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Revealed! Pantone Color Of The Year 2026

Revealed! Pantone Color Of The Year 2026

Revealed! Pantone Color Of The Year 2026

It’ll be all white on the night for this year’s trending shade…

by AMANDA | INFORM

Cloud Dancer has been unveiled as the Pantone Color of the Year 2026.

Described as a “lofty white whose aerated presence acts as a whisper of calm and peace in a noisy world”, the tone is something of a blank canvas that could act as a jumping off point for blonding and grey services in salons.

“At this time of transformation, when we are reimagining our future and our place in the world, Cloud Dancer is a discrete white hue offering a promise of clarity,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director at the Pantone Color Institute. Cloud Dancer opens up space for creativity, allowing our imagination to wander and drift so that new insights and bold ideas can emerge and take shape,” added Laurie Pressman, the Institute’s vice president.

The company even had a comment on the application of the shade in hair. “When worn in hair, PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer makes a fashionable statement, on its own or in colorblocking, especially when paired with a thoughtful, intentional personal style.

What’s been the reaction from colourists? “Cloud Dancer is a beautiful clean, white tone with a slight grey/neutral tone to give it balance,” said Tracey Ann Smith, creative director at MOOD. “This is a beautiful shade for the winter season – almost snow like. It’s bold yet chic, and a great choice for those who are already blonde.

Cloud Dancer is a beautiful soft, vanilla whipped, fluffy-esque shade of white. This is a perfect choice for blondes who prefer a lighter, creamier, slightly ashy hue and don’t like their blonde to be too warm or golden toned,” said Suzie McGill, artistic director at Rainbow Room International.

“This shade is a step away from your typical platinum blonde shade traditionally being perceived as a cool, almost-white hue with blend of vanilla and cream ribbons to create a multi-dimensional finish,” added Seung Ki Baek, creative colour expert at RUSH Hair. “In recent months we have noticed a rise in clients opting for icier, cooler blondes – its dreamy, soft appearance makes it the perfect colour for showcasing the hair’s health and natural shine. Cloud Dancer gives us colourists a blank canvas to experiment with minimalism, partnering different variations of depth, dimension, and tones to create our own interpretation of this colour trend for clients in the salon.”

Colourists Achieve Industry-First Degree-Level Qualification

Colourists Achieve Industry-First Degree-Level Qualification

Colourists Achieve Industry-First Degree-Level Qualification

The first cohort of expert colourists to achieve the Wella Colour Higher Level Diploma – the brand’s most advanced hair colour qualification, equivalent to a colour degree – have enjoyed a formal graduation ceremony at Glasgow University’s Clyde College.

by AMANDA | INFORM

The Diploma, an industry first, is a ground-breaking SCQF Level 9 qualification that recognises the professionalism and technical acumen needed to be a true colour expert.

The highly intensive course, which took the 24 students 20 months to complete, addresses subjects such as the biology and chemistry of hair, a unit on psychology with factors related to mental health, client safeguarding techniques and leadership, alongside considerations for maintaining sustainable and profitable business practices.

The course also included a visit to Wella’s R&D centre in Darmstadt, Germany, to gain insight into the process behind creating a leading professional hair colour portfolio.

Says Wella’s senior education manager, Paul Fensome: “We are thrilled with the success of year one of this course. It’s an incredibly challenging syllabus with academic modules designed to push experienced colourists to the limit.”

That’s Hot – Paris Hilton Partners With Paul Mitchell

That’s Hot – Paris Hilton Partners With Paul Mitchell

That’s Hot – Paris Hilton Partners With Paul Mitchell

Year-long deal sees Noughties favourite become global ambassador

by AMANDA | INFORM

Paris Hilton, a mainstay of Noughties’ trends and culture, is the new Paul Mitchell global ambassador.

The year-long partnership is set to launch with a campaign celebrating “beauty, confidence and reinvention”, with Paris’s signature looks created by celebrity hairstylist and Paul Mitchell School alum, Sienree Du.

Through behind-the-scenes content and tips, we’ll all be offered a glimpse into her “world of glamour”, seeing Paris in “striking, unexpected settings” while spotlighting the Paul Mitchell essentials behind each look.

“Paris Hilton has been setting trends and breaking boundaries for decades,” said Michaeline DeJoria, chief executive of John Paul Mitchell Systems. “Her passion for beauty, authenticity and giving back aligns perfectly with our values. We’re excited to partner with an icon who not only defines style but also champions purpose.”

“I’ve used Paul Mitchell products for years and they always leave me feeling confident and glamorous,” said Paris. “This campaign is about celebrating individuality, supporting causes close to my heart, and having fun with your look. I can’t wait for fans to see everything we’ve created together!”

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The Natural Choice

The Natural Choice

The Natural Choice

At the heart of Authentic Beauty Concept is a community, one that believes in the same shared values. Co-created with a unique hairdresser collective to start a new path to authentic beauty, this is a brand that values the real over the artificial. Think carefully selected, pure ingredients, authentic hairstyles suited to each individual, real and honest direct discussions around what is important – to stylists, to clients, to the wider world.

by JOANNA | INFORM

All of this is a response to the modern consumer, experiencing life in the new now. They want true experiences, moments of genuine self-care, to feel beautiful without applying traditional beauty norms. There’s a palpable desire for truth and authenticity, and as valued beauty experts in your community, you are perfectly placed to support them – and your team and colleagues – to find a more natural way to work, to live, to connect.

Authentic Beauty Concept’s committed to pure, silicone free, high-performance haircare and ethical and sustainable beauty solutions. In many partner salons, you’ll find Authentic Beauty Concept refill bars, encouraging clients to reuse and refill for a more sustainable approach to everyday beauty. Rooted in pampering rituals, their in-salon Memento services help hairdressers bring out their client’s inner beauty through a unique sensorial journey with premium ingredients, blissful products and a relaxing, spa-like experience. Clients choose the perfect service depending not only on their needs, but also on their mood.

With this commitment to authentic hair, slow living, pure formulas and mindful experiences, Authentic Beauty Concept are delivering a premium and vegan alternative that’s powered by naturally derived ingredients. A perfect example? The elevated Replenish range, relaunched to deliver intensive repair to enhance and restore damaged hair. Infused with powerhouse ingredients, including sustainably sourced Laos rice water and shea butter, the line-up replenishes and strengthens without overburdening the hair. But it’s not just what’s in the bottle that’s been improved; its sustainable packaging now includes Braille print and a NaviLens code for better accessibility for blind and visually impaired consumers.

Authentic Beauty Concept is a movement – hairdressers and artisans sharing the same values that build on today’s beliefs and individual experiences. The mindset is ‘be yourself’ – real, direct and open. Honesty is attractive; individuality and character are what gives us beauty. 

Loose textures, carefully created canvases for beautiful hair and styling products with a ‘no styling’ approach that almost invisibly enhance hair – it’s all about building on the natural beauty that already exists. Effortless in every way, perfectly imperfect, crafted quality… and beautiful, touchable hair.

Do you crave a different approach? One that’s still premium but that enables you and your client to block out the noise of the busy world around, creating moments and experiences worth remembering? Are you looking to belong to a community that shares, supports, empowers, frees? It’s the natural choice – join the #AuthenticBeautyMovement.

Cosmic Blow Dry Jelly

Co-created with global advocate Juliette den Ouden to meet the demands of salons, fashion weeks and beyond, this multitasker delivers everything from airy, voluminous blowdry looks to sleek, structural wet finishes, thanks to its non-sticky, flake-free finish – all while protecting hair from heat up to 230°C.

Glow Spray Serum

Think pink with this multi-functional ‘guardian angel’ for hair. Glow Spray Serum was created to protect hair colour and vibrancy, leaving hair healthy, strong, shiny and protected year-round, thanks to its UV Protection Booster. A must-have for colour maintenance.

Replenish Split End Remedy

Housed in an on-trend butter yellow tube, this restorative leave-in balm in the relaunched Replenish range boasts plant-derived sealing technology that seals split ends and reduces frizz with 230°C heat protection too.

Do what feels natural – join the #AuthenticBeautyMovement at authenticbeautyconcept.co.uk
and follow @AuthenticBeautyConceptUK

What We Loved About The Moroccanoil Collective 2025

What We Loved About The Moroccanoil Collective 2025

What We Loved About The Moroccanoil Collective 2025

Creative HEAD hit up Las Vegas with Joy Salon Services – this is what we brought back (along with a lot of merch)

by AMANDA | INFORM

There are plenty of reasons to visit Las Vegas – Elvis impersonators, 24-hour casino buffets, quickie weddings – but Moroccanoil give their community an irresistible cause… The Collective! This is an inspirational event to drive both creativity and business, while also including the brand’s Global Hair Competition and plenty of fun (think pool parties and club nights sprinkled in among the workshops).

Joy Salon Services, the UK distributor of Moroccanoil, hosted a contingent of stylists and salon owners, along with Aston & Fincher, at this second Collective event, at the jaw-dropping Fontainebleau. And no one left disappointed – this is what blew us away from The Collective event this year…

Gareth Williams and Oana Cioufu

The Workshops

Attendees had the opportunity to choose from an amazing array of practical workshops, and we got to sit in on four belters. Starting with Nancy Dobell’s The New Normal – she’s the senior global director of business and brand development at Moroccanoil we got a brilliantly helpful insight into consumer beauty and shopping trends and how salons can maximise the opportunities they present – Nancy had even devised an exclusive AI programme to help attendees come up with service menus around key calendar dates and themes.

On the subject of AI, Social Beauty Makers podcast host, Gordon Miller, lifted the lid on how best to maximise the different AI platforms out there, showcasing both the creative opportunities (animating still imagery) and the business possibilities (we met his AI assistant, Mary!).

Curl Explosion with Greg Gilmore and Tatiana Dudley shared some wonderfully useful techniques and tips for textured clients, while the UK’s Gareth Williams (joined by Oana Cioufu) revealed some dimensional blonde techniques that anyone in the audience could take straight back to the salon and start earning from.

Nicole Wilson, Global Hair Competition winner 2023

The Opportunity

The Collective includes Moroccanoil’s Global Hair Competition, with the finalists given the chance to present a collection on stage and work with theMoroccanoil team backstage at the iconic Eurovision. The overall winner? Well, they scoop $10,000, a salon retail package worth $5,000 and $2,500 of education at the Moroccanoil Academy in New York. Not bad at all – in 2023, Nicole Wilson from Northern Ireland was the winner and presented her models on stage this year in Vegas.

Global Hair Competition winner 2025 Tatiana from Puerto Rico, with Antonio Corral Calero

The Community

With a serious number of global attendees, there’s the chance to engage with salon owners and independent stylists from around the world. The support from the brand is felt throughout, and audience members we spoke to discussed how being part of Moroccanoil truly felt like a family, with pees that share ideas and lift up others. And there was no better example than the reaction to the Puerto Rico’s @tati.hair.magic winning this year’s Global Hair Competition – flags and vuvuzelas aplenty!

Robert Ham and Kevin Hughes

The Fun

We cannot undersell just how much fun the Moroccanoil team seems to be having on stage at the evening hair presentations. We’re talking choreographed dances, comedy skits, dream sequences with forest nymphs and a giant AI horse… props to senior vice president of global education, Robert Ham; global creative director, Antonio Corral Calero and vice president of artistry, Kevin Hughes, for being so game (and often in sequins, too!).

Oh, and the welcome pool party, with pina colada ice lollies in the brand’s iconic blue and inflatable Moroccanoil bottles? Yes, that’s how to welcome your guests with style.

The Merch!

The pop-up shop meant that you can put a serious dent in your credit card with all that azure-coloured merchandise – from cosy hoodies (good when the aircon was fierce) to silky dressing gowns to tie-dye tote bags, there was a plethora of goodies to shop (or win, with everyone receiving a voucher to play prize-laden games). Again, this all added to that community vibe, a sea of blue greeting you every time you arrived for the next happening. Very clever indeed…

Abby Whittaker on mic

Oh, and a shout out to Abby Whittaker, director of education for Joy Salon Services, who flew the UK flag on stage during a breakout panel discussion on reputation and education in hairdressing… and received some brilliant audience reaction too!

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