Who would’ve thought animals could serve as inspiration for your next hair colour? First, we had foxtail hair - inspired by the natural hues of a fox's fur - and now we have calico hair - inspired by the unique fur of calico cats. With the rise in popularity of Y2K beauty trends, it isn’t surprising calico hair is currently trending - thanks to celebrities like Kelly Clarkson and Miley Cyrus.

This hair colour technique draws inspiration from the colour patterns of calico cats, which are known for their patches of black, brown, blonde, and orange or reddish fur. The hairstyle involves a multi-dimensional colouring technique that combines these colours, creating a unique and customisable look.

Unlike dyeing your own hair at home, you may want to attempt this hairstyle with the help of a professional hairstylist, as this style involves blending multiple colours like black, brown, blonde, and orange using professional techniques like foils or balayage (hand-painting highlights onto the hair). If you're a hairstylist and want to prepare for the day a client shows up with an inspo pic of their calico cat, hairstylist and YouTuber Mirella Manelli shares a step-by-step tutorial on how to do chunky highlights, which will help when incorporating other colours to the hairstyle.

Before diving into this exciting hair transformation, it's important to book a consultation with an experienced hairstylist and colour artist to ensure you're happy with the colours and placement that you'll be rocking for quite some time. Bring inspiration photos and discuss your ideas and how to tailor certain colours to your natural hair and personal preferences. This is an essential step when going for any hair transformation to ensure you and the hairstylist are on the same page and both parties are happy. Colour artist @artistic.aestheticss demonstrates how he transformed a client's previously dyed hair into a gorgeous calico look.

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Will calico hair work with my hair type?

Absolutely! We love this hairstyle, because it suits every hair type and length, and offers endless possibilities for personalisation, allowing for both subtle, blended highlights and bold patches of colour. It’s perfect for those who love to stand out, stay trendy, or simply love trying something new.

Braids

Long straight hair

Afro

@tittyzity AND I DONT CARE I LOVE IT AAAAAHHHHHHH #type4hair #hairtok #hairdyetransformation ♬ original sound - chloee.fischer

@marythefairie i’m a calico cat in human form 🐈✨ #hairstyles #curlyhair #curlyhairstyles #curlyhairtutorial #curlyhairroutine #fashiontiktok #hairtiktok ♬ That Gworl - TheBossWives 🎀

Layered hair with bangs

Layered calico hair with bangs, Image: Instagram/@behindthechair_com

Curls

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Zintle Mahlati

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