If it seems like almost every celebrity is ditching lighter hair for something a little richer and darker, it’s because they are. One of the most in-demand hair colors of the moment (especially since winter brings a desire to go brunette) is teddy bear brown, which echoes the exact tones of a classic teddy bear stuffed animal. While all shades of brunettes are trending, it’s the undertones, which range from barely-there gold to light honey and caramel, that make teddy bear brown the perfect updated take on bronde (aka brownish blonde) that works year-round.
If upgrading your color to an anything-but-boring shade of brunette sits high on your beauty to-do list, consider this the ultimate guide to achieving the rich, dimensional, and vibrant color that teddy bear brown hair is beloved for. Ahead, two hair color experts share how to wear the look and what to ask for at the salon, so that you can pull off this effortless, airy color that’s all over TikTok.
What is teddy bear brown hair?
According to hairstylist and colorist Hussein Sal, trendy teddy bear brunette is a warm, multi-tonal hair color that blends a rich, chocolate-brown base with soft golden, honey, or caramel highlights. “The idea is for the hair to mimic the cozy, multidimensional fur of a teddy bear, giving a natural yet dimensional glow,” he says. Think of this expensive-looking take on brown hair as a more sophisticated version of honey-brown hair that doesn’t give off an ashy, dull look and packs plenty of subtle depth, so the hair doesn’t feel flat or boring.
The key to getting teddy bear brown hair to look just right is to have the ideal amount of warmth—particularly goldenness—so that the hair appears “glowy.” Celebrity hair stylist Sienree Du says the base should be a medium brown shade accented with diffused caramel-toned highlights that catch the light to create dimension that still looks natural and lived-in. “The color has a touch of golden hues to it that read as warm because of the cozy brown and dark brown combination,” she explains. Since brown hair is big right now, the teddy bear brown version makes for an easy way to tiptoe into the world of wearing darker hair without going fully brunette, or darker, or too heavy with blonde highlights over a dark base.
What to ask your stylist for before going teddy bear brown:
If you want teddy bear brown hair, how you describe it to your colorist is key. For starters, ask for a base color that falls within the dark-medium to light-medium brown range, giving a classic yet understated brunette hue that’s wearable across a variety of skin tones. Avoid going too deep and dark, like an espresso brown color, for example, which can cause the hair to look ashy, smoky, or cool. Remember, the idea is to create natural, creamy warmth that’s simply stunning.
As for the highlights, opt for ones that complement the base with minimal contrast. “Ask for a sparkly brunette base with an iridescent glow,” Sal suggests. “This essentially means a neutral tone that’s not warm nor ashy.” Well-blended dark honey or golden caramel highlights (balayage works well for this look) prevent the hair from appearing heavily highlighted or full-on blonde. Du agrees and says the best way to create a sun-kissed look with reflective movement is to place a few dimensional highlights that are two to three levels lighter than the base, rather than ice-cool tones. For hair with a naturally warm brown base and hints of sun-kissed pieces, a gloss and toner may be enough to achieve this look.
How to maintain teddy bear brown hair color:
Getting teddy bear brown hair is one thing; maintaining it is another. Even though Sal calls teddy bear brunette a low-maintenance, “lived-in” color, he cautions that the wrong hair products, especially harsh clarifying shampoos and ones packed with sulfates, as well as some acid-based hair products, can dull the tone of the hair and cause unwanted red undertones to peek through. You also want to avoid purple- and blue-toned shampoos, which can dull the natural warmth that makes teddy bear brown hair so desirable.
Heat is another known culprit of damaged and wrecked hair color. Completely avoiding heat isn’t always feasible, so Du recommends always protecting the hair with a heat protectant when styling with any hot tool. Also, be mindful of tools’ temperatures to avoid compromising color and shine.
Pro hair glosses are also a godsend for bumping up color when necessary, since they temporarily enhance the tone while neutralizing brassiness and adding shine without a permanent commitment. At-home versions also work well. Since the teddy bear brown look exudes healthy, shiny strands, Du says a shower filter can be a game-changer. “It helps filter out the minerals in the water that can immediately shift color.”
Should you go teddy bear brown?
Going from light to dark hair can be a gut-wrenching decision, but according to Du, the teddy bear brown brunette trend allows for blondes to slowly transition to a darker color. Du, who’s always been an icy blonde, wanted a change but admits she was terrified of going darker. “Opting for a teddy bear brown color softens the transition. It’s not too dark, so when you look in the mirror, the hair is the perfect middle ground color that helps the eyes adjust to the darker tones.”
There are different levels of teddy bear brown hair color, and lightening already dark hair by just a few shades is easy. “I love this color as a low-maintenance option for brunettes because the melted roots grow out so beautifully, so frequent salon visits aren’t all that necessary,” Du shares. Plus, for anyone with natural warm undertones in their hair, the plush brunette shade enhances warmth in the skin.
If you want to give your hair a break from heavy bleaching or highlights and are considering trying out the teddy bear brown hair trend, Sal calls it a great option for anyone who wants a low-maintenance color that looks and feels healthy without fully committing to a full brunette or darker color.
The best teddy bear brown inspo:
Elise Minton Tabin is an award-winning beauty journalist, editor, and expert with 20 years of experience. She started her career in public relations before shifting to editorial. Elise rose the ranks at NewBeauty magazine from an editorial assistant to Executive Beauty Editor, overseeing and reporting on all things beauty, plastic surgery, anti-aging, health, and wellness. A prolific content creator and trendspotter, Elise always knows what’s new, what works, and who’s the best to go to for treatments and procedures. She contributes to media outlets including InStyle, NewBeauty, The Zoe Report, Byrdie, Beauty Independent, The Aesthetic Guide, Bazaar, and more.
