Copper Hair: How to Find Your Shade & Keep It Vibrant This Fall

When it comes to autumn hair colors, copper is the prettiest trend this season. It’s a warm, orange-dominant red, but softer- almost like a slightly faded bright red. Copper hair is incredibly wearable, regardless of skin tone. It’s a truly bespoke color, easily customized to suit anyone by adjusting the depth, intensity and undertones. This fiery shade of red is having a moment, and it’s the perfect hair color to welcome fall. We’ve got all the copper hair inspiration you need to get on board with this trend, so read ahead for our favorite ways to rock copper hair.

Copper hair spans a vibrant spectrum, but unlike artificial colors that can read fake or unnatural, this season’s coppers embrace warmth and subtlety. With depth, intensity and undertones easily adjusted to match skin tone, there’s truly a copper hair color for everyone. From light coppers with pink and washed-out red undertones tones, to dark coppers with deep red undertones, true copper, highlights and everything in-between, these are the season’s hottest takes on the copper hair color trend.

Because copper hair dye is technique-sensitive, going to the salon is a must when it comes to getting exactly what you want with this trendy hair color. Red and orange pigment molecules are physically larger, so they behave unpredictably. The right formula depends on your starting hair color, porosity, and developer strength. Trying to go copper with box dyes at home can leave you with uneven, blotchy color running through your strands, otherwise known as banding. Make an appointment with a professional colorist and discuss the depth, intensity and undertones of red you want to see. Bring pictures of the exact shade you have in mind. And choose images of people with similar eye colors and skin tones to get an idea of how it will look. 

Before you commit to the copper hair trend, you should know that this color does require a bit of upkeep to keep it vibrant. Red hair is notorious for fading, so any color with red pigment is going to be a little higher maintenance than other shades. But with the right tips and products you can keep red hair from fading quickly, and your newly colored copper strands in great shape. Starting with using shampoos, conditioners, and styling products that are specifically formulated for color-treated hair, and avoiding sulfates at all costs. Space out your hair washes, shampooing no more than two to three times a week, and using cool water. Choose a color-safe chelating shampoo to remove dulling residues like hard-water metals, and swap in pigment depositing shampoo and conditioner from the Alchemic color-enhancing line to keep your hue bright. Limit the use of hot tools, keeping them low and protecting your color when using. A multi-functional heat protectant oil can help with this, while keeping your color glossy, sealing in shine, detangling and fighting frizz. Avoid clarifying shampoos, chlorinated water and UV rays, all of which can strip away color. And finally, hit the salon every six to eight weeks for a touch-up.