No matter the season, copper hair dye somehow always manages to make a comeback (hello cowboy copper). Honestly, can you blame us for wanting in on those fab fiery locks that we've seen everywhere lately? In our search for the best hair dyes, we've found the best copper hair dyes so you can get a salon-worthy 'do from home.
This year, we saw countless celebs embracing the copper hair trend, and hairdressers rushed off their feet trying to perfect the sought-after shade. So, if you were wondering, copper is still in, by the way. But as we know, salon appointments are still expensive - and here's how you can get the look for a lot less.
Best copper hair dyes at a glance:
Best highly rated copper hair dye: Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Color, Permanent Hair Dye - Buy on Amazon
Best glossy copper hair dye: Garnier Olia Permanent Hair Dye - Buy on Amazon
Best budget copper hair dye: Adore Shining Semi Permanent Hair Colour - Buy on Amazon
It goes without saying that while copper is in the red shade family, it actually has distinctly more orange undertones than a red hair dye. The best thing about copper hair is that it has that same vibrancy as dyed red hair that makes you stand out from the crowd. And contrary to popular belief, the right copper dye can actually be flattering on most.
If you're ready to embrace your inner redhead, but you want something a bit fierier than an auburn hair dye, then the best copper hair dye might be for you. Here are our favourite shades so you can get in on the copper hair trend we've been seeing loads of this season.
SHOP: The best copper hair dyes
Best highly rated copper hair dye
AmazonThe Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Color Permanent Hair Dye in 7.40 is Garnier's take on a vibrant copper shade. Formulated with colour boost technology, this copper dye delivers up to eight weeks of intense colour. Their five oils conditioner means the hair feels nourished and looks stronger, healthier and shinier than before.
Customer review: "I'm a natural ginger anyway but it started to lose its vibrancy and looked like a dull strawberry blonde. I bought this on a whim as the results on the box looked a bit of a brighter version of my ginger from years ago. The photo is 4 weeks after I dyed it and it's still as vibrant! Very impressed, was easy to use and the smell isn't as strong as some I've used in the past. I bought a brush and mixing pot to make the application easier and it worked amazingly. I've bought my second box ready for when my roots start coming through as I cannot fault this brand or colour at all. Definitely recommended if you're looking for a budget-friendly home kit."
Pros
- Up to eight weeks of vibrant colour
- Five oils in this conditioner restores the hair
- Cruelty-free formula
Cons
- May not work on dark hair
Best glossy copper hair dye
AmazonPowered by natural flower oils, the Garnier Olia Permanent Hair Dye offers a glossy finish with its 7.40 Intense Copper shade. Your hair will be nourished and protected against dryness using the optimal scalp comfort formula, along with hair looking shinier and healthier than before. This maximum colour performance dye contains no ammonia and is still able to give high-impact colour, even on dark hair.
Customer review: "Having had my hair professionally coloured for the past 9 years I was dubious about using this product. It lifted my roots and my colour is perfect all over, with no band around the top where my hair was dark. As with all copper colours, it never lasts long, it's one of the hardest colours to maintain but with care, my colour is as good as it was professionally done. I applied this colour with a brush and as my hair is long I used two boxes."
Pros
- High-impact and long-lasting colour
- Visibly improves hair quality
- Free from ammonia
Cons
- May need more than one box on long hair
Best budget copper hair dye
AmazonThe Adore Shining Semi Permanent Hair Colour in 38 Sunrise Orange is perfect for a refresh in between dyes or for adding a copper tone to your hair. As well as being the perfect vibrant finish, it's also a fab budget option if you're not wanting to splash the cash. It contains aloe vera to nourish the hair and soothe the scalp and is free from ammonia, alcohol and peroxide.
Customer review: "Love this! Turned a not-very-good set of blonde highlights into a gorgeous head of coppery locks. Very happy."
Pros
- Contains aloe vera to nourish hair
- Free from ammonia, alcohol and peroxide
- Fabulous value
Cons
- May be too vibrant for some
Best copper hair dye for brunettes
AmazonLightening your hair up to three levels, the Schwarzkopf LIVE Colour and Lift Permanent Hair Dye in Tangerine Twist L74 is the perfect copper shade for brunettes. While lightening your hair, it colours it at the same time with its vegan-friendly formula that's free from silicones and alcohol. So, if you if you're wanting to bite the bullet and go copper, this Schwarzkopf LIVE dye will deliver a vibrant colour that'll last. Or, if your hair is already fairly light, the shade Mango Twist 030 might just work for you.
Customer review: "I managed to lighten half of my semi-brown hair into a nice coppery red. I've been dyeing my hair long enough to take box dyes with a pinch of salt, but it's always nice to find one that results in roughly what the label says."
Pros
- Lightens hair up to three levels
- Free from silicones and alcohol
- Vegan-friendly formula
Cons
- Only advised for dark blonde and medium brown hair
Best nourishing copper hair dye
SuperdrugWe love this innovative hair dye from the Garnier Good Permanent Hair Dye range in the shade Tumeric Copper 7.43. With a similar consistency to the Garnier Ultimate Blends Hair Food Masks, this hair dye comes in a pot. Containing nourishing natural ingredients like shea butter, this vegan formula leaves hair feeling healthy, glossy and vibrant.
Customer review: "Garnier Turmeric Copper is a vibrant permeant dye. The colour of the dye lasts and left my hair feeling soft and nourished when applying the hair dye. The kit comes with everything you need to dye your hair at home and gives salon results. Overall I would recommend it to friends!"
Pros
- Permanent colour that lasts up to eight weeks
- Natural origin formula free from ammonia
- Vegan-friendly and cruelty-free
Cons
- May be a messy application
Best bond restorative copper hair dye
BootsLooking for dye with minimal damage? Schwarzkopf's Oleo Intense Permanent Oil Colour in 7-77 Copper Red uses unique HaptIQ system bonding technology that creates new micro bonds within the hair while enveloping the hair with a protective layer. Sounds fancy. The rich oil mask restores hair strength and shine with less chance of hair breakage. Not only that, but the oil within the formula boosts colour pigments to give you a vibrant, lasting colour.
Customer review: "So I have nothing but praise for this hair dye it has been my go-to for about a year now. I love the colour! It's really easy to apply, it doesn't have an overbearing smell and it feels pretty gentle on my hair. Hair feels good still after the dying process with a great colour too! I would definitely recommend if you love copper hair give it a go!"
Pros
- Uses HaptIQ system bonding technology
- Four oils mask restores the hair
- Free from ammonia
Cons
- Only advised on light to dark blonde hair
FAQs
What shade is copper hair?
Although it's sometimes used interchangeably with ginger, the difference between ginger hair dye and copper hair dye is that ginger tends to have more blonde undertones, whereas copper has more orange undertones. Ginger dyes have a much more natural result, while copper dyes appear much more vibrant.
How to keep copper hair dye from fading?
Red hair shades are some of the quickest fading in the hair dye world. But don't fear. There are ways around it, and it doesn't have to cost loads either. If your hair is in need of a refresh, it doesn't mean you have to dye it every time. You can always use colour-refreshing gloss masks or glaze masks to bring the colour back to life.
Looking for a refresh? Here are the best copper hair dye masks
Amazon
Amazon9.
Wella Professional Color Fresh Mask, Semi-Permanent Hair Dye, Hair Gloss Treatment for Copper Hair
AmazonRrp: £21.99
In the meantime, here's some tips on how to keep red hair from fading:
Switch the shampoo: Try and use products without drying chemicals like sulphates, parabens, silicones and alcohols. Not only are they bad for your hair in general, but any shampoos with harsh chemicals will also strip the colour from your hair. Using shampoo for red hair will help to maintain your colour.
Ditch the heat: Whether it's hot water in the shower or using curlers, hairdryers and straighteners - try to cut back on the heat. The use of heat not only damages your hair, but this head damage will also contribute to fading hair colour. Always use heat protectant spray!
Stay in the shade: In the same sense that artificial heat is bad for your hair, the sun can also fade your colour faster. Try and stick to the shade or wear hats when you're out in the sun. The rays will lighten your hair and can remove pigment and vibrancy.
How to remove copper hair dye?
Alternatively, you might have made the mistake of colouring your hair red, and you want to remove it. Sounds a bit like Holly Willoughby's biggest beauty mistake to us! If you're not wanting to go to the salon, in case you might be told off by your hairdresser, here are some tips for how to remove dye.
The biggest thing you can do when you're wanting to remove colour is wash your hair - and often. Using hair colour removers or shampoo for stripping hair colour will help remove any unwanted pigments on your hair. Other things, like washing your hair with baking soda, vinegar and vitamin C, are said to help with this too.
Samantha' Sam'Price is a Beauty, Fashion & Wellness Products Writer at Closer magazine. In 2021, Sam began her journey as a Storytelling Executive at Closer and heatworld on an internship, creating beauty and fashion content across these brands. It was 2022 when Sam was employed as a Commercial Content Writer writing about Family Life on Yours, Mother & Baby and Spirit & Destiny. Now, she specialises in beauty, fashion and wellness content across many brands.