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30 Auburn Hair Color Ideas You’ll Want to Try ASAP

 

Whether you were inspired by all the celebrities going red or simply love to change your hair for the new year, you can’t go wrong with auburn hair color. The shade is the perfect combination of bold, fiery red and low-maintenance brown and brunette, and looks good on pretty much everyone.

“Auburn hair is one of the most universally flattering shades of red, complementing a wide range of skin tones and enhancing everyone’s natural glow,” Christine Bellemare, co-founder, owner and lead stylist at Maven A Collect, tells Glamour. “It’s like an instant complexion upgrade, adding warmth and richness to your look.”

Considering this, it's no wonder so many stylists and colorists point to 2025 as the unofficial year of red and auburn. “This year is going to be a huge year for auburn hair color,” says celebrity hairstylist Nicholas Taylor, pointing to celebs like Ciara and Megan Thee Stallion as just two beauty icons who have rocked the trending shade as of late. “Auburns are taking the cake as 2025’s number one color trend.”

What is auburn hair?

Ironically, auburn is one of those colors that everyone seems to have a different definition of. “Auburn is a funny color to translate sometimes,” Tina Deeke, colorist at Chicago's Maxine Salon, tells Glamour. “Some clients perceive it as a cool red; others, a warm copper red. As a colorist, I personally feel like there’s a combination of tones in auburn: cooler red mixed with warm copper.” (Think Phoebe Dynevor's shade in Bridgerton.)

Indeed, Deeke opts for a mix of hues to achieve her auburns. “With auburn, I always love doing some balayage or foil highlights to create a multicolored auburn red, glossing over with a lighter copper or strawberry for some insane shine,” she says.

The auburn look can also be achieved by adding dimension to brown and brunette hair. “We are seeing reddish brunettes a lot this year,” says Jennifer Korab, celebrity hairstylist and owner of Renaissance Salon & Spa in Hillsborough, New Jersey. “Brunettes are adding highlights of copper to accentuate and create a warm, vibrant look.”

Which shade of auburn works best for me?

If you're wondering whether auburn works on your skin tone, you're in luck: Auburn is one of those shades that are so versatile—and customizable—that they work on almost anyone. “This hair color trend looks great on most skin tones and will never go out of style,” Korab says.

That said, choosing which auburn color works best for you comes down to how much maintenance you're willing to put up with for the sake of your hair color. Auburns and reds are notoriously tricky in terms of upkeep and require touch-ups every six to eight weeks. Plus, salon trips can be costly, with dye-jobs ranging from $75 to $200 (or more) depending on the technique(s) used. That's why salons are noticing a surge in requests for more red-tinted browns, which are a much more low-maintenance ways to wear auburn (more on that below).

How often should I visit the salon for touch-ups?

“Like all red shades, auburn can be tricky to maintain,” says Bellemare. “To keep its vibrant depth and prevent the color from falling flat, frequent glosses or touch-ups are necessary." She recommends glossing your hair every four to six weeks to maintain its depth. “The good news? Thanks to its blend of brown and red, auburn tends to fade more gracefully than brighter reds, making it a slightly easier option for those drawn to red hues,” Bellemare continues.

Shvonne Perkins, master colorist at Madison Reed, says the same: “If you’re talking permanent color, root touch-ups happen on average about every four to six weeks, but it doesn’t need to be that soon unless you’re keeping up on gray coverage,” she explains. “It's really toner that you’re likely to be keeping up with, which is likely touched up about every eight weeks if you’re following steady at-home maintenance.”

Can I DIY auburn hair color at home?

You can absolutely DIY auburn hair color at home, and there are countless semipermanent auburn hair dyes that will allow you to experiment with the shade. “When it comes to reds and shades of them, the more ‘into the cuticle’ you can get will lend itself to longer-lasting tonal payoff,” says Gregory Patterson, celebrity stylist and DIY color and stylist expert for Sally Beauty. “For auburn hair dye for dark hair, I love to use permanent color from the Color Brilliance line by ion, 4R Medium Red Brown Permanent Liquid Hair Color + 5G Light Golden Brown Demi Permanent Creme Hair Color at 20 volume total process time. The higher the volume you use, the brighter and lighter it will become.”

Such is the case for copper hair colors as well. “Some of the best copper shades come from the land of Vidid Hair Colors,” Patterson continues. “Of course, everything will appear brighter on prelifted hair, but you can also overlay these on top of your existing shades as long as you’re at a natural hair color level 6 and above.” To get a more copper-inspired look, Patterson suggests Strawberry Leopard Sundown Semi Permanent Conditioning Hair Color and Fire Semi Permanent Conditioning Hair Color. “I like the squeeze of red here to ground the Sundown shade and give it more depth and staying power,” he says.

How to maintain auburn hair color at home

How well your color holds up largely depends on at-home care. “Incorporating a color-depositing conditioner into your routine can also be a great way to extend the life of your shade between salon visits,” says Bellemare.

Pros also encourage the use of color-protecting shampoo for auburn hair and glosses to ensure it stays bright; Deeke recommends consistently using Kristin Ess Signature Hair Gloss in Copper Penny to all her clients with auburn hair.

Korab similarly suggests using a color-care hair care system, such as Pureology's Hydrating and Color Protecting Hair Kit for Dry, Color-Treated Hair. “This shampoo and conditioner are color-safe, sulfate-free, and have anti-fade complex to help protect from fading,” she says. “I also love Kerastase Chroma Absolu Hair Masque; this mask is great to preserve the health of your hair, keep color vibrant, and enhance shine.”

Feeling inspired? Keep scrolling for the best auburn hair color ideas, according to experts, and get ready to screenshot.

Classic Auburn

“Auburn hair is vibrant and eye-catching, adding drama and sophistication. It works well with fair to medium skin tones, enhancing warm undertones,” says hairstylist and Ulta Beauty Pro team member Danielle Keasling. The most “classic” take on the shade, in her opinion? Julia Roberts' iconic warm hue, of course!

“Classic auburn offers deep brown infused with auburn for a subtle yet striking effect,” Keasling says of the look.

Copper Auburn

Want an even darker, more vibrant take on auburn? Michelle Cleveland, celebrity hairstylist, extensions artist, educator, and owner of Hair Addict Salon & Extension Bar, recommends a dark copper or penny-colored take on the shade. That's also exactly what to ask for when asking for the look; a “copper” or “penny” auburn.

“When the color is vibrant and fresh it is stunning," she continues. ”Just remember, that as with most red-based colors, it can fade quickly. So color protecting products between visits are always recommended to keep the hair looking fresh."

Auburn Blonde

For something on the lighter side, Bellemare suggests what she calls auburn blonde. “It's a mix of strawberry blonde, gold, and red tones,” she says, pointing to Lindsay Lohan's shade in this photo as an example.

This isn't to be confused with strawberry blonde, though: It's a little darker than that. Lohan's shade in particular, which was dubbed “churro waves” by Lohan’s hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos, was referencing the fact that her then new shade is reminiscent of cinnamon. Usually, cinnamon sits somewhere between a golden red, strawberry auburn, and soft ginger red, and is customizable depending on your preference.

Auburn Brunette

If you have naturally dark hair little to no time (or patience) for extensive upkeep, you might want to consider auburn brunette.

“Auburn brunette is a deep rich auburn can easily be achieved but glossing over lighter brunette hair,” Bellemare says of the chic shade. “It also fades very well.” Looking for more auburn brunette inspo? Check out Storm Reid's gorgeous take on the look.

Auburnt Sienna

Auburn hair color, but make it even more brilliant. “Auburnt sienna is shimmering into the season with a multi-faceted blend of our favorites!” says Lauren Mildice, a colorist specialist at Maxine Salon who coined the shade's name. "The movement of terra-cotta copper, glitzy gold, and chili red appears lit from within this rich auburn base and the golden micro-lights sprinkled throughout add just a touch of additional sparkle.”

What’s more, she adds, tons of variations of auburnt sienna are complementary to most skin tones and can be personalized based on each individual.

Praline Auburn

Eva Mendes’s iconic shade of praline brown is also especially influential, says Mildice. “Praline auburn brown is a cozy blend of glowing golds and pearlescent browns achieved by placing very fine pieces of light gold and wider pieces of rich hazel brown throughout the hair,” she says. “Baby lights are a more delicate and finer thread, easing harsh grow-out, while the bolder hazel brown defines the highlights with stronger ribbons.”

But the best part? It’s super low-maintenance. “It’s a great option for brunettes who want to keep some brightness during the depth of winter,” she says.

Chocolate Auburn

“Auburn Chocolate is is a beautiful deep auburn that pops in the sun,” Valdes says. “To get the look, make an appointment for an all-over color. For maintenance, it will need a root touch-up every four to six weeks, and when needed, a gloss to freshen up the mids and ends.”

Burnt Orange Auburn

Prefer your auburn hair color on the toaster side? “Medium skin tones pair well with vibrant burnt orange infused with hints of red," says Kim Kimble, celebrity stylist and Clairol brand partner.
If your hair is dark, pre-lighten it with a bleach kit to ensure the color appears vibrant.”

To get the perfect burnt-orange hue, Kimble suggests using Clairol Textures & Tones in Sunset Copper for a vibrant, bold finish. "

Soft Ginger Auburn

For something a little softer, consider a soft ginger hue. “Soft ginger is going to be the new hype,” Mildice continues, adding that it’s a great fresh start for the new year “since it’s a lighter tone and easy to try on.” It’s also an ideal starter shade for anyone looking to test the waters. “If you were too nervous to try out cowgirl copper, this is a great way to introduce those warmer tones into your color,” she says. “Soft ginger compliments fair to medium brown skin the most, and all textures and cuts work with this color."

To get the look, ask your colorist for a light ginger tone that isn’t too intense. “This should be a quiet yet silky, sherbet-like golden auburn,” she says.

Strawberry Auburn

“Auburn is a hair color that can transform in different light. It’s the chameleon of all hair colors. Sometimes it appears browner and sometimes more red,” says Jenna Perry, celebrity hair colorist of New York City’s Jenna Perry Studio. One of her favorite ways to work with the hue, however, is a gorgeous strawberry auburn.

Chase Kusero, Co-founder of IGK Hair Care, says the same, citing Jessica Chastain's light reddish blonde as a perfect example of the look. For a similar shade, use equal part of R+COLOR STELLAR Demi-Permanent Liquid Hair Color in shades Treasure and Buttery for 10 minutes, adds Perry.

Natural Auburn

If ou're looking for a soft and more natural finish—think: Chrissy Teigen's iconic hue—Kimble suggests Clairol Nice'n Easy in Light Auburn. “Both shades offer rich, lasting color that's ideal for creating this trendy look,” she says.

Amber Glazed Auburn

Emily Ratajkowski’s glazed amber hair is ideal in-between auburn hair color, since it's a relatively easy shade to transition back to their natural hue after (if they so desire). “I wanted to create a red shade that not only complemented her skin and eye color, but something that was fun for summer and easy for her to transition back to her signature brunette,” Perry says of the look she created for Ratajkowski.

Auburn Leaf

“Autumn leaf is gorgeous auburn to get you through the cold months,” says Lorena M. Valdes, a colorist at Chicago's Maxine Salon. “It's a golden copper that can be achieved by an all-over color and will be maintained through touch-ups every four to six weeks.” For an example of the look, see Christina Hendricks' fiery hair.

Spiced Auburn

For a warm and cozy take on auburn hair color, Keasling suggests a chic spiced auburn. “This is a warm, rich blend that intertwines deep chestnut brown with shimmering copper highlights. This combination adds depth and multi-dimensional shine, creating a luxe effect that complements all skin tones," she says. “With earthy tones making a comeback in fashion and makeup, this hair color fits right into the trend.”

To maintain this look, a color-protecting shampoo such as Matrix Instacure Build-A-Bond Mighty Bonds is essential, she says. “For extra vibrancy and protection, a weekly treatment like Biolage Hydra Source Deep Treatment Pack will keep the copper tones from fading and the chestnut hues deep and rich.”

Deep Auburn

Taylor once again asserts that 2025 is basically the year of red and auburn hair colors. "This year is going to be a huge year for auburn hair,” he says. “Ciara is rocking gorgeous auburn hair that I’m obsessed with. Browns and auburns are taking the cake as 2025’s number one color trend.”

Auburn Cherry

Auburn hair is the best of both worlds, since it combines both red and dark brown. If your hair is on the super-dark side of brown, however, Jason Lee, hairstylist, colorist, and founder of Mela & Kera, suggests considering a shade like chocolate cherry auburn. “It’s an alternative to auburn but still in the warm, reddish family,” he says, defining the shade as adding a red wine undertone throughout brunette, which can also be accomplished through auburn highlights or auburn balayage.

“For those of us who aren’t ready to take the full plunge into red, chocolate cherry seems to be a great way to update your look and make it modern but still live in the brunette world,” he says of the auburn brown hair color.

Auburn Ombré

Another way to add a red, auburn-inspired tint to brunette? Auburn ombré hair with highlights. “We are seeing a lot of copper brunettes that are high in shine and rich in copper, golden tones,” Korab tells Glamour. “This hair color is soft and seamless. We are seeing a lot of brunettes also add highlights of copper to accentuate and create a warm vibrant look.”

Golden Auburn

“This look is fun and head-turning without being too drastic of a change from deeper tones,” says Dark and Lovely celebrity stylist Derick Monroe. That said, if you want to take your hair a few shades lighter, be sure to keep your hair healthy enough to handle the dye.

“The last thing you want to do is a chemical process on already damaged hair,” he says. “A pro tip is to have a maintenance program to keep your hair healthy, shiny, and moisturized. That could be as simple as a deep-conditioning treatment at home.”

Strawberry Auburn Blonde

Strawberry auburn blonde hair color is the perfect way to ease into red. “This shade works for anyone interested in playing with warmer colors without fully committing to a fully saturated look,” says Valdes. “Since it utilizes different techniques that give the illusion of a fully saturated color, it gives a softer grow-out.”

Raspberry Auburn

Another option is to elevate your auburn hair with highlights in an unexpected way. “I think raspberry auburn hair color is so appealing because it feels like highlight,” Devon Toth, hairstylist at NYC-based Salon SCK, tells Glamour. “The depth is still there, but it melts into this bright, rustic mahogany tone. It's an evolution of the cherry hair color with an added hint of purple.”

If you prefer your hair on the brighter side, Toth recommends asking for a hint of purple in your highlights and balayage on the ends. If you want something more subtle, “ask for foil highlights if you want to see the raspberry hues throughout the whole style from roots to ends.”

Cherry Cola Auburn

One of the most popular and well known takes on auburn is Lana Del Rey's cherry cola auburn shade. This look is perfect for blondes and medium brunettes and can be achieved at home with Color Brilliance Red Brown Permanent Liquid Hair Color.

Auburn Balayage

Auburn balayage is making a comeback. “These looks are popular because they are changing the norm of heavy balayaged hair,” says Valdes. “It’s usually so dark at the roots to extremely blonde on the ends, but that is time-consuming. Now people want more simplicity”—and to look like Rihanna, of course. And since auburn ombré hair looks so good grown out, you don’t have to worry about frequent touch-ups.

Carnelian Auburn

“A beautiful auburn color with a copper cast has been here and will continue to be one of the most desired looks,” says Valdes, who cites Phoebe Dynevor's shade as a prime example of the look. “This be achieved with an allover color, highlights, or balayage, depending on the style and vibrancy desired.”

Ruby Auburn

Stephanie Brown, a colorist at IGK Soho, predicts that Zendaya’s toned-down copper red will be having a moment soon. The key to getting it just right, however, is the “lived-in” feel. “It’s darker at the root with brunette undertones,” she says, “so it doesn’t come across as a fashion color, meaning it’s wearable for everyday.”

Auburn Spice

“I’m in love with this shade of red hair,” says says Matt Rez, celebrity colorist at LA's Meche Salon. “It’s the perfect marriage of warmth and depth that makes this color so special.” For a look with lots of depth and dimension, Rez suggests asking your colorist for an auburn shade that doesn't read as purple. “The perfect auburn has a brown background with a deep copper reflect,” he says.

Auburn Pop

Another way to gently ease your way into the auburn aesthetic? Weaving some pops of the shade throughout your hair. "Shades of auburn mixed throughout really give the hair some subtle pop,” says Jamila Powell, founder of Miami’s Maggie Rose Salon. “I love anything two-toned because it gives amazing dimension throughout your hair.” She suggests this look for warmer-toned brunettes who are looking for a small change.

Copper Auburn

Everyone's obsession with red and auburn hair isn’t going anywhere, says Emily Boulin, hairstylist and Sally Beauty DIY color and styling expert: “All variations of red are in, but copper seems to be the quickest on the rise when clients are looking for a bigger change.” One especially popular take on the shade is cinnamon copper, which is “making a heavy wave,” says hairstylist and color expert for Cosmo Prof Presley Poe, who suggests the Schwarzkopf Vibrance line for maintaining beautiful, rich, and reflective red hair tones.

Mahogany Auburn

For a low-maintenance auburn brown hair color, Korab suggests adding hints of red to your usual shade of rich brunette. “Try adding a little red to this trend to really spice things up,” she says. “This hair color looks great on most skin tones, and will never go out of style. This a great color to try if you already have brunette hair and just want to enhance it.”

Caramel Auburn

“I love a good brunette that doesn’t read red but has elements of warmth throughout,” says Rez. “It gives a really balanced result.”

To get the look, ask your colorist for midlength auburn highlights one or two levels lighter than your base, as well as neutral warm highlights. “The combo of the two will pick up so beautifully without unwanted warmth taking over and reading as a red,” he says. “Done right, warmth on brunettes is unbeatable.”

Auburn Locs

Channel your inner Little Mermaid with auburn or copper locs, just like Halle Bailey did to portray Ariel. “I wrapped Halle's locs with 30 inches of custom-colored and perm hair,” hairstylist Camille Friend, who did Bailey's hair on set, tells Glamour. “The hair was wrapped around each of her locs to achieve the style, and loose pieces were added to achieve the loose wave, and it was made up of three shades of red and has a wavy texture.”