Summer hair colour trends tend to involve beachy blonde or sun-kissed highlights, with Autumn getting left with the grown-out aftermath. But this season, Londoners are trying a few new looks for the seasonal transition. We spoke to four hair pros to find out what clients are really asking for this time of year and what the stylists are personally loving, too. While lots of people are still raving about balayage [1], it's a barely there version of the technique that clients are requesting the most, in addition to lilac hues, warmer tones, and a few other surprises.
Read on to find out what they had to say about the hair colour trends that are going to be huge in London.
Warm Tones
"For me, warmer tones definitely prevail," said Anna Short, the colour director at Daniel Galvin [3] salon. "I've seen lots of chestnut tones in brunettes. Copper is also still having a moment, and lastly blondes are going more tonal, from sandy to buttery shades." But if you want to experiment more than going brunette and blonde this season, Short suggests going warmer. "Many people try to fight the natural warmth in their hair, so it's refreshing to see people embracing it for a change," she said. "It can also make hair look healthier; ash tones can make the hair look dull and lifeless, whereas warmer tones look shinier, brighter, and generally more radiant."
The New Balayage
Jack Howard, celebrity hair colourist and L'Oréal Professionnel UK Colour Spokesperson [4], is the go-to guy for the balayage of your dreams, and he says the "barely there" makeup trend has moved onto hair, too. But just like makeup, this "isn't as easy as it sounds," Howard said. To get the look right, he suggests a look that's "rooty, lived in, paired with a face frame of lights for that camera-ready feel — the ladies of London are loving it." One look at his Instagram [5] and you'll see that Howard really has mastered the effortless balayage finish, which includes plenty of negative space in the hair to create extra dimension.
Faded Colours
Short added that besides warmer hues, she's also seeing lots of faded pinks and peachy tones, which are especially fitting for the season. Nathan Walker, Trevor Sorbie international technical director [6], agrees, pointing out that washed-out greys, lilacs, and purples are dominating. He says his clients are asking for "easy maintenance" and bespoke colour conditioners to prolong the life of their dye jobs at home. This is why if your hair is naturally light, shades of pink are great ways to have fun without the commitment.
Beach Blond
Taylor Ward, the colour director at Jo Hansford [7], echoed Howard's sentiment about balayage but said people are still asking for it in a traditional sense. "People are searching for a seemingly effortless colour for their hair," she explained. You don't just have to be blonde already to enjoy this colour either. "Whatever your colour, balayage is also a great way to add some light tones to your hair, to mimic the natural effect of the sun," Ward said.