Hair Colour Trends in London 2025: Balayage, Brunettes, and Reds

London’s hair colour scene in 2025 isn’t just about looking good-it’s about identity, confidence, and how you want the world to see you. Walk down Notting Hill on a Saturday morning or grab a coffee in Shoreditch, and you’ll see it: hair that doesn’t scream for attention but still holds a quiet kind of power. The big names this year? Balayage that looks like sunlight kissed your strands, brunettes that feel deeper and richer than ever, and reds that aren’t just bold-they’re personal.

Balayage Is Still King, But It’s Smarter Now

Balayage isn’t new, but in 2025, it’s evolved. No more harsh lines or overly blonde tips that look like you’ve been bleached by accident. London stylists are going for what they call "living balayage"-soft, natural-looking highlights that mimic how hair lightens in the sun over weeks, not days. Think honey tones melting into chestnut, or ash beige blending into dark brown near the roots.

Salon clients aren’t asking for "highlighted hair" anymore. They’re asking for "hair that looks like I just came back from a week in Tuscany." The secret? Less bleach, more toning. Stylists are using demi-permanent glosses and keratin-infused lighteners to preserve hair health while still achieving dimension. A 2024 survey by the British Hairdressing Council found that 68% of Londoners who got balayage in the past year reported less breakage than with traditional foil highlights.

And the placement? Gone are the days of symmetrical streaks. Now, it’s asymmetrical, intentional, and often concentrated around the face-creating that "I woke up like this" glow. If your natural colour is medium brown, your balayage might only be two shades lighter. Too much contrast? It looks fake. Too little? It looks flat. The sweet spot is subtle enough that your mum doesn’t notice, but your friends ask if you’ve been on holiday.

Brunettes Are Getting Darker-And More Dimensional

When people say "brunette," they’re not just talking about brown hair. In London, 2025 brunette means deep chocolate, espresso with a hint of plum, and blackberry-infused black-brown. It’s not about going jet black-it’s about richness. Hair that looks expensive, not painted.

Salons are seeing a surge in requests for "warm brunette" tones. Think auburn undertones hidden under dark brown, or violet-based blacks that catch the light like a raven’s wing. These aren’t just dyes-they’re multi-tonal blends. One client came in wanting "just a touch of colour," and left with a base of #3.5 (dark brown) with three custom layers: a mid-length shadow of #5.3 (light ash brown), a root blend of #2.7 (dark ash), and a few hand-painted strands of #4.1 (medium brown with red warmth).

The key? Root smudging. No harsh lines. No regrowth panic. London stylists are using a technique called "soft shadow root"-a blend that makes your roots look like they’ve grown out naturally over six weeks, even if it’s been three. It’s low maintenance, high impact. And because it’s so dark, it hides grey like nothing. A 2025 study by Haircare Insights UK found that 72% of women over 40 in London chose a deep brunette over grey coverage treatments because it looked healthier.

Red Hair Isn’t Just for the Bold Anymore

Red hair in 2025 isn’t about fire-engine red or neon copper. It’s about nuance. Londoners are choosing reds that feel like they’ve been pulled from nature-not a bottle. Think ginger spice, burnt sienna, terracotta rose, and burgundy wine. These aren’t just colours-they’re moods.

One stylist in Camden told me about a client who came in saying, "I want to look like I’ve been drinking red wine all summer." That’s the vibe now. Reds are cooler, deeper, and more sophisticated. They’re not meant to stand out-they’re meant to be noticed when you turn your head in the light.

And the upkeep? It’s different. Red fades faster than other colours, but in 2025, salons are using violet-based toners and colour-depositing conditioners that don’t strip pigment. Instead of weekly touch-ups, clients are coming in every six to eight weeks. The trick? Avoiding sulfate shampoos. Most Londoners now know to look for "colour-safe" or "sulfate-free" on the bottle. One woman in Notting Hill told me she switched to a brand called "Bloom & Root" and hasn’t needed a retouch since April.

There’s also a rise in "red for brunettes"-where only a few strands are dyed red, tucked under the layers. It’s like a secret. You don’t know it’s there until the sun hits just right.

What’s Not Trending? (And Why)

Let’s be clear: some trends are fading fast. Pastel hair? Still seen in East London art schools, but nowhere else. Platinum blonde? Too high-maintenance. Most people who went platinum in 2023 are now sitting in salons asking for "warm brown recovery." And rainbow ombré? Over. Londoners want colour that feels real, not like a costume.

Even the classic "ombre" is out. It’s too obvious. The new standard is "growth blend"-where the colour transition happens so smoothly, you can’t tell where the dye starts and your natural hair ends. It’s not about hiding your roots. It’s about making them part of the look.

How to Choose Your Colour in 2025

Don’t pick a colour because it’s on Instagram. Pick it because it works with your skin tone, your lifestyle, and your hair’s natural texture.

• If your veins look blue, go cool-toned brunettes or ashy reds.
• If your veins look green, warm brunettes and ginger reds will glow on you.
• If you have fine hair, avoid heavy dark tones-they can weigh you down. Go for balayage with light dimension instead.
• If your hair is thick and curly, deep brunettes and reds will look lush and full.
• Ask for a strand test. Not all reds suit all hair types. Some lift too much. Others stain.

And remember: your hair doesn’t have to match your outfit. It just has to match you.

Salon Tips from London Pros

Here’s what the top London stylists are telling their clients right now:

• Don’t wash your hair for 72 hours after colouring. Let the pigment settle.
• Use cold water when rinsing. Hot water opens the cuticle and fades colour faster.
• Invest in a good leave-in conditioner. Colour-treated hair gets dry faster.
• Ask for a gloss treatment every 4-6 weeks. It adds shine and extends colour life.
• Don’t go more than two shades lighter than your natural colour without a repair treatment.

One stylist at a salon in Notting Hill told me, "Your hair is your crown. Don’t let it be a chore. If you’re spending hours in the shower trying to fix it, you picked the wrong colour."

Final Thought: It’s Not About Following Trends

London’s 2025 hair colour scene isn’t about copying influencers. It’s about choosing a shade that feels like an extension of who you are. Whether it’s the quiet warmth of a deep brunette, the sunlit glow of balayage, or the hidden spark of red under your layers-it’s personal. You don’t need permission to love your hair. You just need to know what works for you.