Tracey Ann Smith, artistic director at ColorAqua, shares her trend predictions for spring/summer hair colour.
Buttercream lived in blonde
Ideal for the upcoming warmer months, buttercream blonde combines a light, creamy tone with dimension through warmer tones.
To create this aspirational lived-in colour, Tracey recommends using a foilyage technique through a halo section with some deeper pockets. Then tap out the roots, pulling the colour down a full 1.5 inches to give it a more effortless, lived-in feel. Finish with an all-over toner for a more seamless finish with shine and to keep the tone clean and free from warmth.
High gloss espresso
Think about espresso and dark chocolate, these shades are a must-have for brunettes in spring/summer 2026. Perfect for those clients with darker base hues, but that want to lift their hair colour slightly for the new season, with a shine boost.
Tracey notes that keeping the colour as one all-over tone is key, achieved by an all over tint to ensure the hair tone is uniform. She recommends pairing this with a glossing service, followed by the right after care to make the colour stand out.
Carnelian orange
This is set to be the red-copper hue of 2026. This look exudes warmth and blends cheerful copper tones, orange-browns and more fiery red hues for a vibrant yet understated shade. Perfect for clients looking to embrace warmth and really make their complexion pop.
To achieve the colour, Tracey recommends to start with a semi-permanent copper toned base and then infuse some highlights and lowlights in those bright, cheerful orange tones, fiery reds and more subtle browns to give a unique dimension and depth to hair. This look is inspired by the ‘Stone of Fire’ as inspiration, giving the hair a reflective, almost glowing finish as it catches the light.
Candy floss pink
Pastel tones are front and centre for the upcoming months. This pink shade is aligning to be one of the most favoured pinks of the season. Bright or muted.
It’s a great shade for blondes to take advantage of and give their hair a fresh feel without committing to an overly vivid hue.
On blondes, Tracey uses an underneath panel technique and starts placement underneath to create segments of the shade throughout the hair. Then she uses an anti-brassiness toner, to keep some areas clean blonde, giving that iridescent finish. There’s also the option to add more depth at the root to deliver a fun and playful result.
With a mix of soft dimension, high-gloss finishes and playful tones, this season’s colour is all about adaptability behind the chair.
The question is: which one are your clients ready for?
Photo Credits: Hair: Tracey Ann Smith and assisted by Marlene Lamont • Photography: Jack Eames • Fashion Styling: Magdalena Jacob • Make up: Roseanna Veilin • Products used: Coloraqua
