Copper hair can be an ideal look for brunettes and redheads as its undertones complement their natural pigmentation, but blondes can also benefit from rocking this trend with frequent touch-ups using moisture-rich shampoos and conditioners.
Pair cowgirl copper with a sleek super short bob for an updated look, its fiery tones highlighted by chic open bangs.
Warm Tones
At last fall, everyone was dyeing their hair red, while this season is all about the grungier cowgirl look inspired by the Western frontier. Cowgirl copper, the latest hair trend sweeping beauty TikTok is an earthy mixture of brown, spicy copper and auburn hues to produce an earthy tone perfect for many skin tones.
Julie Kleine of Colorswithchemistry provides color theory expertise. According to Julie, copper has an elegant balance of warm brown tones that makes it more suitable for brunettes than orange-y true copper shades, and flatters all skin tones.
Paul Labrecque of Paul Labrecque Salon and Skincare Spa advises Bustle that red tint is an easy way for brunettes to transition without going through an intensive lightening session, as well as providing blondes with an added soft glow and sun-lightened effect. However, blondes may also benefit from using this technique on ombre ends for added effects of sunlight highlighting.
Multi-Toned Highlights
Copper hues are extremely adaptable and can easily be tailored to any hair color, texture, and style. A sandy copper brown shade offers brunettes an appealing warm yet subdued alternative to more intense copper tones which may appear too orange on some complexions.
Copper tones look stunning on both blonde and dark locks, offering blondes looking to test out this trend without making a full commitment, an excellent semi-permanent solution is Redken Shades EQ Gloss that provides light coppery hues with ease.
Maintaining cowgirl copper hair color requires frequent salon appointments and the use of color-preserving products like sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners, to help preserve it. To help avoid hair color fading, suggest Redken’s Heat Shield heat protectant which provides up to 230 degrees of protection while sealing cuticles for color protection. For optimal color retention, wash in cool water rather than hot, as warmer temperatures cause expansion and can speed up fade rate.
Natural Tones
Cowgirl copper is an approachable yet subtle hue that works well on all skin tones, thanks to its delicate balance of brown and copper tones. It makes an attractive look for both brunettes and redheads alike; Tom Smith, hairdresser and Olaplex Ambassador recommends it even as an option for blondes.
He suggests using balayage or foiling techniques to seamlessly blend copper and brown tones for an even, sun-kissed effect. Furthermore, it’s key to use color-preserving shampoo and treatments on your locks and avoid hot water when washing as this swells the cuticle and causes faster fading of hue.
If you’re thinking of giving the trend a try, it’s advisable to consult a colorist with experience working with it, particularly if your base color is lighter. Your desired result may require multiple salon visits before reaching completion; picture samples of what you want could help your colorist understand your vision more quickly and ensure you receive what is desired from their services.
Rich Tones
Are you ready for an exuberant change from the prim-and-proper horse girls that dominated our Instagram feeds this fall? Look no further than cowgirl copper, an understated alternative to vibrant red that will complement all complexions and hair lengths beautifully.
Emily Ratajkowski and Nicola Coughlan both rocked this shade, which blends brunette, bronde, and copper tones into a deep brown finish resembling leather. As celebrity colorist and Olaplex ambassador Min Kim tells TZR: it results in subtle yet natural copper hues which provide “a whisper of copper rather than screaming bright copper.”
Therefore, this style works well for brunettes and is easily maintained. No matter if you start with dark-hued locks or have already colored yours, balayage techniques offer a way to achieve the look by creating deeper hues blended through them. Being specific with inspiration photos makes finding the ideal shade much simpler for stylists.
