Forget soft balayage. This year’s brunette is bold, monochromatic and high-gloss: think deep espresso or raven black with a healthy mirror-like finish. “It’s a strong look that makes the eye colour pop and gives a luminous glow to the skin,” explains Zoë Irwin. Inspired by the likes of Selena Gomez and Rihanna, the “starlet brunette” is unapologetically strong, but with nuanced application.

“Even when it’s a global tint, we always soften the hairline with a slightly lighter touch to avoid that ‘wiggy’ effect,” says Nicola Clarke. “It should look expensive, not flat.”

The key? Creating dimension without highlights by using micro-shading or gloss layering to keep the look luxe. Rich, radiant colour that feels polished, grown-up, and timeless.

Cool blondes are making way for warmer, honeyed hues. Clarke and Irwin agree: golden tones are not only more flattering but feel fresher in the current fashion landscape.

“I’m steering away from ash,” says Clarke. “I’m finding that more of a honey, warmer tone is prettier on most skins and it sits really well with the fashionable colours in clothing at the moment too.”

This is blonde reimagined: layered with honeysuckle, opal beige and a touch of apricot gloss. Regular salon visits are essential: “A gloss every five weeks can completely transform how the light hits it,” Irwin adds. Skip the purple shampoo (it can make hair look dull) and opt for clarifying treatments that refresh and revive. But a note on maintenance, “When choosing hair colour, look at how much you want to go back into the salon. If you want to push it longer than 6 weeks then it can be harder to achieve this look.” But the result could be worth the commitment –  a luminous, buttery blonde with staying power.

This one’s for the bold. A TikTok-fuelled favourite, this trend blends yellow saffron and copper turmeric tones into peekaboo placements and colour-blocked panels.

“It’s a mix of saffron and turmeric, almost like hair contouring,” says Irwin. “It adds real definition and drama.”

Whether rooted into dark hair or worn as face-framing flashes, these fiery hues are everywhere, from fashion shoots to wig lines. Expect to see this evolve into even punchier versions: “I’m watching it now and seeing it on models across fashion sites. I feel like it’s going to go to Limoncello blondes, mustard apricots, neon golds. It’s youthful, editorial, and unmissable.”

Zoe: I’m watching it now and seeing on sites like Zara, how many models have this colour. I feel like it’s going to Limoncello yellow in the future too. A real yellow.

Short cuts are having a moment, and they’re being matched with equally refined colour. “The pixie is coming back with strength and elegance – it’s brilliant that people are getting brave enough to cut their hair again,” says Clarke. “It’s not about being androgynous, it’s about being bold.”

Think single-process shades with serious shine: an inky brunette, a creamy platinum, or a soft rose-taupe, all finished with gloss and edge.

“It’s not just the cut,” says Irwin. “The colour is what makes it look modern.”

This is hair as part of the silhouette: sculpted, minimal, powerful. Especially striking when paired with tailoring, red lips, or bare skin.

The grey revolution isn’t over, but it is maturing. While grey blending still trends, Clarke and Irwin are pushing for a more deliberate, high-impact approach.

“Power grey is the future,” says Irwin. “It needs contrast. It needs shape. It needs to be intentional.”

Rather than soften everything into a wash of silver, they drop in shadow panels or darker contours to give the look structure, especially around the jawline and nape. Sarah Jessica Parker’s signature silver streaks are the benchmark: bold, face-framing, unapologetic. This is grey, but elevated.