What is iced espresso brunette? Your guide to the 2026 colour trend
A colourist explains why iced coffee-inspired shades are trending and how to get the look.
The first major hair colour trend of 2026 has arrived, and it’s a beauty. Inspired by your morning coffee menu, iced espresso brunette and frosted chestnut brown are the sister shades (there’s a subtle difference between the two) you’ll be seeing a lot of this year, according to Senior Colourist Steven Kamara.
“I would define these colours as cool brunettes,” Steven says. “They have got a slight amount of richness, but the majority of the colour is cool.”
Usually created with multi-tonal colour techniques such as balayage, iced espresso brunette is dark and decidedly cool-toned, whereas frosted chestnut brown is more of a glossy, neutral brown.
Steven recently created a gorgeous iced espresso look in the salon on model Bianca, who previously had blonde hair. “I created the look with a gloss,” as opposed to a permanent dye. “I did this because we didn't want to create any barrier on Bianca's hair, so she can easily go back to being blonde. I used one gloss colour on the back and another on the front for balance and dimension, and chose the shades to work with Bianca's skin tone and eye colour.”
If you’ve already got brown hair, particularly if it’s one shade all over, these multidimensional looks can breathe new life into your locks. Fresher than caramel balayage or chocolate brown, they tap into a major 2026 trend and give your hair a luxurious, glossy appearance.
Wondering which coffee-inspired shade is for you? Here, Steven explains everything you need to know about iced espresso brunette and frosted chestnut brown…
WHY ARE ICED COFFEE HAIR COLOURS A BIG TREND FOR 2026?
Coffee colours have been trending in the fashion and beauty worlds for a while now. It started with ‘latte dressing’ (outfits anchored around a soft brown and beige palette) before espresso hair colours took over. Now hairdressers are embracing iced coffee hair as a cool alternative to the warm blonde shades that have dominated 2025.“These tones are very of the moment,” Steven says. “I think it's a nice way to transition your blonde after Christmas time and go for something a little bit richer and a bit softer.”
He says Jennifer Lopez is the queen of iced espresso tresses. “JLo is a good example of somebody who has that cooler brunette, but with a slight hint of warmth to it. She tends to go for cooler, almost beige tones, even with her brunette hair, which really brings out her features.”
Reality TV star Ariana Madix, who hosts Love Island USA, recently traded her golden blonde locks for a stunning frosted chestnut shade, with fans saying they love her new brunette bombshell look.
HOW CAN ICED ESPRESSO AND FROSTED CHESTNUT HAIR COLOURS BE PERSONALISED?
As with every appointment at Paul Edmonds London, our approach to colour is all about customisation. Even with a specific trend like iced espresso or frosted chestnut, the tones used can be personalised for each client.
“Everybody has a different skin tone and eye colour, meaning different colours are going to suit them more and bring out their features more than others,” Steven says.
Using a trend as a starting point, he will talk to the client and discuss whether they are leaning towards a warmer or cooler brunette. “We kind of make that decision together. We'll sit down and go through some images and look at what is going to be the best colour for them.”
In some cases, he might advise on a blend of cool and warm brown tones, or use a technique called colour stacking. “This is also all about layering the hair, knowing where to put the warmth, knowing where to put the coolness.”
That’s why a colourist’s expertise is so important, he adds. “It’s knowing how to pre-colour the hair, which is part of the layering process, which then allows you to have the richness and coolness. It's all about the balance.”
WHAT’S THE PROCESS FOR GOING FROM BLONDE TO BRUNETTE?
If you want to go from blonde to iced espresso brunette or frosted chestnut, using gloss colour that gradually washes out is the easiest option.
“It's all done with toner,” says Steven, who uses Redken Shade EQ glosses. “What's lovely about the product is that it fades in about 26 to 28 washes. It works for somebody who's got natural blonde hair or somebody who's extremely bleached.”
He used two different gloss shades on model Bianca to create her iced espresso hue because “she likes to change her colour throughout the year, and knows that she definitely will want to go blonde in the summer. We can just allow the brunette colour to slowly fade out.”
If a client wants a longer-lasting brunette, it’s important to understand the regrowth process. “In that case, I would suggest a semi-permanent dye, which will have a bit more of a root showing once the colour grows out,” Steven says, adding that going back to blonde from brown “isn't as easy – it is a process.”
Similarly, attempting to go from blonde to iced espresso or frosted chestnut at home is not a good idea. “Lots of things can go wrong when doing something like this at home. Colour choice and placement are key. If you’ve got very blonde bleached hair and you go in with a brown, it could end up quite flat, murky or wishy-washy.”
HOW SHOULD YOU MAINTAIN ICED ESPRESSO OR FROSTED CHESTNUT HAIR COLOUR?
With these rich coffee hues, colour maintenance is crucial to keep your espresso or chestnut tones looking vibrant.
“A shampoo for colour-treated hair is definitely a must when having a gloss,” Steven says. “This will stop the colour from fading too quickly and keep the shine because it’s a lot gentler than other shampoos.”
He recommends Shu Uemura Color Lustre range and the Beautiful Color range from Oribe for shampoo, and Davines for the best colour-enhancing conditioner. “Davines do Alchemic pigmented conditioners, which is a great way of maintaining your colour after you leave the salon. The Chocolate shade is great for warm brunettes and the Tobacco is best for cooler browns.”
And finally, for keeping coffee colours looking glossy and healthy, he recommends smoothing a nourishing treatment such as Shu Uemura Ultimate Reset Extreme Repair Concentrate or Kérastase Gloss Absolu Glaze Drops.
Why choose Paul Edmonds London for your iced coffee colour?
If you’re looking for a luxury hair salon to create bespoke brunette colour that taps into the iced coffee trend while flattering your skin tone, Paul Edmonds London is the place to go.
Our highly-trained colourists are well-versed in the latest trends and can use their expertise to help you decide whether iced espresso brunette, frosted chestnut brown, or a combination of both is best for you.
Ready for your iced coffee colour transformation? Book an appointment with the colour team at Paul Edmonds London.
