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Autumn Hair Colour Trends: Q&A with Master Colourist, Berni

September 11, 2026

Autumn Hair Colour Trends: Q&A with Master Colourist, Berni

A new season is the perfect time for a colour rethink. We caught up with our Colour Masterist, Berni, to talk about restoring and refreshing post-summer hair, the shades and techniques defining the season ahead, and her expert advice for keeping your colour looking vibrant, glossy and beautifully healthy.

Q. After a summer of sun, sea, and chlorine, how can clients refresh their colour while getting their hair looking healthy and glossy again?

 

Berni: Post-summer recovery begins with deep hydration and consistent pre-wash treatments. Regularly applying LifeSaver Ultra Pre-wash Treatment restores vital moisture and tensile strength.

Pairing this with an Exfoliating Scalp Shampoo effectively clears away dulling mineral residue and chlorine build-up, creating a clean canvas before any colour work.

A September refresh doesn’t require a dramatic overhaul; often, a targeted colour refresh mask, toner, or gloss is all it takes to revive summer strands. A post-holiday trim is also highly recommended to reset the ends.

Q. What are the most common mistakes people make when changing their colour
for Autumn?

 

Berni: The most frequent mistake is deciding to "go darker" simply because winter is approaching. As our summer tan fades and our complexion pales, drastically darkening hair colour is rarely flattering. Instead, gently softening and warming up existing highlights or rich brunette tones is the key to maintaining a fresh, luminous finish that flatters the skin and eyes.

Q. What are the biggest hair colour trends you predict for Autumn 2026?

 

 

Berni: We are seeing a move toward neutral, natural shades and tones paired with caramel ribbons woven through for seamless dimension. Warmer, richer palettes generally dominate this season, giving hair a grounded, polished feel.

Q. Which celebrity hair colours are inspiring you right now, and whose looks are clients bringing into the salon?

Berni: Clients are drawing major inspiration from rich, characterful tones this season. Sarah Pidgeon in Love Story, Nicole Kidman’s iconic blonde, Joey King’s deep auburn in Practical Magic 2, and Sandra Bullock’s dimensional, ultra-glossy brunette (from Practical Magic 1 & 2) are all top references right now.

Q. How do you translate a celebrity hair colour into something that works for an
individual client?

 

Berni: The most essential step when introducing celebrity looks into a client’s everyday life is managing expectations. Often, incorporating just an element of that colour or style is enough to make someone feel special and elevated. We can easily reimagine the look by adding a gloss for reflective shine or tweaking the undertone. Most importantly, when hair is strong, healthy, and luminous, it gives us the freedom to adapt and play. Maintenance also plays a significant part in what we design, depending on how long a client prefers to go between salon appointments.

Q. Which colour techniques are feeling most current this Autumn?

 

Berni: Highlights never go out of fashion and this autumn they are firmly here to stay. While specific techniques evolve, the foundation remains consistent: strategic lightening and deepening to design a bespoke palette for each individual. Root melts and glosses are integral to the process; I rely on them to seamlessly blend, diffuse, and soften the overall look.

Q. What makes a hair colour look truly expensive?

 

Berni: Truly luxurious hair colour represents the person wearing it, it must exist in total harmony with skin tone, eye colour, and personal palette. Only after achieving that natural balance do we look at dimension or placement. A monochromatic brunette can look just as expensive as a multi-dimensional highlighted blonde, provided it complements the individual perfectly.

Q. Is high-shine, healthy-looking colour becoming more important than dramatic
colour transformations? How do you create that glossy, beautifully
conditioned finish in the salon?

 

Berni: Healthy hair over heavily processed locks is unequivocally the defining trend. The healthier the hair fibre, the easier it is to achieve that mirror-like, high-shine finish. In the salon, I love finishing colour services with a Wella Shinefinity gloss. It imparts the ultimate reflective shine and maintains its luminous finish for 4 to 5 weeks post-appointment.

Thanks so much Berni.

You can book an appointment with Berni or any of the Van Clarke team via the tab to the right of your browser.



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