Eye-catching ‘calico hair’ trend takes inspiration from cats

Gen Z is feline this trend.

“Calico hair” — a dye job inspired by the black, white, and orange patches that appear on calico cats — is suddenly all the rage with Zoomers looking to stand out from the crowd.

“Ask your colorist for a mix of copper, auburn, and golden blonde shades with dimensional highlights and lowlights,” Marie Nino, a New York City-based hair colorist, told RealSimple. “Bring reference photos to show the color placement you’re after, and have them tailor the blend to suit your skin tone.” 

Though many opt for a trio of more flashy, vibrant hues, it’s entirely possible to embrace the calico hair trend with a more subtle color profile.

By choosing a range of warm brown, striking blonde, and coppery brown, for instance, Miley Cyrus has struck a balance between natural and on-trend.

Despite its popularity online, the eccentric hairstyle hasn’t hit the mainstream the same way other recent hair color trends like “recession hair,” or its more positively packaged term, “old money blonde,” have just yet.

Chances are, you may spot one or two Zoomers sporting tri-color tresses, but due to its vibrant colors and relatively limited wearability, calico hair may be another one of Gen-Z’s short-lived micro-trends.

Between sectioning hair off, mixing three different dye colors and washing each part separately, the steps to achieving calico hair in the salon and at home are lengthy and, for many, difficult.

To make matters more complicated, the initial coloring process isn’t even half the battle, experts say. It’s the upkeep that stops Zoomers from continuing to flaunt calico hair.

“The calico trend is very high-maintenance. Due to the intricate coloring process, it’s best to preserve the color for as long as possible,” advised Ryan Dickie, a colorist at IGK Salon Miami, in an interview with RealSimple.

Hairstylists and calico cut-sporting Zoomers alike advise that washing your dyed hair as rarely as possible will prevent different colored dyed sections from bleeding onto each other, fading colors and dry, frizzy hair.

According to experts, the temperature at which you rinse your hair also counts.

“When exposed to warm or hot water, the [hair] cuticle becomes more pliable and may lift slightly,” which causes color fading, NYC-based dermatologist Ellen Marmur told Allure. On the other hand, “cold water exposure induces cuticle contraction. The cuticle cells lay flatter against the hair shaft, creating a smoother surface,” resulting in brighter, shinier and more hydrated hair.

If there wasn’t already ample proof that fashion and beauty trends are cyclical, let this latest hair craze serve as further corroboration.

Back in the early 2000s, celebrity style icons like Beyoncé and Kelly Clarkson were sporting an early version of calico hair: the chunky highlight.

Thick blonde stripes were ultra-trendy back in the early aughts, especially among young women, and with the rise of calico hair, it looks like the teens of today have put their own spin on the look.

Of course, the unconventional, eye-catching hairstyle may make millennials, and really anyone else who lived through the early 2000s, cringe, but take comfort in knowing that in 20 years, Gen Z will be living through the same thing — that’s the beauty of the trend cycle.