“Achieving perfectly coloured hair is both a science and an art form; there are hundreds of different factors that could affect the final product. This means that the steps that you take before you begin the colouring process are even more important! I always recommend that stylists begin with an in-depth consultation to ensure that the client’s expectations and your vision align. It’s essential to look at your client’s thickness and porosity before you begin the colouring process too. This will determine how well your client’s hair will take to the colour.”
“When it comes to coloured hair, I am an expert in grey blending, and the number one priority when caring for grey hair is always the condition. Without it, the hair can quickly feel coarse, dry and unmanageable, which often pushes clients back towards full coverage for purely cosmetic comfort.
When I begin the grey blending process, everything centres around preserving moisture, strength and shine. I refuse to lift beyond what the hair can safely tolerate, even if that means compromising on lift. I’m very clear in consultation that I will stop before the hair becomes brittle!
Finally, a strong cut and confident style are transformative for grey hair. Letting go of a length that no longer serves them often marks the moment a client truly steps into their grey era.”
“In the process of colouring, hair can often become dehydrated with colours, toners and bleach, so ensuring that extra moisture is injected into the hair is crucial. I’d recommend investing in a good quality hair oil or hair mask that has been specifically formulated for dehydrated hair.
To maintain the colour’s vibrancy, I always recommend that clients use lukewarm water to prevent fading and drying the hair out. I also suggest dialling down the heated styling tools. And when they are going to use heat, I make sure they’re always using a heat protectant – even if they’re only blow-drying. Consistently styling the hair without a heat protectant will leave it wide open to damage, resulting in the colour fading faster.”
“For clients seeking a colour change without the commitment, I recommend adding hair extensions in selective shades. This is a perfect way to add tone, highlight and dimension, transforming a client’s entire look through the clever placement. High-quality, human hair extensions can come in up to 60 different shades that last up to 12 months, so choosing to add and blend new tones to work with the seasons is a great way to keep clients looking fresh and locked in.”
“When working on a hair transformation, you really need to consider the history of the hair and what colour applications have been used over the past 12-18 months. This will give you an idea of whether the hair can handle a big transformation and how to go about giving it to them. You also need to consider the client’s vibe – we’ve all had that client that wants to go dark or red, and then six weeks later they want to be back to platinum! So, considering how much longevity they will achieve with a specific shade is really important.”
“For any colourists looking to grow their skills in 2026, I have three main pieces of advice: Firstly, make sure you have a personal development plan. Don’t just scroll through ‘the education brochure’ and see what’s on offer; actually think about what you want to achieve, then set out to find it.
Next, find an educator that you connect with. Not enough importance is put on this! You’re far more likely to hear, engage and retain information if you’re in sync with the person teaching you. Every time you switch off during a class, it’s money down the drain, so choose someone you enjoy listening and talking to!
Lastly, book things in now. You know you’re going to get busy and forget the longer you leave it. If it’s something you know you want to do, then make it happen.”
“Things have been pretty quiet on the vivid front for the last few years, and we’ve seen a lot more clients lean into softer, more natural shades and subtler placements. That being said, 2026 is absolutely the year that vivids are making a comeback!
This year feels like a real throwback to 2016, with that unapologetic, retro energy – think mermaid hair, raccoon-tail stripes, galaxy hair and nothing that is delicate or watered down. Right now, people are jumping in head first and fully committing to the vivid trends! We’re seeing a lot of wacky, bespoke placement stripes, pixels and holographic panels – it’s all about that ‘perfectly imperfect’ finish where it looks intentional, but not overly polished. We’re seeing more intricate sectioning patterns, flame hair, red ombrés, full rainbow looks and bold coloured ombrés from root to tip.”
“The way you style and care for your coloured hair is absolutely vital in ensuring long-lasting colour. With this in mind, I recommend always using sulphate-free products – I find the Fibre Clinix Vibrancy range from Schwarzkopf Professional is an excellent choice. Something we love to offer to our colour clients in salon is the Haus Mix. This is a luxurious, conditioning mask that contains a semi-permanent pigment that is custom blended. It works to keep the salon colour vibrant, glossy and full of life long after a client leaves the salon.”
ASP Puretone is an ammonia-free, dual-action colour that can be used as either a permanent or tone-on-tone colour. With 35 intermixable shades, 10 toners and both a cream and liquid activator, the range offers an efficient solution for professionals to streamline their stock and tighten up cashflow.
Revlon Professional has recently unveiled its 2026 Hair Color of the Year: 66.66 Bold Crimson Red. Designed for the fearless and unapologetic, 66.66 Bold Crimson Red is a powerful and emotional colour that symbolises the courage to stand out and the energy to embrace change.
Last year, Aveda launched its new Full Spectrum Demi-Permanent Vegan Treatment Hair Color with patent-pending TRIS ColorIntegrity Technology. The range features precise molecular targeting, optimising colour deposition for enhanced, long-lasting vibrancy without compromising hair health.
The K-Pak Color Therapy from JOICO works to extend the longevity of colour and retain moisture in the hair. Formulated with African Manketti, Argan Oil and JOICO SmartRelease liposome technology, the colour care system works to lock in vibrancy whilst simultaneously knocking out hair damage.
Discover the new IGORA Fashion Lights portfolio from Schwarzkopf Professional, powered by innovative Schwarzkopf Bonding Technology for healthy-looking, beautiful results. With up to 5 levels of lift, the upgraded range can be used on bases 6 and darker, as well as lifting through moderately colour-treated hair.
Created in response to a key client demand of maintaining colour vibrancy while improving the overall condition of colour-treated hair, the new Ultimate Color from Wella Professionals optimises colour vibrancy, alongside enhanced resilience, moisturisation, UV protection and improved manageability.
