If there’s one thing that’s capturing the hearts (and hair) of trendsetters everywhere as we head into 2024, it’s the warm, inviting hue known as “Teddy Bear Blonde.” This delightful shade of blonde, which has already racked up over 77 million views on BeautyTok, is the perfect blend of golden warmth and subtle brunette undertones, evoking the comforting nostalgia of your favorite childhood teddy bear.
Teddy Bear Blonde: A Blend of Comfort and Chic
Think of Teddy Bear Blonde as a cozy blanket for your hair. It’s not just another shade of blonde; it’s a whole mood. Much like the soft, golden-brown fur of that beloved plush toy you snuggled with as a child, this hair color is the ideal fusion of blonde and brunette tones. It’s a versatile shade that’s ready to make waves as the next big thing in hair trends for this year.
Hair color expert Lorik Rockefeller from the renowned FEKKAI brand describes Teddy Bear Blonde as a warm, golden-toned color that’s far from the icy or ashy blondes we’ve seen in the past. It’s more of a “bronde” (a blend of blonde and brunette) that features subtle, well-placed blonde highlights to create a multidimensional, warm, and rich look. Depending on your natural hair color, this hue can range from golden to honey tones, making it a flattering choice for a wide variety of complexions.
When TikTok creator @manesbymadi revealed her stunning Teddy Bear Blonde transformation, the comments section was flooded with praise. Many users noted how the warm, natural tones of the color made her features pop, proving that this shade is as flattering as it is trendy.
What Sets Teddy Bear Blonde Apart?
In a world filled with endless shades of blonde, it’s important to distinguish one from another. While Teddy Bear Blonde might remind you of dirty blonde, it brings its own unique twist to the table. This shade is all about warmth and softness, with dimensions that give it a stand-alone appeal.
According to George Papanikolas, a well-known hair colorist and Matrix brand ambassador, Teddy Bear Blonde sits right in the middle of the hair color spectrum. This positioning makes it universally flattering, as it complements a wide range of skin tones and eye colors. The shade is also highly customizable—whether you want to go lighter or add more depth, you can tweak the warmth by incorporating caramel or honey highlights.
Communicating Your Vision to Your Colorist
As new hair color trends emerge almost daily, it can be challenging to articulate exactly what you want when you’re in the salon chair. That’s where visual aids come in handy. Bringing a reference photo—whether it’s a TikTok video that inspired you or a Pinterest board filled with warm blonde hues—can make a world of difference in achieving the exact look you desire.
When discussing your vision with your stylist, make sure to emphasize that you want dimension in your hair. This isn’t a solid color look; it’s all about the play of light and shadow. The placement of highlights is crucial as well. For the perfect Teddy Bear Blonde, consider framing your face with a few well-placed highlights and adding some subtle blonde touches at the crown to give your hair a naturally sun-kissed appearance.
Another tip from Papanikolas: ask your stylist for a gloss treatment like Matrix Tonal Control. This will act like a sheer veil over your highlights, enhancing the warm tones and ensuring a harmonious, radiant finish.
Caring for Your Teddy Bear Blonde
Maintaining the warmth and richness of Teddy Bear Blonde requires a bit more attention than your typical hair color. As Rockefeller points out, the specific warm tones in this shade can sometimes oxidize, leading to unwanted brassiness. To keep your Teddy Bear Blonde looking its best, invest in a moisturizing hair mask, like the FEKKAI Super Strength + Repair Mask, and try to limit your sun exposure, which can fade color over time.
Another pro tip: wash your hair less frequently to avoid stripping away the color. You might also want to consider installing a showerhead filter to minimize exposure to color-dulling minerals found in tap water. And when it comes to salon visits, Papanikolas recommends scheduling touch-ups every three months and gloss treatments every four to six weeks to maintain that perfect, cozy blonde hue.
Why Teddy Bear Blonde is Trending Online
There’s a reason why Teddy Bear Blonde is causing such a stir online. This hair color is as familiar and comforting as a childhood teddy bear, yet it’s chic and on-trend enough to turn heads in any setting. It’s a shade that resonates deeply, blending nostalgia with modern style in a way that feels both fresh and timeless.
Lindsey Olson, a Redken artist, explains that Teddy Bear Blonde is all about balance. It’s a harmonious mix of warm caramel and blonde tones, creating a multi-dimensional effect that’s both soft and striking. This color is reminiscent of a sun-kissed glow, with hints of chocolate, amber, or brown woven throughout to enhance its natural, lived-in appeal.
Achieving the Perfect Teddy Bear Blonde
One of the best things about Teddy Bear Blonde is its versatility. To achieve the ideal shade, consult with a licensed colorist who can assess your current hair color and determine the best approach. Your colorist will also take into account your skin tone and undertones to ensure the color enhances your complexion rather than washing you out.
For those looking to recreate the look at home, Lindsey Olson recommends using a Redken Shades EQ hair gloss over highlights or balayage. This demi-permanent dye enriches your color, tones your strands, and leaves your hair with a soft, shiny finish that can last for months. Plus, because the color gradually fades over time, you won’t have to worry about harsh regrowth between touch-ups.
If you’re interested in trying out Teddy Bear Blonde, ask your stylist for Shades EQ in warm families like WG, GG, NB, and GB. And for those looking to maintain their new hue at home, Olson suggests stocking up on Redken’s Acidic Bonding Concentrate line. This collection is designed to strengthen and repair damaged hair while protecting against color fade, ensuring your Teddy Bear Blonde stays vibrant and glossy.
3 Popular Teddy Bear Blonde Hair Ideas to Inspire Your Next Salon Visit
If you’re ready to jump on the Teddy Bear Blonde trend but need some inspiration, here are three variations of the look that you can show your stylist:
Teddy Bear Blonde with a Money Piece
For those who want to add extra brightness to their look, pair your Teddy Bear Blonde with a money piece. This chunky, face-framing highlight accentuates your features and adds a pop of light to your color without requiring a full head of highlights. It’s a simple yet effective way to elevate your look and make your hair color appear more “expensive.”
Teddy Bear Blonde Balayage
For a lived-in, effortlessly chic look, consider a Teddy Bear Blonde balayage. This hand-painted technique creates a gradual ombré effect, with darker roots that transition into lighter ends. It’s a low-maintenance option that allows you to stretch the time between root touch-ups while still enjoying a rich, dimensional color.
Multi-Tonal Teddy Bear Blonde Curls
If you have curly hair, adding cooler highlights to your Teddy Bear Blonde can create a stunning multi-dimensional effect. Use a hydrating curl cream to define your ringlets and let the color take center stage, adding depth and texture to your curls.
Teddy Bear Blonde is more than just a hair color; it’s a vibe. It’s warm, inviting, and nostalgic, yet sophisticated enough to be worn by anyone looking to add a touch of coziness to their style. This trend shows no signs of slowing down. Whether you’re a brunette looking to lighten up or a blonde seeking to add depth, Teddy Bear Blonde offers a versatile and flattering option for anyone wanting to refresh their look.
With the right care and maintenance, Teddy Bear Blonde can be the perfect hair color to carry you through the seasons, keeping you looking effortlessly chic and on-trend. So why not give it a try? After all, who wouldn’t want to feel as warm and cozy as their favorite childhood teddy bear?
