Once, I tried mixing three different tones in a client’s hair on purpose, but ended up doing it accidentally. The client was getting a correction on her color due to a home bleaching incident, so I had to deal with some leftover auburn from a prior salon visit. As I was rinsing her hair, I noticed some pockets of warm copper blended in with her naturally darker base and cool blonde. It was a pleasant surprise, and I loved it. I thought to myself we should definitely do this again. I how many years went by, and I’m happy this industry is finally embracing this awesome technique. The technique is unfortunately being referred to as calico coloring, which is unfortunate because it simply describes how color layers naturally and cat eyes in the light.
Calico coloring is a great style for hairdressers who are unafraid to practice the art of imperfection. Calico color appointments are unique in the way that most of the coloring is done in a manner where the client is instructed to simply wait. Some clients like increased chaos in their hair, while others prefer a more subdued style, and many lie somewhere in between. It’s likely that no one doubts how much work went into this style, whether or not it was done in two hours or three. If you like this style, I’ve collected 25 of my favorite photos for your consideration.
#1: Layered Dimension with That Effortless Depth
This stylist used color to divert attention away from the cut. The layers are working, but what makes this better are the warm highlights and where the darker tones are placed around the middle. If you have some natural thickness to your hair and maybe a little wave, you won’t need to style it a lot and the hair will move beautifully. I believe a good colorist is someone whose color changes with the light and this color does just that.
#2: Rich Dimension with That Auburn-to-Platinum Contrast
This might not look the prettiest, but it will look the best out of a lot of options. It is a really good combination of looking good and looking put together. The base color being black, with auburn highlights and platinum highlights might seem offensive, but they even each other out. The contrast looks really pretty. The intentional layers look good, and the overall style of the hair is good too. This cut is best when it is not blended a lot because it will look best when each color stands out individually. If your hair is medium or thick, and you are not afraid of this color, it will look good. It is important to remember that because you have platinum highlights, you will have to put a lot of effort to prevent the highlights from being brassy, so be ready to take care of it. Spending money on good purple shampoo will help, and then touch ups should do the trick.
#3: Long Copper-Kissed Waves That Just Flow
Your hair is beautiful! I love how the copper color with the dark little bit of blonde reminds me of light shining through the trees in fall. The imagery is evokative of autumn Nostalgic, I know. It also looks really nice with that length and the loose waves. The texture of your hair probably helps each color to mix in well and look leep rich. If you hair is already pretty poofy, a little bit of curling could give you the same look after you wash it.
#4: Mid-Length Color Clash in the Best Way
I enjoy the confidence the colors have in their placement. Red, blonde, and black are not trying to blend together, and the waves keep them from looking messy. This is a good length for people wanting a calico effect but don’t want to maintain long hair. The pattern of the waves means you can air-dry it most days and look good without having to do anything. The contrast of the warm and cool tones works well with the brightness of the look.
#5: Flicked Layers with a Personality All Their Own
I’m a fan of the flicked ends. There’s a retro quality to the movement, and the combination calico color and bright red and blonde against that dark base is nice. It seems more playful than most color trends, and it looks like the wearer has a sense of humor about their hair, which I appreciate. The long layers give you lots of options for styling, you could go for straight and sleek one day and bouncy and big the next and it would look completely different each time. If your hair is thick, this cut will feel very nice to live with.
#6: Sunset-Drenched Length That Feels Alive
I recall a client from last summer who showed me a canyon picture from golden hour and said she wanted her hair to feel like that. I thought that was pretty far fetched, but when the color was done, it matched the picture! The gradient from dark brown to burnt orange and warm golds was so good! The face framing pieces are a nice touch, they really help soften the look. The layers are just right, not too thin, and that’s what you want with this many colors. The color will be beautiful and warm, but will need upkeep since warm tones tend to fade quickly.
#7: Warm-Toned Layers That Feel Like a Hug
It may be strange to say about a haircut, but I think this color palette is really cozy. Instead of caramel, auburn, and chocolate are all in the same warm family. So instead of getting a contrast, you’re getting a rich blend that is enveloping and shifts with the light. The layers on straight, thick hair like this make just the right amount of separation between tones to keep it from being too busy. If you want calico colors but you’re not ready for something too crazy, this is a fantastic option. It reads more sophisticated and warm than bold.
#8: Shoulder-Length Warmth with Serious Impact
I think the colored layers show great contrast with the shoulder-length hair. If the hair was longer, the colors would be more spread out, making the colors more dull. There is a nice compactness with the black, orange, and blonde. The gentle waves create just the right amount of separation so the colors don’t end up competing with one another too much. I would suggest this haircut for almost every age. The color tones are very versatile and go with a lot of different skin tones. For a busy-day haircut, the length is very practical. Most days, just a bit of texturizing spray should do the trick.
#9: Long Auburn Layers with Fire Running Through Them
I love how the auburn and red colors go together. The blonde highlights are like the punctuation. The wavy hair will cause the warm tones to shift and flicker, which makes calico color so much work. I would want to know your skin tone before doing this combo. Those bright reds can make you look glowing or really wash you out, and there’s not much in between.
#10: Face-Framing Bangs with Multi-Tonal Layers
I love how bangs and calico coloring look paired together! It’s nice how bangs give a nice top framing and layered color provides more depth and movement to the look. All around good finish! The mix of caramel and ash colors feels playful, yet chic. The thinner the hair, the more color creates the illusion of thickness. The varying colors give depth, and any color placed strategically creates the illusion of more hair. Just a heads up, bangs with this kind of color means more frequent trims to keep everything looking sharp.
#11: Shoulder-Grazing Layers with Playful Contrast
I really like how bright and bold the red color is. I love the way this color sits in between the dark brunettes and blondes. The way I see it, it looks like stained-glass, which I personally love. The length is also very forgiving; the textured layers look good styled or just let it air dry and the color contrast will improve as the hair moves. The look is versatile enough to wear it to work and out to dinner as it reads differently in each setting. The vibrancy will need maintenance, but the cut is low fuss.
#12: Sunset Ends on Textured Waves
I prefer the strongest color at the ends because it gives you an escape plan. If you change your mind, you can just cut into it. Also, having those warm sunset shades at the tips and the roots, richer and deeper, creates a beautiful gradient where it seems the color is building towards something. Effortless texture here, the kind of wave you get from braiding wet hair and not the kind you get from spending half an hour with a hot tool. If you’ve been thinking about color but are hesitant, this is a really good way to start.
#13: Bold Calico at Shoulder Length with Natural Texture
This one is nice because it’s pretty laid back. Highlights in orange and blond light up the hair, and the dark base ensures it doesn’t float into a costume vibe which I like. The hair has some natural texture. If you hair has some waves or bends, you can probably just wash it and go. The length is practical and the color placement means your grow out will look intentional for a while before you have to come in again.
#14: Long Color-Blocked Layers with Movement
Even the straight hair on this one is really showcasing how color placement is done different than with wavy hair. Each tone is identifiable, and the black, orange and blonde have their own space. The hair moves and the layers make clean lines. It’s almost graphic. On this thick hair, there is enough real estate to really play with placement, and a good stylist can customize where each tone falls to your features. It’s almost no question that it’s bold, but it’s controlled boldness.
#15: Textured Lob with Warm Color Mixing
I feel like there are slobs that get boring to me but I feel like I can do something like this to spice it up. Like the calico example I can mix the colors in the brown and gold and black range, more integrated here, so it looks warmer and more natural. The hair that is textured from the ends of the hair is going to look polished, I think that is good for that color choice. If you have a medium thickness of hair and you want a lob that looks styled like you don’t have to go through a whole process to do it, this is a good choice.
#16: Curly Calico with Deep Purple Tones
I like this a lot! It really takes the calico concept and flips it again with the purple in this blend. Rather than the typical warm-neutral color palette, there is a nice coolness created with the purple next to the orange and black. With the soft curls, every color will reflect light from a different angle. The look has this great quality of changing with each photo, which I think is part of the charm. If you’re doing this, please get a good color depositing conditioner for the purple tones, as they will fade fast. You will want to keep up with it as it will be a lot of work!
#17: Cascading Layers with Caramel Warmth
What I like about this style is the way the layers look, with the caramel and auburn colors seeming to pour and flow downwards from the darker roots. I like how it also goes downwards to frame the face. These layers give a nice fall to the hair without it getting puffy, and they warm tones will suit many skin tones. The color is a commitment, but worth it as the end result is expensive.
#18: Copper and Platinum on a Dark Canvas
Meet this maximum contrast calico. The copper is a true copper, the platinum is a true platinum, and the black base isn’t apologizing for anything. With thick, straight hair like this, the colors are going to read like ribbons running through the length, and produce a super unique and striking effect compared to finer textures. I would say this is for someone who fully commits to the maintenance of the color, as it is stunning when the tones are fresh. When the hair grows and the tones start to fade, the level of contrast can look unintentional. A bond repair treatment in between appointments will be your best friend here.
#19: Soft Calico Framing with Understated Color
I like to call some trends “quieter trends” and in my opinion, they are the most effective for real life uses. This color combo is black, blonde, and a touch of burgandy, but it’s very softly placed and the layers are more gentle as opposed to dramatic. It’s calico for the person who wants warmth and dimension, but doesn’t want to feel costume-y. With fine hair like this, the subtle tonal shifts will make the hair look fuller, which is why this is, by far, the best for those clients. You know, the ones that say, “I want something different, but not too different?”
#20: Soft Curls with Warm Brown and Blonde
I really appreciate how real this is. The warm browns and soft blondes is almost like sun-lightened hair which makes me like this one even more! I’m also a really big fan of the soft curls, they create an easy, lived-in feel. I like how the subtle layers help create some movement in the curls so they’re not clumped together. This cut and color is a nice bonus with fine to medium hair because it makes it seem like there is double the body, plus it really looks nice. For kept curls, a light curl cream on damp hair is the best.
#21: Flowing Burgundy-Gold Layers
I like how the multilayered design and use of all the different colors isn’t very overpowering with the darker base color. It really helps balance the look. The lengthy layers create a lot of movement and work nicely with the gold and burgundy. The use of color around the face opening is a great touch as well – really brightens things up and adds some good warmth where it is needed. If you can afford maintenance every 6 to 8 weeks, this is a stunning choice.
#22: Luminous Waves with Silver Accents
I think silver and cool-toned highlights mixed into calico is a little under appreciated. Just look at how nice it is! The silver highlights are really nice since they reflect light in a different way from the warm tones. This gives a really nice light up effect that looks like it has a metallic shine. Together with the warm and creamy brown tones, it really works great. The waves also help to keep the entire look soft and approachable. Keeping the length to midway really is practical and keeps the entire look interesting. So, if you have silver hairs coming in, instead of covering them you can incorporate them into your look.
#23: Golden Warmth Through Textured Layers
Looking at this style, the interplay of color and texture is so fused that they read as one. The warm golden tones are only this way because the layered texture captures and reflects light at different angles. The greater the complexity in the color combination, the greater the dimension. The result is harmonious. For medium to thick hair, this type of layering gives volume, without the bulk. The color shift from dark to warm means your growing roots won’t be an urgent matter. That said, the golden tones will shift. It is worth planning maintenance before you commit.
#24 Calico Bob with Soft Bangs
I appreciate this bob, with special mention to the calico shades. The caramel, blonde, and chocolate mixture is placed to compliment the cut rather than fight against it. Good dimension follows the shape of the hair instead of creating visual noise. The soft bangs finish the style and add a slight French touch which is lovely. At this length, the colors are well distributed, varied, and concentrated without being overloaded. The hair’s density is just right for each of the tones. This is real chic, unlike the overused Instagram version.
#25 Full-Bodied Calico Waves with Deep Color
This hairstyle is a big risk, but it can definitely pay off. With the length of the hair, each color in the design can make a statement, and the changing waves make it look like a movie. If you have the hair to make this happen, do it. It’s an amazing style and the combination of colors looks best when there is a lot of hair. Even if your hair was thinner than average, my opinion wouldn’t change. That style just needs that kind of fullness to look good. A layered cut would help give everything a good shape, and keep the weight from dragging everything flat. When the colors are fresh, the color payoff is really good and almost to the point of being amazing.
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