The hair colour of the season is both low-maintenance and luxe-looking

Words I never thought I’d write: (mostly) mousey hair is having a moment. No longer the underdog, hiding under a cascade of caramel, this season it’s the main event, with just a scattering of highlights carefully placed here and there to make it shine.

“I’m calling this heritage blonde,” says super stylist and trend forecaster Tom Smith. “It’s a look that’s very natural but cleverly, subtly enhanced – it’s really elegant, understated and ideal for those wanting some blonde but with a softer regrowth,” he explains.

Uma Thurman, Taylor Swift, Trinny Woodall, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Elle Macpherson and Jennifer Aniston are just a handful of celebrities acing these glossy-but-natural-looking locks. “A stripped-back and minimal approach has been growing in fashion and makeup, so it makes sense that hair is also getting the ‘pared back’ treatment,” says Tom.

He also points out that this look is very easy to maintain. Because the natural colour is so subtly enhanced, it requires considerably less maintenance than a half head or even T-section of highlights (oh, the time, money and split ends we’ll save!). “This look will only need to be redone in-salon every three to four months or so – it’s a surprisingly low-maintenance option,” says Tom.

In terms of what exactly to ask your colourist for, “You can achieve this effect by scattering minimal highlights naturally throughout the hair,” explains Tom. “You want them finely woven and in neutral shades; this will showcase blonde tones in a more casual and natural-looking way.”

But paring back the colour only works if you amp up the gloss – this look relies on the hair appearing healthy and highly shiny to give it that stealth wealth, quiet luxury mood. Thankfully, there’s been a deluge of gloss launches this year that offer at-home shine results on a par with salon treatments. Here are our GHI tried-and-tested best glosses to invest in for hair that looks far more expensive than it actually is.