Penélope Cruz is wearing the copper highlights that make brunettes over 50 glow
A few well-placed highlights, and everything changes. That is the lesson being given by brunettes over 50 who are turning to copper highlights to breathe new life into their hair as autumn approaches. Penélope Cruz offered a convincing demonstration on 31 August at the premiere of The Invitation in Los Angeles.
What copper highlights actually do for dark hair
Very uniform dark hair absorbs light rather than reflecting it. The result: the colour looks flat, with no dimension or depth. That is precisely where copper highlights come in, creating a contrast that allows light to bounce through the lengths.
The advantage of copper over other shades lies in its natural compatibility with dark hair. When a brunette base is lightened, the warm undertones that emerge sit effortlessly alongside copper tones. Where blonde or ashy highlights would create a more visible line of demarcation, copper blends into the overall colour in a far more harmonious way.
For brunettes over 50, this is a particularly useful quality. The goal is not to disguise the natural colour, but to give it depth. It is a way to refresh without transforming.
A visual effect on the face, not just the hair
Warm tones do not only work on the hair itself. Placed strategically around the face, the brightest strands draw the eye and bring a radiance to the whole look. Some hairstylists describe this effect as a natural facelift.
This benefit is especially relevant at the start of autumn, when a summer tan begins to fade. Brunettes over 50 looking to maintain a luminous complexion after the summer will find a direct answer in this colouring technique. Penélope Cruz, 52, illustrates the principle perfectly: her lengths warmed with copper tones gave her colour an entirely new dimension, without any radical break from her natural brunette.
Which technique to choose depending on the result you want
Several approaches allow you to take on copper at varying levels of intensity. For brunettes over 50 who want a subtle result, very fine babylights around the face deliver the most natural effect. Those who prefer more contrast and movement through the lengths can opt for a balayage.
- Very fine babylights around the face for a natural result
- Balayage to create contrast and movement through the lengths
- A gloss to deposit a temporary tint on the hair for a few weeks
- A light pre-lightening step on very dark bases if needed
For those still on the fence, a gloss is a commitment-free way in: it simply deposits a tint on the hair for a few weeks. On a very dark base, a light pre-lightening step may however be necessary before applying either of these techniques.
How to keep copper highlights looking vibrant over time
Warm pigments tend to gradually lose their intensity. The right maintenance routine can therefore extend the life of the result considerably. This is worth planning ahead for brunettes over 50 who want to hold onto that luminous effect week after week.
And that is really the appeal of this trend: it is built to last through the season. The warm tones of copper naturally echo the arrival of autumn, making it a colour choice that feels coherent well beyond the back-to-school moment. For women with dark hair over 50, it is a way to stay true to their natural colour while giving it a new lease of life. Sometimes, a few well-chosen highlights are all it takes to make it feel like you have changed everything.
