Twelve shades — pitched by colorists working from New York to London — are set to dominate salon color requests in 2026, and each comes with a specific technical ask that clients can bring to the chair.

Khaki Bronde

Pravana color expert and celebrity colorist Jess Gonzalez predicts bronde will evolve by borrowing the neutral tones now filling fashion wardrobes. "Soft, melted, and cozy is the vibe of khaki bronde," says Gonzalez — and despite the name, it sits nowhere near green. "Using a color melting technique, khaki bronde is a muted gold with hints of ash." Darker, ashier tones dial down the blonde's intensity for an organic, lived-in finish. Gonzalez says it flatters a wide range of skin tones and suits clients who want hair that reads "natural or natural-ish." Her chair-side request: a "seamless lift and a color melt" over the top.

Carnelian Orange

Christel Barron-Hough, founder of STIL Salon in London's Chelsea, describes carnelian orange as glowing "with warm, mood-boosting orange tones and vibrant reddish hues." The shade is high-shine, works on all hair textures, and — in her framing — is "all about celebrating individuality and self-expression."

Multidimensional Brunette

Celebrity colorist and Rita Hazan Salon founder Rita Hazan compares the technique to a cup of hot chocolate: "It starts with a deep base and then requires adding swirls of lighter shades of brunette to brighten the look." She calls it perfect for winter but equally chic heading into spring and summer — a direct counter to flat, blocky single-tone brunette work.

Soft Apricot Blonde

Sean Michael, owner of Salon Beau, positions soft apricot blonde as cowgirl copper's brighter successor: "a warm blonde with a subtle peach undertone" occupying the space between copper, strawberry blonde, and golden blonde. "It creates a bright and luminous look without the harsh contrast of icy or very cool blondes, which makes it appealing as more clients shift toward softer, warmer tones this year," he explains. It works on both natural blondes and brunettes wanting a vibrant but blended result, and — per Michael — "it photographs beautifully in natural light, which is contributing to its growing popularity for 2026."

Lush Truffle

Barron-Hough calls lush truffle a "sophisticated, expensive-looking shade that's full of warmth, glowy tones, and indulgent truffle pigments," reflecting a shift away from cooler browns toward rich brunettes with a slightly warm, red glow. She says no hair texture is excluded. For multi-textured hair she recommends requesting a semi-permanent color, which "will add depth, tone, and lots of hydrating properties."

Earthy Brunette

Drawing on taupe-y truffle and glossy coffee beans, this shade is "all about depth" and "rich brunette energy," says Gonzalez. For lighter hair or existing blonde balayage, she prescribes layering an espresso-toned gloss to reach the target tone.

Glass Blonde

Hazan says striking blonde stays as popular in 2026 as it was in 2025 — but with shine dialed up. Blonde requires salon maintenance, and she points to at-home glossing between visits: the Glaze Supergloss "gives your hair a deep hydrating condition and that reflective hair — without disturbing your hair color." Her go-to is Sheer Glow, a clear gloss usable on all hair colors. For hair this light, she recommends consistent nourishment via her Weekly Remedy Treatment, a lightweight two-step treatment that "penetrates hair cuticles for ultimate deep conditioning, sealing in the nutrition needed to protect the look and appearance of color."

Cashmere Brunette

Cashmere brunette is defined by very fine wisps of blonde rather than strong, high-contrast highlights, says Michael. "It reflects light evenly, photographs well, and grows out cleanly, which makes it a good option for people who want a lower-maintenance color that still has dimension." He says it looks especially beautiful on natural brunettes with medium to deeper skin tones and offers "longer wear between appointments."

Blanche Blonde

Barron-Hough predicts blanche blonde — containing neither warm nor cool hues — will be the shade of 2026, appearing "bright and ultra-reflective" and landing especially well on bobs and short crops. Gonzalez cites Pantone's color of the year, "cloud dancer," as inspiration: "It's a bright and ethereal pale blonde." The commitment is real. "A bold color like this requires monthly salon visits and treatments," Gonzalez explains — specifically bonding treatments to counteract bleach's drying effects. "It's a high-maintenance color, but when done right, it's so striking." Her prescription: a bleach and tone with icy, milky highlights.

Hyper Pigment Hues

Siobhan Haug, creative director of Haug London Haus, wants saturated, vibrant hues in the register of Chappell Roan's statement red or Dua Lipa's cherry cola. Achieving that intensity requires requesting a "double-process color" — lightening the hair first so it takes the second color better. "Think of it as a double layer of color for maximum impact and staying power," says Haug.

Aspect Lights

At Haug London Haus, highlights are delicately threaded into a darker base to create the illusion of depth — as though hair has been lightly sun-kissed rather than bleached. Placement is paramount: around the face, shoulders, and near the temples, where hair naturally has bounce, letting the highlights pop.

Ecru Tones

Haug predicts ecru — a soft, warm, neutral hue reminiscent of natural cotton — will lighten upcoming brunette trends with a "shimmering, illuminating effect." The shade map runs by undertone: warmer skin tones and dark brown hair suit buttercream or beige; cooler tones suit ivory, taupe, or mushroom.

With colorists on both sides of the Atlantic already naming these twelve shades, clients who arrive in 2026 with a specific request — and a gloss or bonding treatment plan to match — will get the most from their appointments.