Going copper this autumn? How to choose your shade and stop it fading

Every autumn, the rest of the world catches up with what we’ve known all along here at Ginger Parrot: red is the best colour going. This year it’s copper’s turn in the spotlight. HELLO! has even called copper the hair colour trend of autumn 2026, and says searches for “spicy copper hair colour” have jumped by 300% in just three months.

So if you’ve just joined the ginger club (welcome, we have biscuits – ginger snaps, obviously), or you’re a natural redhead thinking about turning up the warmth, here’s how to pick your specific shade of copper and, more importantly, how to keep it looking vibrant for longer.

How to choose a copper shade

Copper isn’t just one colour. It’s a whole spectrum. And, which one suits you can be different according to your starting shade, but also your skin tone. Annabelle Taurua, a beauty expert at the booking platform Fresha, told HELLO! that copper “can be easily customised to suit a range of natural hair colours and skin tones… from soft, subtle copper tones to richer auburns and fiery reds.”

As a rough guide, based on her suggestions:

• Lighter hair: a copper blonde mixed with caramel and golden tones keeps things soft and strawberry-ish.
• Brown hair: burnt copper or auburn adds warmth without going full fire engine.
• Darker hair: a deeper copper or a “mulled-wine” red gives a bolder result.

Whatever you choose, ask your colourist for a warm, dimensional copper rather than one flat shade. Natural red hair is multi-tonal, and that mix of highlights and lowlights is what makes copper look expensive rather than out-of-a-box.

Why copper fades so fast (it’s not you, it’s science)

If you’ve dyed your hair red before, you’ll know the heartbreak of watching it go from “autumn leaves” to “faded peach” in just a few short weeks. There’s a reason for it. Red colour molecules are actually larger than other colours, so it doesn’t sink as deeply into the inner part of the hair shaft. It sits closer to the surface, where water, sun, heat and harsh products can wash it away more easily.

The good news is that a few changes to your routine can make a big difference to how long your fresh copper colour will last.

Don’t wash it straight away

Your stylist will tell you specifically how long to wait, but generally wait at least 48 hours before your first wash after colouring. This means the cuticle has time to close and lock the colour in. If you feel the need, use of a dry shampoo is a small price to pay for a couple of days.

Turn the water temperature down

This is good advice for all, at any point. But hot water is copper’s enemy. Lukewarm water is much better. And ending with a cool final rinse may feel bracing at this time of year, but your copper will thank you.

Wash less, and wash gently

Every wash takes a little colour with it, so try to space out your wash days. Choose a sulphate-free shampoo too. Wella notes that sulphates can swell the hair cuticle and let dye molecules escape. In fact, skip clarifying shampoos altogether, because they’re known to strip colour. (We’ve banged this drum for yeeears. See our guide to why redheads should only use sulphate-free products.)

See Also

What Gingerful’s latest award says about red hair care

Use a hair mask once a week

A weekly deep-conditioning mask keeps copper hair soft and shiny, and shiny hair reflects more light, so the colour looks richer.

Go easy on the heat

Straighteners and hot blow-dries dry red hair out and speed up fading. Use a heat protectant when you do style, turn the temperature down if you can, and try a heatless option too.

What to do between salon visits

Red dye usually needs refreshing every four to six weeks, but you can keep it looking warm in between. Gingerful’s Henna & Rose shampoo and conditioner are made for natural and dyed red hair (and is bleach-safe, too). They contain a small amount of henna that gradually boosts red tones with regular use, without permanently dyeing your hair. They won’t change your colour dramatically overnight, so think of them as ongoing maintenance rather than a quick fix.

Don’t forget the sun protection

Even in autumn, a sunny afternoon can bleach out red tones. A hat or a hair product with UV protection is worth having when you’re out for long periods.

And remember, copper is a commitment, but a gorgeous one. Look after it and it’ll look after you – and if anyone asks, yes, it is the colour of the season.