whether you’re craving a subtle update or a full transformation, the biggest 2026 hair colour trends take cues from the stars who set the beauty agenda first. From warm, expensive-looking blondes to high-shine espresso brunettes, these celeb-inspired shades are about elevating your natural base rather than masking it. Ahead, we break down the star-backed colours set to dominate salons everywhere in 2026…
Hair Colour Trends 2026
We turned to two of Australia's leading hair colour experts to discover the shades that'll be reigning in 2026. Here's what Laura Kim (Owner of STUDIO MUSE & Aveda's Colour Ambassador) and Kirby Lago (Owner of PÉLO by Lago) had to say...
Blonde Hair Colour Trends 2026
Want to embrace lighter colour this year? Here are the shades of blonde and bronde the experts are endorsing...
Parisian Pearl Blonde
Your reference: Sofia Richie's blonde bob
The colour: We'll be seeing a lot more of what Kim describes as "a soft, low-contrast blonde with a relaxed, French feel", as "it looks healthy and lived-in rather than heavily lightened."
What to ask for: Ask for "fine babylights with a diffused root and gentle toning to secure a blonde that feels natural and understated," Kim explains.
@sofiagrainge
Cool-girl Clean Blonde
Your reference: Sydney Sweeney's bright blonde
The colour: Kim says 2026 will see an uplift in "a cool blonde that stays wearable, as it's light and clean without pushing into extreme platinum."
What to ask for: "Neutral-cool highlights, low-contrast toning and a soft, luminous finish," according to Kim.
@melissa.hernandez
Golden Hour Blonde
Your reference: Margot Robbie's soft golden colour
The colour: Lago's description? "A luminous blonde inspired by late-afternoon light—soft, golden and natural." Chic!
What to ask for: Lago says to ask for "blonde with golden undertones, gentle lift and blended roots."
Getty
Caramel Bronde
Your reference: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's bronde tones
The colour: Lago says caramel bronde is "a soft, sun-warmed bronde with creamy caramel tones and seamless blending."
What to ask for: Lago advises asking for "low-contrast bronde with warmth through the mid-lengths and ends, softly diffused at the root."
Getty
Brunette Hair Colour Trends 2026
Interested in exploring the darker side of hair colour? The brunette trends coming through for 2026 are more tempting than ever...
Warm Chocolate
Your reference: Hailey Bieber's hazelnut brunette
The colour: Lago says embracing warm chocolate colour is all about "rich brunette shades with depth, warmth and high shine—never flat or ashy."
What to ask for: Tell your colourist you're after "medium-to-deep brown with warm undertones and a gloss finish," adds Lago.
Cloud Dancer Brunette
Your reference: Kaia Gerber's soft brunette tones
The colour: "Inspired by Pantone’s 2026 Colour of the Year, this look focuses on cool, muted brunette tones with soft light reflection," explains Kim. "The overall effect is clean and modern, with very little warmth."
What to ask for: Ask for "a cool-neutral brunette with ash lowlights and a gloss to keep the finish refined and natural," says Kim.
Double Espresso
Your reference: Margaret Qualley's dark brunette
The colour: Kim describes double espresso as "a deep, cool dark brown with noticeable shine. Polished and intentional, this shade works best when kept solid and clean."
What to ask for: You'll want to ask for "a level 3–4 brunette with cool-toned glossing to maintain depth and prevent brassiness," Kim confirms.
Main image credits: Getty/@kaiagerber/@melissa.hernandez
Want more hair trend intel? Here's why scarves are trending in the accessory arena for summer...
Delaney began her career in the Australian beauty media industry in 2015, landing amidst the glossy world of women’s lifestyle magazines (or more literally, in their beauty cupboards). Since then, she has gone on to write across a multitude of beloved Australian media brands, including OK!, NW, InStyle, and Harper’s BAZAAR. She’s covered every side of beauty content, from directing beauty editorial shoots to rounding up the best glossy serums for golden hour skin. Having spent nearly a decade immersed in the beauty realm, Delaney’s knowledge of beauty is as extensive as her collection of tinted lip oils (read: extremely extensive). Delaney is currently the Digital Managing Editor of BEAUTYcrew, and her beauty wisdom also appears across beautyheaven, ELLE and Marie Claire. She enjoys channelling her personal hobby (testing beauty products) into her professional work (talking about testing beauty products), and considers perfecting the art of a cat eye in a moving car her life’s greatest accomplishment.
