As the beauty industry prepares for Spring/Summer 2026, trends in hair color are about to steal the show with a varied range of shades. From striking tones to soft pastels, the approaching season offers a wide array of colors that suit all tastes and characters. Whether your clients want to make an impression or opt for a more understated transformation, these seven prominent color themes will spark interest and enthusiasm. Get set for a journey into a realm where vibrant shades mingle with luxurious tones and soft pastels in perfect harmony. Here is a plethora of options for showcasing your style through hair color choices in the upcoming S/S 2026 season and ensuring your stock stays ahead of the curve.
Table of Contents
● Subversive reds: A fiery statement
● Jelly brights: Playful hues for all ages
● Rustic caramel: The new neutral staple
● Amplified blondes: Highlighter-inspired tones
● Sweet pastels: A gentle nostalgic touch
● Inky hues: Mysterious luxury
● Saturated oranges: Gen Z’s bold choice
Subversive reds: A fiery statement
Red Hair is making a statement for Spring and Summer 2026 by embracing a vibrant energy that commands notice and admiration. This trend is about breaking free from conventional norms and reshaping the perception of red hair’s possibilities. The eye-catching colors in this fiery spectrum include Lava Red, a powerful shade reminiscent of molten lava, and Robust Red, a more subdued yet equally striking tone that adds richness and elegance to this trend.
Looking to add a touch to your hair color? These rebellious red shades are ideal for making a statement and expressing your style through looks, from chic bobs and trendy hime cuts to braided styles with smooth texture and voluminous afros that stand out effortlessly. The trick to rocking this trend lies in how you apply the color whether you opt for a vibrant hue or strategically placed highlights that will grab attention and ignite interesting conversations.
For those unsure about making a long-lasting transformation to their hair color demi, permanent and temporary hair dyes provide a great opportunity to try out these adventurous hues. This adaptability makes the rebellious red trend more reachable for a large group of people, enabling anyone to embrace their bold side momentarily, even if it’s only for a brief period. As we transition into the sunnier seasons, we anticipate witnessing these red shades brightening city streets and social media platforms.
Jelly brights: Playful hues for all ages
The upcoming jelly brights trend is expected to create a buzz in the fashion scene for Spring and Summer of 2026 by introducing a range of fun and colorful hair styling options that resemble candy flavors and textures. Drawing from the growing fascination with like appearances and the charming kawaii culture’s whimsical essence, these lively shades offer versatility suitable for individuals of all ages. Highlighted shades in this trend include Blue Gleam with its calming azure hue, Jelly Mint providing an exciting coolness, and Electric Fuchsia delivering a vibrant and bold pink option.
The versatility of this trend is what makes it so intriguing; it can complement a range of hair textures. It looks beautiful, from short and chic bobs with bangs to flowing long locks. Jelly brights can be integrated in many ways, whether as a color statement, subtle, playful highlights, or temporary accent pieces. This adaptability allows individuals to showcase their style through their hair, whether they seek a gentle touch of color enhancement or a complete hair makeover.
The new craze for colors in hair also fits well with the increasing fascination with temporary and semi-permanent dye choices for hair color experimentation without long-lasting consequences. Those who usually avoid vivid hues may find themselves drawn to trying a bit of Blue Gleam or a dash of Electric Fuchsia, showcasing the joy and self-expression that different hair colors can offer individuals of any age.
Rustic caramel: The new neutral staple
The beauty industry is about embracing nostalgia and natural colors, and Rustic Caramel is the top neutral shade for the upcoming Spring and Summer of 2026. This cozy and warm color brings sun-drenched beaches and leisurely summer days to mind while giving off some 70s vibes. Its color works well with various skin tones, making it perfect for anyone looking for a soft but noticeable change in their look.
The charm of Rustic Caramel is its versatility with hair types and styles. It glows beautifully on smooth, straight hair by giving it richness and complexity. For those with curly or wavy locks, it emphasizes the natural texture to produce a beach-inspired sun-kissed appearance. Its allure is magnified when used on layered hairstyles, like shags or long waves, where it can produce a captivating play of light and dark.
This trend fits well with the increasing popularity of maintaining hair colors. Rustic Caramel is great for hiding roots as it’s maintenance and perfect for those who like a laid-back hair routine. You can get this look using different coloring techniques such as traditional dye or natural options like henna that cater to various preferences and hair care needs. As we head into the seasons ahead, expect this cozy and warm shade to become a go-to choice for hair colors everywhere.
Amplified blondes: Highlighter-inspired tones
Blonde hair is set for a transformation in the upcoming Spring and Summer of 2026 as it embraces a trend towards vibrant tones inspired by highlighters. The shift involves elevating blonde shades to new heights with hues like Celestial Yellow, a radiant and almost mystical color; Ambre Haze, a cozy and sun-kissed tone; and Vivid Yellow, a confidently bright shade that grabs your gaze without hesitation.
The bold blondes mix artificial elements effortlessly to create a striking look that bridges tradition and innovation in hair color trends. Take note that these vibrant hues pair perfectly with cuts such as buzz cuts or shags, adding a pop of color that complements the overall style. These shades can also elevate timeless hairstyles by introducing a captivating contrast between the traditional shape and the unexpected burst of color.
The charm of this trend is how it can be tailored to suit preferences easily. For those seeking to make an impression, using Vivid Yellow or Celestial Yellow all over can result in a striking appearance. Alternatively, incorporating these enhanced shades as highlights or balayage offers a more nuanced option, adding depth and allure to naturally blonde or light brown hair. This new fashion movement promotes trying out different looks and expressing oneself freely by exploring exciting possibilities for blonde hair in the upcoming season.
Sweet pastels: A gentle nostalgic touch
In the Spring and Summer of 2026, we will witness a shift in pastel hair colors towards a more gentle and nostalgic palette instead of the futuristic shades we have seen recently. The trend embraces a variety of whimsical hues that bring to mind childhood memories and vintage styles. One key player in this trend is Pink Frost, a powdery pink shade; Nostalgic Pink, a warm rose-tinted hue; Blue Aura, a dreamlike sky blue; and Dusted Grape, a subtle lavender tone.
These gentle pastel hues provide an option for colored hair that looks great on bleached strands and natural gray locks. They create a dreamy appearance that appeals to individuals seeking to play with color without opting for vibrant and dramatic shades. The softness of these tones makes them remarkably suitable for individuals of all ages, from youthful trend followers to those who embrace their gray hair with flair.
The range of possibilities for styling with pastel colors is vast and limitless. These shades stand out when incorporated into braided hairstyles; they give off a vibe that enhances the intricacy of braids and updos with a fairytale touch. These gentle hues work beautifully in tousled beach waves or soft curls for a laid-back look that exudes effortless charm and elegance, creating a romantic and dreamlike feel. What makes this trend so appealing is its adaptability; whether you opt for a pastel look, delicate hints of color, or even temporary streaks, these sweet pastel tones offer a delightful way to infuse playfulness and nostalgia into any hairstyle.
Inky hues: Mysterious luxury
In the Spring/Summer 2026 season, sophisticated dark hair colors are becoming a trend, introducing inky shades that bring a new level of elegance and mystery to the scene. This shift swaps out the warm and rich tones for cooler and more enigmatic hues that embody luxury and allure. Notable shades in this collection include Transformative Teal, a mysterious blue-green blue-green hue; a timeless and classy dark blue known as Classic Navy; and Primal Green, a lush shade inspired by the forest’s depths.
These deep shades bring a perspective to dark hair by adding richness and complexity that beautifully reflects light in intriguing ways. They are versatile and complement various hairstyles and lengths, from smooth and straight to full and curly locks. They create a captivating seamless flow in long hair, while shorter styles like bobs or pixies introduce a daring and stylish element. The adaptability of these tones makes them perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a day out or an elegant affair.
This trend has a lot going on it in terms of being easy to maintain. The colors tend to age and transform into gentler and beautiful shades over time. They’re a top pick for anyone looking for a bold change without the hassle of constant touch-ups. As we head into the seasons ahead, get ready to witness these captivating and opulent shades creating a striking difference against sun-kissed skin and vibrant summer styles.
Saturated oranges: Gen Z’s bold choice
As we head towards Spring and Summer 2026, a fresh trend is poised to make waves in hair color; Saturated oranges. This lively and attention-grabbing color scheme blends bright orange shades with browns to produce a surprising and fun outcome that resonates particularly with the adventurous preferences of Generation Z individuals. The main colors featured in this trend are Solar Orange, a lively shade; Peach Jelly, a softer and more translucent option; and Sepia, a cozy and nostalgic brown infused with hints of orange.
These vibrant orange tones provide many options for showcasing your style through hair color choices. You can use them to change your look with a bold all-over application or opt for subtle highlights to enhance the warmth and depth of your natural hair color. These shades are versatile and can complement a wide range of hair textures and styles, whether you have straight and sleek hair or voluminous curls. Popular hairstyles, like bobs, messy mullets, and edgy buzz cuts, offer ideal opportunities to confidently flaunt these striking colors.
The reason why this trend stands out is because it can complement various skin tones and individual styles well. Solar Orange makes a statement for those who enjoy being noticed, while Peach Jelly provides a more understated approach to embracing the trend. Sepia brings a vintage-inspired warmth that blends the traditional with unconventional hair color choices. As we head into the seasons ahead of us, these vibrant shades of orange are sure to be a popular pick for anyone wanting to add a burst of energy, imagination, and a hint of the past to their style.
Conclusion
As we head towards Spring and Summer of 2026, there are seven hair color trends that allow for a range of self-expression and style creativity. From daring red tones to dark and mysterious shades, there is a color to match every taste and individuality. The latest trends for this season embrace both adventurous trials and refined elegance, appealing to those who desire striking makeovers and those in search of subtle alterations. The vibrant jelly brights and sweet pastels bring a unique touch to the scene, while the trendy saturated oranges favored by Gen Z exude a sense of confidence and creativity that can’t be ignored. In this changing beauty landscape, these color trends are a testament to the boundless potential of hair color as a unique form of self-expression and artistry.
