We’re loving the new Pantone Colour of the Year for 2026 described as ‘CLOUD DANCER’. what a beautiful name for this ethereal colour tone. But what do when it comes to hair? Some of our friends in the Colour World have ideas to share…
What we’d do!
Tracey Ann Smith, Creative Director at MOOD
“The 2026 Pantone Colour of the Year, Cloud Dancer, is a beautiful clean, white tone with a slight grey/neutral tone to give it balance. It’s a shade that has a very calming and peaceful appearance and that signifies a fresh start – perfect as we enter a new year. Regarding hair, 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. Those with darker hair may need significant lightening to achieve this hue and to keep it looking clean and free of brassiness.”
“When achieving this shade on clients, I would use MOOD Level 7 Bleach to pre lighten the hair to a clean base then tone using MOOD Demi Doubles for the perfect ice white.”
“I would then recommend the MOOD Silver Specific Shampoo and Conditioner once every couple of weeks for my clients to use at home to keep the hair fresh and neutral without any yellow tones, switching between this and the MOOD Ultra Care Shampoo and Conditioner which is created specifically for bleached hair and helps to repair even the most badly damaged hair.”
Suzie McGill, Artistic Director at Rainbow Room International
“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. For those who like to stand out from the crowd, I love to pair a short, quirky, pixie cut with a clean toned ice white shade to really make a statement.”
“As this colour requires bleaching, ensuring the hair is kept in its optimal condition through the bleaching process is so important. I would use Fibreplex to protect the hair from damage during the colour process and keep the hair strong and healthy. I would then use Schwarzkopf Professional BlondMe 2% to create a beautiful platinum base, toning it down using 9,5-1 Vibrance to create an ashy, almost grey tone with no signs of brassiness in sight.”
“If the client is looking for a bolder, more fashion-forward result, colour blocking can add that extra edge. Because it’s such a pure tone, I love contrasting it with blocks of brunette or black to create more drama in the hair.”
“To enhance the colour even further, I pair it with sleek styling, which helps the shade appear more vibrant. The Schwarzkopf OSiS Smooth & Shine Serum is the perfect finishing product to make the colour truly pop and shine.”
Seung Ki Baek, Creative Colour Expert at RUSH Hair
“Within RUSH we love nothing more than a colour trend and ‘Cloud Dancer’ is a welcome addition as the Pantone Colour of the Year. 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.”
“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.”
Thank you
The inspiration and explanations are invaluable. As award-winning colourists, these experts know there colour stuff! Bravo for the Cloud Dancer inspo.
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