Hair Colour Trends 2026
Inspiration + Real Interpretations
The Reflections Competition 2026 is your chance to showcase your creativity, take risks, and push the boundaries of your style!
Every year, our talented stylists impress us with bold, imaginative looks, transforming hair in ways that are innovative & a little bit daring… all within a short, intense timeframe.
Running every March, the competition is about being part of a vibrant community of stylists, celebrating skill, and setting trends that inspire the industry.
Here, we’ll take a look at some of the most exciting trends and inspirations from previous competitions – and give you a glimpse of what’s influencing 2026’s hottest hair looks.
Dimensional Browns & Bronde Hair
The trend toward natural, multidimensional brunette tones continues strong into 2026. Glossy espresso browns, bronde blends, and rooted colour with soft light reflectivity are all predicted to dominate colour requests this year.
Blondes: Warm, Bronde, Biscuit & Custard Cream
Blondes in 2026 are all about warmth, dimension, and playful tones. Warm blends are on the main trends lists with subtle root smudges and sun-kissed highlights creating a natural, lived-in effect. Biscuit and custard cream shades are also trending, offering soft, buttery hues that bring depth without looking flat.
Think about face-framing with highlights as well, this is having a huge influence. When celebrities find their perfect colour palette the tone of the hair can really change how someone looks.
Pastels are still having a moment too, with soft pinks, lilacs, and icy tones layered over blonde bases for a fresh, creative edge.
Vibrant Colours: Fire Horse, Mermaid Hair, and Raccoon Tails
For those who love bold statements, 2026 is all about colour that tells a story. You could base your moodboard & story on the Chinese Fire Horse, or dreamy hues of mermaid hair, or emo-edgy raccoon tail streaks!
Our competition entries often showcase these trends at their most daring. Think Wella Professionals Color Fresh Create for intense pinks, reds, blues, and purples.
Copper, Burnt Coppers & Muted Warm Tones
Copper isn’t just a passing fad, it’s one of 2026’s most wearable warm colour blends.
Instead of bright, neon‑orange reds, think cinnamon copper, burnt apricot, strawberry‑golden blends, and soft copper balayage. There’s a new brunette in town and it mixes woody tones, ember and molten tones in with copper to create the new trend “Digital Copper”
Digital Copper takes it’s influence from gaming visuals and colour palettes.
Texture & Finish: Waves, Curls, Gloss & Subtle Layering
In 2026, texture is everything… it’s not just what colour or cut you choose, but how the hair moves and shines.
In 2026, texture is everything, it can completely transform a cut and bring your chosen theme to life.
Really tight curls add movement, volume, and energy, making styles bold and expressive, while wispy, feathered ends create a softer, romantic vibe or a laid-back surfer-style finish.
High gloss and shine not only elevate the look but also signal hair health, enhancing any colour or cut.
When styling for the Reflections Competition 2026, the right texture can complement your chosen theme perfectly, whether that’s sleek and polished, soft and flowing, or dramatic and voluminous.
How you shape and finish the hair, from curl pattern to layers to shine, can make a real difference in how your model’s look stands out in the competition.
When you’re planning your look for the Reflections Competition, don’t forget to speak to your tutor about your ideas. They’re there to guide you, offer feedback, and help you refine your vision so it works technically and creatively.
But remember – this is your chance to push boundaries and be bold.
Whether it’s experimenting with tight curls, dramatic layers, high gloss, or vibrant colour accents, the more confident and daring you are, the more your style will stand out.
Think about your theme, play with texture, and use every element of the cut and finish to tell a story.
Taking risks is what will set you apart, so embrace your creativity, trust your skills, and let your imagination run wild!