When the hillsides in the Smokies turn copper and rust, it’s hard not to want a little of that color for yourself. Auburn hair color is the easiest way to bring fall indoors. It’s warm, rich and a little unexpected, and it looks beautiful in the soft late-autumn light.
If you’ve been saving photos of auburn hair and wondering whether a red could work on you, this guide walks through the shades, who they suit, how to get there (from brunette or from blonde), and how to keep your red from fading before Thanksgiving dinner is over.
Book your free color consultation →
What Is Auburn Hair Color?
Auburn is a reddish brown. It sits between a warm brunette and a true red. Think of autumn leaves just past their peak: deep, warm and glowing rather than bright.
That’s what makes auburn so wearable. It reads as red in the sun, yet it looks like a rich brown indoors. So you get the drama of red hair without feeling like you’ve made a huge leap.
Good auburn color isn’t flat. It has dimension, with deeper and brighter tones blended together, so it moves and catches the light.
Popular Auburn Shades
Auburn hair color covers a whole family of warm reds. Here are the shades clients ask about most.
Light Auburn
A softer, brighter auburn with more red than brown. It’s a lovely choice if you want a noticeable change but still want it to feel natural.
Copper Auburn
Copper adds an orange-gold glow to auburn. The result is bright, warm and very fall. If you love copper but want a little more depth, copper auburn is a great middle ground.
Dark Auburn and Mahogany
Dark auburn leans more brown, with red showing mostly in the light. Mahogany adds a deeper, berry-red tone. Both are rich and polished, and they’re a natural next step if you’re a brunette who wants to try red.
Auburn Balayage
Balayage is color painted by hand directly onto the hair, without foils. For a soft red, your colorist can paint auburn or copper pieces over your natural base. As a result, regrowth looks gentle instead of harsh.
Chocolate Auburn
Not ready to go fully red? A chocolate brown base with auburn tones is a subtle way in. For more brunette ideas, see our guide to chocolate brown hair.
Who Does Auburn Hair Suit?
Almost anyone can wear some shade of auburn hair color. The trick is choosing the right depth and warmth for your skin.
Warm Skin Tones
If gold jewelry looks best on you, or you tan easily, copper and golden auburns tend to glow. Brighter reds often look especially natural on warm skin.
Cool Skin Tones
If silver flatters you, or your skin has pink or rosy undertones, deeper reds like mahogany or a cooler auburn usually look best. Very orange coppers can compete with rosy skin.
Neutral Skin Tones
Lucky you. You can usually wear most of the auburn family, from light auburn to dark mahogany.
You don’t have to figure this out on your own. At Whitney Evans Beauty, your colorist designs your color around your hair type, skin tone and the look you want, and customizes a red that flatters your skin. For more on matching color to your complexion, read how skin tone affects hair color.
How to Get Auburn Hair Color
How you get to auburn depends on where you’re starting. Here are the most common paths.
From Brunette to Auburn
Brunette is often the easiest starting point for red. Depending on your shade, your colorist may add warmth across the whole head or blend in auburn with balayage. Brunettes can also add richer hints of copper or mahogany for a softer change.
From Blonde to Auburn
Going from blonde to red is a bigger shift. Lightened hair has lost some of its natural warm pigment. That means red can look patchy, or fade fast, if it goes straight on. A colorist will plan the steps so your auburn looks even and lasts.
Skip the Box Red Hair Dye
Box red hair dye is tempting. But it’s one-size-fits-all, and reds from a box can turn out brighter or more orange than the photo on the package. In addition, box color often has to be removed before new color can go on later. Here are a few more reasons to never use box color.
If a box red already went wrong, it can be fixed with a color correction. Corrections take more time than a regular color, so they start with a consultation and a correction plan.
Coloring Your Hair for the First Time?
Red is a fun first color. If you’ve never colored your hair before, read our top things to know if you’ve never colored your hair before your appointment.
How to Keep Auburn Hair from Fading
Auburn hair color is beautiful, but red is known as one of the fastest-fading shades. Red tones tend to wash out of the hair more easily than browns or blondes. The good news? A few simple habits make a big difference.
Wash with Cool Water
Hot water opens up the hair and lets color slip out. Rinse with cool or lukewarm water instead, and try washing a little less often.
Use Color-Safe Products
Wash with a shampoo and conditioner made for color-treated hair. Skip harsh, clarifying formulas unless your colorist recommends them.
Book a Gloss Between Colors
A Redken Shades EQ gloss is a salon-only gloss and toner made without ammonia. It refreshes faded color and adds shine. Therefore, it’s a great way to bring your auburn back to life between appointments. Learn more about how to refresh your color with Redken Shades EQ.
Protect Your Hair from Heat and Sun
Heat and UV light both fade red. Use a heat protectant before hot tools. On bright days on the lake or the trail, wear a hat or use a product made to protect hair from the sun.
Keep Your Hair Strong
Changing your color can be hard on hair. Olaplex treatments help repair and strengthen damaged hair, and Olaplex can be added to your color service to help protect your hair along the way.
Stay on Top of Roots
Root touch-ups are typically every 4–8 weeks, depending on how fast your hair grows and how much your color contrasts with your natural shade. Your colorist can recommend a schedule that fits your color.
Planning Red for a Wedding or Holiday Event?
Auburn and copper look especially pretty in an updo, where twists and soft pieces catch the light. If you have a wedding or holiday party coming up, try to book your color a week or two ahead so there’s time for any small tweaks. Our team also offers bridal and special-occasion styling, so feel free to ask about it at your consultation.
Getting Auburn Hair Color in Knoxville
If you’re ready for a fall red, our team offers hair color in Knoxville using Redken color. From bright copper to deep auburn and mahogany, your colorist will customize a red that flatters your skin tone.
A few things to know:
- Consultations are always free. Bring a few inspiration photos, and your colorist will look at your current color, texture and style and talk through your goals.
- You’ll get a custom plan. Bigger changes may take more than one visit, without compromising your hair’s health.
- Every color appointment includes a complimentary cut and style, so you walk out ready to show off your new color.
Want more length or fullness to show off your red? Our hair extensions in Knoxville are made from 100% luxury human hair, come in lengths from 16″ to 24″, and are shade-matched to your color by our team.
Thinking about warming up a blonde instead? Read our guide to honey blonde hair.
Book your free color consultation →
Auburn Hair Color FAQ
Is auburn hair red or brown?
Both. Auburn is a reddish brown. It looks brown in low light and shows its red in the sun.
What’s the difference between auburn and copper hair?
Auburn is deeper, with more brown in it. Copper is brighter, with more orange and gold. Copper auburn blends the two.
Can I go from blonde to auburn in one appointment?
Sometimes, but it depends on your hair. Lightened hair may need warmth added back first so the red looks even and doesn’t fade fast. A free consultation is the best way to plan it.
Does auburn hair fade quickly?
Red tends to fade faster than other colors. Cool water, color-safe shampoo, heat and sun protection, and a Redken Shades EQ gloss between visits all help it last.
Will auburn work with my skin tone?
Almost certainly, with the right shade. Warm skin often glows with copper auburn, while cool skin usually suits deeper mahogany. Your colorist will help you choose.
Can you fix a box red hair dye that turned out too bright?
Yes. Box-dyed or uneven color can be fixed with a color correction. Corrections take more time than a regular color, so we start with a free consultation to build a plan.
