10 hair colour trends taking over in 2020

Thanks to celebrities like Zendaya, rich red-bronze tones are taking over the show this year – and we’re not even mad about it. Simon Bright, Creative Director and hairstylist at JONNY+JUNE says, “Ronze red is a mixture of copper red and bronze brown and is a major player in the red world. These shimmery hues lighten and brighten up your hair this season. [You can] use these hues to create soft, yet noticeable dimension in the hair, making it super flattering on all redheads. Saoirse Ronan is a major influencer ATM sporting this look.” Just keep in mind that if you’re not a natural redhead, you need to have a strict haircare plan to maintain its vibrancy, because red hair is extra susceptible to colour fade.

As dark brown as you can go before black, dark espresso chocolate is a chic, sleek hue that is *very* on trend this year, according to hairstylist and owner of RAW hair salon in Sydney, Anthony Nader. “Sounds good enough to drink don’t you think? I know we’re not re-inventing the wheel here, but when it comes to Bella Hadid’s full pigment hair colour it’s a show-stopper. Going one solid colour can also cover up a multitude of previous colour sins that you just want to vanish and start off fresh again for new beginnings. This colour glaze radiates healthy strands and wellbeing,” says Nader.

You might have seen this creamy, golden colour slinking around the hair streets last year, but it’s back on the scene in a big way. “I’m seeing biscuit blonde coming back,” says Sydney colourist and founder of Edwards and Co, Jaye Edwards,. “Think Jennifer Aniston in the new series, Morning Wars.” Featuring both warm and cool tones, this is a hue that can instantly brighten up warmer skin tones and any eye colour.

If you’re feeling adventurous, this stand-out buttery, cotton blonde hair colour is right up your alley. Teamed with a short pixie cut, you’ll look like a total ‘60s babe. “Cotton blond hair is a MUST for 2020, but it’s not for faint-hearted folks who can pretend it’s natural - it’s a take on 1960s bleach blonde with a bit of dark root and a lot of sass,” says Bright. “Kristen Stewart is rocking this look in the new movie Seberg, giving a nod to this trend.”

“Get ready to be bolder than ever,” says Nader. “Think Dua Lipa’s fun, thick panels of blonde framing her face and crowning her part line for good measure. The best part about this hair colour (because of the blonde placement), is you can maximise the styling to look different seven days a week if you wish,” he says.

“We have salon clients that are natural redheads [that] want to play with a fun colour palate, and not miss out. Our go-to is the beautiful Isla Fisher and her trademark mane,” says Nader. “It’s really fun to incorporate a mix of tones that fuse beautifully together. As soon as you lighten this natural base, you’ll see pretty peach, apricot and strawberry tones filter through from your hairdressers’ cocktail of colour ingredients,” he says.

If you’re looking to try something different on your brunette hair, this soda-inspired shade is for you! It can be worn as an all-over colour or as highlights and ombre. Bright says, “It uses tawny, espresso, mocha and sun-kissed gold hues to create soft yet noticeable dimension in the hair, making it super flattering on all brunettes and skin tones. Megan Markle screams this high fashion hue.”

“Take a bow for the most understated, yet worthy of them all, the ‘classic foils’,” says Nader. “And by this, I mean beautifully woven foils where the colour is painted on with precise thought and technical reassurance.” According to Nader, it’s a super versatile colour anyone can pull off. “Gwyneth Paltrow is my number one muse here. Classic foils will always be a winner in any season. It's an understated, luxe [colour] that doesn’t need all the bells and whistles,” says Nader.

If you’re all about low-maintenance colours (here, here!), Bright says to try nude beige (this colour sits somewhere between blonde and brown). “Nude beige is a classic hair colour trend that many are fortunate to have naturally, and it’s easy to achieve with skimming hues flashed/freehand painted throughout the hair.” Your celebrity inspo? Look to Gigi Hadid.

“Balayage will always be an ‘all year round’ colour service as it’s super low maintenance and budget effective,” says Nader. “You can top up your trademark blonde mid-lengths and ends [every] three to four months and breathe easy in-between salon visits.” While the actual hue will remain the same, Bright says this year you’ll see a twist in the usual balayage technique. “The balayage of today is here to stay, but we are seeing more techniques like ‘basin balayage’ being done now,” says Bright. “This is done at the basin and applied/processed for around 10 to 15 minutes. The result gives you a striking, sun-kissed, brighter/lighter look.”