Cloud Dancer, Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2026, is set to dominate salons across the globe next year. From the icy blondes, to creative interpretations: we’ve compiled some expert commentary on the bold statement shade.
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 – it’s 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.”
Michelle Summers Davies, Michelle Davies Hair, Pembrokeshire
“Cloud Dancer is my kind of shade – calm, classy and confident without shouting for attention. It’s minimalist, but it still stands out. It feels clean, modern and considered, which I love.
For colourists, this kind of neutral is gold. It gives you a clean canvas to build anything on, and every palette looks better sitting next to it. It quietly elevates bolder tones and keeps softer colours looking refined.
When we’re working with blondes, keeping them creamy, soft and polished sits beautifully alongside this sort of white. What I really like is that this tone speaks without trying too hard – it’s calm, professional and classy. It reflects what so many people want now: less noise, more clarity. Whether it’s in interiors, fashion or hair, Cloud Dancer lets the work shine, and that’s exactly why it lands.”
Dean Lawton-Taylor, Trinder Hair Studios, St Albans
“I am already obsessed with this colour! I love it – who doesn’t love a gorgeous, clean, neutral white? This colour is perfect for all year, from summer through to winter.
It’s so versatile, from global blondes to balayage and highlights. Even a few pieces of Cloud Dancer through a darker base would look stunning, especially in a grey blend.”
Georgina Greenslade, The Hair Movement, Sidcup
“I think Cloud Dancer is beautiful – it’s very soft and graceful, perfectly balanced and very luxurious. It definitely brings peace and restfulness just by looking at it. The colour is a soothing silence that gives a sense of ease.
Bringing this shade into a colourist’s palette offers a soft, neutral tone that many people prefer today. It adds brightness without being harsh, creating a more natural effect. I believe it’s a beautiful, versatile colour that can be easily adapted into the work of any colourist.
In my opinion, colour isn’t just something we wear; it’s part of how we are. It helps us show who we are, what we’re feeling, and the kind of impact we want to make. Using colour makes you feel a little more confident, more expressive, and a lot more empowered.”
Brian McCallum, ROAR Hair & Beauty
“People sometimes forget that Pantone’s Colour of the Year isn’t just about fashion or interiors,” Brian explains. “For hair, it’s an invitation to experiment. You can weave it into what you already use, such as soft pastels, warm reds, jewel tones, and the results feel entirely fresh and bespoke. It’s subtle, versatile, and really opens up creative possibilities.”