We get the lowdown from some of the industry’s top stylists on Pantone’s Mocha Mousse…
Tania Betsy, The Hair Movement, Sidcup
“Mocha Mousse is such a gorgeous, cosy shade – it’s got that rich, earthy vibe that feels really luxurious. It’s more like hot coffee than hot chocolate, with cooler, buttery tones that make it soft and modern. It’s one of those colours that just works with everything yet still feels fresh.
“This shade is perfect for anyone wanting a winter switch-up. It’s amazing for brunettes who want to enhance their natural tones while adding loads of dimension that creates softness. Think darker bases with cooler, multi-tonal accents woven through for extra depth. Techniques like balayage or root smudging create a soft, natural look, incorporating some of the hair’s existing summer lightness toned down. It’s a fab way to go darker without feeling saturated.
“If 2025 is all about brunettes, Mocha Mousse is right on the money! Winter has always been the time to embrace deeper shades, and this trend is the perfect opportunity to celebrate brunettes in a fresh, exciting way. Mocha Mousse is ideal for those effortless, natural looks everyone loves, while giving colourists plenty of room to work with multi-tonal effects and textures. For me, it’s the perfect balance of fashionable and wearable. Pantone’s choice is spot on for us colourists, and this winter’s brunette era is a great way to flip the narrative!”
Jo O’Neill, TONI&GUY
“I absolutely love this Mocha Mousse tone - dare that I say it’s probably up there with my top favourites! It’s an amazing colour because it sits in between cool and warm so is fantastic for pretty much all skin tones. It’s great for toning blondes whether it be highlight, microlight, foliage balayage or all over platinum blondes. It looks amazing when you use this tone all over bleach but also fantastic when you’re working on those darker bases such as brown, light brown and dark blonde. In fact, I haven’t seen anyone yet that doesn’t suit this tone! It’s versatile, it’s flexible and sophisticated and it gives a real decadent finish to the hair.”
Marlon Hawkins, Brooks & Brooks, London
“I would describe Mocha Mousse as a luxe colour with a tone that is saturated, making it light and fluffy, complementing the lightness with the deeper mocha organic desert tones. With is nod to its natural organic tertiary shade it is super wearable. I personally think a huge colour trend for 2025 is dimensional colour so adding variation with colour and depth helps bring this Pantone shade to life in the hair.”
Michelle Summers Davies, MD Hair, Pembrokshire
“Pantone’s 2025 Colour of the Year, Mocha Mousse, is a gorgeous, soft mid-brown with warm taupe undertones. It feels really natural and grounded but still has that modern, sophisticated edge. It’s a shade that just works—whether you’re talking hair, fashion, or interiors, it’s so versatile.
“Mocha Mousse is a winner for brunettes. It’s stunning as an all-over colour, giving a creamy, polished finish, or it can be woven into balayage or highlights to add warmth and depth. Even as a gloss, it’s brilliant for enhancing faded blondes or greys and creating that soft, effortless shine.
“What I love most is how perfectly it fits the trends for 2025. This year is all about natural, earthy tones and celebrating brunettes, and Mocha Mousse nails that vibe. It’s subtle yet elegant, the kind of colour that feels timeless but still fresh and on-trend.”
Josh Goldsworthy, Goldsworthy’s, Swindon
“Mocha Mousse is effortlessly chic – an earthy, refined tone with just the right amount of warmth. It’s understated yet impactful, tapping into the trend for organic, grounded aesthetics. This shade feels modern but timeless, the kind of colour that elevates any look with its quiet sophistication.
“Mocha Mousse is a dream for hair colour; it’s versatile, dimensional, and endlessly flattering. L’Oreal Professionnel’s colour range is perfect for bringing this shade to life, especially as the .8 reflects a true mocha tone. With options at every depth, whether you’re blonde or brunettes, you can elevate your hair with a customer mocha hue.
“For blondes, combine it with L’Oreal Professionnel’s Dia Light Pearl toners like .18 or .82 for a soft, iridescent mocha glow. For brunettes, rich combinations like 6.84 add a touch of copper warmth for a statement finish. Whether you choose the .8 tones alone or as part of a bespoke blend, L’Oreal Professionel’s colour palette allows for endless possibilities, from natural elegance to high-fashion impact.”
Elle Foreman, Tribe Salons, Clapham, London
“Mocha Mousse strikes the perfect balance of indulgence and subtlety. Its name conveys thoughtful luxury - light, creamy, and rich, yet approachable. This earthy hue, enhanced by silky undertones, feels fresh and contemporary. As a versatile, light-inspired shade, it captures the evolving trends of 2025. I can’t wait to see its impact in fashion and beauty.
“It is a dream hair colour for those craving the richness and warmth of brunette with a touch of cool for added sophistication. Its light, versatile tone flatters a wide range of skin tones, making it effortlessly stylish. It works beautifully as an all-over shade, delivering a rich yet soft finish, and serves as the perfect base for balayage, paired with complementary warmer and cooler tones to add delicious depth and texture.
“These tones were a highlight of the spring/summer 2025 fashion shows, embodying the shift toward subtle luxury - colours that are indulgent yet understated. Mocha Mousse’s versatility shines when paired with bold tones like turquoise or pink, effortlessly transforming from a neutral to a statement shade. It’s a perfect fit for the bold, mix-and-match aesthetic taking over the runway.”