I'm Calling It Now: Calico Hair Is the Purr-fect Hair Color to Try This Season

Over the last few years, animal-inspired haircuts have been dominating my TikTok and Instagram feeds. And considering the popularity of the kitty cut, I suppose it’s not at all surprising that hair colors are starting to borrow inspiration from the animal kingdom, too. The latest trend to catch my eye? Calico Hair. Named after the adorable feline, I predict this bold, highlighted look is going to be very popular this year. Ahead, two hair colorists take me through the trend.

• Jacob Schmidt is a hair color specialist and a senior stylist at Sally Hershberger Nomad in New York City. He previously worked for Bumble and Bumble and Serge Normant. He specializes in color transformations, color services and styling cuts. He’s also a regular contributor on the Today Show with Jenna and Hoda and works closely with hairstylist Chris Appleton on makeovers. 
• Adrienne Dara is a hair educator, brand ambassador for Redken and owner of Adrienne Dara Hair Salon. She specializes in toning, bold blonding and dimensional brunettes. She also teaches aspiring stylists and salon owners through her online educational platforms: The Lightening Library and The Lightening Library Lab.

In the early ‘00s, when Calico hair first came onto the scene, the look was more or less the same for everyone: chunky highlights in red, brunette and blonde tones to mimic the look of a Calico cat’s distinct fur. Now, the highlights are a bit more varied in their thickness and placement and the overall look is customized to suit your hair type, natural base and personal preferences. 

According to Pinterest's 2024 Trend Report, the search for ‘calico hair’ surged more than 6,500 percent. And as I previously reported, chunky highlights are back, along with striking shades of reds and blondes to try out.

We’re also still in the thick of Y2K nostalgia. As Dara shares, “The trend of Calico Hair really goes hand in hand with the resurgence of early 2000s fashion and beauty. We [already] saw the return of the big ‘90s blowout and chunky highlights, and now we’re moving into the more emo era of 2002 to 2006. We’ll start to see more variations of the Calico Hair trend making a huge statement in the hair world, comparable to the money piece highlights that used to be so strongly requested.” 

While TikTok is trying to convince you to go the DIY route, the experts recommend going to a professional stylist to get the job done. Once you book your appointment, have some reference photos or TikTok clips ready to show them exactly what you want. Do you want vivid streaks or softer tones blended throughout your hair? Or maybe you prefer a few face-framing pieces?

If you have brunette or red hair, Schmidt suggests pre-lightening it to get the best contrast. “Calico Hair is all about color blocking. The key here is ensuring that your sections prior to the color service are precise,” says Dara. “You will need three key colors to achieve the perfect Calico and consistent glosses to keep your hair refreshed. The blonde tone can be either cool or warm, the brunette tone can be light or dark and the red can be copper or bold cherry. Creative freedom is the beauty of this hair color trend.”

Whether you have straight hair, curls or even a protective style, Calico Hair can work for everyone. You can even combine this hair color with a trendy haircut (like the kitty cut for a cat-tastic combination). However, Dara strongly suggests keeping your haircut in mind. A perfect example: “If you have a strong fringe, your color [should] shift in order to ensure cohesion in the placement.”