Tracey Ann Smith, Creative Director at MOOD, shares the colour and cut trends.
Published:From luxe golden blondes to the return of the bixie, Tracey Ann Smith, Creative Director at MOOD, shares the colour and cut trends set to dominate salons this summer.
Warm blondes are taking over for Summer 2026, but this season’s tones are softer, creamier and far more premium-looking than the brassy blondes of the past. Think buttery blonde bases infused with golden reflects for a glossy, dimensional finish that catches the light beautifully.
According to Tracey Ann Smith, the trend is all about creating expensive-looking blondes that feel healthy and wearable. “Clients still want brightness, but they’re moving towards softer warmth and reflective shine rather than flat icy tones,” she explains.
For salons, the look can be achieved with a subtle toner refresh using MOOD Moody Toners, while recommending a targeted homecare routine is key to maintaining shine and tone longevity between appointments. Tracey highlights the MOOD Ultra Care range as a must-have for keeping blondes looking luxe throughout the summer months.
Copper continues its reign for 2026, but this season it evolves into something softer and more luminous. Ethereal Copper combines warm copper tones with delicate golden reflects to create radiant, glowing colour with high shine.
“The beauty of this shade is how flattering it is. It instantly warms the complexion and really enhances blue and green eyes,”
– Tracey.
To elevate the colour further, Tracey recommends styling with soft S-waves or subtle crimped texture to showcase movement and dimension throughout the hair. To preserve vibrancy, colour-safe aftercare is essential, with MOOD Colour Protect Shampoo and Conditioner helping to minimise fade while maintaining shine.
The bixie is making a major comeback for Summer 2026 as clients continue to embrace shorter styles with versatility and softness.
Sitting between a pixie and a bob, the cut combines cropped, textured layers through the crown with longer, smoother lengths around the perimeter. The result is an edgy but wearable shape that works for clients wanting a dramatic refresh without committing to a full pixie crop.
Tracey predicts the trend will be paired with bold colours, particularly platinum blondes, to create a more fashion-led finish. For styling, texture remains key, with MOOD Hairstyling Bodyguard Salt and Care Spray recommended to add movement and separation while maintaining softness.
After the dominance of the French bob in recent seasons, sharper bob silhouettes are beginning to emerge for summer.
The graduated bob is returning with a more contemporary feel, featuring longer front sections combined with a shorter, blunter back and deliberately broken-up edges for a rawer finish.
“Clients are looking for structure, but they still want movement and softness. This version of the graduated bob feels modern, effortless and far less rigid than previous interpretations,”
– Tracey.
For clients wanting a stronger statement, the cut pairs perfectly with vivid tones such as cherry red, creating a bold haircut and colour combination for the season ahead.
Salon Business are also excited to welcome MOOD Hair Colour as the SB Awards first ever Headline sponsor, putting their brand to the Ultimate Salon and Creative Salon categories!
For more information on MOOD’s latest colour and styling innovations, visit the MOOD professional website or contact the team directly.
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