36 Amazing Calico Hair Color Ideas 2025 for Curly, Short and Long Hair with Light, Dark Highlights

Calico hair 2025 is a bold trend that blends unique color combinations into stunning hairstyles. Whether you’re going for curly, short, or afro styles, these 36 ideas cover everything from blonde to pink, with looks that suit all textures and occasions. Perfect for black women and those who love experimenting with dye, each hairstyle offers something fresh and inspiring.

The Subtle Blend for Short Hair

For those who prefer a softer take on the calico color trend, this look involves blending muted tones like Dark brown, subtle copper, and a hint of blonde on short hair. This style creates an understated yet dynamic appearance, perfect for those seeking elegance. It’s ideal for formal events or a professional setting, where the subtle contrast can make an impact without overwhelming. Best suited for round and oval face shapes, this look pairs well with deep brown or hazel eyes, enhancing the natural warmth of the color scheme.

To achieve this look, apply a semi-permanent dye to small sections of the hair, alternating shades in a balanced but random pattern. The trick is in the placement of the colors to avoid too stark a contrast. Use a heat protectant and a flat iron to keep the style sleek, and maintain the vibrancy with color-safe shampoo like Pureology Hydrate.

Bold Pink and Blonde on Curly Hair

Nothing says fearless like combining pink and blonde on curly hair. This bold calico combination brings a playful vibe, perfect for concerts, festivals, or simply adding a splash of personality to your everyday look. The contrast of light and vibrant hues adds volume and depth, especially for afro and naturally curly textures. Heart-shaped faces with blue or green eyes will love the playful charm this style brings to their features.

To achieve this look, use a dye specifically formulated for curly textures to prevent drying. Start by bleaching select sections for the blonde parts, then layer in a vibrant pink using a semi-permanent dye. Products like SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie will help define and moisturize the curls, while a good leave-in conditioner will keep the colors fresh.

Curly Calico for Black Women

This curly calico hairstyle is designed specifically for black women, blending warm auburn, deep dark brown, and touches of honey blonde. The combination adds dimension to tight coils, making it perfect for those with afro hair. The rich hues of this color scheme are ideal for a night out or any occasion where you want your hair to do the talking. Best suited for square or diamond-shaped faces, this look complements darker eye colors, particularly rich browns or black.

To achieve this, color the hair in sections using a dye that works well on curly hair to avoid over-processing. Make sure to use a curl-defining cream, such as Aunt Jackie’s Curl La La, to maintain the bounce in your coils while keeping the color intact.

Blonde and Light Brown Calico Waves

For those who love color hairstyles with a natural twist, this calico style blends blonde and light brown in soft, flowing waves. It’s perfect for anyone with medium-length hair looking for something that feels beachy and effortless, but with a little extra flair. This style is best for square and heart-shaped faces and pairs well with lighter eye colors like blue or green, bringing a natural glow to your complexion.

Create this look by dyeing select sections of the hair with a blonde and light brown dye, using a balayage technique to keep the transitions soft. Use a large-barrel curling iron to add waves, and maintain the look with a moisturizing shampoo like Redken All Soft to keep the ends smooth.

Dark and Pink Ombre with Bangs

Calico hair can also play up an ombre effect. This dark to pink ombre is paired with blunt bangs for an edgy, modern look. Perfect for fashion-forward individuals, this hairstyle works well at parties or events where you want to stand out. The contrast between the dark roots and light pink tips suits those with angular or heart-shaped faces, and it works best with lighter eye colors, such as green or grey.

To achieve this ombre, bleach the ends of the hair first and apply a pink semi-permanent dye over the bleached sections. Style the hair straight and sleek with a flat iron, and use a smoothing serum to maintain the glossy finish. A sulfate-free shampoo, like Olaplex No. 4, will help maintain the color vibrancy.

Afro with Braided Calico Highlights

This style mixes the afro texture with braids, incorporating sections of bright color for a truly unique calico effect. The intricate braiding adds structure, while the color adds a playful element, making it great for festivals or casual outings. This look flatters oval and long face shapes, and dark eyes will pop against the contrast of the bright hues.

To recreate this, braid small sections of the hair, adding colored hair extensions to the braids for a more dramatic calico effect. The color is achieved through pre-colored extensions, so no need to bleach or dye your natural hair. Maintain the braids with a light oil like Jamaican Black Castor Oil to keep the scalp nourished.

Calico Pixie for Short Hair

Calico doesn’t have to be all long waves and braids; a short pixie cut can also rock this trend. For this look, deep dark hues like chestnut and copper are paired with lighter shades of caramel or blonde, giving the pixie an edgy, modern feel. This is perfect for formal events or even a work setting, especially when you want a hairstyle that’s sleek but full of personality. Oval faces and lighter eyes benefit most from this combo.

To achieve this, dye small sections of your hair using foils to keep the colors distinct. Use a texturizing cream to give volume to the pixie, and keep it fresh with a lightweight mousse for daily styling.

Light Blonde and Pink Calico Bob

The light blonde and pink bob is the ultimate playful calico style, perfect for short to medium hair lengths. This vibrant style is great for those who love to experiment with bold colors. It’s ideal for fun weekend outings or artistic events where you want to turn heads. This hairstyle flatters heart-shaped and round faces, and its bright tones are best complemented by pale blue or green eyes.

To recreate this style, bleach the hair to a light blonde and apply pink accents using a semi-permanent dye. Style the bob with a bit of volume using a round brush and hairdryer. Use a color-safe shampoo to keep the shades from fading, such as Matrix Total Results Keep Me Vivid.

Dark to Subtle Blonde Calico Twists

Twists are another fantastic way to wear the calico trend. This look uses a deep dark base transitioning into a subtle blonde at the ends, creating a calico twist that’s perfect for casual or formal settings. It works especially well with oval and oblong face shapes and darker eye colors.

The twists are created by sectioning the hair and adding colored extensions. To maintain this style, use a light hair mist like the Mizani 25 Miracle Milk to keep the twists hydrated and defined.

Soft Pastel Calico for Curly Hair

Pastels are perfect for a more subdued calico look, and this style blends soft pink, lavender, and light blue for a whimsical effect. Ideal for anyone with curly hair, this style is perfect for spring festivals or even everyday wear for those who love something a little different. Round faces and light-colored eyes benefit most from these soft hues.

The color is applied in small sections, blending the pastel shades to create a seamless transition. Use a diffuser attachment on your hairdryer to maintain the curl definition, and keep your hair hydrated with a leave-in conditioner like As I Am Leave-In Conditioner.

Silver and Lavender Calico for Curly Hair

This eye-catching combination of silver and lavender is perfect for those with curly hair who want to stand out. The silver provides an elegant and cool-toned base, while lavender adds a touch of playful color. Ideal for evening events or a fun night out, this look works best with oval and round face shapes. Dark brown or light grey eyes will particularly pop with this style.

To achieve this look, pre-lighten the hair to a pale blonde before applying a silver base with lavender highlights. Use a curl-enhancing product like DevaCurl SuperCream to define your curls, and maintain the colors with sulfate-free shampoos like Amika Bust Your Brass.

Blonde and Copper Short Calico Cut

For those who love short hair, a blonde and copper calico blend is the perfect solution. This style merges warm copper and light blonde for a fresh, vibrant look that adds depth and dimension to a cropped cut. Best for rectangular or heart-shaped faces, this hairstyle suits light brown and hazel eyes, making it a great option for everyday wear or casual outings.

To achieve this, highlight sections of your short hair using a dye to alternate between copper and blonde tones. Use a lightweight styling cream to add texture, and keep the colors fresh with Redken Color Extend Magnetics shampoo.

Black and Teal Calico Braids

For a bolder look, consider black and teal braids. This contrasting combination works wonderfully in protective styles like box braids, giving an unexpected twist to the classic braid. It’s perfect for festivals or a daring night out, complementing diamond-shaped faces and dark brown or black eyes.

Achieving this look is simple with pre-colored teal hair extensions woven into your braids. Keep the braids moisturized with a hydrating oil like Mielle Organics Mint Almond Oil to prevent dryness and maintain the vibrancy of the color.

Pink and Subtle Blonde Ombre for Wavy Hair

For a playful yet soft color hairstyle, a pink and subtle blonde ombre is ideal for those with natural waves. This look brings a delicate touch of pink to the ends, creating a seamless transition from blonde. It’s perfect for casual settings or a day out, and it suits oval and square faces, especially when paired with light green or blue eyes.

Start by bleaching the lower sections of your hair, then apply a pastel pink to the tips. Use a sea salt spray like Ouai Wave Spray to enhance your natural waves and keep the colors vibrant with a protective shampoo.

Dark Brown and Ash Blonde Twists

Twists are a fantastic way to experiment with calico hair without damaging your natural locks. This combination of dark brown and ash blonde creates a natural yet dimensional look, perfect for both work and evening events. The dark-to-light transition flatters oval and heart-shaped faces and enhances dark brown or hazel eyes.

This style is created using colored hair extensions in dark brown and ash blonde, twisted into your natural hair. Maintain the twists with a hydrating spray like Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Refresher Spray to keep the hair soft and shiny.

Copper and Rose Gold Calico Curls

Calico hair for curly textures shines in this copper and rose gold combination. The warm copper base transitions into soft rose gold, giving curls extra dimension and a glowing effect. It’s great for summer parties or outdoor events and works best for round or heart-shaped faces, paired with light brown or hazel eyes.

To achieve this, lighten sections of the hair before applying copper and rose gold dye. Use a curl-defining mousse to keep curls bouncy, and a color-protecting shampoo like Joico Color Balance Copper will help maintain the vibrancy.

Platinum and Light Pink Bob

A platinum and light pink calico bob offers a chic and trendy look for 2025. The platinum base with light pink accents creates a sophisticated yet playful vibe, making it perfect for both formal events and weekend outings. This hairstyle flatters round and heart-shaped faces, especially when combined with blue or grey eyes.

Achieving this look requires bleaching the hair to a platinum blonde and adding pink accents. Use a smoothing serum like Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum for a sleek finish, and protect your color with Olaplex No. 4 Shampoo.

Dark Blue and Purple Calico Braids

For a more intense calico style, try dark blue and purple braids. This deep-toned combination creates a moody, dramatic effect that’s ideal for bold fashion lovers. The look works best for oval and diamond-shaped faces and pairs well with dark brown or black eyes.

To recreate this, use colored hair extensions in dark blue and purple woven into your braids. Keep the braids neat and moisturized with a light oil like Taliah Waajid African Healing Oyl to prevent dryness.

Calico hair is versatile, fun, and a trendsetter’s dream. Whether you want something bold or subtle, short or curly, there’s a calico style that’s perfect for you. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments—what’s your favorite calico look? And don’t forget to share your own calico hair creations with us!