21 fresh new hair colour ideas to take to your colourist now

Just in time for your last colour of 2016, comes our definitive edit of the most flattering (and trending) new hair colour ideas out there. From the most subtle shift in tone, to a dramatic transformation, there’s no need to stick to the same old, same old. We say go out with a bang and mix things up. Princess pastels, nordic blondes, liquid metallics and luxe noirs are just a few of the trends set to be huge next year, but our money is on the sea of reds making their way to a salon near you, take your pick from shades of celtic, auburn or strawberry. Prepare to be inspired…

By Daniella Morosini

Book your hair colour now

• 1 Luxe noir

  Best for: Olive skins

  If you’ve got the kind of complexion that catches a tan easily, why not add a Mediterranean twist to your look with a rich, glossy brunette? Amping the darker tones of your hair will make it look super glossy and nourished.
• 2 Ashy balayage

  Best for: Would-be California girls

  If you crave the sun-kissed locks of the jet-set pack (Gigi Hadid, Rosie Huntington Whiteley, Gisele…) go for this breezy, just-got-back-from-the-beach shade. Far from being out of place in winter, it has the added benefit of making you look like you’ve spent two weeks in Tulum. Winner.
• 3 The new auburn

  Best for: Bored-of-the-bleach blondes

  If you’ve been a bottle blonde as long as you can remember and crave change, look no further. Auburn is red hot right now, and red tones take beautifully to blonde locks. Who wouldn’t want the kind of hair Renaissance painters got all swoony about?
• 4 Grunge blonde

  Best for: Low-maintenance blondes

  Not one for bi-monthly salon visits? We hear ya. A softly blended blonde like this is much better for wash-and-go girls, as it’ll look cooler and grungier the more root-y it gets.
• 5 Colour contouring

  Best for: Beauty addicts

  If you just have to try every trend going, may we suggest a little bit of hair contouring? This clever balayage-style technique helps give you a more sculpted look – the placement of darker and lighter shades at opportune points around your face helps bring out your cheekbones. HELLO, natural sculpting –  need we say more?
• 6 Liquid silver

  Best for: Instagram beauty queens

  If you’d never be seen dead without your contour on point and your brows inspire gasps of envy, why not try going grey this season? The hottest, most double-tapped shade of the moment, almost mirror-like grey suits all skin tones. A word of warning – you’ll need to style it a lot to keep it looking sleek. Wash and go girls need not apply.
• 7 Dusty rose dip dye

  Best for: Girly girls

  Obsessed with rose gold? Can’t get enough of that dusty pink shade that’s dominating fashion and interiors right now? Take your love of sorbet shades a step further with this beautiful peachy dip-dye. Subtle enough to still be office-appropriate, but fun enough to be fashion-forward, this is one look bound to turn heads.
• 8 Walnut gloss

  Best for: Over-processed hair

  Dyed your hair one too many times? Got that kind of nondescript grey-green tinge going on that you get when you hit the bleach over and over? Go for a glossy dark shade – it’s so much more forgiving. Ask for a glossing treatment at the backwash for extra shine.
• 9 Celtic red

  Best for: Almost-blondes

  Strawberry blonde hair gets a bad rap in our books – sure, it’s an in-between shade, but it’s beautiful nonetheless. If you do want to dial up your look then go for a richer, bolder and very on trend celtic red as seen at the SS17 Prada show. 
• 10 Fairy pastels

  Best for: Just-can’t-choose ladies

  If you can’t pick a favourite colour, don’t sweat it. In fact, we reckon it’s the more the merrier come party season. Ask your colourist for a slew of different shades – keep it pastel for maximum impact – scattered throughout your locks and get set to be the most-complimented girl at the party.
• 11 Glitter roots (The next generation)

  Best for: Commitment-shy girls

  If you need a quick fix but don’t want to become a slave to salon appointments, it’s got to be glitter roots. Fun, frivolous and a tiny bit messy, it’s a quick way to get party-ready without being slaved over for hours with the foils. Plus, it washes out! Win-win.
• 12 Warm chestnut

  Best for: Old-school sophisticates

  If you like to play it safe but still want to try something new, try something like this rich chestnut colour. It’s warm enough to not wash out fairer skin tones, but still dark enough to add a little air of mystery.
• 13 Flame red

  Best for: Getting a bit of oomph

  If you’re a natural redhead, instead dying over your colour completely, why not simply turn up the volume with a slightly more intense shade? A mix of high and lowlights can add natural-looking texture to your shade for a totally #goals-worthy shade.
• 14 Bronde-ombre (Yes it's a thing)

  Best for: Covering an ombre gone wrong

  Sometimes, bad hair happens to good people. If your dip-dye’s gone a little bit pear-shaped, look to balayage to do damage control. The free-painting style of colour application will leave you with a more blended, softer version of ombre.
• 15 Nordic blonde

  Best for: Glamour pusses

  Sometimes, only pure Hollywood will do it. If you like your nails long and your makeup is always #flawless, this one’s for you. No-room-for-regrowth bright blonde and marcel waves makes for an unforgettable party look.
• 16 Soft metallics

  Best for: The woman bored of her half-head of highlights

  If you eye up the pink and purple hued hair of Instagram babes wistfully but know you’ve not the guts to go through with it, try a softer, more metallic version. Copper, rose gold and bronze tones incorporate something adventurous (a pastel shade) with something safer (a smattering of more natural colours) for a style that’s soft, feminine and fun.
• 17 Mauve tint

  Best for: Girls who just wanna have fun

  You only live once. If you’re looking for a serious style shake-up, there’s nothing more of the moment than all-over pastel hair. It’s feminine, it’s fun and it’s totally bespoke to you – your colourist can dial up the intensity or keep it soft with balayage-like strokes. The choice is yours…
• 18 Espresso ends

  Best for: Francophiles

  Obsessed with all things Gallic? Are you more Charlotte Gainsbourg than Khloe Kardashian? Then go for a soft, chic tone like this muted brunette. It looks naturally and unfussy, and will stand the test of time and trends. Easy.
• 19 Copper glow

  Best for: Pale and interesting sorts

  If your natural complexion is more peaches and cream than anything else, and you’re shy with the bronzer, try a colour with copper tones. It instantly warms the skin and adds offsets pale skin beautifully. No self-tanner required.
• 20 Champagne blonde

  Best for: Luxury lovers

  This blonde screams money. If you like your haircolour as luxe as your loungewear then this is for you. Fresh, buttery blonde highlights shot with chic tones of champagne will flatter pale and warmer skintones. We love Eva’s razor-sharp bob, too – but this’ll look just as lovely on pixie crops and longer lengths.
• 21 Golden blonde smudge

  Best for: Covering pesky greys

  If your main bugbear is that annoying, persistent line of grey that keeps coming back, try a glossy tone like this one. Ask your colourist for a ‘smudge kit’ to take home – it’s a little bit of dye you can use DIY-style to cover any regrowth between full-on colouring sessions.