Pureology's Global Artistic Director Tells Us How To Choose The Right Shade Of Copper For Your Skin Tone
Copper hair is definitely having a moment. Unless you're living under a rock, you know everyone is going copper because it's the hottest hair color of the year, with over 528 million views on TikTok.
With celebrities like Gigi Hadid and Sydney Sweeney going copper, it was only a matter of time till the color became one of the most requested hair colors. The great thing about going copper is that it's pretty flattering on many skin tones. "Most skin tones are going to do well with copper because copper can swing in different directions," Amanda Moore, a colorist at Gem House Salon in New York City, told Allure.
If there's a fun way to describe copper hair color, Joico colorist Mark Mileti did it best and called it "the sassier sister to auburn and the brighter, bubblier sister to burgundy" (via Byrdie). The cool thing about this metallic hair color is that it can work with all hair colors like blonde, brunette, and, of course, red, because there's no one shade of copper, and it can be customized.
Ready to go copper? Before jumping on the copper trend because it looks fantastic on your favorite celebrity or your best friend, you need to consider your skin tone. We spoke with Jamie Wiley, hairstylist and Global Artistic Director of Pureology, to get the 4-1-1 on how to pick the perfect shade for your skin tone so you can shine.
The best copper for fair skin tone
In an exclusive interview with The List, Jamie Wiley, hairstylist and Global Artistic Director of Pureology, tells us exactly how to choose the right copper for you, and we'll start with fair skin.
Wiley told The List, "Fair skin with warm undertones works well with light earth tones, so think warm strawberry blonde." Think Amy Adams and Isla Fisher, who're often considered redheads, but whose hair is actually closer to strawberry blonde. Stylist Aurea Sanchez Coletto said red hair and strawberry blonde hair are in the "same color palette" but not the same, because strawberry blonde is "mostly based on red tones, with blonde highlights dotted here and there" (via John Louis David).
Celebrity hair colorist Jeremy Tardo recommends something similar for fair skin too. He told Byrdie, "If your features are lighter, opt for a more strawberry or copper take on this trend."
If you have fair skin with cool undertones, Wiley said this skin tone works beautifully with red mahogany because it's a deep, cool reddish brown. "It evens out your skin tone and brightens your eyes," she added.
Neutral skin tones always have a little more freedom when choosing colors. Wiley told us, "Fair skin tone with neutral undertones are very fortunate as they can carry off either warm or cool colors like ash, gold, reds, and coppers."
Best copper for medium skin tone
Next up, we have medium skin tone, and there's a range of copper shades that work beautifully with this skin tone. Jamie Wiley told The List, "Medium skin tone with warm undertones work best with copper." Remember when Sarah Hyland went copper?
Since copper falls under red hair, some people can confuse it with auburn hair, but according to Hair.com, auburn is red hair with "brown and ginger pigments" while copper is red with "orange and is more golden," which could be why it works really well with medium skin with warm undertones. However, they don't recommend going too orange, as it might clash with your natural skin tone, though that shade works really well with people of fair and dark skin tones.
Cool tones don't have to get sad, as there's a gorgeous shade of copper for them too. Wiley told us, "Medium skin tone with cool undertones work best with bronde, a soft brown blonde with a dimension of copper pink. These beautiful tones play off the cooler softer side of the undertone, avoiding any clashing colors." Since copper is a warm hue, check with your colorist to make sure it flatters you.
Plus, it wouldn't be a bad idea to find a celebrity with a similar skin tone as you who has copper hair so you have a realistic expectation of what the color will look like on you.
Best copper for dark skin tone
If you have tan or a darker skin tone, there are so many shades of copper you can choose from. Hair.com recommends that it's better to go with darker shades of copper than lighter ones so they don't clash with your skin. To find the right shade of copper, here's what Jamie Wiley has to say.
Wiley told The List, "Going for a copper look will be more natural against darker skin tones and will give a beautiful reflective red tone without being too much. Caramel copper brown compliments dark complexions by bringing out the glow of the skin." Think more like Jourdan Dunn and her gorgeous copper-brown curly hair.
Have a cooler undertone? Wiley recommends, "Dark skin tones with cool undertones are best paired with cool reds like auburn because it has a slightly blue undertone."
Celebrity hair colorist Jeremy Tardo told Byrdie, "If you have darker features, try a warm terra cotta or rich sienna hue." Think SZA, who went copper, and the color looked gorgeous on her.