You scroll through photos of your favourite celebrities and notice their hair looks incredible. Trending hair colours worn by celebrities catch your eye everywhere, from award shows to Instagram posts. But when you think about booking a salon appointment or trying it yourself at home, you freeze. Which shade actually suits you? How do you ask for it? Can you recreate it yourself without the £200 price tag?
This roundup breaks down the five biggest celebrity hair colours dominating 2026. You’ll discover what each trend looks like, which stars are wearing it right now, and exactly how to achieve the look at home with Smart Beauty’s vegan and cruelty-free formulas. Each section includes practical tips for different hair types, application guidance, and aftercare advice to keep your colour looking fresh. Whether you’re drawn to buttery blondes, rich brunettes, or bold reds, you’ll find celebrity inspiration and a clear path to getting that same shade in your own bathroom.
1. Smart Beauty blondes inspired by celebrities
Blonde shades sit at the top of trending hair colours worn by celebrities this year. The 2026 blonde palette skews towards buttery, champagne-toned shades rather than bright platinum or icy white. You’ll notice celebrities choosing warmer, more natural-looking blondes with subtle dimension that suggests expensive salon work without the obvious upkeep.
What this colour trend looks like
This blonde features cool champagne undertones mixed with hints of warmth. The colour reads as beige or biscuit blonde rather than yellow or orange. You’ll see natural-looking root shadows that blend seamlessly into lighter ends, creating depth that grows out gracefully over months rather than weeks.
Celebrities wearing this shade in 2026
Look at recent award season appearances and you’ll spot this shade everywhere. Celebrity colourists report beige blonde as the most requested tone at their salons. The shade works across different styling choices, from sleek straight looks to textured waves, which explains why A-list clients keep returning to this particular formula.
Who this hair colour suits best
This blonde complements most skin tones because the warmth balances the cool. You benefit most if you have light to medium brown natural hair, as the transition requires less aggressive lightening. Fair skin with cool undertones particularly suits this shade, though deeper complexions look stunning with slightly warmer variations.
The pinch of gold helps the blonde look brighter, healthier and more flattering across all skin tones.
How to adapt it for different hair types and textures
Fine hair holds this colour beautifully because the multidimensional tones create an illusion of thickness. Coarse or curly hair needs extra moisture during processing, so apply a deep conditioning treatment the week before colouring. Textured hair shows off the dimensional quality brilliantly when the natural curl pattern catches different tones.
Smart Beauty shades to use at home
Choose Smart Beauty’s Bleach & Blonde collection for the base. Layer a cool-toned toner over pre-lightened hair to achieve that champagne finish. For subtle warmth, mix a golden blonde with your toner at a 10:1 ratio.
Application and aftercare tips
Section your hair into four quadrants and work from back to front. Leave the first inch of roots untouched initially, then apply colour to those areas in the final five minutes for a natural shadow effect. Use a purple-toned shampoo once weekly to prevent brassiness.
2. Glossy brunette shades with subtle dimension
Rich, glossy brunettes appear everywhere in trending hair colours worn by celebrities right now. These shades skip the flat, single-toned darkness of previous years and instead feature subtle warmth layered through a deeper base. You’ll notice the difference in how light catches the hair, revealing hidden tones that add polish without looking obviously highlighted.
What this colour trend looks like
This brunette trend centres on mirror-like shine combined with barely-there dimension. The base sits in a medium to dark brown range whilst delicate highlights add warmth around the face. Natural roots blend seamlessly into richer ends, creating that expensive "between appointments" energy that actually requires careful planning to achieve.
Celebrities wearing this shade in 2026
Champagne brunette variations dominate red carpets and social media posts this season. Celebrity colourists describe requests for toned-down blonde-to-brunette transitions that maintain depth whilst adding subtle brightness. You’ll spot this shade on celebrities who want low-maintenance colour that still photographs beautifully under harsh lighting.
Who this hair colour suits best
This shade flatters virtually everyone because the depth creates contrast against most skin tones. You benefit particularly if you have medium to dark natural hair, as the colour requires minimal lifting. Olive and warm skin tones look especially stunning, though cooler complexions can request slightly ashier undertones.
The focus is on colour that looks natural, but elevated.
How to adapt it for different hair types and textures
Coarse hair holds this colour brilliantly because the texture enhances shine. Fine hair benefits from the dimensional placement, which creates visual thickness. Curly or textured hair showcases the subtle highlights beautifully when natural movement reveals different tones.
Smart Beauty shades to use at home
Select Smart Beauty’s Brown & Copper collection for your base shade. Choose a medium to dark brown that sits one or two shades lighter than your natural colour for built-in dimension.
Application and aftercare tips
Apply colour evenly through mid-lengths and ends first, then work towards roots. Use a glossing treatment three to four weeks after colouring to maintain that signature shine.
3. Inky black and espresso celebrity hair
Deep, glossy blacks return as trending hair colours worn by celebrities who want rich colour with minimal damage. Colourists report clients requesting less bleaching and more glossing this year, which makes these darker shades particularly appealing. The focus shifts from processing hair lighter to enhancing natural depth with mirror-like shine that photographs beautifully.
What this colour trend looks like
This trend features ultra-dark bases ranging from true black to deep espresso brown. The key element separates basic dark dye from this celebrity version: reflective, almost wet-looking shine that catches light dramatically. You’ll notice these shades appear dimensional rather than flat, with subtle cool or neutral undertones that prevent the colour looking harsh.
Celebrities wearing this shade in 2026
Winter appearances showcase this shade across award ceremonies and fashion events. Celebrity colourists emphasise that clients choose these deep, polished tones specifically for their camera-ready quality. The colour creates striking contrast against lighter makeup and stands out in professional photography.
Who this hair colour suits best
This shade complements virtually all skin tones because the depth creates natural contrast. You benefit most if you have medium to dark natural hair, as the transition requires gentle processing. Cool or neutral undertones in your complexion particularly suit true black, whilst warmer skin tones look stunning in espresso variations.
Rich in colour and shine, an inky black is one of the shades colourists recommend considering.
How to adapt it for different hair types and textures
Coarse hair holds this colour brilliantly because texture naturally enhances shine. Fine hair gains visual weight from the solid, dark colour. Curly or textured hair showcases the glossy finish exceptionally well when natural movement catches light at different angles.
Smart Beauty shades to use at home
Select Smart Beauty’s Black & Blue collection for true black results. Choose an espresso shade from the Brown & Copper range if you prefer softer darkness.
Application and aftercare tips
Apply colour evenly from roots to ends for uniform coverage. Use a glossing treatment every three weeks to maintain that signature mirror shine that defines this trend.
4. Velvet reds and cherry mocha hair
Sophisticated red tones emerge as trending hair colours worn by celebrities who want warmth without screaming brightness. These shades layer red or copper undertones with deeper brunette bases, creating depth that feels polished rather than loud. You’ll notice celebrities choosing reds that whisper rather than shout this season.
What this colour trend looks like
This trend features deep red or copper shades paired with dark bases that prevent the colour looking vibrant or primary. The warmth layers through brunette foundations, creating sultry, dimensional colour that shifts in different lighting. You’ll spot subtle burgundy, cherry, or plum tones woven through rich brown.
Celebrities wearing this shade in 2026
Cherry mocha appears frequently on award season appearances and fashion events. Celebrity colourists report velvet red variations as common requests amongst clients wanting warmth without full ginger commitment. Blackcurrant brunette, featuring purple-toned reds over dark bases, also trends strongly this season.
The warmth is layered with the brunette base, so it isn’t loud or vibrant.
Who this hair colour suits best
This shade complements warm and neutral skin tones particularly well because the red enhances natural warmth. You benefit most if you have medium to dark natural hair, as the base requires minimal lightening whilst the red tones add dimension.
How to adapt it for different hair types and textures
Fine hair gains visual thickness from the multidimensional tones. Coarse or textured hair showcases the red beautifully when natural movement reveals hidden depth.
Smart Beauty shades to use at home
Choose Smart Beauty’s Pink & Red collection for copper or cherry tones. Layer over a medium brown base from the Brown & Copper range for authentic celebrity results.
Application and aftercare tips
Apply base colour first, then add red tones through mid-lengths and ends. Use colour-safe shampoo to prevent fading between applications.
5. Copper and amber glow celebrity colour
Warm copper shades feature prominently in trending hair colours worn by celebrities seeking sun-kissed radiance without holiday plans. These shades layer coppery highlights through amber bases, creating luminous warmth that elevates natural colour. You’ll notice celebrities choosing this shade for its ability to add dimension whilst maintaining approachable, wearable brightness.
What this colour trend looks like
This trend showcases warm amber bases infused with soft copper highlights that catch light beautifully. The colour reads as naturally sun-kissed rather than artificially orange, with dimensional placement that suggests professional work. Burnt copper variations lean cooler, featuring subtle copper tones that enhance haircuts rather than overwhelming them.
Celebrities wearing this shade in 2026
Amber glow appears frequently at spring and summer events when celebrities want eye-catching warmth. Colourists report requests for copper that moves with the hair, featuring tiny highlights that emphasise natural texture.
It feels rich and luminous, instantly elevating the hair with eye-catching warmth.
Who this hair colour suits best
This shade complements warm and neutral skin tones brilliantly because the copper enhances natural warmth. You benefit most if you have light to medium brown natural hair.
How to adapt it for different hair types and textures
Wavy or curly hair showcases the dimensional highlights exceptionally well when natural movement reveals copper tones.
Smart Beauty shades to use at home
Select Smart Beauty’s Brown & Copper collection for authentic amber results. Choose copper tones for highlights through a warm brown base.
Application and aftercare tips
Apply base colour evenly, then add copper highlights through face-framing sections. Use heat protectant when styling to preserve colour vibrancy.
Final thoughts
These trending hair colours worn by celebrities prove that 2026 favours depth, dimension, and natural-looking shine over extreme processing. You can recreate any of these looks at home by choosing the right base colour and understanding how your natural hair responds to different formulas. Start with shades close to your current colour for easier maintenance, then experiment with bolder tones once you feel confident with application techniques.
Smart Beauty’s vegan and cruelty-free formulas deliver professional results without salon prices or harsh chemicals. Each shade contains plex technology that protects your hair whilst you colour, leaving strands glossy and healthy rather than damaged. Browse our complete colour collection to find your perfect celebrity-inspired shade and transform your bathroom into your personal colouring studio. Whether you choose buttery blonde, glossy brunette, or velvet red, you’re working with ethical, UK-made products that respect both your hair and your values.