How To Find Your Perfect Auburn Hair Color

Scroll through your TikTok or Instagram feed, and you’ll likely spot someone—whether a friend, celebrity, or influencer—with auburn hair. This flattering hue bridges the gap between bright red and a mid-toned brunette, and can be made darker, lighter, warmer, or cooler, depending on the pigments used.

If you’re toying with the idea of trying a red hair color, auburn—with its muted, versatile warmth—is often a great place to start. Ahead, we’ll explain how to find the best auburn hair color to complement your complexion, introduce you to our favorite auburn hair dyes, and reveal how to update your routine to keep your fiery new shade looking vibrant and healthy.

What Color Is Auburn Hair?

Auburn is a reddish-brown hair color with a rich brunette base and warm red, amber, or copper tones throughout. The shade can range from deep and muted to light and bright, depending on the balance of brown and red tones. The most classic version of the hue sits squarely between brown and red, with a warm but not overly vivid reddish cast reminiscent of cinnamon.

Auburn hair vs. copper hair

Auburn and copper hair can look similar, but they’re not quite the same shade. Auburn hair has a brown base with warm red or copper reflects, while copper hair leans more orange or golden. As a result, auburn hair generally has a deeper, more muted finish, while copper tends to be brighter and more vivid.

7 Stunning Auburn Hair Color Ideas To Try

Though auburn hair is often worn as a mid-toned reddish brown, the shade encompasses several hues, from deep, rich reds to bright, fiery copper tones. Below, we’re sharing some of our favorite takes on the dimensional shade.

1. Dark auburn

If you’re a natural brunette seeking a noticeable—but not overly dramatic—change, try dark auburn. This rich hue blends a chocolatey brown base with prominent cherry red overtones, creating a vibrant hue that stands out but still feels wearable. If you’re comfortable with at-home coloring, you can get the look with the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Dark Auburn. The at-home color kit is suitable for light to dark brown hair and delivers 100% gray coverage for seamless results from root to tip.

2. Medium auburn brown

Medium auburn brown strikes the perfect balance between vivid and soft. The in-between hue features a soft, reddish-brown base brightened up with muted crimson tones woven throughout. In low lighting, it appears similar to chestnut, but sunlight helps bring out the hue’s natural vibrancy. To get the look, we recommend the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Medium Auburn Brown.

3. Light auburn brown

Light auburn brown sits at the junction of golden brown and copper, with a rich, almost bronzy cast that flatters fair skin especially well. Because this color is on the lighter end of the spectrum, it’s best suited for those starting with dark blonde or light brown hair. If your natural hair is darker, you’ll need to pre-bleach your strands before applying hair dye. As for which dye to use, we’re partial to the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Crème Triple Care Permanent Hair Color in Light Auburn, which is infused with hyaluronic acid to help hydrate your strands while it colors.

4. Lightest auburn

This light, bright variation of auburn is vivid, vibrant, and well-suited for those who like to stand out. Featuring bold orange and gold overtones, it’s reminiscent of an autumnal pumpkin spice hair color, but with a brighter and warmer overall tint. To DIY the look, try the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Lightest Auburn, which delivers up to nine weeks of rich, fade-defying color and shine.

5. Medium reddish blonde

If you’re a natural blonde who prefers to stick closer to your roots (pun intended), skip the auburn browns and opt for a warm auburn blonde instead. This summery hue pairs a golden blonde base with soft copper, peach, and apricot tones. Unlike more vivid auburn shades, this strawberry-adjacent color feels soft and natural, similar to the way a natural redhead’s hair can lighten in the sun. To recreate the beachy hue at home, snag the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Crème Triple Care Permanent Hair Color in Medium Reddish Blonde.

6. Natural copper auburn

It’s easy to assume that copper hair—with its warm, reddish-orange tint—is best suited to warm skin tones. But this vibrant shade is more versatile than you might expect. When balanced with a neutral brown base, copper can read more neutral than fiery, making it a flattering option for a range of complexions. The key is to choose a dye that doesn’t lean overly warm. We’re fond of the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme Universal Nudes Ammonia-Free Permanent Hair Color in Natural Copper, which blends neutral and cool tones with iridescent pigments to create a more balanced copper hue that complements a variety of skin tones.

7. Warm copper auburn

Seeking a warmer, spicier hue? Warm copper auburn will be right up your alley. This nutty hue blends cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg tones throughout a muted reddish-brown base, creating a cozy color that flatters fair and deep skin equally well. Get the dimensional color for yourself—no salon visit needed—with the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Spiced Copper.

How To Choose The Best Auburn Hair Color for Your Starting Shade

You can embrace whatever auburn shade you love, but your starting hair color matters. Depending on your current shade, you may need more than one coloring session to achieve your desired result, and your base level can also affect how the color looks once it’s applied.

If your starting color is dark brown or black

If you have dark brown or black tresses and want to go auburn without lightening your hair first, opt for a deeper shade with rich red, mahogany, or chestnut tones. These shades add warmth to your natural color without requiring bleach or other lightening. For lighter or brighter shades, a pre-coloring bleach session (or several) may be necessary.

If your starting color is light to medium brown

Light to medium brown hair is the ideal canvas for auburn hair. Depending on your desired result, you can experiment with shades ranging from deeper reddish-browns to brighter, warmer auburns. Because your starting color is already relatively close to auburn, you may have more options for achieving your desired shade in a single application.

If your starting color is blonde

Blonde and lightened hair can make red pigments appear especially vivid, particularly when the hair is porous from previous coloring or chemical treatments. The lighter your starting shade, the brighter your auburn may look. If you’re after a natural result, opt for a soft strawberry blonde or light auburn. But if vibrant is more your style, that pale base makes an ideal canvas for brighter shades like copper and orange-red.

The Complete Auburn Hair Color Chart

Still need help identifying your perfect auburn hue? Below, we’re sharing a chart that details every variation of this warm shade, along with recommendations based on your base color and skin tone.

How To Dye Your Hair Auburn at Home

The process for dyeing your hair auburn at home can vary depending on your starting color, hair condition, and the formula you’re using. That said, you can generally expect the process to involve testing the color, applying it evenly, allowing it to process, then rinsing and conditioning. Read on for a breakdown.

1. Perform a strand test: We always recommend testing your chosen hair dye on a small, hidden section of hair before coloring your entire head. This allows you to see how the shade will look on your current hair color and helps you determine whether you need to pre-lighten your strands to achieve your desired result.
2. Section and apply: When you’re ready to begin coloring, divide your dry, unwashed hair into four (or more) sections and apply the color according to the package directions. Usually, this means starting at the roots and working the color through the lengths and ends, making sure each section is evenly saturated.
3. Process: Once you’ve finished working the dye throughout your mane, allow the color to process for the amount of time specified on the box. This can vary from formula to formula, so be sure to read the instructions carefully and set a timer to avoid over- or under-processing your hair.
4. Rinse and condition: When the timer goes off, rinse your hair with lukewarm water until the water runs clear. Then, apply a post-coloring conditioner (most at-home coloring kits come with one in the box). Let it sit for one to five minutes, or as directed on the package, then rinse again and let your hair air-dry before assessing your vibrant new hue.

How To Keep Your Auburn Hair Color Luminous and Vibrant

Red hair colors tend to fade faster than other shades because red dye molecules are larger and can wash out more easily. To help your auburn hair stay vibrant and shiny, use color-safe haircare, limit how often you wash your hair, and protect it from heat when styling.

1. Use a color-safe haircare system

After dyeing your hair, we recommend switching to a color-safe shampoo and conditioner, as standard formulas can dull your vibrant new color. One pair we love for color-treated hair is the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Repair+ Shampoo and coordinating L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Repair+ Conditioner. The duo gently cleanses and conditions color-treated hair while helping to reinforce damaged hair bonds from the inside out, leaving your strands stronger, smoother, and healthier-looking with each wash.

2. Shampoo less frequently

Washing your hair less frequently can help preserve your auburn color, so consider extending the time between wash days when possible. If you find that your roots get greasy between washes, reach for a dry shampoo to help absorb excess oil and refresh your mane. We recommend the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Collagen Peptide + Lifter Big Fresh Volumizing Shampoo, which sprays on easily with no powdery residue.

3. Limit heat styling

Heat styling, like hot water, can strip your strands of moisture and make your color appear dull or flat. To help preserve your new hue, we advise taking a break from heat styling whenever possible. If you absolutely must blow-dry (or flat iron, or curl) your hair, be sure to prep it well with a quality heat protectant, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Bond Repair+ Oil-in-Serum. This lightweight leave-in smooths, softens, boosts shine, and helps shield against temperatures up to 450^oF.

Next Up: 11 Flattering Ways To Rock Dark Red Hair

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris