30 Copper Hair Color Ideas

We seem to have a complicated relationship with red hair. While many natural red heads dislike the unique shade, blondes and brunettes spend time and money trying to get the color for themselves. One of the biggest trends in hair, copper tones in orangey-red are exploding with popularity on red carpets, runways, and your neighbourhood salon. If you’re looking to join the ranks of the copper haired, but are unsure which red hairstyle to wear, we’ve compiled 30 copper hair color ideas ranging from subtle copper highlights to vibrant, out of this world orange.

Long hair in a bright shade of penny copper is the perfect look to keep you warm in cooler fall months. A color this intense fades quickly, so be sure to support it by washing less frequently, and using cold water and a sulfate free shampoo when you do.

This pale mixture of copper and blonde results in a peachy hue that looks especially nice against fair skin tones. Copy Rachel McAdams’ style choices of neutral clothing and pink lips and cheeks to make the most of this hue.

For a look that isn’t full on copper, try this darker auburn hair with warm copper ombre at the ends. This color combination is perfect for olive skinned beauties who are looking to change their look in time for a new season.

With darker hair near the roots, Demi Lovato’s long locks cascade into a deep copper shade that gives plenty of dimension to her style. While Demi has made bold makeup and wardrobe choices in shades of red, this high impact hair will stand out even more when surrounded by softer, neutral shades.

If you’ve already jumped on the copper bandwagon, consider updating your look by adding ombre. The pictured style features an interesting contrast between bright, shiny copper hair and muted amber ends.

For women with short hair, dimensional color needs to be applied differently than the ombre and balayage techniques that are popular with longer styles. The feathery texture cut into this copper pixie is enhanced by feathered highlights on hair’s top layer, creating a brilliant copper and blonde plumage.

For a natural brunette who doesn’t want to lighten her whole head, this high contrast style features bright copper ends that really pop. If the lightening process is too damaging, a haircut can leave untouched hair behind in a bob length style.

Singer SZA took the copper plunge last year with a home dye job that resulted in this warm rust color. A big departure from her naturally black curls, this color warms up her complexion to the point that makeup hardly seems necessary.

This classic auburn hair with notes of copper throughout looks as good on farm girls with freckles as it does high fashion models. For those of us not born naturally auburn, this shade is achievable with the help of a professional stylist.

This mixture of copper and blonde makes for a high impact type of strawberry blonde, that adds a new glamorous look to formerly blonde locks like Blake Lively’s. Natural blondes have the easiest time experimenting with copper shades, because their hair doesn’t require pre-lightening before going red.

Bright copper shades can be difficult to wear with warm skin tones, and are too much of a statement for some introverted personalities. If you fall under either of those categories, try wearing a amber shade that’s more subdued but still punches up your natural hair color.

This look puts a coppery sheen over natural auburn hair, for a bright color that looks better on women with medium skin tones than bright or pale shades of copper. Isla Fisher’s styles this hair with nude lips and smoky eyes that are sexy and glamorous without overshadowing or clashing with her mane.

This brunette hair is highlighted all over with a low contrast copper shade, creating a warm Autumn palette. A departure from Mischa Barton’s usual blonde hair, these warmer tones add a maturity and softness to her look. 

If you’re interested in being mistaken for a superhero or rockstar, copy this short but bold copper style worn by singer Hayley Williams. By concentrating bright highlights at the front of the hair near the face, this copper color enhances the punky pixie cut and it’s wearers’ facial features, making you look youthful and fun with a bit of edge.