Colour

Suzie McGill’s Top AW25 Hair Colour Trends

This year, it’s all about rich, dimensional shades that feel glossy, healthy and completely bespoke.

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Autumn is one of my favourite times of year for colour. As the seasons change, I always encourage my clients to refresh their look, it’s the perfect moment to add warmth, depth and shine. This year, it’s all about rich, dimensional shades that feel glossy, healthy and completely bespoke. Here are the three hair colour trends I’m most excited about for the season ahead:

Molten Copper

Copper is always a go-to for autumn, but this year it feels even more luxurious. I love creating a molten copper effect by blending rich russet tones with subtle golden highlights that give the colour incredible light reflection and movement.

What makes copper so special is that it can be tailored to suit every skin tone, such as brighter, fiery hues for those who love a bold statement, or deeper, burnished shades for something softer. It’s a colour that instantly transforms the hair, giving it vibrancy and life

 

Toasted Blonde

For my blonde clients, autumn is a great time to soften and add dimension. Toasted Blonde is a gorgeous mix of buttery golden highlights and deeper, smoky lowlights. The contrast adds depth and shadow, which not only makes the blonde look brighter but also helps the hair look thicker and shinier.

I particularly love adding slightly lighter ribbons around the face to frame and lift the complexion, while keeping the overall finish warm and autumnal. It’s the perfect way to transition from summer’s icy blondes into something more refined and sophisticated for the new season.

Chesnut Luxe

Chestnut Luxe is a deep, multi-dimensional brown with warm, golden undertones and a glossy, polished finish. It’s the kind of shade that instantly adds sophistication and works beautifully on all hair types.

What makes this trend so special is the shine; the hair looks radiant and healthy, with light-catching reflections that bring the colour to life. I often layer subtle caramel or toffee highlights through the lengths to add movement and depth, giving the brown a modern, luxurious edge.

Chestnut Luxe is perfect for anyone looking for a low-maintenance yet striking update this season. It’s rich, wearable, and stylish.

Business

The Top Colour Services Trending This Summer

Rainbow Room International Artistic Director Suzie McGill, shares her advice.

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Summer is a time when clients often desire a hair colour that feels effortless, softer, lighter, and easy to maintain. This year, we are noticing a trend toward multi-dimensional colours that are seamless and tailored for each individual. These styles focus on enhancing the natural beauty of the hair rather than covering it up.
Here are three of the most popular colour services for Summer 2025 that we can expect to see more of throughout the season.

1. Blurred Roots

The Blurred Roots technique is an excellent option for those looking for a low-maintenance hairstyle that also delivers a gorgeous visual impact. This method is designed to create a seamless transition from the roots to the ends of the hair, effectively removing any harsh regrowth lines and resulting in a smooth, natural appearance.

One of the advantages of this technique, especially during the summer months, is that clients can extend the time between appointments while still maintaining an attractive colour. Whether it involves softening the roots of blonde hair or blending out a previous tint, blurred roots achieve a beautiful “undone” look that still appears refined – the perfect balance.

2. Ribbon Midlights

This style is a real favourite right now! Ribbon Midlights offer a fresh take on traditional balayage, with delicate ribbons of colour tracing through the mid-lengths of the hair. This technique is all about lightness and movement, and creates a gorgeous, natural sun-kissed effect.

It looks particularly beautiful on brunettes or darker blondes who want to brighten things up without going too bold. I love placing the colour, so it catches the light just right, it gives that soft shimmer through the hair that feels like it’s been lifted by the sun.

3. Air Touch Highlights

Air Touch is a technique I love for creating seamless, feather-light highlights. This method uses air, usually from a dryer, to push away the shorter, finer hairs before applying the lightener. As a result, we only colour the strongest strands, creating a beautiful, diffused blend that melts into the hair.

This technique is fantastic for clients who prefer a softer, but luxurious look, achieving lightness without any harsh lines or contrast. The final result is very natural, with multiple tones, and it grows out beautifully, making it ideal for the summer months.

Business

The Fellowship for British Hairdressing X Schwarzkopf Professional

A night of presentations from SKP Ambassadors Nick Irwin and Suzie McGill.

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The Fellowship for British Hairdressing’s Hair & Vision invited Schwarzkopf Professional to take to the stage to showcase their latest initiative, ‘FOR EVERY YOU’, designed to empower and inspire hairdressers at every level.

Ashleigh Hodges, President of the Fellowship for British Hairdressing welcomed Kay Brady, Head of Education & Events UK & IRE Henkel Beauty care Professional to present the concept.

FOR EVERY YOU

Schwarzkopf Professional’s unifying message champions every hairdresser at each stage of their career. Whether it’s through in-salon support, online resources, cutting-edge education, or creative inspiration.

Nick Irwin

Schwarzkopf Professional Global Ambassador, Nick Irwin introduced HAIR BY SCHWARZKOPF PRO – a thoughtfully curated collection celebrating modern hair culture and craftsmanship. Nick played a pivotal role in shaping its vision alongside Schwarzkopf Professional. Nick delved into the brand’s extensive education offerings, giving insight into how stylists can continuously evolve their skills whilst working through a live model demonstration.

Suzie McGill

The Schwarzkopf Professional UK Ambassador, joined Nick Irwin on stage to share her in-depth knowledge of the IGORA ROYAL colour range. As an industry-leading Colourist, Suzie showcased a stunning on-stage transformation with IGORA ROYAL.

“I’m absolutely honoured to be a part of the Fellowship community – what an incredible event in collaboration with Schwarzkopf Professional. The Fellowship Hair & Vision events are an amazing opportunity to bridge the gap between brands and stylists – giving them the chance to connect, collaborate and network with like-minded individuals and the brands themselves! These events are crucial for the growth and development and of the hairdressing industry, acting as a mechanism for sharing ideas and nurturing the future generations of stylists. Every day is a school day!” – Suzie McGill.

“As someone who works in events and education, the Fellowship’s Hair & Vision event in collaboration with Schwarzkopf Professional really stood out because of the energy and buzz throughout the event. The setup was really well executed, with a real attention to detail. Nick Irwin is such a legend in the industry and hearing him speak was genuinely inspiring. Suzie McGill’s demo really sparked something for me too. Hair extensions are a big part of my work, and she opened my eyes to the creative possibilities of adding colour and pattern. It’s definitely left me wanting to push my work outside the box,” – Lucy Saunders, event attendee.

‘FOR EVERY YOU’ is designed to empower and inspire hairdressers at every level. For more info on the featured brands, visit Schwarzkopf Professional, and FellowshipHair.

Business

Rainbow Room International Brings Japanese Innovation to the Scottish Salon Floor

The salon group are incorporating key learnings and insights into the salon environment.

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An inspiring educational trip to Japan in March 2025 was made possible by Laura Leigh Kerr, the Director of Howard Street Academy and the 2024 Educator of the Year for the prestigious Fellowship for British Hairdressing. She played a crucial role in securing the successful bid for the group to embark on this unique, once-in-a-lifetime trip to Japan.

RRI’s philosophy is based on the Japanese Values of ‘Kaizen’, which means continual improvement. The educational trip reinforced this philosophy by introducing new methods, such as precision cutting techniques, and innovative practices and rituals. Overall, it was a truly life-changing experience for all participants. Japan’s meticulous techniques, respectful client rituals, and deep appreciation for the hairdressing profession left a lasting impact that are being brought back to the salon floor.

“It gave us a completely new perspective. The calm, the focus, the discipline, it wasn’t all about technique. It was also very much about intent, and that is something we are incorporating back onto the salon floor here in Scotland,” – Laura Leigh.

Customer Service: Elevating The Client Experience into a more Mindful & Relaxing Journey

Clients at Rainbow Room International are already enjoying the benefits of a subtle yet significant change: adopting a slower, more relaxed pace that fosters a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere. This experience is a refreshing departure from the often busy and noisy salon environments commonly found in the UK.

“What we saw in Japan was just the most extraordinary commitment to the overall client experience, it was attentiveness right down to the smallest detail. It was peaceful, tranquil, with details such as reclining backwash chairs designed to help the client fully relax, and no part of the process was rushed. We want our clients to feel that same sense of care,” – Suzie McGill, director of Rainbow Room International Uddingston.

Training: A Slower Pace, with a Long-Game Approach and Focus on Long-Term Mastery

The Japanese approach emphasises mastering knowledge before technique, which in turn reinforces discipline and builds confidence among trainees.The Japanese model employs a slower, more structured approach to training. Stylists in Japan spend years mastering each step of their craft. It typically takes five years to become a fully qualified stylist, with the first two years focused solely on theory, and trainees do not even begin working with hair during this time. Instead, they learn the science behind hairdressing, the foundational skills, as well as health and safety protocols.

“In the UK, there is a tendency to fast-track training, Japan however highlighted that true mastery takes time. We are now focused on enhancing our training pathways to develop not only skills but also confidence and craftsmanship through a commitment to in-depth learning” – Laura Leigh.

Cutting-Edge Precision: Innovative Techniques Where Less is More

In Japan, there is a strong emphasis on technique in hairstyling, rather than relying on products or heat tools. This focus on technique extends to cutting, where precision is paramount, and razor-sharp tools are used. Every detail, from using a single pin to secure and shape a hairstyle, is carefully considered and executed.

“The team returned with a deeper appreciation for their craft and improved discipline in their technique. It was all about working with the hair, with every movement and detail being carefully considered,” – Riccardo Corvi, Director of Rainbow Room International Ayr.

With a team full of new ideas, inspiration, and motivation, Rainbow Room International continues to demonstrate that when education takes the lead, innovation is sure to follow.

More Info 
Online: www.rainbowroominternational.com
Instagram: @rainbowroomint