The Lakmē Salon x Verandah showcase at Lakmē Fashion Week just gave us a full hair colour collection — and every single shade was built for Indian skin tones. Here’s what was on the runway, and why it matters for your next salon visit.
The show itself was worth noting. Lakmē Salon partnered with Verandah by Anjali Patel Mehta — India’s first Butterfly Mark certified conscious luxury brand — for a runway that was equal parts fashion and beauty. Diana Penty closed the show as showstopper, in a hand-beaded midnight blue kaftan from the Ammama collection, styled to effortless, elevated perfection. It was the kind of closing look that reminds you why fashion weeks still matter.
Hair colour at a fashion show usually means one thing: dramatic, unwearable, and completely impractical the moment you step off the runway. The Lakmē Salon x Verandah Indigene showcase at LFW 2026 did something different. It sent five hair colour looks down the runway — all warm, dimensional, and designed specifically for Indian complexions. Named after things we actually recognise. Styled to look good in real light, not just stage light.
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to switch up your hair colour, this is it.
1. Chai Bronde
Think warm beige-gold — the exact colour of a well-made cup of chai. On the runway, it was styled in voluminous, bouncy curls with a lifted half-up shape, paired with champagne-gold eyes and luminous skin.
Why it works: the golden undertone in this shade picks up the warmth in medium to deep complexions instead of washing them out. It’s the sweet spot between brown and blonde — dimensional without being stark.
2. Cinnamon Brown
Rich brown with subtle red undertones running through it. On the runway, this one came with intricate braided detailing flowing into long textured lengths — one of the strongest hair looks of the show.
Why it works: red-brown shades have always complemented Indian skin, but this version feels modern rather than block-coloured. The cinnamon undertone adds depth without going fully red, which means it works across fair, wheatish and deeper skin tones equally well.
3. Hibiscus Blush
A chocolate-cherry hue — deep, rich, and just the right amount of bold. Styled with fluid movement on the runway, paired with bronzed shimmer eyes and fresh, radiant skin.
Why it works: this is the shade for anyone who wants colour that reads as intentional but not high-maintenance. The chocolate base keeps it grounded for deeper skin tones, while the cherry undertone gives it lift. It also fades beautifully, which is a practical consideration worth mentioning.
4. Kappi Latte
A creamy coffee tone that sits between blonde and brunette — warm, soft, and incredibly wearable. On the runway it came with soft modern layers and sun-kissed makeup that enhanced the warmth of the look.
Why it works: this is the one to bookmark if you want to go lighter without going cold. Kappi Latte is essentially a warm brunette-blonde that doesn’t fight Indian skin — it works with it. Great entry point for first-time colour clients.
5. Terra Dust
A deep burnt-copper, styled to highlight natural texture. The makeup — bronzed eyes, subtle freckles, softly defined lips — let the hair do the talking.
Why it works: copper shades can go wrong on Indian skin if they veer too orange, but the dust quality of this tone keeps it earthy and grounded. On deeper skin tones especially, this reads as incredibly luxurious.
The through line across all five? Warmth. Dimension. Shades that are rooted in references that are actually Indian — chai, cinnamon, coffee, hibiscus, terracotta — rather than adapted from palettes built for a different complexion entirely.
Your next salon conversation just got a lot more interesting.
Also read:
Why the Scalp Is the Missing Link in Your Hair Routine
I Tried the Viral Korean Hair Spa at Lakmē Salon — Here’s What Really Happened
3 Hair Colour Trends That Are Made For Brown Skin Girls
