The Level 10 Hair Trend Index 2026: What’s Actually Coming Next
At Level 10, we spend every day studying texture, tone, shape and wearability. This is your insider
preview of the trends that will actually matter in 2026 — not the clickbait ones, but the ones clients
will want, stylists will recreate, and Instagram will amplify.
These six trends are shaping the year ahead.
1. Clean-Luxe Blonde
The blonde of 2026 is soft, luminous and quietly expensive. Think micro-ribbons of brightness,
diffused roots, and subtle lowlights used to create balance — not darkness.
It’s the “I just woke up glowing” blonde.
Why clients love it:
Low maintenance
Seamless regrowth
Natural depth + soft brightness
A polished result that lasts longer between visits
The Level 10 Touch:
Our blonding is designed to make the hair look naturally radiant — not over-processed. Clean, soft, refined.
2. The Rich Brunette Movement
Brunette is entering its luxury era. Expect glossy, multidimensional browns that feel like skincare for the hair.
Trending tones include:
Mocha Mousse (warm, creamy depth)
Cocoa Noir (velvety near-black)
Toasted Chestnut (neutral dimension)
Caramel Silk (subtle warmth for radiance)
Why clients love it:
Incredibly high shine
Age-defying depth
Works with both warm and neutral complexions
The Level 10 Touch:
We use premium salon and aftercare products for unmatched gloss and longevity — they wear beautifully for months.
3. Fringe Energy
Fringes are the fastest refresh for 2026. They’re soft, sculpting and ridiculously flattering.
Trending shapes:
Soft Curve Fringe
Bottleneck Fringe
Cheekbone Fringe
Heavy Blunt Fringe
Why clients love it:
A fringe can lift cheekbones, soften features and instantly modernise the face shape — without a full cut overhaul.
The Level 10 Touch:
We blend fringes seamlessly into natural hair and extensions for an effortless, lived-in finish.
4. Velvet Hair (Shine, Shape, Softness)
2026 is all about velvet texture — hair that looks hydrated, plush and touchable.
Think:
Soft blowouts
Wet-gloss finishes
Polished volume
Smooth mids with airy ends
Why clients love it:
It looks expensive but undone, like luxury without the fuss.
The Level 10 Touch:
Our finishing work prioritizes bounce, movement and high-shine softness.
5. Hair That Looks Like Skincare
This trend focuses on enhancing the face through strategic colour placement.
Expect:
Face-brightening ribbons
Tonal contouring
Micro-lowlights for depth
Colour blended to highlight bone structure
Why clients love it:
The hair becomes an extension of their makeup — flattering, lifting, sculpting.
The Level 10 Touch:
We colour with the face in mind, not just the hair. It’s artistry and anatomy.
6. Extensions-as-Skincare
Extensions are entering their “treatment era.” The focus is longevity, health and quality.
Key practices:
Layered heat protection
Weekly glossing
Sleeping serums
Scalp care to support hair health
Why clients love it:
Their extensions stay glossy, soft and wearable for the long haul.
The Level 10 Touch:
We educate clients on how to maintain investment-level hair, so it stays beautiful beyond the appointment.
The 2026 Level 10 Aesthetic
Warm. Sculpted. Glossy. Personalised.
Hair that looks effortless but engineered.
Hair that feels expensive — without looking overdone.
Want your own 2026 hair moment?
Book a consultation at Level 10 The Studio.
