There’s a very specific kind of hair colour that makes people stop and notice you made a change. It’s not always a big transformation, sometimes it’s a little more shine, a warmer tone, a softer blonde, or dimension that makes your whole colour feel more expensive.

That’s the sweet spot of the shades everyone is loving right now. They’re noticeable, polished and easy to personalize depending on your starting colour and how much maintenance you actually want.

The key is knowing what to ask for when you’re in the chair. And part of getting what you want is having the right tools to describe it. So, here are five colour ideas to bring to your next appointment.

1. The Soft Brunette Refresh

For the brunette who doesn’t want to go lighter, darker, or dramatically different, but still wants their hair to feel better. Think richer colour, softer dimension, and a glossy finish that makes any style look more polished.

It’s a great option if you feel like your tone has started to feel flat or faded. Instead of a major change, your stylist can add subtle updates so the colour feels refreshed.

Ask for:
A soft brunette refresh with natural-looking dimension, subtle brightness, and a glossy finish.

Pro Tips:
This is a great low-commitment option if you want your colour to look fresher without changing your whole look.

2. The Wearable Copper

Copper can sound intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be ultra-bright. A softer copper can be warm, glowy, and easy to wear, especially when it’s customized to your skin tone.

This finish gives your hair a little more personality without feeling like a total transformation. It can lean golden, spicy, soft, or more vibrant depending on what you and your stylist decide.

Ask for:
A warm copper shade with dimension and shine that still feels wearable day-to-day.

Pro-tip:
Copper usually needs maintenance to stay fresh, so ask your stylist what your upkeep will look like before you make the change.

3. The Rich Red Shift

If you want a colour change that feels more noticeable, a deeper red could be ideal. It can have impact without feeling too loud.

Think less bright cherry red and more glossy, dimensional, expensive-looking red. It’s beautiful on brunettes who want to add warmth and depth without going lighter.

Ask for:
A rich dimensional red with depth, shine, and a softer finish rather than something too vivid.

Pro-tip:
Red tones can fade faster than some other shades, so colour-safe care at home is a non-negotiable.

4. The Soft Warm Blonde

Softer, warmer blonde shades are making the rounds this season because they can look brighter, healthier, and more natural, especially if you want a colour that grows out a little easier. The goal here is a shade that looks sunlit instead of overly toned. It still gives you brightness, but is balanced with warmth to keep the finish soft.

Ask for:
A soft dimensional blonde with warmth, shine, and a blended root or melt.

Pro-tip:
This is a great option if you want blonde that feels fresh but not too high-maintenance.

5. The Glossy Blonde Moment

For the blondes who want to make a statement. Bright, polished, glossy, this shade is for anyone who wants their blonde to be noticeable.

The goal is brightness with softness, so adding a little warmth can actually make the blonde look more expensive and reflective.

Ask for:
A bright high-gloss blonde with a clean finish, soft tone, and lots of shine.

Pro-tip:
Going brighter may take more than one appointment depending on your starting colour, so be patient.

How to Choose the Right Colour for You

Before your appointment, think less about the exact shade name and more about how you want your hair to feel. Do you want it to look richer? Brighter? Warmer? Softer? Shinier? More dimensional?

Those words help your stylist understand the direction and customize the colour to you. And as always, inspiration photos are extremely helpful. But don’t be surprised if it doesn’t come out exactly the same as the image. Your stylist will look at your current colour, hair history, skin tone, and upkeep routine to ensure your tone makes sense for your hair.

What to Ask Before You Commit

Hair colour should look beautiful when you leave the salon, but it should also work for your day-to-day routine. Before making a change, ask your stylist how much maintenance the shade will need, how often you’ll need to refresh it, and what the grow-out will look like.

You should also ask what products you should be using at home to keep the tone and shine looking fresh.