30 Multidimensional Copper Brown Hair Color Ideas To Bookmark ASAP

There are plenty of hair color trends to love, but if you ask us, a copper hair color is hard to beat. Spend even a few minutes scrolling Instagram or TikTok, and you’ll spot the glossy, reddish-golden hue everywhere, from subtle, lived-in brunettes to brighter, statement-making reds. The appeal is easy to understand: this soft, dimensional take on red hair is incredibly versatile and widely flattering, which is why it’s still a go-to for influencers and celebrities alike.

Even better, there are countless ways to make the shade your own. Whether you lean toward bold and vibrant or prefer something more understated, there’s a copper hair color to match your style. Ahead, we’re sharing 30 of our favorite takes on the trend, along with tips to help keep your new hue looking bright and vibrant all season long.

What Color Is Copper Hair?

Copper hair is a rich, multi-dimensional hair color that features a blend of reddish-orange, gold, and brunette tones. Natural copper hair tends to be more prominently red, with subtle golden undertones. However, a copper hair color can take many forms. Depending on the specific formula used, it can range from a soft, almost rosy brown to a more intense, fiery red. Between the two ends of the spectrum, there are numerous iterations of copper hair, from soft cowboy copper to bright copper bronde.

Copper differs from other red-brown shades in both its vibrancy and undertones. It’s more vibrant than auburn, which tends to boast deeper, richer crimson undertones. However, it’s deeper and slightly cooler than ginger, which is a bright, almost electric orange hue.

How To Choose The Right Copper Hair Color for You

There’s no objectively right or wrong copper hair color—choosing the best hue ultimately comes down to personal preference. That said, considering your skin tone and undertone can help ensure your color looks balanced and flattering rather than overwhelming.

Typically, lighter, brighter shades of copper work well for those with fair skin tones. If you have deeper skin, you’ll often find that richer variations of the hue complement your features well. Your undertones play an important role in determining your most flattering shade, too. Undertones are the subtle underlying pigments in your skin, and can be characterized as cool, warm, or neutral. Matching like with like (think: warm undertones with golden or gingery hues, cool undertones with more muted, reddish-brown tones) tends to yield the most harmonious result. Not sure where you fall? Take a look at the veins on the inside of your wrist—bluish veins usually indicate cool undertones, greenish veins suggest warm undertones, and a mix of both points to neutral undertones. You can also take our undertone finder quiz if you’re still not sure where you land.

Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the best copper hair colors for different skin tones:

• Fair skin: Warm strawberry blonde, bright copper, ginger, soft copper brown
• Medium skin: True copper, medium copper brown, cinnamon copper
• Deep skin: Cowboy copper, dark copper brown, auburn copper

For more guidance on selecting the best hair color for your skin tone and undertone, consult with an expert via our Hair Color Concierge or use our virtual try-on tool to see how different shades will look on you.

Warm-Toned Copper Hair Colors

Warm copper hair boasts prominent red, orange, or gold tones and tends to be especially flattering on those with warmer skin tones. Like all red hair colors, it can be prone to fading, but a proper haircare routine can help maintain your color’s vibrancy, dimension, and shine. Keep scrolling for a look at some of our favorite warm copper hair colors (and the at-home hair dyes that can help you get the look).

1. Bright auburn copper

Bright copper-colored hair is a stunning blend of light brown and fiery red. The vivid hue is bold and statement-making and stuns on fair and dark complexions alike. Get the look with an at-home copper hair dye like L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Lightest Auburn.

2. Cinnamon copper

Cinnamon copper brown is a warm, reddish-brown hair color inspired by the spice we all know and love. The addition of red tones lends depth to a classic brown base—and makes this multifaceted hue truly striking. To DIY the look, pick up a box of L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Spiced Copper.

3. Pumpkin spice

Pumpkin spice hair is nothing new, but we’ll never lose our love for this dimensional, autumnal hue. It’s flattering on fair and dark skin alike, vibrant but natural-looking, and far easier to attain than lighter or more vivid red shades, like peach or apricot.

4. Natural copper brown

Natural copper-colored hair can range from warm strawberry blonde to a deeper, sultrier auburn, depending on your starting base color. The vibrant hue is rare—more so than brunette or blonde—and stuns on those with fair complexions. A dye like L’Oréal Paris Excellence Universal Nudes Permanent Hair Color in 7NR Natural Copper can help you make your foray into the sought-after shade with its gold, mahogany, and red pigments. The ammonia-free formula also boasts 100 percent gray coverage and is enriched with Pro-Keratin Complex and caring agents to protect the hair as it colors.

5. Fiery copper

This traffic-stopping blend of deep, cool red wine tones with warm copper highlights is not for wallflowers. The rich and fiery color is full of drama and shines when paired with equally attention-grabbing hairstyles like bouncy, voluminous waves. Keep in mind that red hair colors (especially ones as saturated as this) can fade quickly. To keep your look going strong between touchups, consider adding a color-depositing conditioner into your weekly routine.

6. Bronzed copper brown

This version of copper brown hair features warm auburn highlights interspersed throughout a natural, smoky brown base. The soft, subtle blend is ideal for those looking to experiment with copper hair without veering too far from their base shade. To color hair copper brown at home, consider the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Light Amber Brown.

7. Vivid copper

If you want a big change and aren’t afraid to stand out, vibrant copper-colored hair is the way to go. This vivid, fiery orange-red hue is bursting with personality, and it’s one of our favorite ways to fully lean into the copper hair trend. Recreate the show-stopping look at home with L’Oréal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Hair Color in Copper Crave.

Cool-Toned Copper Hair Colors

In contrast to warm copper, cool-toned copper hair features softer, more muted brown, bronze, and red tones. These subtler shades provide a flattering, natural-looking way for those with cool skin tones to participate in the copper hair trend.

1. Dark auburn

If you want to experiment with a copper hair color but aren’t ready to commit to a complete overhaul, consider trying a dark auburn hue. This cool-toned shade reads brown in low lighting, but displays its dimensional reddish undertones in the sun, making it a great way to ease yourself into a new hair color.

2. Burgundy copper

This cool-toned shade features a burgundy base blended with deep, cool-toned copper highlights. This stunning combination offers richness without skewing too warm, making it ideal for those with cooler complexions. Skip the salon and get a similar look at home with L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Chic Auburn Brown.

3. Mahogany with copper highlights

Brighten up your mahogany mane by asking your stylist to weave cool copper and bright auburn highlights throughout. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance color, consider asking for a root smudge—this technique blends your highlights into your natural root color for a more seamless grow-out.

4. Bronzed ginger

Bronze might be third place in official races, but we rank it as one of our favorite hair colors. Here, the metallic hue adds dimension to a cool ginger base color, resulting in a wearable copper that beautifully complements both fair and deep complexions.

5. Sandy copper

Blondes looking to go red can soften the transition by taking sandy copper hair out for a spin. This cool, almost metallic hue—a variation of the ever-popular strawberry blonde—can easily be achieved with an at-home dye like L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Light Reddish Blonde (though, if you’re starting with a darker base, you may need to bleach your hair first).

Light Copper Hair Colors

Light copper hair sits at the junction of blonde, red, and brown, making it an excellent option for natural blondes or those who prefer a lighter look. Maintenance for these shades can vary depending on your natural hair color and how light you go (generally, the lighter the shade, the more upkeep is required to keep it looking its best). If you’re in the mood for a beachy new look, keep scrolling for some of our favorite light copper shades to try.

1. Apricot

Consider this a playful twist on the classic copper brown hair shade. It blends warm, peachy blonde highlights with a touch of copper, creating a sunkissed, dimensional look that flatters light to medium skin tones.

2. Peachy copper

Vibrant peach highlights give copper brown hair a beachy twist. We suggest opting for balayage, rather than traditional highlights, to keep this summer color relatively low-maintenance.

3. Strawberry copper bronde

This shade celebrates one of our favorite summer fruits, mixing cool strawberry highlights throughout a warm copper base. The result is a gorgeous, multidimensional color. With a playful blend of warm and cool tones, this reddish-bronde hue can flatter a wide range of skin tones and undertones. For a similar look you can DIY, try the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Crème Triple Care Permanent Hair Color in Medium Reddish Blonde.

4. Two-toned copper

If you want to experiment with a brighter shade but are wary of bleaching your entire head, consider taking this two-toned look for a spin. It features a pure copper base with lighter peach-toned highlights placed just around the face for brightness.

5. Faded copper

Faded copper is ideal for those looking for a low-maintenance way to experiment with warmer hair. This beachy hue features a light brown root with summery copper and wheat highlights blended throughout. The effect is a blonde-adjacent shade that still falls distinctly in the copper realm.

5. Dirty brown copper

Copper-colored hair doesn’t have to be vivid or bright to make a statement. We love how this toned-down take on the hue lends it an edgy vibe. If you want to stretch out the time between touchups, pair your color with shadow roots for an effortless, lived-in look. Or, recreate a similar look at home with the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Sparkling Amber.

Dark Copper Hair Colors

Copper hair doesn’t have to be bright—darker variations of the shade with richer chocolatey brown tones exist, and they’re especially flattering for those with deeper skin. Another bonus: Dark copper hair colors tend to require less maintenance than more vibrant shades (especially for natural brunettes). Keep scrolling for a look at some of our favorite takes on dark copper hair.

1. Maple brown

Take inspiration from your favorite pancake topper with this luscious shade. Maple brown features a blend of golden, bronze, and red tones for a rich and reflective take on the copper hair trend. DIY the rich look with the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Crème Triple Care Permanent Hair Color in Medium Reddish Brown.

2. Dark golden copper brown

Mixing metals—or in this case, metallic tones—is a great way to add intrigue to an otherwise classic look. Here, an espresso brown base is brightened up with warm golden-copper highlights that catch the light for a luminous, radiant effect. It’s glamorous, chic and flatters both fair and deep complexions beautifully.

3. Violet copper brown

This trendsetting shade blurs the line between maroon and copper and boasts a distinctly cool overtone. The unique combination of pigments makes for a subtle, but still eye-catching, end result.

4. Chestnut copper brown

This copper brown hair color features a warm chestnut base with fine copper highlights woven throughout. It’s a dimensional and natural-looking red shade and is the perfect option for brunettes looking to ease their way into a more fiery hue.

5. Cowboy copper brown

It wouldn’t be a proper roundup of copper hair colors without a callout to the most famous of them all: cowboy copper. This popular shade channels the inherent warmth of well-worn leather, and it’s among our favorite ways to embrace copper-colored hair. To get the look, we recommend the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Medium Copper Brown.

6. Burnished copper brown

Sleek, sophisticated, and sultry: that’s how we’d describe this rich, red-brown hue. The deep shade bridges the gap between dark brown copper hair color and cherry red, and can easily be attained at home with an at-home copper hair dye like the L’Oréal Paris Feria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Hair Color in Hot Chili.

Copper Ombré and Highlights

You don’t have to commit to an all-over color to experiment with a copper hair color. Balayage, ombré, and highlights are all great ways to incorporate this reddish hue into your existing color.

1. Copper brown balayage

If you’re a brunette who’s craving a touch of warmth, copper brown balayage might be your perfect match. This coloring technique involves hand-painting vibrant copper and rich maroon highlights onto a chocolatey base, creating a dimensional look that’s flattering for most skin tones.

2. Face-framing copper highlights

If you love a dramatic look, you might want to try out face-framing copper highlights or even a money piece. This very on-trend look is the perfect amount of edgy and takes far less time to achieve than all-over highlights.

3. Pastel copper ombré

Vivid orange-red roots gradually lighten to a pinkish-toned copper in this head-turning ombré look. It might take a while in the salon chair to achieve, but as far as we’re concerned, the final look is well worth it.

4. Burgundy copper ombré

Burgundy copper ombré takes you on a true hue journey. Deep, luxurious burgundy at the roots melts seamlessly into muted copper at the ends, creating a captivating contrast and a look that demands attention.

5. Persimmon balayage

Experiment with vibrant color without enduring a whole head of bleach with this vivid look. It starts with an espresso brown base and features bright red and peach tones woven throughout for an impactful (and playful) homage to the copper hair trend.

6. Copper sienna balayage

This technique blends warm copper highlights with a hint of rich sienna, creating dimensional and natural-looking warmth. It’s earthy, it’s alluring, and it’s a copper brown hair color to remember.

How To Care For Copper Hair

Once you achieve your dream hue, you want to ensure it stays bright and vibrant. Here are four tips to keep your color looking its best.

1. Use bonding treatments

If you had to lighten your hair to achieve your perfect copper shade, there’s a chance you may be dealing with some damage. To help repair your hair, swap out your existing haircare system for one designed to address just that.

On wash days, lather up with the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Bond Repair+ Shampoo. The citric acid-infused formula gently cleanses without stripping your color. After shampooing, replenish moisture with the coordinating L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Bond Repair+ Conditioner. Together, the duo smooths, strengthens, and conditions brittle hair while helping to repair up to a year’s worth of damage in a single use. If you’re dealing with a lot of damage, you can also pre-treat your strands with the concentrated L’Oréal Paris EverPure Bond Repair+ Pre-Shampoo Treatment, which helps repair and rebuild broken hair bonds for stronger, more resilient strands.

2. Deep condition weekly

Colored hair can be prone to dryness, and dryness can cause your color to fade more quickly than it otherwise would. To help keep your strands hydrated—and ensure your shiny new hue goes the distance—swap out your usual conditioner for the L’Oréal Paris Féria Strength Repair Ultra Care Conditioner once per week. Designed specifically for color-treated hair, this rich conditioner intensely hydrates, strengthens, and helps protect the hair—all while extending color vibrancy. To use it, shampoo as usual, then remove excess moisture and smooth a generous amount of the conditioner through your hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends. Let it sit for about two minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water and proceed with your routine as usual.

3. Minimize heat styling

Keeping heat styling to a minimum is crucial when it comes to maintaining your new copper hair color. If you do need to break out the blow dryer, be sure to protect your hair. Set it to the lowest heat setting possible and prep your strands with the L’Oreal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Moisture 21-in-1 Leave-In Conditioner. The nourishing formula smooths, hydrates, detangles, tames frizz, and helps protect against temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit to minimize heat damage during styling.

Try a glossing treatment

Color-treated hair can lose its luster over time, especially if you get a lot of sun exposure or use hot tools frequently. To help restore shine, consider adding a glossing treatment to your routine. When your hair needs a boost, reach for the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Glycolic + Gloss Shine-Boosting Shampoo and coordinating L’Oréal Paris Elvive Glycolic + Gloss Shine-Boosting Conditioner. The glycolic acid-infused pair helps laminate the hair fiber, instantly leaving your strands silky and shiny. Round out your routine with the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Glycolic + Gloss Shine-Boosting Leave-In Serum, which—when used alongside the shampoo and conditioner—leaves your hair 14 times smoother for an ultra-sleek, glassy finish.

FAQs About Copper Hair

What hair color is copper?

Copper hair is best described as a red hair color with underlying golden, orange, or brunette tones. Some variations of copper hair lean more orangey-red, while others are muted and more akin to a warm brown. The amount of red, orange, and gold pigments in your color will determine how vibrant and warm the shade reads.

Is copper a natural hair color?

Yes, some people naturally have copper hair, but it’s relatively rare—only about 2% of the global population has natural red hair, and copper is just one shade of many. It’s most common in Northern Europe, particularly Ireland, England, and Scotland.

Does copper hair dye fade fast?

Red hair colors, including copper, are notorious for fading more quickly than other hues. To keep your color vibrant, it’s a good idea to limit heat styling, shower in lukewarm (rather than hot) water, and use gentle, color-safe products in your haircare routine. You can also get a glossing treatment to help enhance color vibrancy between touch-ups (which should happen roughly every six to eight weeks).

How do you tone down copper hair?

Removing hair dye after you’ve colored it can be tricky. However, if you’re simply looking to tone down the intensity of a too-bright copper hue, try lathering up with a clarifying shampoo (specifically one that’s not designed for color-treated hair). These formulas provide a deeper, more intense cleanse than standard shampoos, and may help tone down the vibrancy of your color. If that doesn’t work, consider visiting a salon—a practiced colorist may be able to tint your hair with a demi-permanent dye to help you achieve a more muted tone.

Next Up: 27 Brown Hair Ideas for Every Skin Tone

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris