Get the Best Auburn Hair Dyes in 2024: Top 6 Reviewed.

Rich, red and ravishing, auburn hair is a heady mix of brown-red-orange gorgeousness that sets our hearts on fire.

It’s one of the most popular hair colors this year that’s growing its fan base for its ability to look on point from season to season.

But which is the best auburn hair dye you need in your life right now?

Let’s find out!

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What Color is Auburn Hair?

Auburn is is a rusty orange-red-brown hue that comes from the red hair family.

We love it because, like brown shades and red hair color, it suits pretty much everyone, whether you have cool or warm undertones.

It’s a beautiful shade of red that has been trending for a few years now.

It’s often described as being somewhere between dark brown and rich red, with the perfect balance of both colors.

It’s a great color to use for lowlights and hair streaks, it also looks fabulous as a base for blonde highlights.

It’s an awesome option for those who want an autumn-inspired hair color without going full-on ginger or pumpkin spice latte.

You’ll find shades in anything from a bright, almost copper tone to a medium chestnut or strawberry to a natural dark chocolatey red.

So you’re likely to find a few different hues and styles to suit you.

Check out the latest looks for ideas and inspiration.

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Can I dye my hair auburn at home?

Yes! It is completely possible to achieve this on-trend color at home.

There are an awesome range of auburn box dyes that you can buy off the shelf for every hair type to achieve that perfect all over rich amber sheen.

Just make sure you choose the right shade for the color your hair is now. Always check the side of the hair dye box you choose to match it with the color your hair is now.

If your hair is very dark, you may need to bleach it to get the right shade and tone.

If your hair is a dark brown or black – you’ll need to lighten your hair first to get the look.

This will involve bleach so you might want to chat to your hairdresser. You can’t lighten color with color!

If your hair is a light brown or blonde – you’re good to go! You can dye your hair this shade yourself for sure. Just follow the advice on the hair dye box.

And don’t forget to always do a strand test to see what the color will look like on your hair!

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Which is the best auburn hair dye? 

We’ve searched high and low to bring you the auburn box dyes that will give you this lush loveliness at home!

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#1 Clairol Nice’ n Easy Crème, Light Auburn.

Features & ingredients:

• An Nice N Easy to use hair dye to get the color you desire at home.
• The non-drip color crème smells fresh, not of ammonia (there is none).
• Claims 100% grey coverage that gives natural looking tones.
• Kind to your hair.

Reviewers say:

“This is a lovely color that lasts longer than others I have tried. I wash my hair twice a week and I find the color lasts anything from 3-4 months.”

“I am so pleased with the result – shiny, healthy, light red hair. I feel like I should’ve changed to this color years ago!”

Our experience:

This hair dye was easy to apply with a non-drip creme that really didn’t go everywhere.

What impressed us most about this one was how it blended the brown root regrowth well with the rest of our blonde hair.

The tone was a little more warm and orangey than it looks on the box. But nothing a little blue shampoo won’t keep at bay.

Best for: Natural-Looking Tones and Grey Coverage

#2 Schwarzkopf Keratin Color, Red Velvet Brown.

Features & ingredients:

• This contains Keratin, which strengthens micro-bonds within each hair fibre, during and after coloring.
• It gives improved hair quality and an exceptional color result.
• Easily detangled & deeply cared-for hair

Reviewers say:

“My hair is naturally on the dry, porous side but it feels soft, strong and the color is wonderful red brunette.”

“I love this dye. I bought the matching Schwartzkopf color freeze shampoo and conditioner to go with it and it worked great. Also it smelled lovely!”

“I have quite dark hair naturally and I wanted a dark red and this does the trick. I get so many compliments with this hair color.”

We say:

This is a lovely subtle color at the browner end of the spectrum. It doesn’t come with gloves, so get some strong, disposable ones.

Our hair felt soft and shiny after application. Leave it longer than the 30 mins that the instructions say if your hair is already color treated.

It seems quite brown at first but gets redder after each wash.

Best for: Rich Brunette Shade with Red Undertones

#3 Revlon Colorsilk Bright Auburn.

Features & ingredients:

• This specially blended, permanent hair color formula includes our Revlon 3D Color Gel Technology, which deposits rich, dimensional color that looks natural and lasts.
• Leaves your hair in better condition than before you colored it.

Reviewers say:

“I have been dyeing my hair this shade for 8 years. The color keeps really well and is and it’s close to the color on the box”. 

“It’s so nice and vibrant! It lasts long and is easy to apply. I have long medium brown hair that’s quite thick so I use two packs.”

“I recently had my hair lightened and then I colored it myself bright auburn at home and I’m really happy with the results.”

Our experience:

This is a fantastically vibrant shade. It lifted our dark blonde hair to almost a strawberry blonde.

Our hair felt super silky with this and the conditioner is wonderful although we could’ve done with it being bigger as we used it all in one go.

As the reviews say, you’ll need two boxes if you have long or particularly thick hair.

This is also on the orange-red spectrum although it’s not as golden as copper shades.

It’s really bright for a couple of days but it does dull down.

Best for: Warm Red-Brown Hair with Lasting Color

#4 Garnier Nutrisse Creme Color, Light Intense Auburn.

Features & ingredients:

• Natural-looking hair color result.
• Rich and long lasting hair color performance.
• Intensely nourishes and protects against hair dryness for up to 8 weeks.
• After Color Conditioner enriched with 4 oils for silky, shiny hair.

Reviewers say:

“This hair color is brilliant and left my hair feeling really soft. Perfect color, same as on the box. Pleasant smell, so easy to use, does not drip.”

“I’m about 20% grey and it covers this so well. It leaves a variety of shades in my hair so there is no flat feeling or look.”

“I tried this a week after dying my hair another color. This really worked and had a glossy, shimmery effect.”

Our experience:

We used this on medium brown hair and it came out a lot darker than the color examples on the box but still a gorgeous rich hue of red.

This made our hair closer to a luxurious cherry brown, but it goes to show that your base color matters.

There was real depth to the color that we loved.

Best for: Deep, Nourishing Color with Lasting Shine.

#5 John Frieda Precision Foam, Dark Red Brown.

Features & ingredients:

• Lock in rich, salon-quality red hair color with our thick, saturating foam hair dye.
• The non-drip foam penetrates your hair strands for deep color saturation.
• The nourishing after-color conditioner seals in color for long-lasting, tonal richness. 

Reviewers say:

“This dye is such a lovely color. It was very simple to follow and covered all my hair. But do make sure you read the instructions before using.”

“I used this and my hair came out exactly the shade I had hoped for. A week later, it’s still soft and shiny and looks healthy.”

“This color was just right and covered really evenly with no patchy bits. I also have a lot of grey hairs but this covered it fantastically.”

Our experience:

We love John Frieda Precision Foam Color for how easy it is to use, and how long the color lasts.

This color is super rich and almost mahogany on our dark brown hair. It gave a very even color and had a glossy sheen to it after drying.

This is one of our faves as our hair felt more saturated with the foam and in better condition after dyeing. We have high hopes that this color will last a while.

Best for: Long-Lasting Color and Easy Application for Cool Tones

#6 L’Oreal Excellence Hair Dye, Light Auburn.

Features & ingredients:

• Lustrous color results, and fade-resistant formula.
• Comes with a new precious High Shine Elixir.
• Color radiance for up to 8 weeks.
• Improved fragrance for a better color experience.

Reviewers say:

“Amazing hair color. 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!!”

Our experience:

This is a gorgeous warm color. We tried it on dark brown hair and the depth of color is stunning.

It has multidimensional undertones of metallic copper-red hues. The dye comes with a color extender so you can brighten the color back up in between dyes.

Loads of the reviews said it lasted really well too. This is the favourite one for us.

Best for: Vibrant, Long-Lasting Color with Metallic Undertones

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TOP PICK!

L’Oreal Excellence Hair Dye, Light Auburn

Best for: Long-lasting luscious color.

This a gorgeous warm color. We tried it on dark brown hair and the depth of color is stunning.

It has multidimensional undertones of metallic copper-red hues. The dye comes with a color extender so you can brighten the color back up in between dyes.

Loads of the reviews said it lasted really well too. This is the favourite one for us.

Best auburn hair dyes at a glance.

Hair dye	Looks like	Best for	Buy now
Clairol Nice’ n Easy Crème, Light Auburn.	Save	Natural-Looking Tones and Grey Coverage	Check it out on Amazon >>
Schwarzkopf Keratin Color Red Velvet Brown.	Save	Rich Brunette Shade with Red Undertones	Check it out on Amazon >>
Revlon Colorsilk Bright Auburn	Save	Warm Red-Brown Hair with Lasting Color	Check it out on Amazon >>
Garnier Nutrisse Creme Color, Light Intense Auburn.	Save	Deep, Nourishing Color with Lasting Shine	Check it out on Amazon >>
John Frieda Precision Foam, Dark Red Brown.	Save	Long-Lasting Color and Easy Application for Cool Tones	Check it out on Amazon >>
L’Oreal Excellence Hair Dye, Light Auburn.	Save	Vibrant, Long-Lasting Color with Metallic Undertones	Check it out on Amazon >>

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Buyer’s guide: How to choose the right auburn hair dye for you.

If you’re looking to stand out in a sea of blondes and brunettes, auburn hair is the perfect way to make a statement. Read on for our comprehensive guide on how to choose the right auburn hair dye for you.

Hair Type & Texture Matters

Before you get started, it’s important to take into consideration your hair type and texture.

Is your hair fine or thick? Straight or curly? Low porosity or high porosity? Knowing this information will give you an idea of how easily your hair absorbs color as well as which shades will best suit your natural look.

Skin Tone Matters Too

Once you know your hair type, it’s time to consider what kind of hue will look most natural against your skin tone.

Fair skin tones tend to look better with cooler shades such as mahogany red while those with dark skin should opt for warmer hues like copper red.

If in doubt, seek professional advice from a stylist before taking the plunge!

Semi-Permanent vs Permanent

When it comes to dyeing your hair, there are two main types of dye—semi-permanent and permanent.

Semi-permanent dyes last up to 15 washes and are ideal if you want something that won’t stay put forever and can easily be changed up when needed.

Permanent hair dyes last longer (up to 8 weeks) but require more maintenance than semi-permanent dyes so keep that in mind when making your decision.

The strand test

Before committing to any particular shade of auburn dye, it’s always wise—and recommended—to do a strand test first in order get an idea of what the final result will look like on your own head.

This will give you an opportunity see how different dyes interact with your individual strands and help ensure that you get exactly what you’re looking for before going all in!

Auburn hair dye FAQs

Is auburn a cool or warm color?

It’s more of a warm color thanks to its natural red undertones so it will really suit those who have warm skin tones too.

That’s not to say it can’t be cooled down by choosing shades of red that are more on the brunette end of the spectrum.

Lowlights and balayage hairstyles also work amazingly when blended with cooler shades.

Is auburn a natural hair color?

This is a natural hair color that can be found in many shades from deep burgundy to bright copper or cinnamon, with some people having red or strawberry blonde strands as well.

It varies depending on what your parents passed down for genes!

The idea of going au naturel has become increasingly popular over the last few years and people are now using plant dyes like henna to achieve that natural looking red hue rather than harsh chemicals on their locks.

How long does auburn hair dye last?

The longevity of auburn hair dye depends on factors such as the type of dye (permanent or semi-permanent), hair care routine, and frequency of washing. Generally, permanent dyes last up to 8 weeks, while semi-permanent dyes may fade after 15 washes.

Can I dye my hair auburn at home?

Yes, it’s possible to dye your hair auburn at home! However, if your hair is significantly darker than the desired shade of auburn, you may need to lighten it first, which might require professional assistance.

How can I choose the right shade of auburn hair dye?

Consider factors such as your skin tone, natural hair color, and desired intensity of the auburn shade. Cool-toned auburns may suit fair skin tones, while warmer shades complement darker skin tones. Performing a strand test can also help determine the final outcome.

Does auburn hair dye cover gray hair effectively?

Many auburn hair dyes offer good coverage for gray hair, particularly those formulated with full coverage in mind. But individual results may vary based on the porosity and texture of your hair.

How can I maintain the vibrancy of my auburn hair color?

To maintain the vibrancy of your auburn hair color, use color-safe shampoo and conditioner, avoid excessive heat styling, and minimize exposure to chlorine and UV rays. Occasional color-refreshing treatments or glosses can help revive the color between dyeing sessions too.

Can henna be used to achieve an auburn hair color?

Yes, henna is a natural dye that can be used to achieve various shades of red, including auburn. However, it’s essential to note that henna provides a permanent color change and may interact unpredictably with chemically-treated hair.

Parting words.

When it comes to the best hair dye to get the classic look, you can’t go wrong with any of these.

Auburn tones will change your life, make you feel like a new person, and give you the confidence to take on the world.

All are great for different reasons and all will give you that rich red tone that’s sure to turn heads this season!

So what are you waiting for?

Found your perfect shade? We’d love to see it! Tag us on Instagram @colouredhaircare or Facebook and share your hair dye success stories. Looking for more hair care tips? Check out How to Look After Colored Hair: 11 Expert Secrets For Long-Lasting Color.