The Power of Colour: From How We Feel to What We Wear – There is something about colour that can instantly change how we feel.
Think about the difference between pulling on a bright red dress and an old pair of black trousers, or the confidence boost that comes from finding the perfect lipstick or finally getting your hair colour just right. Colour is far more than simply how something looks. It can lift our mood, make us feel confident, help us express our personality and, sometimes, give us that little bit of escapism we all need.
That was one of my biggest takeaways from a recent visit to The House of Wella London, a two-day celebration of creativity, innovation and the future of professional beauty, held at Town Hall by Bottaccio.
Having worked in hair and beauty for a couple of decades, I have always been fascinated by the relationship we have with beauty and, in particular, colour. It isn’t simply about covering grey or following the latest fashion. Changing our hair colour can feel like a fresh start, a confidence boost or simply a way of having a bit of fun with how we look.
The House of Wella brought together some of the biggest names in professional beauty, including Wella Professionals, Sebastian Professional, Briogeo, ghd, Nioxin, Clairol and OPI. There were masterclasses, panel discussions, interactive brand experiences and live look-and-learn demonstrations, showcasing the creativity and innovation happening across the industry.
But amongst all the new launches and exciting developments, I found myself drawn back to something rather more fundamental – why do we love colour so much?
Colour is about how it makes us feel
We often talk about fashion and beauty trends as though we’re simply following what is ‘in’, but I think it is much more personal than that.
Colour can be incredibly emotional. We choose certain shades because they suit our skin tone, because they remind us of a particular time in our lives, or simply because they make us feel good.
And this applies to our hair just as much as our clothes and makeup.
There is something particularly satisfying about changing your hair colour. It can be subtle, adding a little warmth or gloss, or it can be a complete transformation. Either way, it is one of the easiest ways to change how we see ourselves.
That is why I was particularly interested to see Clairol at the event.
A familiar name embracing the new
There was something rather lovely about seeing such a long-standing name in hair colour still very much part of the conversation.
Clairol has been part of the hair-colour landscape for generations, but what I found interesting was seeing how the brand has adapted to changing tastes while retaining that sense of accessibility and familiarity.
Because when it comes to hair colour, reliability matters.
We might be more adventurous with our colour choices than previous generations, but we still want good colour, shine, condition and, importantly, results we can trust.
And perhaps that longevity says something. In an industry where trends and products can come and go incredibly quickly, the brands that remain relevant must keep evolving.
For Autumn/Winter 2026, Clairol has identified five hair colour trends that are set to be everywhere and there is something here for those who want a subtle change as well as anyone ready for a more noticeable transformation.
The Clairol Autumn Hair Colour Edit 2026
Mocha Mousse Brunette – The Luxury Brunette
Brunettes are getting richer for autumn, with velvety mocha shades combining chocolate, coffee and soft caramel tones.
The result is glossy, warm-looking hair that feels luxurious without being overly dramatic. It’s a lovely option if you are already brunette and want to add richness, but it could also appeal to anyone thinking about making the move to a darker shade for the first time.
Perfect for: Existing brunettes wanting extra richness, first-time brunettes or anyone looking for a sophisticated seasonal update.
Cinnamon & Spiced Copper – The Warm Refresh
Copper isn’t going anywhere, but for autumn it is becoming a little softer and richer.
Think cinnamon, amber and autumn leaves rather than bright summer copper. These warmer shades add dimension and shine without feeling quite so bold, making them an easier way to experiment with red tones.
Perfect for: Anyone wanting to add warmth or try red without going all-out.
Lived-In Blonde – The Low-Maintenance Blonde
For blondes, autumn is bringing a softer approach.
Rather than cool platinum, expect honey, beige and creamy tones with a little more depth. The idea is a blonde that looks natural, slightly sun-kissed and importantly, easier to maintain.
After summer, this feels like a particularly easy transition into the new season.
Perfect for: Blondes wanting a softer, more natural-looking colour with lower maintenance.
Cherry Cola Brunette – The Statement Brunette
If you want to experiment with colour but aren’t quite ready to become a redhead, Cherry Cola could be the answer.
Deep brunette is given a subtle hit of burgundy, mahogany and cherry. In natural light, those warmer tones reveal themselves, creating a rich, glossy finish.
It’s bold enough to feel like a change, but still wearable.
Perfect for: Brunettes wanting to experiment with warmer tones while keeping their colour rich and sophisticated.
Soft Black – The Modern Classic
Black hair is getting a softer treatment for the new season.
Think brown-black and midnight shades rather than an ultra-harsh, flat black. The focus is on shine, depth and dimension, creating a polished colour that still feels natural.
Perfect for: Anyone wanting maximum shine, depth and a more dramatic colour without losing that natural feel.
So, which colour will you choose?
What I took away from The House of Wella was that, despite all the technology, innovation and ever-changing trends, the fundamentals of beauty haven’t really changed.
We still want to look good, but more importantly, we want to feel good.
Whether that means a new lipstick, a favourite jumper, a beautiful nail colour or changing our hair, colour gives us a surprisingly simple way to express ourselves.
And perhaps that’s why hair colour has remained such a big part of the beauty industry for so long. The technology may have changed, the shades may evolve and the trends come and go, but the desire to look in the mirror and feel happy with what we see is timeless.
So, as we head into autumn, perhaps it’s time to embrace a little colour, whether that’s a complete change or simply a subtle shift in tone.
Personally, I’m rather tempted by that Cherry Cola brunette…
Poppy Watt