What Hair Color Trends Are Leading the Way in 2026
The new year brings fresh inspiration for your hair, and here at Joseph & Friends, our colorists are already seeing exciting trends emerge for 2026. From rich brunettes to luminous blondes and innovative coloring techniques, our Aveda-trained artists are ready to help you find a shade and style that fits your personality and lifestyle. If you’re thinking about refreshing your look, here’s what our expert team is loving right now.
Rich, Dimensional Brunettes
One of the biggest movements in hair color for 2026 is an appreciation for deep, dimensional brunette shades. These tones range from wine brunettes and cherry mocha blends to espresso and molten brown hues. These rich shades offer depth and shine while remaining sophisticated and flattering on a broad range of skin tones.
At Joseph & Friends, techniques like balayage and multi-tone color help bring these colors to life, creating seamless transitions between hues and adding that dimensional richness our guests love. Whether you’re looking for subtle warmth or a deeper, more dramatic look, these brunettes are a beautiful choice.
Who it suits:
Perfect for guests who want a timeless yet modern look that enhances natural texture and tone. A rich brunette also works wonderfully for those who prefer a lower-maintenance color journey compared to highlighted or platinum shades.
Warm Red and Copper Infusions
Warm reds aren’t fading; they’re intensifying in 2026. From burnt copper and amber glow to spiced copper tones with nutmeg and paprika hints, these shades bring warmth, dimension, and vibrancy to your hair.
At Joseph & Friends, our colorists tailor these fiery hues to your unique complexion and undertones so that every shade feels custom-crafted. Whether you want subtle hints of copper blended into darker hair or a full statement change, we can dial the warmth up or down.
Who it suits:
These tones are ideal for guests who love a standout look with natural warmth. Copper and red blends can brighten fair complexions and add glowing highlights to medium and deeper skin tones.
Soft, Lived-In Blondes
For blonde lovers, 2026 is all about softer, warmer tones that feel radiant without the harshness of ultra-light platinum. Shades like ice beige blonde, honey silk, and caramel mixed blondes are trending — offering brightness with depth and avoiding brassiness.
At Joseph & Friends, our team uses techniques like balayage, highlights, and gloss finishes to craft this lived-in blonde look. Gloss treatments are particularly helpful for adding shine, smoothing tones, and toning down brassy hues between appointments.
Who it suits:
These softer blonde looks are perfect for guests who love a radiant color that feels effortless and natural. They’re especially great if you want a more subtle grow-out and lower maintenance than stark platinum or heavily bleached blonde shades.
Gloss and Multidimensional Finishes
In 2026, color isn’t just about the shade; it’s about how it reflects light and moves with your hair. Glossing and dimensional color techniques are key to creating shine, softness, and dimension. This is especially true when paired with trends like color melting, a method that blends hues so that one transitions organically into another without harsh lines.
Balayage, highlights, and root-smudging combined with glossing are services we offer across our salon locations to achieve that jewel-tone richness and luminous finish.
Who it suits:
This approach works for guests of all hair lengths and textures who want a multi-faceted color with beautiful light play. Whether you’re brunette, blonde, or somewhere in-between, gloss and multi-dimensional coloring add depth and shine that elevate any shade.
Bold Statement Colors and Creative Blends
While natural tones are dominating, we’re also seeing interest in bolder, expressive color stories, including jewel tones and creative copper or amber infusions that make a strong style statement.
These bold looks can be customized to suit your lifestyle. Maybe you want a few vibrant pieces around your face, a subtle wash of color through a gloss service, or a more dramatic transformation with deeper hues throughout. Our stylists will help you select what works best with your personality and upkeep preferences.
Who it suits:
Guests who love artistic expression and want to showcase individuality through color will enjoy working with our team to explore these richer, trend-forward shades.
How to Choose the Right Trend for You
Choosing your perfect hair color for 2026 comes down to your style goals, maintenance preferences, and personal coloring. At Joseph & Friends, we begin every color service with a professional consultation to talk about your vision, lifestyle, and how a shade will evolve over time. Whether you’re looking for something low-maintenance or ready for a bold change, our colorists are trained in the latest techniques and trends and are ready to create your ideal look.
Are you ready to refresh your look in 2026? Reach out to your nearest Joseph & Friends salon to book a consultation or color appointment today and let our artists bring your color vision to life. We have locations in Roswell, 1585 Holcomb Bridge Rd, Cumming at 5735 Clarion Street, Alpharetta / Milton at 418 N Main Street, and Johns Creek at 11720 Medlock Bridge Rd. Give us a call at (770) 993 0058 for questions or to schedule an appointment.
