A serene white and a future-focused teal signal a new era for beauty and wellness design
Pantone and WGSN/Coloro have announced two very different – and already divisive – Colour of the Year predictions: Cloud Dancer, a soft, billowy white; and Transformative Teal, a blue-green shade rooted in ecological awareness and change.
For beauty professionals, makeup artists, nail technicians, salon owners and spa designers, these two contrasting hues offer distinct creative paths for the year ahead: one centred on minimalism, calm and visual clarity, and the other on nature, regeneration and future readiness.
Pantone announces Cloud Dancer – a “whisper of calm” in a noisy world
Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2026, Cloud Dancer, is positioned as a symbol of quiet reflection, simplicity and a desire for a “fresh start”. Described as an “ethereal white hue”, the colour is intended to counterbalance overstimulation and the constant demands of modern life.
According to the Pantone Color Institute, Cloud Dancer:
- Encourages relaxation, focus and creativity
- Serves as a structural colour that supports pastels, neutrals and more saturated hues
- Creates a sense of spaciousness, serenity and visual cleanliness
Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, said Cloud Dancer represents “a promise of clarity”, while vice president Laurie Pressman described it as embodying “our search for balance between our digital future and our primal need for human connection”.
Cloud Dancer is set to influence:
- Soft-white nail looks, clean bases and subtle tonal accents
- Minimalist makeup trends, including diffused finishes and airy luminosity
- Spa and salon interiors, especially clients seeking calming, retreat-style spaces
- Branding and packaging, especially luxury or wellness-led aesthetics
Early reactions online have questioned whether a muted white is too understated, clinical or poorly timed, given global calls for bolder, more transformative action in design, sustainability and consumer culture. This debate may itself drive conversation and searches around Cloud Dancer as a design choice for 2026.
WGSN and Coloro choose Transformative Teal for 2026
While Pantone looks to stillness, WGSN and Coloro project a future defined by change, ecological responsibility and resilience.
Their Colour of the Year, Transformative Teal, blends dark blue and aquatic green to reflect an Earth-first mindset and a global mood of redirection.
WGSN reports growing consumer interest in blue and green tones, noting a 9% year-on-year rise in searches for teal. The trend forecasting organisation predicts 2026 will be a year in which “old ideas will be challenged” and people will demand new ways of living, producing and designing.
They say Transformative Teal represents:
- Restoration and calm
- A connection to oceans and nature
- Optimism in the face of climate-related complexity
- A future-focused design direction
Expect Transformative Teal to shape:
- Statement nail designs, teal chrome, aquatic gradients and jewel-toned detailing
- Bold eye looks, editorial makeup and colour-blocking
- Sustainable salon branding, packaging refreshes and eco-centric interior updates
- Retail displays, where saturated colours can increase visual impact and shelf appeal
WGSN also emphasises colour as a major commercial driver: 98% of consumers say colour influences their purchasing decisions, underscoring the retail relevance for salons and beauty brands.
What these two directions mean for the beauty industry
The dual forecast provides opportunities for contrasting trends across the professional beauty sector: neutral minimalism vs regenerative colour.
For salons and spas
- Cloud Dancer supports quiet luxury, decluttered design, and treatment-room tranquillity.
- Transformative Teal lends itself to feature walls, accent furniture, and nature-inspired zones.
For nail professionals
- Expect demand for milky whites, soft pastels and sheer neutrals aligned with Cloud Dancer.
- Teal provides a countertrend: aquatic nails, oceanic French tips, saturated gel shades and chrome finishes.
For makeup artists
- Cloud Dancer forecasts soft-focus skin, diffused whites, pearl sheens and pared-back looks.
- Transformative Teal signals editorial liners, oceanic pigments and bold monochromatic statements.
For brands and retail
- Cloud Dancer supports clean, minimalist packaging refreshes.
- Transformative Teal appeals to the eco-conscious consumer of tomorrow, aligning with shifts toward sustainability.
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