Be still our beating hearts, we’re here to talk about copper hair. This on-trend color is everywhere. It’s a shimmering red-orange hue that looks gorgeous with any style in any season. But which is the best copper hair dye right now?
In case you didn’t already know, this is the most in-demand hair color of the moment.
Copper locks look amazing, but it can be hard to find a good quality at-home dye if you’re not sure what shade would suit your skin tone and style. That’s where we come in!
Our expert team has found five of our favourite hair dyes for you to choose from so that you can get the look without paying salon prices!
In Copper hair | How to get the beautiful bronze look at home, we told you all you need to know to find out if this really is the color for you.
Now we’re here with our favourite copper hair dyes to help you get the look!
Read on for our list of best shimmering hair dyes and see which one suits you best!
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Table of Contents
- 1 TOP PICK!
- 2 Garnier Olia Copper Hair Dye Permanent.
- 3 What color is copper hair?
- 4 Which are the best copper hair dyes?
- 5 Best copper hair dyes at a glance.
- 6 #1 Schwarzkopf Live Intense Color, Mango Twist.
- 7 #2 L’Oreal Preference Infinia, Mango Intense.
- 8 #3 Garnier Olia Copper Dye Permanent.
- 9 #4 Garnier Nutrisse Light Natural Copper Permanent Dye.
- 10 #5 Clairol Nice’ n Easy Crème, Golden Auburn.
- 11 #6 MANIC PANIC TIGER’S EYE HAIR DYE
- 12 #7 ARCTIC FOX, SUNSET ORANGE
- 13 #8 Clairol Nice’n Easy Permanent Hair Dye, Medium Copper Blonde Hair Color
- 14 TOP PICK!
- 15 Garnier Olia Copper Dye Permanent.
- 16 Buyer’s guide: How to choose the right copper hair dye for you.
- 17 How to dye your hair at home.
- 18 Best copper hair dyes FAQs
- 19 Can I dye my hair copper at home?
- 20 Do I need to bleach my hair to get copper?
- 21 Will copper color fade fast?
- 22 How do I care for copper hair?
- 23 Parting words.
TOP PICK!
Garnier Olia Copper Hair Dye Permanent.
Best for: Vivid, long lasting copper color.
This is a mighty vivid color and for us it came out just like the box! The natural glint and richness of the copper shade is stunning.
It’s a warm, almost golden-orange that made our skin look glowing too. It also lasted better than the other brands on this list. This is the best copper hair color for us.
Pros
- Vivid color that looks like the box
- Gives hair a glossy shine
- Great coverage for pesky greys
- Lasts longer than other brands
- Warm, golden orange tone with natural glint and radiance
Cons
- Can be too bright on dark ash brown hair (though it still gives great results)
What color is copper hair?
Copper is part of the metallic trend of colors that include silver and golden shades like strawberry blonde.
It’s a heady mix of golden, red and orange tones that are verging on ginger.
Brighter than auburn hair or amber hair and spicier than red hair or ginger hair, it’s a rich, bronze color that is loved for its warm base of yellow, gold and orange shades that suit practically everyone – warm or cool skin tones alike.
All you need to do is find the right copper hue for you.
Check out the latest looks over on our Copper hair Pinterest Board for ideas and inspiration.
Which are the best copper hair dyes?
Here are some of the top box dyes you can try to put some shimmery, bronze beauty on your hair today!
Always do a strand test first to determine what the color will look like on your hair.
Best copper hair dyes at a glance.
| Product | Looks like | Best for | Buy now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schwarzkopf Live Intense Colour Hair Dye, Mango Twist. |   | Warm tones and blending. | |
| L'Oreal Preference Infinia, Mango Intense Copper Hair Dye. |   | Super soft copper hair colour. | |
| Garnier Olia Copper Hair Dye Permanent. |  | Vivid, long lasting copper hair colour. | |
| Garnier Nutrisse Light Natural Copper Permanent Hair Dye. |   | Subtle copper hair colour. | |
| Clairol Nice' n Easy Crème, Golden Auburn. |   | Warm, golden copper hair tones. | |
| MANIC PANIC Tiger's Eye Hair Dye |   | Making a statement with bold copper colors | |
| Arctic Fox Sunset Orange |   | A subtle yet vibrant orange shade | |
| Clairol Nice'n Easy Permanent Hair Dye, Medium Copper Blonde |   | Copper blonde with warm undertones. |
#1 Schwarzkopf Live Intense Color, Mango Twist.
Features & ingredients:
- A fiery tone with perfect depth.
- This has a built-in ‘vibrancy serum’ with ingredients containing vitamins and oils.
- Stunning shine.
- Paraben-free
- Up to 70% grey hair coverage.
Reviewers say:
“My natural hair is auburn but I love going even more vibrant with this dark copper dye.
You can see all the different shades over my natural hair. Would definitely recommend it.”
“This color definitely has the wow factor. It looks super natural and compliments my fair complexion so much! Will be using it again for sure!”
“This is the best dye I’ve tried with so far. I’ve tried L’Oreal and Garnier and none compare to this. You should believe the great reviews guys!”
Our experience:
We were most excited about trying this color if only for the name of it!
We tried it on light blonde hair that has recently been balayaged. It was easy to apply and we left it on for 30 mins as recommended.
At first, the color was epic. It gave a bright orange hue to our lightest strands and blended well into the rest of our hair to provide an even coverage.
After the first two washes, the color started to fade quite fast but to a lovely light auburn. Good reason to stock up.
Best for: Warm tones and blending.
#2 L’Oreal Preference Infinia, Mango Intense.
Features & ingredients:
- From the experts in fade-defying hair color.
- For show-stopping gorgeous color.
- The powerful direct dyes in the Color Extender help keep your color look more beautiful, for longer.
- Fade resistant.
Reviewers say:
“This shade is absolutely gorgeous. The depth of color is lovely.
The color extender it comes with is fantastic for brightening the color back up in between dyes. In summary, I love it!”
“This made my hair have a brilliant, rich color.
Sadly as with all reds it faded but no quicker than others and in line with my expectations. Hair felt in really good condition after using it too.”
“Love this hair dye. So easy to apply and left my hair looking healthy without any sign of dryness or frizz. I’d recommend it to anyone.”
Our experience:
This one gave our hair a metallic shine and lustre.
We used it on pre-lightened hair which really does the trick if you want to achieve a vibrant color.
This one was the number one for leaving our hair in great condition.
It was very dry after lightening but after leaving this in for 40 mins and then conditioning with the lovely smelling conditioner, our new shimmering hair felt lovely and soft.
Best for: Super soft copper color.
#3 Garnier Olia Copper Dye Permanent.
Features & ingredients:
- A vivid, bright, oil-powered hair color
- Ammonia-free and a nice smell.
- Visibly improves the quality of hair
- Olia is all about oil that infuses and nourishes your hair.
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 color gave my hair a glossy shine and covered all my pesky grey hairs. Love it.”
“This color 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 color 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.”
Our experience:
This is a mighty vivid color 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 radiance of this tone is stunning and it’s a warm, almost golden-orange that made our skin look glowing too. (If you have a fair skin tone, this one is for you).
It also lasted better than the other brands on this list.
Best for: Vivid, long lasting copper color.
#4 Garnier Nutrisse Light Natural Copper Permanent Dye.
Features & ingredients:
- Long lasting hair color performance
- Rich color, silky, shiny hair
- Intensely nourishes and protects against hair dryness for up to eight weeks.
- Fresh, fruity fragrance.
Reviewers say:
“After I had used this, I had lovely comments from friends who said it looks so natural!
My hair was in really good condition. It’s easy to use and apply and the color is radiant!”
“Lovely tones in the copper color. Would use this again.”
“This hair dye went on very easily and the dark copper hair and metallic color is rich and left my hair feeling very soft.”
Our experience:
We tried this one on light brown dyed hair.
After washing it out, the bronze tones are really subtle and the color wasn’t as vibrant as we would’ve liked.
It’s more reddish than orangey-golden hues but it’s still a rich, deep color.
This is a dark hue and a great product if you want to ease into copper gently or just try it out. Our hair felt really smooth too.
Best for: Subtle copper color.
#5 Clairol Nice’ n Easy Crème, Golden Auburn.
Features & ingredients:
- A natural looking permanent hair color
- A blend of three tones.
- Highlights and conditioners at every step.
- Cruelty-free
- Nice’n Easy Crème is gentle on hair and scalp due to its oil infused color.
Reviewers say:
“I usually have highlights but been thinking about going slightly darker for a while so thought I’d try this color.
It left my hair feeling lovely and soft and it was easy to brush afterwards which pretty much never happens!”
“It colored my hair really well from root to tips including the unsightly greys I had around my temples.”
“This didn’t dye my scalp as a lot of others do! My hair looks healthy and bouncy. The color is vibrant and I felt like I had it done at the salon.”
Our experience:
Nice n Easy certainly is and although this doesn’t say ‘Copper’ on the box, that’s the color you’ll get.
We used this on a dark blonde/caramel hair color base and the results were a gorgeous, soft hue with golden undertones.
After a couple of washes, the dye has begun to fade to yellow, but this isn’t anything a good purple toning shampoo and conditioner can’t fix until the next coloring treatment.
Best for: Warm, golden copper tones.
#6 MANIC PANIC TIGER’S EYE HAIR DYE
Features & ingredients:
- A fiery copper-brown shade for a fierce and dramatic look.
- Semi-permanent, vegan hair dye that lasts up to 8 weeks with proper care.
- Classic high-intensity color with intense pigments that won’t fade fast.
- No bleach needed for this one!
Reviewers say:
“This color is beautiful! I was looking for something a bit cooler than the usual red tones and this is perfect. The color stayed vibrant for several weeks even after washing it multiple times.”
“I’m so glad I tried this out because it gave such an amazing glow to my hair! It’s definitely not subtle but I love making a statement with some bold colors!”
Our experience:
For all you tigers out there, we’ve got something special for you! MANIC PANIC Tiger’s Eye Hair Dye is the perfect balance between fiery and subtle.
It gave our light brown hair a fierce copper-brown hue but be warned – we did have some color transfer on our pillows!
It fades with time but still manages to last up to 6 weeks with proper care. No need for bleach either – just apply it directly on your hair and let the magic happen.
Best for: Making a statement with bold copper colors.
#7 ARCTIC FOX, SUNSET ORANGE
Features & ingredients:
- A sweet sunset orange hair shade with a blended blend of tangerine and pink tones.
- Eemi-permanent
- Vegan and cruelty-free formula
- Lasts up to 8 weeks.
Reviewers say:
“I have been using this color for the past 2 months and it still looks amazing. I love how vibrant the shade has stayed even after washing my hair multiple times!”
“This dye gave me the exact hue I was looking for – a bold but subtle orange that’s perfect for summer!”
“3 of my friends have already bought this dye since they’ve seen this hair color on me.”
Our experience:
If you’re looking for something more natural but still bold and statement making, ARCTIC FOX Vegan Hair Dye is the perfect choice.
This semi-permanent dye will give you a sunset orange hue that looks amazing and won’t damage your hair. It hasn’t lasted as long as some of the others on the list, but out hair felt soft and in good condition after using it so that’s worth a lot.
Best for: A subtle yet vibrant orange shade.
#8 Clairol Nice’n Easy Permanent Hair Dye, Medium Copper Blonde Hair Color
Features & ingredients:
- This permanent dye offers natural looking blonde with copper tones.
- The formula contains conditioners that leave your hair feeling softer and shinier.
- Covers 100% of grays with complemenatary highlights and lowlights for an authentic look
Reviewers say:
“I’ve been using this color for a few months now and the subtle copper tones look so nice in my naturally dark hair.”
“My hair looks healthier since I started using this dye – it’s less dry and much more manageable.”
“The blonde is really natural looking, not too bright or brassy at all!”
Our experience:
If you’re looking to add some subtle warmth to your blonde, Clairol Nice’n Easy Permanent Hair Dye is a great option.
It’s the second Nice n Easy on the list and gets a special mention as it’s a great copper hair dye for blondes.
It will add copper tones and leave your hair looking shinier and healthier with every use. It also had great gray coverage, especially at the roots.
Best for: Copper blonde with warm undertones.
TOP PICK!
Garnier Olia Copper Dye Permanent.
Best for: Vivid, long lasting copper color.
This is a mighty vivid color and for us it came out just like the box! The natural glint and richness of this shade is stunning.
It’s a warm, almost golden-orange that made our skin look glowing too.
It also lasted better than the other brands on this list. This is the favourite hair dye for us.
Buyer’s guide: How to choose the right copper hair dye for you.
Copper hair dye is a great way to add a pop of color and spice up your style. But with so many different shades of copper, how do you know which copper hair dye is the right one for you?
Here’s a buyer’s guide with everything you need to consider when picking out the perfect copper hue for your next look.
Hair Type and Texture
Is your hair thick or thin? Straight or curly? Hair porosity matters too.
Knowing the details of your hair will help you pick the best formula of dye that will work with your strands to give you the best coverage and color.
For example, if you have thick, curly hair, look for formulas specifically designed for thicker textures and more resistant locks, as this will ensure that the color lasts longer.
Skin Tone
When choosing a new shade, keep in mind that certain colors may look better against certain skin tones than others.
If you have cool undertones (think pink-ish), then opt for cooler shades of copper such as bronze or rose gold.
If you have warm undertones (think yellow-ish), then go for warmer shades like red or orange.
Semi-Permanent vs Permanent hair dye
When choosing a new color, it’s also important to keep in mind whether you want semi-permanent or permanent results.
Semi-permanent dyes are perfect if you just want to try out a temporary color without committing long-term; these formulas last anywhere from 4–6 weeks before fading out completely.
Permanent dyes offer longer lasting results—anywhere from 6–8 months or even longer—but they require more maintenance and upkeep as they grow out over time.
So think about which style works best with your lifestyle before making any decisions!
Strand Test
This is an essential step no matter what kind of dye you’re using!
Before committing to the full application process, always perform a strand test by applying just a bit of the product on a small section of hair at the back of your head or near the nape of your neck (just make sure it’s not visible!).
Wait 24 hours before making any decisions—this allows enough time for any reactions or sensitivities to surface before fully dying all over!
Finally, make sure that before applying any type of permanent dye, always do a patch test first! This will ensure that there are no adverse reactions between the product and your skin prior to full application—especially if you have sensitive skin.
To do this, mix some of the product according to instructions on the box and apply it on a small area of skin behind your ear using cotton swab; wait 48 hours and observe for any signs of irritation such as redness or itching before going ahead with coloring your head!
How to dye your hair at home.
Best copper hair dyes FAQs
Can I dye my hair copper at home?
How well your hair will take to copper hair dye depends on the condition your hair is in, and the color your hair is now.
If you have dark hair – so mid-brown and darker, you can this shade to put richness and depth into your hair. To get brighter tones, you’ll need to lighten your hair first as color cannot lift color.
If you have light hair – so light brown and blonde, you can achieve a gorgeous bright shade but make sure you refer to the guides on the sides of the box dye to pick the right shade for you.
Do I need to bleach my hair to get copper?
While bleach may seem like the answer to achieving that gorgeously rich copper color, it’s not always necessary.
It really depends on your starting hair color – if your hair is already a light blonde or lighter, you may be able to skip the bleach step.
However, if your hair is a darker color like black hair or brunette, a bit of bleaching might be necessary to get the copper shade you’re after.
Ultimately, it’s best to consult with a professional hairstylist or colorist to determine the best course of action for your specific hair type and color.
But don’t worry, whether you bleach or not, copper hair is a stunning look that’s sure to turn heads!
Will copper color fade fast?
Because it’s part of the red color gang, it means, just like all red hair colors and red hair dyes, it will unfortunately fade quicker than other hair dye colors.
This is because red dye is made up of extra large molecules that slide out of your hair with every wash.
Copper highlights, copper balayage and any light copper color will be more high maintenance and need touching up every 4-6 weeks.
But if copper is close to your natural hair color, you can get up to 10 weeks of shimmery shine until you’ll need to top it up and refresh your color.
To keep the color locked in, you’ll need to use specially formulated shampoos and conditioners to make the color stay rich and vibrant for longer.
And don’t forget to follow all of our top colored hair care tips in How to look after colored hair can keep it luscious for longer.
How do I care for copper hair?
Just like any hair color, copper needs some love and care to keep it looking its best.
First things first, make sure you’re using a shampoo and conditioner that’s specifically designed for colored hair.
This will help keep your copper color looking fresh and vibrant.
If you’re someone who loves to do a lot of heat hairstyling, make sure you’re using a heat protectant spray to prevent damage and fading.
And finally, don’t forget about regular trims to keep those split ends at bay, depending on your hair cut.
With a little bit of love and care, you can rock that gorgeous copper hair all day, every day!
Parting words.
Copper hair color has become one of the hottest trends in recent years—and we can understand why!
From warm rose golds to bright oranges, there are so many stunning shades to choose from that’ll help level up your look in no time at all.
So whether you’re considering semi-permanent or permanent dyes, remember these tips when shopping around—your perfect copper hue awaits!
