Last year was marked by what seemed incessant turbulence. Consumers are stepping into 2026 with fierce readiness for whatever comes next. This new ‘tude is being reflected in their hair.

According to Spate’s Popularity Index, teddy bear brown and calico are the top-growing hair colors in the US.

Calico

Calico hair is a bold, feline-inspired trend featuring distinct patches or streaks of blonde, copper or red, and dark brown or black.

The trend has grown by 207.0% compared to last year, and across platforms. On Search, it’s up 56.9%, while TikTok has seen 202.1% growth and Instagram 346.0% growth. TikTok dominates this trend with 74.8% Popularity Share. It receives 3.7K average monthly searches on Google, 3.0 million average weekly views on TikTok, and 438 average weekly posts on Instagram.

Despite its complexity, calico hair shows strong organic interest, analysts say, with a low paid views share of 3.6%, a high engagement rate of 8.9%, and positive consumer sentiment of 8.3 out of 10. This creates an opportunity for brands to develop at-home calico kits, even though the look requires pinwheel sectioning and can be difficult to recreate without professional guidance. On TikTok, the top related hashtag #spookyseason (603.8K avg. weekly views) suggests the trend is especially popular in fall, though interest remains strong year-round. The hashtag #hairstylist (231.2K average weekly views) signals that consumers are actively seeking expert-led content, while #althair (192.5K average weekly views) reflects a growing appetite for bolder, more experimental looks beyond the soft-girl styles that have trended in recent years. Brands that partner with hairstylist creators to educate and demonstrate technique are especially well-positioned to capitalize on this trend, analysts say.

Teddy Bear Brown

Teddy bear brown hair blends brunette and blonde tones for a rich, warm look whose dimensions are as soft as a cuddly bear. Across platforms, the trend has grown by over 1,000% compared to last year. On Search, interest is up 671.3% compared to last year, while TikTok and Instagram have both seen growth of over 1,000%.

Analysts say this trend is primarily driven by Google Search, which holds 45.1% Popularity Share. It currently receives 980 average monthly searches on Google, 414.2K average weekly views on TikTok, and 15 average weekly posts on Instagram. On TikTok, top related hashtags include #hairinspo (337.1K average weekly views) and #layershaircut (337.0K), highlighting how consumers turn to the platform when they are ready to make a change or want visual inspiration for their next cut and color.

The trend has a reportedly very low paid views share of 0.1%, paired with a high engagement rate of 6.6% and positive consumer sentiment of 8 out of 10. While teddy bear brown is largely an in-salon trend, there is a clear opportunity for brands to sell at-home kits, repackage existing brunette-blonde shades under the teddy bear brown name, or work with influencers to position current products as “teddy brown at home,” particularly through TikTok Shop, similar to how #redkenshadeseq (337.0K) has gained traction.