Copper is the new brunette”: the spicy copper hair colour taking over this autumn
Changing your hair colour as winter approaches is often the first impulse that strikes when temperatures drop. This season, one particular shade is commanding all the attention: spicy copper, an intense, warm take on copper hair that is making its mark in salons and across social media alike.
The numbers behind this spiced copper hair colour craze
Beauty platform Fresha recorded a 300% surge in searches for the term “spicy copper hair color” over the course of just three months. That dramatic leap shows just how far this shade goes beyond the usual seasonal return of classic copper tones. While red and copper hair makes its annual comeback every autumn the moment the chunky knits come out, demand is now zeroing in on a deeper, richer version of that auburn warmth.
American hairstylist Ashley Ruiz sums up the trend with a punchy line: “Copper is the new brunette.” She notes that the effect can stay very subtle or go full-on fiery depending on personal taste and the starting base. That wide spectrum is partly why the colour is winning over such a broad range of clients.
What sets spicy copper apart from regular copper
In practice, spicy copper sits a notch above classic copper. The base remains warm, but the tones lean more towards cinnamon auburn than bright orange. Cosmopolitan describes the shade as a deeper copper that strikes an equal balance between brown and red tones.
Hairstylist Sierra Adam talks of warm copper, cinnamon and amber tones, a blend that places the result somewhere between brunette and redhead. She points out that this hair colour brings enough warmth to make hair look rich, glossy and highly dimensional. In other words, the shade plays on depth rather than raw vibrancy, which makes it wearable day to day while still giving the impression of a genuine seasonal transformation.
How to adapt this hair colour to your natural base
Spicy copper has one practical advantage: it works on almost any base. For blonde hair, colourist Ashley Rose recommends golden copper or apricot tones applied as a toner. She explains that lighter hair makes an excellent canvas for soft, translucent reds rather than saturated, vivid shades. For some blonde clients, a simple gloss, such as those from the brand Danger Jones, is enough to achieve the desired effect.
On a chestnut or brunette base, experts favour variants closer to auburn, mahogany or cowboy copper to preserve depth and a polished finish. Beauté Test also notes that copper highlights warm up the complexion, particularly on olive skin tones, while very fair skin tends to benefit from brighter, more golden coppers.
- Blonde base: ask for a light spicy copper with caramel highlights and a softer root.
- Bronde or chestnut base: opt for a spicy copper balayage that frames the face.
- Brunette base: go for a deep cinnamon red without over-lightening the base, to preserve shine.
- Bring reference photos to your appointment to make communication with your stylist easier.
Upkeep and how often to visit the salon
Another plus of this hair colour is how quick the appointment can be. For many clients, a base colour and a toner are all that is needed, followed by root touch-ups. Ashley Ruiz considers the shade low-maintenance, which makes it all the more accessible.
That said, consistency matters when it comes to keeping copper looking its best. She recommends returning to the salon every six to eight weeks, depending on how quickly hair grows. That schedule keeps the tones refreshed and prevents the shade from dulling or shifting too far towards red over time. For clients who prefer to stretch out their visits, a gloss is a simple at-home maintenance option to consider between appointments.
