Think back to your favorite comfort toy as a child: Chances are good it was a snuggly teddy bear that made you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. To capture that nostalgia in a hair color, more and more people are asking their stylists to go teddy bear blonde at the salon. We wanted to get to the bottom of what makes teddy bear blonde hair so desirable (after all, the term currently has 73.1 million TikTok posts and counting), so we tapped Redken artist Lindsey Olson to give us the scoop. Scroll on for everything you need to know about this cozy and familiar shade.
Credit: @lindsey.marie.olson
What Is Teddy Bear Blonde?
Teddy bear blonde hair refers to a warm, soft shade of blonde that resembles the traditional color of a plush toy bear.
“Teddy bear blonde is a perfect balance of warm hues with light shades of caramel and blonde to create very dimensional results,” Olson notes. It’s often associated with a natural, sun-kissed look: Along with golden blondes, it’s sometimes punctuated with warm to neutral tones of chocolate, amber, or brown.
The name is meant to reflect the idea of a comforting, familiar color that’s as inviting as your favorite childhood (or, let’s be honest, adulthood) cuddle buddy.
How Do You Get Teddy Bear Blonde Hair?
One of our favorite things about teddy bear blonde hair color is how customizable it is. We recommend consulting a licensed colorist to determine which iteration of the hue is realistic for your current base color so that you can achieve the look with minimal damage. Your hairdresser will also consider your skin tone and undertones to ensure your chosen color will make your complexion pop versus washing it out.
As far as formulas for teddy bear hair color go, Olson swears by applying a Redken Shades EQ hair gloss over highlights or a balayage to give her clients’ manes a sumptuous glow. For a quick crash course, Shades EQ is a professional demi-permanent dye that enriches your color, tones your strands, and leaves hair soft, shiny, and conditioned for up to a few months. Plus, the demi-permanent color gradually fades out over time, so there will be no harsh regrowth between touch-ups.
Olson suggests asking for Shades EQ in warm families like WG, GG, NB, and GB. Use Redken’s locator to find a salon that stocks up on this pro-favorite hair gloss.
Credit: @lindsey.marie.olson
How To Maintain Teddy Bear Blonde
The right at-home haircare routine can help keep your teddy bear blonde hair looking fresh and vibrant long after you leave the salon. First, Olson recommends stocking your shower with Redken’s Acidic Bonding Concentrate line. This six-piece collection helps strengthen and repair damaged hair while providing protection against color fading.
Next, she advises swapping in the Redken Hair Cleansing Cream once a week to help remove the impurities that can detract from hair’s shiny reflection. Last, be sure to always apply a good heat protectant before blow-drying or heat-styling your hair to keep your color from dulling (among Olson’s favorites is Redken’s Acidic Bonding Concentrate Leave-In Treatment).
3 Teddy Bear Hair Color Ideas To Try Now Looks to Try Now
Ready for some inspo? Here are three low-maintenance teddy bear blonde variations to show your stylist at your next appointment.
Credit: @lindsey.marie.olson
Teddy Bear Blonde Balayage
As Olson mentioned, a teddy bear balayage is a great way to give your mane a lived-in look. This hand-painting method results in a gradual ombré effect (typically, darker roots with lighter ends), allowing you to stretch the time between root touch-ups.
Credit: @tomniemiec
Multi-Tonal Teddy Bear Blonde Curls
While teddy bear hair color is traditionally warm, we love how weaving in a few cooler highlights can help give your curls a multi-dimensional look. Use Redken’s Hydrating Curl Cream to moisturize and define your ringlets so that your striking color can take center stage.
Credit: @lindsey.marie.olson
Teddy Bear Blonde With Money Piece
If you want extra lightness, pair your teddy bear blonde hair color with a money piece. This chunky, face-framing streak can help accentuate your features, make your hue look more “expensive,” and add brightness to your color, all without the need for a full head of highlights.
Next Up: 7 Hair Gloss Transformations for a Vibrant Hair Color
Header photo credits (left to right): @tomniemiec and @lindsey.marie.olson
Use our salon locator to try teddy bear hair color with a stylist in your area.
