There are plenty of reasons to feel excited for the start of a new year. Not only does it bring with it the hope of a fresh beginning, but it serves up a series of new hair looks, too. And, while we may be a few months in, 2021’s hair colour trends are just shaping up. Want to know what’s in store? Keep scrolling for the hair colour shades you’ll be mixing in the salon this season…
Hair Colour Trends for 2021
1. Cherry Chocolate Hair
Image Credit: @josie_wright_hair Opens in a new tab
As sweet as cherry and as smooth as chocolate, this delicious ‘do is one of this year’s biggest brunette looks. Perfect for adding touches of red to darker hair, it features bright ribbons against a deep, rich base. The roots were shaded using Color Touch Opens in a new tab 5/66 + 5/0, highlights were added with Blondor Opens in a new tab + 6%, then hair was toned to perfection using intense cherry hue 66/45. You could also try Koleston Perfect 55/65, 66/46 or 44/44, or Illumina Color and 5/35, 5/43.
2. Mermaid Hair
Image Credit: @glam.by.heather Opens in a new tab
Whimsy is welcome in 2021, as we all need a little pick-me-up. Perhaps that’s why hip-lengths, pastel-coloured mermaid manes are making a comeback. Opt for lilac frost Opens in a new tab, soft pink, seafoam green or ocean blue hues to recreate this trend on ultra-long locks. Here, babylights Opens in a new tab were swept through the whole head to create overall lightness, before Koleston Perfect 10/96 + /65 was applied for a pink sheen, along with Illumina Color 9/60 + Silver Mauve.
3. Bronde Balayage
Image Credit: @wellanordic Opens in a new tab
For clients who just can’t choose between a brunette or blonde balayage Opens in a new tab, a balance of bronde (brown-blonde) will be this year’s most popular choice – thanks to Hailey Bieber. The model has been trending on Instagram with a milk chocolate mane, proving that low-maintenance locks are anything but boring. To get the look, try applying Blondor Freelights Opens in a new tab + 6% through mid-lengths in soft, painterly strokes. Then, tone using a blend of Illumina Color 8/37 + Titanium Rose + 1.9% to give strands a glassy sheen. For a demi-permanent glow, Color Touch 8/71 + 8/35 works, too. You can also try permanent Koleston Perfect in 9/73 + 7/31.
4. Rooted Platinum Hair
Image Credit: @topknotbalayage Opens in a new tab
It’s the ultimate blonde hair trend Opens in a new tab for the season: rooted platinum Opens in a new tab. Pair it with a piecey bob for extra texture that lends those dark, post-lockdown roots a beachy feel. Simply pre-lighten mid-lengths and ends with Blondor, then apply your toning formula. Our go-tos are Color Touch 10/6 + 9/16 and Koleston Perfect 10/16 + 9/81. Bright, blonde and beautiful.
5. Frosted Chestnut Hair
Image Credit: @jhair_stylist Opens in a new tab
Chestnut hair Opens in a new tab is taking on a frosted look in 2021, giving us the perfect balance of rich, radiant brown hues with a high-shine, icy finish. In this mane masterpiece, chunky strokes of Illumina Color were applied, with 7/35 + 6% and 7/81 + 10/81 + 9% swept in alternating sections. We’re obsessed. You can also try Koleston Perfect: 7/17 + 7/18 and 10/8, or Illumina Color 6/76 and 9/60.
6. Chunky Highlights
Image Credit: @kalnascimentostudio Opens in a new tab
Think chunky highlights Opens in a new tab belong in the nineties? Not according to the A-list set. We’ve seen everyone from Zendaya to Jennifer Lopez working bumper ‘lights in recent weeks. To recreate the coppery waves above, stroke hair lightener through dark locks in generous ribbons. Then, apply Illumina Color 7/43 + 9/43 over the top. Chunky and chic. A blend of Koleston Perfect 88/43 + 7/47 will also give highlights a cool, coppery edge, while Color Touch 6/4 + 7/73 allows you to unlock the trend in a demi-permanent formula.
7. Grey Ombre Hair
Image Credit: @profinadi2 Opens in a new tab
We can’t get enough of grey ombre hair Opens in a new tab. The gunmetal gloss and soft gradient make this look ideal for clients who want to embrace their post-quarantine silver strays. You can recreate the shade using Color Touch, starting with 6/71+ 7/97 + 0/68 + 1.9% in the root area. Then, for the lengths and ends, try mixing up /1 + 10/38 + 10/69.
8. Pastel Pink Hair
Image Credit: @wellanordic Opens in a new tab
Searches for ‘light pink hair dye’ are up 200% since the start of the year – but we all know that the best pinks Opens in a new tab happen when a colourist mixes them up in the salon. Go for pale, candied colours that look lit-from-within, and your clients will love the boost of shine. Start with Blondor + 6% first, then tone locks in a pastel-perfect combo of Illumina Color 9/59 + Titanium Rose + 1.9%. Color Touch 9/75 + 8/35 or Koleston Perfect 0/65 + 10/95 can also be used to give clients the macaron mane of dreams.
9. Beach Blonde Hair
Image Credit: @ktudor.styles Opens in a new tab
Because the beach is where we all want to be after a challenging 2020; expect surfer-girl shades of blonde to be high on the lust list for clients craving a brighter boost. For this Cali-cool colour, Blondor Freelights + 9% was hand-painted through the full head. Then, roots were toned with Color Touch 7/89 + 5/1, and mid-lengths were topped up with 10/81. Other beach blonde formulas include Illumina Color 7/81 + 10/69, and Koleston Perfect 10/86 + 9/96.
