Top 5 Spring 2026 Hair Color Trends from Experts

Spring represents a time of renewal, rejuvenation, and complete reinvention—a fresh start each year. This reinvention often involves refreshing one's aesthetic and seizing the chance to experiment with beauty choices. Among these, alterations to hair stand out as particularly bold risks. For those h

Spring represents a time of renewal, rejuvenation, and complete reinvention—a fresh start each year. This reinvention often involves refreshing one's aesthetic and seizing the chance to experiment with beauty choices. Among these, alterations to hair stand out as particularly bold risks. For those hesitant about a drastic

Meet the Experts

Emaly Baum serves as a renowned hair colorist and the proprietor of Beauty Supply, a stylish salon located in the heart of downtown New York City. Her impressive roster of celebrity clients features stars like Chloe Grace Moretz, Jennifer Lawrence, Scarlett Johansson, and many others.

Reece Walker is an accomplished hairstylist specializing in color techniques and extensions. He operates out of Hawthorne Studio in New York City and has collaborated with high-profile figures such as Victoria Beckham and Courtney Cox, among others.

Deep Espresso

Brown hair shades ebb and flow in popularity over time, yet the ultra-deep espresso brown is commanding attention right now. This is the richest brown shade possible, stopping just short of venturing into true black. 'This shade exudes sexiness and allure—envision the vibe of Odessa A'zion,' explains colorist Emaly Baum. 'It's my favorite because it conveys maturity and sensuality. The contrast hits perfectly in all the ideal spots. Its rise in popularity stems from its daring nature, delivering a powerful statement without damaging the hair, all via a straightforward gloss application.'

How To Get The Look: Baum recommends requesting a cool-toned dark brown formula from your stylist—one that's nearly black but retains a subtle distinction. For added depth and movement, discuss integrating balayage highlights into the overall style.

Cloud Girl

Platinum blonde is staging a strong return in 2026, though it diverges from previous iterations. Rather than stark cool-gray tones, the preference has shifted to gentler, more subdued undertones. 'On this comeback, the hues are much softer, resembling faint pastel shades that evoke fluffy clouds. It's drawing people in because it makes a bold impression without being overly flashy,' Baum notes. 'I appreciate how a double-process technique can amplify an individual's unique style, truly unifying their entire appearance.'

How To Get The Look: Baum advises opting for a double-process method: first bleach the hair to lighten it significantly, then apply a follow-up toner for the desired shade.

Soft Grapefruit

Introducing soft grapefruit, arguably the most striking hair color forecast for spring 2026. 'This differs from the strawberry blondes dominated by intense golds and coppers; instead, it features delicate pink and neutral undertones,' states Baum. 'I'm passionate about red hair and firmly believe it suits everyone—you simply need the perfect shade, and this one offers a gentler, more wearable option.'

How To Get The Look: To nail the soft grapefruit effect, be explicit with your stylist about steering clear of conventional red or strawberry blonde formulas. 'Specify that you want to dodge any gold or copper influences,' she advises. This hue works across various hair textures, though curly hair may require extra care to prevent excessive damage. Select a stylist experienced in handling curls.

Buttery Blonde

Much like trends in browns, blonde variations offer incredible versatility—specific tones flatter different individuals, and certain ones capture the zeitgeist. Currently, blondes are leaning into softer expressions. 'My blonde clients crave that luminosity, but now it's creamier and more subdued, steering away from icy or ashy extremes. Picture vibrant, buttery blondes enriched with root depth,' shares colorist Reece Walker.

How To Get The Look: Walker employs medium-textured highlights distributed throughout, tailored to the client's preferred level of dimension, while softly lightening the ends and concluding with a root melt that bridges the natural root shade and the brighter blonde. 'This creates the depth and that effortless, upscale lived-in quality, free of stark regrowth lines,' he explains. Request a luminous creamy blonde boasting dimension and a gentle root melt from your stylist. Dark-haired individuals can achieve this too, though it demands more time in the chair.

Chai Tea "Bronde"

With runways and makeup stylists increasingly favoring natural, worn-in aesthetics, it's logical for hair to mirror this shift. In 2026, embracing innate beauty takes center stage. For those seeking a low-effort color that appears intentionally relaxed, chai tea 'bronde'—a creamy blonde paired with shadowed darker roots—is ideal.

'This is the 2026 evolution of ombré, toned down for subtlety,' Baum describes. 'It features a slightly visible root with seamlessly blended dimension.' She adds, 'Clients desire reduced salon visits while maintaining a polished, deliberate color.' Walker concurs, noting, 'Root shadowing remains essential—it delivers that premium lived-in vibe and extends time between touch-ups, which delights my clientele.'

How To Get The Look: 'Balayage is the optimal technique for this,' Baum affirms. She emphasizes that dimension is crucial, advising to specifically ask for 'soft blended dimension.' This approach suits blondes aiming for a subtle refresh.