The world has gone crazy for copper hair with highlights and copper-toned hairstyles. No wonder. They make your face look bright and radiant.
How to Do Copper Highlights
Copper needs only a gentle lift, which is one reason colorists love the shade. In the salon, the stylist sections the hair with foils, places a soft lightener either near the roots for classic highlights or through the ends for a balayage effect, and watches the processing on the strand rather than the clock. Stronger product would only buy damage, so this step is not a box-kit job.
The finish is where you have a say. Ask for a copper toner matched to your skin tone, and book a gloss refresh when the shade starts to soften. If your hair is already damaged, or you are unsure which copper suits you, start with a consultation with a licensed stylist.
Copper Highlights vs. Caramel Highlights
Both copper and caramel highlights are extremely popular. However, you should keep in mind that while copper highlights can suit both warmer and cooler skin tones, caramel highlights are more suitable for women with brown hair and a light skin tone.
Caramel highlights are also a type of blonde highlight, so they will definitely be a more visible and eye-catching change than copper hair with highlights. One interesting fact is that a great base for caramel highlights is actually hair in a coppery color.
Chic Hairstyles with Copper Highlights
We have compiled a list of 12 gorgeous copper-highlight ideas for women to try without any hesitation.
1. Polished Copper Bob with Soft Dimension
If you have already found your perfect copper shade, add some gentle highlights to bring out the dimension of the color.
Ideal for: Square and round-shaped faces and cool skin tone.
How to style: The full copper highlights should only be a shade or two lighter than your copper hair. A great hairstyle to pair it with is a long straight bob that reaches just below shoulder-length.
2. Warm Brunette with Copper Lowlights
Since it’s already been a while since the world went crazy for balayage, this hairstyle is already a classic. If your long brown hair has a red undertone, just freshen it up with some copper lowlights.
Ideal for: All face shapes and warm skin tone.
How to style: Use a hair straightener to curl the ends of your hair, focusing on the area with the lowlights.
3. Dark Brunette with Subtle Copper Ribbons
If you have pale cool-toned skin, chances are your black hair is a little too harsh against your face. To bring back freshness and a healthier look, opt for subtle dark copper hair with highlights.
Ideal for: All face shapes and cool skin tone.
How to style: Keeping the lightening subtle helps the copper toner last longer and keeps the hair in better condition, so ask your stylist to go easy on the lift. Otherwise, just wear your hair styled into relaxed, effortless waves.
4. Textured Pixie Bob with Bright Copper Streaks
Pixie bob cuts look so adorable, and bright copper highlights on brown hair can only make them pop even more.
Ideal for: Oval and heart-shaped faces and warm skin tone.
How to style: Don’t be afraid to try a brighter version of these highlights. Paired with the amazing messy short haircut, they will make you stand out.
5. Fiery Copper Bob with Apricot Highlights
Bold, bright, fiery tones are perfect for bold and extroverted girls who are not afraid to try new things.
Ideal for: Oval and heart-shaped faces and warm skin tone.
How to style: All the red tones should be kept bright and shiny. Use hair products that will keep your hair shiny and gorgeous-looking when you style it into this beautiful messy bob.
6. Rich Red Layers with Copper Highlights
Another great hairstyle for all of you passionate redheads.
Ideal for: Round and heart-shaped faces and warm skin tone.
How to style: For this copper highlighted hairstyle, a stylist will place highlights at different levels of lightening against your red base. Some highlights should be completely bleached until they reach a strawberry blonde color, and others should be left just a shade or two lighter than the base.
7. Burgundy Waves with Delicate Copper Ribbons
Burgundy plum hair mixed with golden copper highlights looks absolutely breathtaking.
Ideal for: All face shapes and all skin tones.
How to style: The best way to emphasize the beauty of these highlights is to curl the hair into natural beach waves.
8. Brunette Lob with Chunky Copper Highlights
It’s time to take highlights with copper hair to another level. In this case, it means getting two sets of highlights in your hair: copper ones and caramel ones.
Ideal for: All face shapes and cool skin tone.
How to style: This hairstyle might not be the easiest and fastest one to achieve, but the result is definitely worth the effort. In the end, loose curls will bring out the best of this hairstyle.
9. Plum Brown Waves with Copper Balayage
Bright lowlights are such a hit. Looking amazing sometimes requires not playing it safe. If you’re already accustomed to your burgundy hair, the highlights with copper brown hair will make you love it even more.
Ideal for: All face shapes and warm skin tones.
How to style: Curl the lower portion of hair that is covered by the lowlights gently using a curling iron.
10. Chestnut Lob with Copper Glow
You can wear copper highlights even if your hair is light chestnut brown. Just make sure you choose the appropriate shade to match the base.
Ideal for: Oval and heart-shaped faces and cool skin tone.
How to style: Do a nice, quick straight blowout. That way your hair will look neat without losing any of its natural volume.
11. Edgy Pixie with Fiery Copper Pieces
Who says that natural, long, romantic hairstyles are the only way to go? Don’t hide your daring personality behind a dull hairstyle and try out these fiery reddish copper hair highlights on black hair.
Ideal for: Round and square-shaped faces and warm skin tones.
How to style: Shave one side of your hair and curl the rest into messy waves, sweeping it all to the side opposite the undercut.
12. Deep Brunette Curls with Auburn-Copper Highlights
Light copper highlights on dark brown hair look like a beautiful flame in motion.
Ideal for: All face shapes and warm skin tones.
How to style: You’ll achieve these natural waves very easily using a hair straightener. What’s more important is not to forget to nurture long hair that has been bleached.
If you were thinking about adding copper highlights to your hair, hopefully this article has offered the right inspiration for your next salon visit.