Auburn is a heady mix of brown-red-orange gorgeousness that sets our hearts on fire. Red hair is massively in this year and we’re all over rich reds like no one’s business. But how do you get auburn hair color at home?
It’s one of the most popular hair color ideas that’s growing its fan base for it’s ability to look on point from season to season.
It’s a hot fave in our Best red hair shades to dye for right now with it’s warm, rich, multidimensional tones.
We’re here to tell you all about it, how to wear it and how to get the lush look at home.
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Contents
- 1 What is auburn hair?
- 2 Is auburn a natural hair colour?
- 3 Is auburn hair color orange?
- 4 What is the difference between auburn and red hair?
- 5 What skin tone suits auburn hair?
- 6 Will auburn suit me?
- 7 Does auburn hair color fade quickly?
- 8 Can brunettes go auburn?
- 9 Can I dye my hair auburn at home?
- 10 Which is the best auburn hair dye?
- 11 Best auburn hair dyes
- 12 TOP PICK!
- 13 Preference Infinia, Brooklyn Intense Copper Auburn.
- 14 How to dye your hair auburn at home.
- 15 Watch and learn: How to dye your hair Auburn at home.
- 16 How can I make my auburn color last for longer?
- 17 Parting words
What is auburn hair?
Auburn is a rich colour from the red hair family.
It’s a luxurious red-orange hue with brown and red undertones. We love it because, like brown and red hair color, it’s a natural looking shade that suits pretty much everyone.
The red gradient can be anything from a medium rust to a dark red, with chestnut, copper, caramel blonde highlights and strawberry hues thrown into the mix.
So warm or cool, you’re likely to find a few different shades of auburn to suit you.
Best of all, it’s a multidimensional colour that’s always on trend because it’s so versatile.
It looks amazing as an eye-catching base for colour blended styles like balayage and auburn highlights and mixed with darker shades for ombre and lowlights.
Check out the latest looks for ideas and inspiration.
Is auburn a natural hair colour?
This is a natural hair colour, but there are many different shades of this autumn hue.
This is because it’s a combination of red and brown hues, so it can range from a light copper or cinnamon to a dark mahogany.
This lush colour is commonly mistaken as brown that has red highlights.
In actual fact, this hair color tends to be naturally red-brown as its base, with a high proportion of blonde and brown tones.
The best thing about this hair colour is that it suits everyone because it’s so natural looking.
Is auburn hair color orange?
It’s a funny colour to describe and you’ll hear people calling it everything from reddish-brown, to dark red to ginger and orange.
The word ‘Auburn’ comes from an old french word, alborne which means blonde, so that’s no help to us either!
These rusty colours can also be mistaken for on-trend copper, although it has more natural dark rich red tones than it’s brighter metallic look-a-like.
Chestnut and other rich red-browns such as mahogany can also often called auburn but these are more on the brunette than the red colour spectrum.
These colours are fantastic for lowlights blended with lighter shades.
Ultimately, where your hair will look on the scale of brown-to-red-to-orange will depend on the natural colour of your skin, your eye color and the base colour of your hair to begin with.
As well as which hair dye you choose to help you get the perfect shade at home!
What is the difference between auburn and red hair?
Auburn is a mix of red and brown hues, whereas red is a purer form of the red hair colour.
This means that auburn is warmer and has more brown tones, whereas red is brighter and cooler.
Auburn is also more versatile because it comes in different shades, whereas red is one solid hue.
What skin tone suits auburn hair?
It’s a colour that’s extremely versatile.
You’ll just need to know if you suit more cool or warmer colours to make the right choice of shade for you.
To find out your undertones, things like your skin tone, eye colour and even the jewellery you wear all come into the mix.
Warm colors – this is mostly a warmer colour so all true shades will suit those with warm undertones. Rich colours, warm highlights and natural red hues are all part of the warm spectrum.
Cool colors – although it’s a warm color, it can be easily blended with cooler colours to tone down the warmth.
Dark brown balayage and colours with a purple base such as burgundy are perfect for cool undertone bases mixed in with dark red hair.
So are you warm or cool? Use the checklist below to find out!
If you have cool undertones:
- Your skin tone is pink or pale.
- You blush easily!
- Jewel and pastel colours are so your thing.
- The colour yellow washes you out and does not look good on you.
- You have blue not green veins in your wrist.
- Pearls and silver jewellery look awesome on you.
If you have warm undertones:
- You have red or golden tones in your natural hair.
- Your skin tone is golden, tan or olive.
- You might have freckles.
- You have green not blue veins in your wrist.
- You suit bright or rich shades better.
- Gold jewellery looks awesome on you.
Will auburn suit me?
If you’re still unsure whether it’s a shade that will suit you, you can also take our QUICK QUIZ! to find out what colours you’re most suited to!
Just click the image below.
You can also try on some virtual hair colours with the Best hair colour changing apps you need to use in 2022!
Does auburn hair color fade quickly?
This is a ravishing red hair colour which means unfortunately, it will fade quick as it’s one of the hardest colours to maintain.
This is because red dye is made up of extra large colour molecules that slip and slide out of your hair with every wash. If your natural hair colour is lighter, it’ll fade even faster.
And external factors like sunshine, salt and pool water won’t help either.
To keep the colour locked in, you’ll need to use specially formulated shampoos and conditioners to make the colour stay vibrant for longer.
Washing your hair less often, covering up in the sun and using heat protection sprays that contain UV protection can also really help make it last.
Can brunettes go auburn?
Yes they can! This rich hair colour is a great option for those looking to change up their natural brunette locks and go from brown to auburn hair.
If you’re blessed with dark hair and would like to dye it red but are worried about the stark contrast between shades, then this colour variation will be perfect for you.
Can I dye my hair auburn at home?
Simply, yes. You can achieve on-trend color at home. There are a wonderful range of box dyes that you can buy off the shelf to achieve that perfect all over glimmer. The colour you’ll achieve will depend on the colour your hair is now.
If your hair is currently light brown to blonde – you have a good base for getting the look. Make sure you match up the colour chart on the side of the box to get the right match.
If you want to go lighter or brighter color, you’ll need to pre-lighten your hair first with bleach to get the best base for the colour to take.
If your hair is currently mid-brunette or darker – rich, dark colours and lowlights will work for you. You’ll need to pre-lighten your hair with bleach first for an all over lighter effect.
Don’t be afraid to experiment!
The great thing about it is that there’s a shade for almost everyone. From sun-kissed light hues to deep reds and browns.
Which is the best auburn hair dye?
Here are some of our best tried and tested hair dyes you can buy today.
Always do a strand test to determine what the colour will look like on your hair, compared to the picture on the box.
And a patch test 48 hours before to check for allergic reactions.
Find out more about each one in our Best auburn hair dye reviews.
Best auburn hair dyes
| Hair dye | Looks like | Best for | Buy now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clairol Nice' n Easy Crème, Light Auburn. |   | Warm tones and blending. | |
| Schwarzkopf Colour Expert, Auburn Brown. |   | Cool brunettes. | |
| Revlon Colorsilk Bright Auburn |   | Warm blondes/Light Browns. | |
| Garnier Nutrisse Creme Colour, Chestnut Auburn. |   | Cool mid to dark browns. | |
| John Frieda Precision Foam, Medium Red Brown. |   | Long-lasting colour for cool, dark tones. |
TOP PICK!
Preference Infinia, Brooklyn Intense Copper Auburn.
They say:
- Lustrous colour results, and fade-resistant formula.
- Comes with a new precious High Shine Elixir.
- Colour radiance for up to 8 weeks.
- Improved fragrance for a better colour experience.
Reviewers say:
“Amazing hair colour. Very vibrant. and super easy to apply.”
“I’ve been a red head on and off for years – this shade is absolutely gorgeous.”
“The best hair dye I’ve ever used. Long lasting so you don’t have to worry about it fading any time soon. Glossy finish and easy to apply!!”
We say:
This a gorgeous warm autumn colour.
We tried it on dark brown hair and the depth of colour is stunning. It has multidimensional undertones of metallic copper-brown hues.
The dye comes with a colour extender so you can brighten the colour back up in between dyes. Loads of the reviews said it lasted really well too. This is the favourite one for us.
The one for: Long-lasting luscious colour.
How to dye your hair auburn at home.
If you want to dye your hair this shade at home, the best way to do it is with an auburn hair dye.
Choose a dye that’s one or two shades darker than your natural hair colour to get the perfect tone for you.
If you’re not sure which shade to go for, ask your hairdresser for advice.
To dye your hair at home, follow these steps:
Step 1. Start by shampooing and conditioning your hair with a clarifying shampoo. This will remove any buildup on your scalp and hair and ensure even coverage of the hair dye.
Step 2. Apply the auburn hair dye to your hair, starting at the roots and working your way through to the ends.
Step 3. Leave the dye in for the recommended time (usually around 30 minutes).
Step 4. Rinse your hair thoroughly with cool water until all of the dye has been washed out.
Step 5. Finish by styling as usual.
Watch and learn: How to dye your hair Auburn at home.
How can I make my auburn color last for longer?
Red shades need more love than almost any other colour and will fade fast if you don’t look after it.
To keep your hair color looking fresh, follow these tips:
1. Use a shampoo and conditioner that are designed for coloured hair. This will help to protect your hair colour and keep it looking vibrant.
2. Avoid washing your hair every day. Washing your hair too often can strip it of its natural oils and cause your hair colour to fade. Try to wash your hair 2-3 times a week at most.
3. Use a heat protectant when styling your hair with hot tools. This will help to prevent your hair from being damaged and will keep your hair colour looking bright.
4. Get regular haircuts. A good haircut will remove any split ends and damage that can cause your hair colour to fade.
5. Use a hair mask once a week. A hair mask will help to keep your hair hydrated and will prevent it from becoming dry and brittle, which can cause your hair colour to fade.
And don’t forget to follow all of our top coloured hair care tips in How to look after coloured hair can keep it luscious for longer.
Parting words
Auburn is one of the most popular colours, and for good reason.
It can be worn in different shades to suit any personality or style. We hope you enjoyed reading about what it takes to get this look at home!
Good luck!