While plenty of new hair trends come and go, there are certain cuts and colours that seem to emerge from nowhere but then steadily gain momentum—evolving and updating as the seasons change. And that’s exactly what’s happened with the copper hair trend. I pride myself on being able to sniff out even the hint of a buzzy new hair trend, and I remember noticing more and more people dyeing their hair copper a few years back.
When celebrities started jumping on board with the likes of Doja Cat and Barbie Ferreira embracing fiery hues and Kendall Jenner going copper, it certified itself as one of the hottest colours around. And it continues to dominate in 2024.
Last year saw Hailey Bieber switch her hair colour to a more pared-back cowboy copper, while more vibrant red-toned cherry coke hair went viral on TikTok. So if you’re also tempted to give it a go yourself then you’re in luck. I’ve decided to do what any good beauty journalist would do and tried the copper hair trend myself with a red—a first for me.
Ahead, I talk to experts to break down exactly what to ask for in the salon, how to maintain your colour at home, and share plenty of copper hair inspiration for your own trip to the salon.
What Is Copper Hair?
"Copper is the perfect trend for spring and summer, as it has the warmth and shine of a red shade, but it is lighter and more delicate against the skin,” says Siobhan Haug, international colour director at Toni&Guy. "So it makes it the ideal choice for this time of year when your makeup, clothes and hair all want an injection of summer sunshine.” If you’re worried about whether copper will suit your skin tone, you’re in luck. There’s a copper intensity for everybody. "The great thing about coppers is that you can add a little extra warmth or coolness to reflect every skin tone,” notes Haug. "There’s a whole spectrum to choose from. There isn’t only one shade of copper. Think copper brown, rustic copper, lighter auburn or peach.”
If you’re unsure about the vibrancy or hue you want to go for, make sure you book a consultation with your colourist, as they’ll guide you not only on the maintenance level but also on what will suit your skin and eye colour uniquely. "Copper is suitable for all,” says Matthew Evans, freelance stylist at Blushes . "It helps to make eyes pop with pale skin tones and gives a warm glow to those with more olive tones to their skin. It’s the colour that can really be as muted or as vibrant as you want it to be.”
How to Maintain Copper Hair at Home
Whilst I have tried a lighter brown and even a bronde balayage before but I’ve previously chickened out of anything in the red colour family, so I was nervous about embracing copper hair. Thankfully, though, I’m obsessed with my new colour. However, if you’re thinking of taking your hair copper, I have two words for you: colour fade.
This hue requires a lot of upkeep but in a different capacity to bleach blonde. For reds, it’s all about topping up the vibrancy—which will be naturally lost when washing, styling and exposing it to the elements—as this is what makes copper hair look super vivacious. To keep mine looking fresh I use a colour gloss conditioner every two weeks to reignite the pigment and bring the boldness and shine back to my colour.
The punchier the hue, the more upkeep it’ll require at home, so a colour-protecting haul will be necessary. "Copper can lose up to 20% of the vibrancy in the first wash, so choose your products wisely,” warns Evans. The first thing you need to do is switch your shampoo and conditioner for a duo that’s completely colour-safe. I usually opt for ones that are created by colour brands, as tone maintenance is usually at the top of the list of properties.
Along with this, Perry advises keeping a UV heat protector to hand and a weekly hair mask, too. The heat protector will ensure your colour doesn’t become dull due to sun exposure and excess heat styling, while the hair mask will stop dryness creeping in, which is especially important if you had to pre-lighten your hair to achieve your look.
The Best Copper Hair Inspiration
Sydney Sweeney's take on copper hair is muted and soft.
Hints of copper can be woven throughout hair for a more subtle take on the trend.
Barbie Ferreira brings her vibrant copper tones to life with equally striking makeup.
Zendaya's subtle copper finish is chic and wearable.
Gigi Hadid went through a copper phase a while back and it looked incredible.
Try some deeper red undertones to take your copper hair to the cherry coke side of the trend.
A bright orange-toned copper screams summer.
Going red might seem like a bold colour choice but it's surprisingly wearable.
Shop Haircare Products to Care for Your Copper Hair:
This lightweight shampoo is free from sulphates to prevent overdrying and leaves hair feeling smooth and strong. It uses a micro-emulsion technology to deeply penetrate the hair follicle for hydration that lasts.
Fortify the strength of your hair and the boldness of your colour with the signature complex in this formula. It protects against oxidation, with honey-derived humectants to provide dye protection and edelweiss flower extract to stop dryness.
This iconic pre-treatment mask is a must-have if you’ve bleached your hair before dyeing it copper. Where bleach can disrupt the structure of hair, this builds the bonds back up to enhance strength.
No time for a deep-conditioning session? This water works in just eight seconds and is great for finer hair types thanks to the lightweight lamellar technology.
Use this hair protector pre heat styling, or air-dry your hair before you head out into the sun for UVA and UVB protection. The texture is light, so you don’t have to worry about it weighing your hair down.
With red hair, you don’t have to worry about water changing your colour as much as blondes, but it can definitely look duller, quicker. This shampoo from L’Oreal stop minerals in water (especially important if you live in a city) changing your hue.
This mask works in conjunction with the shampoo to maintain a true-to-tone colour for longer between salon visits. It’s rich enough to strengthen and condition but won’t weight hair down.
I really adore these glosses by colour icon Josh Wood. The ultimate colour equation: vibrant hue plus shiny condition equals perfect at home maintenance. Make sure you use gloves though as this colour is highly-pigmented.
This mask nourishes and enhances colour thanks to the amino acid blend, apricot kernel oil and of course, the argan oil in the formula, plus it smells incredible too.
