The Best Hair-Color Ideas to Try in 2026
There’s no better New Year rebrand than fresh dye job, and if you’re looking for hair-color ideas for 2026, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re after some subtle highlights or a whole new shade, there’s a trending color treatment that’s made for you. The trick is knowing what to ask for—and a camera roll full of reference pics, naturally.
If you’re ready for a change but not quite sure which direction to take your color, we asked top hairstylists across the country to weigh in on the color trends positioned to dominate this year. “Heading into 2026, hair color is leaning toward rich, natural shades,” “Think glossy brunettes and warm blondes, paired with low-maintenance techniques like balayage and shadow roots.”
Which other trendy techniques are taking the lead this year? We’re leaning into softness with color-melting—that is, is the low-maintenance, high-payoff hybrid between highlights and balayage. Also on our to-try list? Cozy colors like suede blonde, Bambi brunette, and lots of red and copper. According to Chris , “will be low-maintenance and natural with a play on variations of ‘color within the color.’”
Which hair colors are trending for 2026?
We see an uptick in quiet luxury-coded colors and styles for the year ahead. “More elegant, sophisticated colors will dominate,” she says. “We’ll see less emphasis on fashion shades. And cooler to neutral tones are likely to be played up because we just had a big moment for beigey golden tones.”
“Celebrities like Anne Hathaway and Margot Robbie are leading the way, showing that polished, multidimensional tones are both chic and effortless.” Expect to see more cool deep brunettes; bronde blends incorporating high- and lowlights; low-contrast roots; and even almost-blue reds like Cherry Cola red.
That said, cowboy copper isn’t going anywhere. “Everyone loves a beautiful copper, and we will continue the craze,”
What color should I dye my hair?
“Choosing the best shade for your skin tone depends on several factors,” adding that much of it comes down to finding your skin’s undertone and knowing whether it’s warm or cool. “Generally, people with warm undertones in their skin look best with warm brunette shades like caramel or chestnut,” noting that warm undertones are usually yellow, peachy, or golden. “Those with cool undertones, such as pink or blue, tend to do well with cooler brunette shades like ash brown or espresso.”
Pointing to base shades of caramel and honey brown as ideal for warm undertones. “If you have cool undertones, a base shade of ash brown or dark brown would be the best choice,” she says. “If you have neutral undertones, you can do a rich chestnut brown or a dark cherry brown.”