Copper Hair: Will It Suit Me? How to Preview Red and Copper Shades
Copper hair gets noticed, which is exactly why it is a big decision. It is one of the most noticeable color changes you can make, it can need lightening if your hair is dark, and red tones often fade faster than most. Before you book the appointment, it helps to know which kind of red you mean, and to see it on your own face.
Copper, Auburn or Strawberry Blonde?
"Red hair" covers a wide range. These three are among the most common requests, and they look very different on the same person:
- Auburn is a deep reddish brown: more brown than orange, and often the easiest red to reach if your hair is dark now
- Copper red is a bright, warm orange-red: the most vivid of the three and the one people notice first
- Strawberry blonde is a light blonde with a soft red-gold tint: subtle, and usually the most natural-looking on fair skin
Who Tends to Suit Copper?
Warm undertones are the classic match. If gold jewelry suits you and the veins on your wrist look greenish, copper and auburn often sit naturally with your skin. Freckles and green, hazel or warm brown eyes also tend to go well with warm reds.
Cool undertones are not ruled out. A deeper auburn, or a copper with a little brown in it, is often easier to wear than a bright orange copper. Contrast also matters: very vivid copper next to very dark brows makes a stronger statement than the same copper with softer, slightly warmer brows.
All of these are tendencies, not rules. The fastest way to find out is to see the shades side by side on your own photo. If you are still unsure about undertones, our guide to trying a new hair color before you dye it covers the basics.
Before You Go Copper: Upkeep
- Red tones usually fade faster than browns and blondes, so expect the color to soften over a few weeks
- Wash with cool or lukewarm water and use a sulfate-free shampoo; both can help slow fading
- A color-depositing conditioner or a gloss every few weeks helps keep copper bright between appointments
- Sun and chlorine can fade red quickly: a hat in strong sun and a rinse after swimming help
Going Copper From Dark Hair
On dark brown or black hair, a bright copper usually needs the hair lightened first, because permanent dye on its own usually cannot lift dark hair very far. Auburn is often reachable in one step and is a good way to test whether you enjoy wearing red. A colorist can tell you how many sessions your shade needs and whether your hair is in good enough condition for lightening.
How to Preview It
Sign in to FitInView (a free account is enough), open Hair Color, add a clear photo of yourself and pick one of ten shades. The result appears next to your original with a before/after slider, and it is saved under "Your hair colors", where you can compare shades and download them. Your first Quick preview is covered by the starter credits you get with a free account; HD and 4K versions use more credits. Only the color changes: your cut, length, parting and texture stay as they are.
Try all three reds, then Light brown or Chocolate brown for comparison. Seeing Auburn, Copper red and Strawberry blonde next to your current color usually makes the decision much easier than any chart.