To get copper hair, match the shade to your base, prelighten if needed, and dye after a 48-hour skin test.
We’ll keep things clear, step-by-step, and friendly to first-timers today.
Copper lives between red and gold. It’s warm and eye-catching. The trick is balance. Too much red turns brassy; too much gold looks orange. This guide shows how to choose your tint, prep your canvas, pick the right developer, and keep the glow right away.
How To Get Copper Hair At Home
If you came here asking how to get copper hair, start with a plan. Map your starting shade, pick a target level, decide on demi or permanent color, and set time for patch testing. You’ll see clear steps below with simple tools you likely own already.
Copper Shade Map: Pick The Right Tone
Every copper sits on a red-gold slider. Strawberry leans soft and peachy. Classic copper sits in the middle. Ginger is vivid and spicy. Auburn adds a dose of brown. Your skin’s undertone steers the call. Cool skin loves true copper and light ginger. Warm skin shines with strawberry and cinnamon tones. Neutral skin carries them all.
| Shade Name | Undertone | Best On Starting Level |
|---|---|---|
| Strawberry Copper | Peach-gold | 7–10 (dark blonde to light blonde) |
| Classic Copper | Balanced red-gold | 6–9 (dark blonde to light) |
| Light Ginger | Bright gold with red | 8–10 (light blonde) |
| Cinnamon Copper | Warm amber | 5–7 (light brown to dark blonde) |
| Deep Auburn Copper | Brown-red | 3–5 (dark brown to light brown) |
| Rusty Copper | Burnished orange | 6–8 (dark blonde to medium blonde) |
| Rose Copper | Rosy gold | 8–10 (light blonde) |
Do You Need To Lighten First?
Natural brunettes often need lift to show copper clearly. If your hair sits at level 3–5, aim for level 6–7 before adding dye. Blonde bases can skip bleach and go straight to demi or permanent color. Pre-lightening exposes warm undertones, which play nicely with copper when toned with the right mix.
Demi Vs. Permanent For Copper
Demi uses low-volume developer and deposits tone with less shift to your natural pigment. It fades softer and is great for first-timers or shine boosts. Permanent swaps more natural pigment for dyed pigment and can lighten one to two levels with the right developer. Pick demi for a toe-dip and permanent for staying power or gray coverage.
Developer Volume Guide
Match developer to your target: 10-vol for deposit and subtle brightening, 20-vol for one level of lift and gray blending, 30-vol for two levels of lift when going from brown to bright copper. Keep sessions gentle; repeated small lifts beat one harsh jump.
Safety Steps You Shouldn’t Skip
Read the leaflet, wear gloves, and do a 48-hour skin test for every new dye or brand. The FDA hair dye safety Q&A explains labels and allergy risks. For clinical patch testing, see the AAD patch testing guidance.
Getting Copper Hair: Care For The Canvas
Copper looks best on smooth cuticles. Space out any chemical services. Deep-clean with a chelating wash one week before color if you swim or have hard water deposits. Two days before dye day, condition well and skip heavy oils so the color grabs evenly. On dye day, keep the scalp dry so natural oils add a protective buffer.
Tools And Supplies
Grab a tint bowl and brush, sectioning clips, gloves, petroleum jelly for your hairline, plastic cap, timer, and two towels. Keep a wide-tooth comb for gentle distribution and a clarifying shampoo for rinse-out day if the mix feels waxy.
Step-By-Step Application
- Section your hair into four quadrants. Start with the back panels.
- Mix color and developer per the box or tube. Set a timer for the full process time.
- Apply to mid-lengths and ends first if your roots lift fast, then come back to roots.
- Work in thin, clean slices for even saturation. Comb through gently.
- Cap and wait. Check a hidden strand at the halfway point.
- Emulsify with a splash of water at the end, then rinse until water runs clear.
- Shampoo only if the brand instructs. Finish with an acidic conditioner or gloss.
Salon Vs. Box: How To Choose
Box kits are simple and cheap, and many carry solid copper ranges. You trade some custom mixing and strand-by-strand placement. A salon offers tailored formulas, root smudge blends, and foils that keep dimension. If your hair is box-dyed dark, banded, or fragile, book a pro for lift and a controlled copper glaze.
Can I Pull Off Copper?
Yes—there’s a copper for every skin tone. The key is undertone. Cool skin loves clear, true copper and light ginger. Warm skin shines with strawberry and cinnamon copper. Deeper skin glows with auburn-rich coppers that keep depth at the root. Eyes help too: green and blue pop with classic copper; brown lights up with amber and cinnamon.
Match Shade To Your Starting Level
Level 2–4: push to level 6–7 then apply warm copper. Level 5–6: pick classic copper with 20-vol. Level 7–8: strawberry or light ginger with demi for glow. Level 9–10: micro-dose copper into a golden base to dodge peach overload.
Gray Coverage Moves
Blend sparkles with a neutral base plus copper booster. Mix a natural (N) shade with a copper (C/CG) shade at the root. Add lowlights through the crown so the finish reads rich, not flat. Refresh ends with demi copper so the mids stay glossy.
Taking An Aerosol-Free Route: Glosses And Tints
Want a soft launch? Try a copper gloss or color-depositing mask. These sit on top and fade in a few washes, so you can trial shades before a bigger change. Glosses tame frizz, add shine, and keep tone fresh between salon visits.
How To Get Copper Hair On Dark Bases Without Damage
Going from deep brown or black to bright copper needs a plan. Lift in steps with gentle developers and bond-building add-ons if your brand allows. Space sessions two to four weeks apart. Tone in stages: cinnamon first, then classic copper, then light ginger. This approach keeps fiber strength while you aim for glow, not breakage.
Correcting Brass Or Hot Roots
If roots glow too hot, edit your next mix: lower developer one step and add a dash of neutral. If mids look dull, add a gold-leaning copper refresher for five to ten minutes. Cold water rinses help seal the cuticle so light reflects cleanly.
Care Routine That Keeps Copper Bright
Copper fades faster than brown. Shield it with UV filters, cool rinses, and gentle wash habits. Stretch washes to two or three times a week. Use sulfate-free cleansers and conditioners with slip. Heat-style on low and lock in with a light oil or cream on damp hair.
Weekly And Monthly Plan
| Task | How Often | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Color-Safe Wash | 2–3× per week | Less fade, keeps moisture |
| Cool Rinse | Every wash | Seals cuticle for shine |
| UV/Heat Protectant | Before styling | Shields from color loss |
| Copper Gloss/Mask | Every 2–3 weeks | Refreshes tone |
| Bond Treatment | Weekly | Reinforces strength |
| Clarifying Wash | Monthly | Removes buildup before a gloss |
| Root Touch-Up | 4–6 weeks | Keeps shade even |
Color Formulas And Mixing Ideas
Soft Strawberry On Blonde (Level 9–10)
Mix demi 9G with a pea of 9C, 10-vol, 10–12 minutes. This lands a peachy veil that brightens skin and keeps the vibe soft.
Classic Copper On Dark Blonde (Level 7)
Blend 7C with 7G, 20-vol, 25–30 minutes. Gloss with a 7CG demi for five minutes to lock shine.
Cinnamon On Light Brown (Level 5–6)
Use 6CA with 20-vol for 30 minutes, then a quick glaze of 7C demi on mids and ends. The result reads warm and rich without skewing orange.
Common Mistakes And Fixes
Picking A Shade That Fights Your Base
Too light on a dark base can turn muddy. Step up in levels or lighten first. A quick strand test on shed hair can save time and dye.
Skipping The Allergy Test
This step guards your skin and scalp. Every brand can differ. Do the patch test 48 hours before use and follow the kit’s timing and placement guide. If redness or swelling appears, do not dye and seek care.
Over-Toning To Kill Warmth
Copper needs warmth. Ash toners strip the glow and leave beige. If you overshoot, add a copper gloss for five minutes to bring back sparkle.
How To Get Copper Hair With Dimension
Pair ribbon foils with a copper base so light pieces catch the sun. Keep a slightly deeper root melt so regrowth looks soft. Add face-frame slices one shade lighter than your base for lift near the eyes.
Budget, Timing, And Upkeep
At home, a full change runs low, and gloss top-ups are cheap. A salon visit costs more but buys precision, safe lift, and custom blends. Factor in time: a full shift from brown to copper can take two or three visits. Maintenance is quick once your shade lands—mostly root taps and glosses.
FAQ-Free Quick Recap
You asked how to get copper hair, and now you have a map: choose a tone that flatters, prep the canvas, test for allergies, apply with clean sections, and protect the finish with smart care. With the right shade and steady upkeep, copper stays bright, glossy, and head-turning.