Can I go from dark brown to copper?

Photo: Marc Piasecki/GC Images.

Based on appearances alone, colouring your hair unicorn pink or mermaid blue may seem like a magical endeavour, but it's actually pretty straightforward, especially if you're naturally brunette. Generally, the process involves spending hours lifting your dark hair to light blonde, depositing bright colour to your bleached strands, layering a gloss on top, and boom — you now look like (the cooler, grown-up version of) My Little Pony.

On the other hand, going red as a brunette doesn’t feel that simple. The colour is complex, and if your hair is naturally dark, going scarlet red (like Madelaine Petsch) or creating copper tones (like Lindsay Lohan from back in the day) may seem way out of reach. But the pros say otherwise — and not only is your lifelong dream of trying out life as a redhead actually attainable, but hours of bleaching and damage may not even be necessary to get you there.

Ahead, we asked the experts to break down everything there is to know about transforming your strands from brunette to brick red — and every shade in between.

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Gingers rejoice! Red hair of every hue and shade is all the rage this year. The hot pizzazz that is copper has got us completely obsessed. All everyone wants to know is, can you get copper hair at home?

In the world of hair colour, it’s a new and exciting trend. This golden red shade is just as beautiful as it is bold. But will it suit you?

If you’re looking to try out this look at home, there are a few things you need to know before going all-in to get the coveted bronze glow.

We’re here with everything you need to know to get the on-trend look on point!

Can I go from dark brown to copper?

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Contents

  • 1 What is copper hair colour?
  • 2 What skin tone looks good with copper hair?
  • 3 Can I pull off copper hair?
  • 4 What hair styles suit copper hair?
  • 5 Is copper hair hard to maintain?
  • 6 How can I get copper hair at home?
  • 7 Which copper hair dye should I use?
  • 8 Best copper hair dyes at a glance.
  • 9 TOP PICK!
  • 10 Garnier Olia Copper Hair Colour Permanent.
  • 11 How do you keep copper hair bright?
  • 12 Joico Colour Infusem Shampoo and Conditioner
  • 13 Catwalk by Tigi Fashionista Purple Shampoo and Conditioner.
  • 14 Parting words

What is copper hair colour?

This hot hue is one of this years most popular red hair shades right now. It’s a bold, fiery, statement colour that gets you noticed and keeps you warm from season to season.

It’s a heady mix of golden, red and orange tones that magically combine to create a soft, subtle colour with a pop of brightness.

Along with rich auburn and cool rose gold, it’s one of the most coveted hair shades this year.

Despite it’s metallic name, most natural redheads have copper tones in their hair rather than the red tones you’d expect.

Natural red hair looks more like a dark red copper-blonde than an actual vibrant red. Those kinds of red colours are thanks to the wonders of our best friends the box dyes.

It’s also a fantastic base colour for all kinds of styles. From balayage to ombre, dark roots, colour melts, hair streaks and highlights. For all kinds of hair lengths and textures too.

From the deep dark copper tones of pumpkin to the more soft and subtle peach copper shades, there’s a tone or shade for everyone.

Check out the latest looks for ideas and inspiration.

Can I go from dark brown to copper?

What skin tone looks good with copper hair?

This colour is extremely versatile but whether or not it really suits you depends on the natural colour of your skin, your eyes and your base colour to begin with.

This colour really shines on people with a lighter base colour and those with fairer skin tones will glow in the contrast it makes. With tanned and olive skin, it’ll add richness and bring out your warm undertones.

Although copper is a warm colour that will suit people with warm tones, there are ways to cool it down.

If your undertones are cool, go for darker red-brown copper shades and steer away from colours that are too light or vibrant like mango or pumpkin.

You can also blend highlights and hair streaks to tone your hair down with ashy blonde or brown colours. These will add beautiful dimension and texture too.

Use our checklist below to find out whether your undertones are warm or cool.

If you have cool undertones:

  • Your skin tone is pink or pale.
  • You blush easily!
  • Jewel and pastel colours are so your thing.
  • The colour yellow washes you out and does not look good on you.
  • You have blue not green veins in your wrist.
  • Pearls and silver jewellery look awesome on you.

If you have warm undertones:

  • You have red or golden tones in your natural hair.
  • Your skin tone is golden, tan or olive.
  • You might have freckles.
  • You have green not blue veins in your wrist.
  • You suit bright or rich shades better.
  • Gold jewellery looks awesome on you.
Can I go from dark brown to copper?

Can I pull off copper hair?

You can also take our quick quiz to find out what colours you’re most suited to! Just click the image below.

Can I go from dark brown to copper?

You can also try on some virtual hair colours with the Best hair colour changing apps you need to use in 2022

What hair styles suit copper hair?

Copper hair looks great in a variety of styles, including sleek and straight, curly or wavy.

If you have layered hair, your copper locks will look especially fab with some tousled waves or curls.

For a red carpet-worthy look, try a chic updo or half-up, half-down style.

No matter what your hair type or length, there’s a gorgeous copper hairstyle out there for you!

Copper balayage

Can I go from dark brown to copper?

Copper balayage is a fantastic way to add a touch of fiery copper to your locks.

This technique involves painting on highlights in strategic places to create a natural-looking, sun-kissed effect.

You can ask your stylist for a few face-framing highlights, or go for an all-over copper balayage.

If you’re not ready to commit, try doing a copper balayage on your natural hair color.

This way, you can add as much or as little of the fiery hue as you want.

Plus, since the highlights are painted on, they will gradually fade out over time. So if you change your mind about the look, it won’t be permanent!

Red ombré

Can I go from dark brown to copper?

Another fun way to wear copper hair is with a red ombré.

This look involves transitioning from a rich, copper hue at the roots to a brighter, more fiery shade at the ends.

You can go bright and vibrant with a pillarbox red, or more subtle and softer with deep pink rose. You can also add blonde highlights at the end for a super gorgeous firey effect.

You can ask your stylist to do a gradual ombré, or go for a more dramatic effect by making the transition closer to your mid-lengths.

Blonde highlights

Can I go from dark brown to copper?

If you have a copper base, dyed or natural, you can also add blonde highlights to create a beautiful contrast.

The blonde highlights will help bring out the red tones in your hair, and give it a multidimensional look.

Go for cool blonde shades like ash or beige to contrast the warm tones or add golden blonde and honey shades for a hot look.

Auburn lowlights

Can I go from dark brown to copper?

If you want to give your copper hair a little depth, try adding some auburn lowlights.

This will help create a more natural-looking color, and give your hair some deeper. richer shades of reddy-brown.

Shadow roots

Can I go from dark brown to copper?

One of the hottest hair trends right now is dark roots. This look involves leaving your natural hair color at the roots, and transitioning to a lighter shade towards the ends.

It’s a great way to add depth and dimension to your hair and it’s a low maintenance style that grows out beautifully.

Is copper hair hard to maintain?

Because it’s part of the red colour gang, it means, just like red hair dye, it will unfortunately fade rather quickly.

This is because the dye is made up of extra large molecules that slide out of your hair with every wash.

To keep the colour locked in, you’ll need to use specially formulated shampoos and conditioners to make the colour stay rich and vibrant for longer.

How can I get copper hair at home?

It’s always a good idea to have a chat with your hairdresser if you’re thinking of trying a new colour. They’ll be happy to help.

How well your hair will take to this shade depends on the condition it’s in, whether it’s already colour treated and other considerations, as well as what your base colour is right now.

If your base colour hair is light brown to blonde – you have a good base for darker copper colours. If you want to go lighter or achieve that ultra-bright orange/ginger colour, you’ll need to pre-lighten your hair with bleach first.

If your base colour is mid-brunette and darker – you’ll need to pre-lighten your hair with bleach first to get the right colour base.

If you’re feeling confident and fancy taking the plunge at home, you’re in luck.

There are a wonderful range of bang on-trend copper box dyes that you can buy off the shelf to achieve that perfect all over bronze sheen.

Can I go from dark brown to copper?
Can I go from dark brown to copper?

Which copper hair dye should I use?

Here are some of the best copper box dyes you can try to put some bold, bronze beauty on your bonce today!

Our TOP PICK is below but you can read more about each one in our in-depth copper hair dye reviews.

Always do a strand test to determine what the colour will look like on your hair, compared to the picture on the box. And a patch test to check for any allergies.

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Best copper hair dyes at a glance.

ProductLooks likeBest forBuy now
Schwarzkopf Live Intense Colour Hair Dye, Mango Twist. Warm tones and blending.

Check it out on Amazon >>

Garnier Olia Copper Hair Dye Permanent. Vivid, long lasting copper hair colour.

Check it out on Amazon >>

L'Oreal Preference Infinia, Mango Intense Copper Hair Dye. Super soft copper hair colour.

Check it out on Amazon >>

Garnier Nutrisse Natural Light Copper Permanent Hair Dye. Subtle copper hair colour.

Check it out on Amazon >>

Clairol Nice' n Easy Crème, Golden Auburn. Warm, golden copper hair tones.

Check it out on Amazon >>

TOP PICK!

Garnier Olia Copper Hair Colour Permanent.

They say:

  • A vivid, bright, oil-powered hair colour
  • No ammonia and a nice smell.
  • Visibly improves the quality of hair
  • Olia is all about oil that infuses and nourishes your hair.

Can I go from dark brown to copper?

Reviewers say:

“I used this hair dye along with the highlighter to lighten my hair first as it was a little too dark to begin with. What an awesome result . The colour gave my hair a glossy shine and covered all my pesky grey hairs. Love it.”

“This colour has serious staying power! I wash my hair every week and I only have to top up my hair every other month now. With other brands I was refreshing the colour every 3-4 weeks!”

“I have dark ash brown hair so I wasn’t expecting it to be too bright but it was! My hair has a lot of shine and when the sun hits it it’s so bright and glossy. I’m so pleased.”

We say:

This is a mighty vivid colour and for us it came out just like the box! We tried it on light brown hair and it’s on the orange side of orange-red and will no doubt become more orange as it washes out. 

But the natural glint and richness of the colour is stunning and it’s a warm, almost golden-orange that made our skin look glowing too. It also lasted better than the other dyes we tried.


How do you keep copper hair bright?

This colour will fade fast if you don’t look after it with the right products.

Don’t wash your hair until at least 48 hours after you dye it at home and try to wash it no more than once a week if you can get away with it.

When you do, make sure you wash only with a shampoo and conditioner specially formulated to tone metallic hues. Which one is right for you depends on whether your colour has more red or golden undertones.

For red undertones:

You want to prolong the effects of any orange brassiness with red toning shampoos and conditioners. We love these from Joico.

Joico Colour Infusem Shampoo and Conditioner

For golden undertones:

If your hair colour has golden glints to it, you need to prevent any yellow brassiness spoiling your vibe with a good purple shampoo and conditioner. We love the Catwalk range from TIGI.

Catwalk by Tigi Fashionista Purple Shampoo and Conditioner.

Once a week, give your hair a deep conditioning mask like this one we love from Coco & Eve Like a Virgin Hair Masque.

Invest in the little miracle in a bottle that is Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector to treat and strengthen your hair between hair dyeing.

And don’t forget to follow all of our top coloured hair care tips in How to look after coloured hair can keep it luscious for longer.


Parting words

If you’re looking for a natural hue to brighten up your locks, copper is the colour of the year.

You can find it in all shades and hues – from ginger-blonde highlights to orange undertones with red accents.

Some people might think that they’ll need to go see their stylist if they want this look at home, but there are actually tons of ways you can get the look without any salon trip required.

We hope this article has given you the confidence to get this gorgeous colour at home!

Does copper change your hair color?

Copper- yes, the metal- is actually the culprit. The chlorine causes a chemical reaction, leading the copper to oxidize. This oxidized metal binds to hair proteins in your blonde strands, and the copper causes a green tint to occur.

Can you go from dark brown to red?

That means going red is possible without bleach — but only if your strands are virgin. "You can do a single process using permanent dye on virgin brunette hair and it would pick up the color," Jaxcee says. On strands that are super dark, she recommends using a 30-volume developer with a customized red color mixture.

Do you need to bleach brown hair to get copper?

For a light 'true' copper, a bleached base is preferable, if you want a more auburn hue then going over your natural shade should work.

Can you go from black hair to copper?

Managing lift with deep, dark haircolor is not a simple task; don't let anyone tell you any differently. Breakage is a huge concern, but Josie Sanchez, master stylist at Dop Dop Salon in NYC, was able to transform her own hair from jet black to copper red with the help of Olaplex.