With the winter of 2026 in full swing, the results are in: this season’s most popular hair colors are leaving subtlety behind in favor of rich, velvety shades of brown, black and copper. If you think those don’t sound too hard, trust me—you haven’t seen it yet. The 2026 version of black isn’t just black; a glass of liquid espresso. Brown is not just brown; chic cashmere cocoa. And the copper is not your ordinary copper, but a soft, red-red.
The key takeaway? The hottest hair colors of 2026 are less about trends and more about wearability, and great comfort.
Experts are not included
- Richy Kandasamy is R+COLOR’s vice president of development and an associate member of R+COLOR
- Renée Valerie is R+COLOR’s education director and associate member of R+COLOR
- Chase Kusero is a celebrity colorist and founder of IGK Hair Care
Cashmere Brunette
Seen on: Hailey Bieber
Cashmere brunette is about “tactile richness,” says Richy Kandasamy, R+COLOR’s vice president of development, explaining that in real life it translates to “warm cocoa, subtle beige and dramatic lightness without difficulty.”
A flattering shade works especially well on cool skin and a neutral, olive or tan complexion, says Kandasamy. For a warm complexion, Renée Valerie, director of R+COLOR education, recommends accentuating the look with a neutral root to keep the color balanced, then creating a shimmering outline of cocoa and espresso tones in the mid-lengths and ends to add dimension and movement.
“At the salon, apply your brunette color with softness and warmth without red tones,” Kandasamy advises. Valerie adds that the color can be fixed with a gloss—like R+COLOR HYPERMATIC 10-Minute Demi-Permanent Liquid Hair Color in shade N4 (SOFT SERVE)—to create a “rich, polished and beautifully soft finish.”
To maintain color and shine between salon appointments, Chase Kusero, celebrity colorist and founder of IGK Hair Care, recommends IGK’s Expensive Clear Gloss Top Coat ($34).
Dark Espresso
Seen on: Dua Lipa
The soft, silky darkness of 2026 is mysterious, seductive and comforting. “The darkness is coming back, but it has softened with extreme light,” said Kandasamy. “It’s strong without feeling heavy. It’s perfect for younger clients who want a little drama with low maintenance and ease.”
If the color is kept neutral to soft—rather than inky blue or overly inky—the result is a “strong but beautiful” shade that enhances facial features and complements both warm and cool tones without overpowering them, says Valerie. Kusero adds that this soft, rich shade works especially well on olive skin tones and deep skin.
“At the salon, ask your stylist to give you a soft black with espresso undertones,” advises Kusero, or “a soft black with depth and shine, not jet black, not matte,” says Kandasamy. Valerie adds her go-to method using R+COLOR STELLAR Demi-Permanent Liquid Hair Color in shades 2.0-N (MANHATTAN) and 1.1-A (INK POT),” noting that bringing reference photos helps ensure you and your colorist are on the same page.
For at-home conditioning, Kandasamy recommends using R+Co’s GEMSTONE Color Shampoo and Conditioner ($68 for two).
Clementine Copper
Seen on: Sadie Sink
“Shades of copper and auburn continue to change to red, which is brilliant,” says Kusero. Kandasamy explains, “In 2026, copper is burnished, rose-tinted and beautiful. The less fire, the brighter it is. It feels handmade, not fashion.”
Flattering on a wide range of skin tones, Kuseo describes clementine copper as a soft auburn with coppery warmth and natural depth and doesn’t rely on red casts. “Ask your colorist to give you a bronze that feels rose-kissed and has depth not flat, not loud but rich,” says Kandasamy.
Between appointments, Kusero recommends IGK’s Color Depositing Mask ($32) in the shade On The Money to give color a boost and shine.
