THEn made of hair color, the trends 2026 they have a different approach than in the past: fewer extreme effects, more depth, shine and tailor-made shades. Come on blondes creamy from multidimensional reds to browns glossy “expensive hair” effect, the new ones shades for spring-summer they all point in the same direction: rich, sophisticated and above all bright colours. Designed to enhance the quality of the hair fiber as much as the shade itself.
Hair color trends for spring-summer 2026: effortless chic
The spring-summer 2026 hair color trends they speak clearly: the new season will be defined by softness, brilliance and shades statement, or “easy to wear”.
«Whether clients opt for creamy blondes, glossy browns or coppers inspired by the color of gems, what matters is focusing on customization and finish» begins to explain Emanuele Temperini, Technical Director of ToniI&Guy Italia.
Hair colors 2026: Amal Clooney’s brown, Kim Kardashian’s blonde, Emily Blunt’s red (Getty Images)
«For the spring 2026 the color must be elegant and luxurious but effortlesseffortlessly, where size, gloss and strategic positioning of shades become essential and characterizing elements” explains the hairstylist.
Blonde hair: from “Goth blonde” to “Bronzed Blonde”
«The blonde continues to experience a moment of great transformation. After years of extreme lightening and very high maintenance ice shades, 2026 marks the return of a softer, brighter and more sophisticated blonde. From an “aggressive” color it becomes more effortless, from flashy it transforms into a discreet and refined luxury” continues Temperini.
Also the growing attention to capillary health and skinification of hair has changed the way it lightensfavoring more delicate and fiber-friendly techniques. The shades of 2026 therefore abandon the cold excesses of the past to focus on warmer, creamier and lived-in nuances. Some cold and dusty reflections remain present, but in softer versions, never too artificial.”
From left Kim Kardashian, Blackpink’s Rose and Gigi Hadid (Credits: GettyImages)
«Among the most interesting colors emerges the Pink Pomelocontemporary evolution of strawberry blonde. It is a soft, bright and slightly pink blonde, perfect for those who want a delicate look but with character. The cold and shimmery reflections give the hair an almost glacial effect, particularly flattering on neutral or cold skin tones.
Next to him the Bronzed Blonde, hottest response to icy blondes which have dominated the last few seasons. Here the reflections become golden and bronzed, with a sunkissed result with a relaxed elegance, almost “quiet luxury”. It is the ideal blonde for those looking for brightness without artifice and want a natural, soft and easy-to-wear color.
More surprising is the return of the so-called Goth Blondea shade that overturns the traditional imagination linked to blonde. No longer minimalist clean girl, but an ethereal and almost ancient blonde, inspired by gothic atmospheres and porcelain shades. The result is not glacial, but slightly dusty, sophisticated and melancholic, perfect for those looking for a darker and more conceptual version of contemporary blonde.”
Brown hair: from “Bitter Chocolate” to “Inky Gloss”
And brown hair on the front? «This will be a richer, more intense and sophisticated season. The key word is expensive-looking: deep, bright and multidimensional colours, capable of immediately giving the hair a healthier and more cared-for appearance” specifies Temperini..
We are no longer looking for flat or uniform browns, but shades built through reflections and shades that capture light in a natural way. The result is elegant and contemporary, with particular attention to the brilliance and visual quality of the hair.”
From left: Mia Goth, Alexa Chung and Dua Lipa (Credits: GettyImages)
«Among the most interesting nuances emerges the Bitter Chocolate, a dark and intense brown with delicate warm undertones which, while remaining in the world of deep browns, avoids the full and compact black effect thanks to almost imperceptible golden reflections that add movement and brightness. The result is sophisticated, discreet and slightly sensual, perfect for those who want depth without hardening the features.
More profound and mysterious is the Midnight Brunettean almost-black that maintains the intense character of black hair without being too harsh on the complexion. The reflections glossy in fact, they avoid the flat-black effect, instead restoring a more modern and refined dimension. A versatile shade, which can be easily customized based on your skin undertone.”
«There is a tendency to close the Inky Glossa ultra bright black which is establishing itself as a true statement colour. Here shine becomes the absolute protagonist: hair immediately appears fuller, healthier and more reflective, with a sophisticated aesthetic but with a slight goth twist. The more contemporary version looks at cold and ink-blue reflections, but there is no shortage of softer interpretations such as black cherry. The final result is intense, scenographic and decidedly elegant” concludes the hairstylist.
Red hair: from “Carnelian Orange” to “Art School Copper”
In the end, “Red confirms itself as one of the great protagonists of 2026. Vibrant, intense but increasingly wearable, it abandons flat and uniform shades to become multidimensional, rich in depth and reflections. The trend is to work on darker and more sophisticated bases, which allow the copper and ginger tones to be more balanced, bright and contemporary.
The result is a red with less “statement” than in the past, but decidedly more elegant and versatile. The new nuances focus on lived-in effects, warm reflections and luminous textures that enhance the natural movement of the hair” states Emanuele Temperini.
From left: Madelaine Petsch, Natasha Lyonne, Keke Palmer (Credits: GettyImages)
«Among the most requested shades emerges the Baby Copper, a more delicate and soft version of the classic copper. Halfway between strawberry blonde and traditional copper, it stands out for strawberry and orange undertones that illuminate the face without being excessive. Its strong point is precisely its softness: it maintains the brightness of red but with a more natural and refined finish, ideal for warm or neutral skin tones.
More intense but equally sophisticated is the Carnelian Orangeinspired by carnelian, the so-called “stone of fire”. Here copper meets burnt orange tones, deep reds and brown undertones, creating a vibrant yet extremely wearable color. The peculiarity of this nuance is the play of light: the different chromatic facets give movement and brilliance to the hair, making it alive and three-dimensional. It is the ideal choice for those who want to warm up the complexion and give more energy to the look without sacrificing elegance.
However, it is more artistic and conceptual the Art School Copperevolution of the cowboy copper that has dominated the last few seasons. In this version, copper becomes warmer and more creative, with infusions of saffron, amber and intense ginger that give depth and character. The mood is deliberately bohemian, almost rebellious: a less perfect and more lived-in red, which celebrates natural textures and personality. Precisely because of its versatility, it can be adapted to different skin tones by modulating warmer or deeper reflections. The final result is a contemporary, artistic and full of identity red.”