PSA: Auburn hair dye is the embodiment of slay this season, and the question is, where do you find the best hair dye to make those locks so luscious? Celebs like Sophie Turner have ditched their dull ol' locks and have chosen to embrace their inner Ariel by dying their hair auburn - and we are totally here for it.
If you're looking to follow in their footsteps and give your hair a pop of colour that will radiate autumn energy to anyone within a 50-mile radius, we're here to help.
Doing a DIY hair dye job at home can seem daunting, especially when you aren't an expert. But we get it - hopping on Amazon and scouring out some box dye is tempting when it's in the name of beauty. And who can blame us when there are so many options for us to explore when it comes to hair dying (read: purple hair dye).
In a hurry? Here's our best auburn hair dye at a glance:
Editor's Choice: Garnier Nutrisse Permanent Hair Dye - View offer on LookFantastic
Best semi-permanent auburn hair dye: Bleach London Proper Copper Super Cool Colour - View offer on LookFantastic
Best smelling auburn hair dye: L'Oreal Paris Preference Intense Copper Auburn Hair Dye - View offer on Superdrug
If you're looking to embrace a change and want to skip the salon appointment, we have your back. We spoke to DIY hair expert Blanca Aguirrezabal, founder of home improvement site The Blog Stuff, who gave us all the tips and tricks you need before you venture into the world of hair dying. Take a look at our top auburn hair dye picks that are hot on the market RN. Your red hair era awaits, and now all you need to do is purchase a shampoo for red hair to ensure the colour stays and doesn't fade.
SHOP: The best auburn hair dye
Editor's choice
www.lookfantastic.com
This auburn hair dye by Garnier hits a home run when it comes to quality. With its deeply nourishing formula that guarantees up to eight weeks of anti-dryness, your hair will look amazing without having to sacrifice its health.
Pros
- Range of colours
- Deeply nourishing
Cons
- Appling can be messy
| Type: | Cream |
| Wait time: | 25-35 mins |
Best smelling auburn hair dye
www.superdrug.com
This L'Oreal Paris auburn hair dye is perfect for those of us who are wanting to dye our hair but are worried about the dreaded smell. With an improved fragrance and added High Shine Elixir to ensure that your hair will be silky soft, there is no doubt that this dye will give you the salon experience without the salon price.
Pros
- New fragrance
- Contains high shine elixir
Cons
- Longer and thicker hair may require two boxes
| Type: | Cream |
| Wait time: | 30 mins |
Best semi-permanent auburn hair dye
www.lookfantastic.com
This hair dye is perfect if you're looking to test the waters on your hair dye endeavours. Bleach London's semi-permanent hair dye will last between three and 30 washes and will nourish your hair while you colour. Comes with a reincarnation mask for some hair care TLC.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Lasts up to 30 washes
- Comes with a deeply nourishing 'Reincarnation' hair mask
Cons
- Won't last as long as permanent dye
| Type: | Conditioner |
| Wait time: | 30 mins |
Best auburn hair dye for grey coverage
www.boots.com
Clairol is one of the OG's when it comes to hair, so it would be criminal to miss it off this list. With its oil-infused formula, you can rest assured that this Nice'n Easy hair dye will be gentle on your hair and scalp. Amazing.
Pros
- Targets grey hair
- Oil infused formula
Cons
- May smell stronger than others
| Type: | Cream |
| Wait time: | 25 - 40 mins |
Best long-lasting auburn hair dye
www.lookfantastic.com
Another one from L'Oreal, except this one comes with no ammonia, which means no strong smells. This hair dye comes with L'Oreal's new goji conditioner, meaning that your hair will not only look fantastic but feel fantastic, too.
Pros
- Smooths hair
- Comes with the new goji berry-infused conditioner
- no ammonia
- no harsh smells
Cons
- Dye takes longer to come out, according to some reviewers
| Type: | Cream |
| Wait time: | Less than 30 mins |
Best eco-friendly auburn hair dye
This Infuse My Colour Copper Shampoo is perfect for those of us who are looking to spice up our existing hair colour. The best thing about this product is that you can choose the intensity of the colour, so whether you're fully committed or want a trial run, this product is great for you. It's 100 per cent vegan, too!
Pros
- Can be used for a quick hair change
- No commitment to the colour
- Customisable intensity of the final shade
Cons
- Colour won't last as long as it is not a proper hair dye
| Type: | Shampoo |
| Wait time: | Under 30 mins |
Choosing the right hair dye
"Finding the right hair dye that won't cause damage to your hair is very important, and some hair dye brands don't offer the best quality dye in their hair dye kits", explains Blanca.
"It's also important to take into account your natural hair colour, the desired effect you want to achieve, and whether you want a permanent or temporary change.
"You need to determine what level of maintenance you're willing to commit to as well. Are you okay with touch-ups every six to eight weeks? Or are you looking for something that will last a bit longer" Blanca continues. Sometimes, using root touch up powder as a pick-me-up isn't everyone's cup of tea.
Preparing your hair
Prepping your hair a few days before the big day is very important in ensuring that you get the best results, says Blanca.
"When applying box dye or hair toners to your hair, it is important not to pre-wash the hair as doing so can strip away the natural oils that protect the scalp. Without these oils, the scalp can become irritated, and the dye may not take evenly", she says.
You may also want to test any dyes on a small area of skin, such as behind your ear, before you apply it to your scalp.
Blanca also recommends protecting your skin around the hairline and ears with Vaseline (£3.75) to avoid any staining or further irritation.
Emma Richardson is a Beauty & Fashion Products Writer for Closer. She covers shopping, lifestyle, celebs and anything trending.