Grab Your Boots and Your Hat—Cowboy Copper Is Bringing Country Back

What Exactly Is the Cowboy Copper Hair Color?

Cowboy copper is a rich, dimensional hair color inspired by the look of leather. Texas-based hair artist Evana Elysa tells IPSY that the shade is “a trendy sienna brown that lives in the copper family.” Not to be confused with auburn, cowboy copper is similar to the reddish-brunette hair color, though it contains golden undertones versus red undertones traditionally found in auburn hair colors. Think more copper red than true red, which is also somewhat easier to maintain.

Why Is Cowboy Copper Everywhere Right Now?

Cowboy copper has roots in the copper hair trend that sprouted up a few years back. Once it-girl Kendall Jenner went copper during the 2022 Prada Milan Fashion Show, the hair color trend skyrocketed. We saw various celebs don red hair in numerous unique shades, which ultimately led to cowboy copper taking off on TikTok. Apart from the copper craze, the Western aesthetic has been a huge trend over the years when it comes to fashion. We’re seeing cowboy boots and cowboy hats more than we’ve ever seen before in everyday wear. With this, it only makes sense that a color like cowboy copper would take off to match these vibes.

One final reason why our experts think the hair color is on the top of everyone’s Pinterest boards is because it’s relatively low-maintenance and works for just about everyone. “I think it’s the most popular color right now because it is such a versatile color and can look good with anyone’s skin tone and features as long as you choose the right undertones,” says Florida-based hairstylist Idalis Ruiz. Elysa agrees, adding, “I think it’s the perfect pop of color without overpowering the client’s overall look.”

How to Get the Trending Hair Color

Whether you’re on a budget and want to achieve the look yourself or have saved all your pennies for a trip to the salon, we’ve broken down how to get the perfect cowboy copper tone for you.

Achieving Cowboy Copper At Home

Our experts stress that it’s best to visit a salon to achieve cowboy copper, though it’s not impossible to get the look yourself. Those who will find it easiest to transform their looks at home will be those who already have bleached hair or a shade of copper, red, or brunette. Those with darker colors may need to bleach their hair, which is why Ruiz recommends seeing a professional if you’re unfamiliar with doing this and don’t want to damage your strands. The easiest way to achieve this color yourself, according to Elysa, is with a color conditioner like the OVERTONE Golden Copper Color Depositing Daily Conditioner. This shade is perfect for achieving the cowboy copper hue while also offering hydration thanks to jojoba oil. Hair glosses are also a great way to get the color yourself. Try either the GLAZE Copper Crush Red Super Color Conditioning Hair Gloss, GLAZE Glacé Cherry Red Super Color Conditioning Hair Gloss, or DPHUE Gloss+ Copper, depending on the hair color you’re starting with.

For those who are already experienced with dyeing their hair at home, SALLY BEAUTY shared the exact formulas to grab from their store in a TikTok. They suggest combining the ONE N’ ONLY ARGAN OIL Permanent Color Cream 5RG Light Tangerine Brown and 8RG Light Tangerine Blonde for a softer copper. Another combination they love is the BONDBAR 8RC Light Copper Blonde Bonding Permanent Crème Hair Color and 5RC Light Copper Brown Bonding Permanent Crème Hair Color because the formula is cruelty-free, vegan, phthalate-free, and paraben-free. To create a more custom copper shade, mix L’OREAL Light Auburn Permanent Creme Hair Color, Sizzling Copper Permanent Creme Hair Color, and/or Soft Brown Permanent Creme Hair Color. Their final hair dye duo selection is the ION 6R Dark Red Blonde Permanent Creme Hair Color and 8RC Light Copper Blonde Permanent Creme Hair Color for long-lasting, fade-resistant color.

What to Ask for in the Salon

When meeting with your colorist, Ruiz recommends bringing “inspiration pictures of the colors you like and asking your stylist which tones would complement your skin tone and features.” Similarly, Elysa notes that you should “let the stylist pick the perfect shade and level” for your cowboy copper. They are the experts, after all.

If it’s your first time with this colorist, Elysa says to ask for a “medium brown copper color or red brown color.” By now, most stylists will know what you mean when you say you want cowboy copper, however, it’s best to know more technical terms so you know which way you want to go with it. Ultimately, your stylist can help determine if a red-brown or copper-brown cowboy copper will work best for your skin tone, but it doesn’t hurt to be familiar with the shades yourself. 

5 Tips for Maintaining Your Cowboy Copper Hair Color

Whether you DIY’d it or sought out an expert, you’ll want to ensure that your color lasts as long as it can. To do so, the experts recommend following these simple maintenance tips.

1. Schedule Regular Hair Appointments

Maintaining the color will require regular salon visits—around every six to eight weeks, says Elysa. The good thing is you won’t need to completely redo the color when you go in (so long as you care for it properly) and will likely just need some toner maintenance. If you’re on a budget, you can touch up your hair at home—here’s how.

2. Use Color-Safe Shampoo and Conditioner

When it comes to post-dye job hair care, color-safe shampoos and conditioners are crucial. You use shampoo and conditioner more than any other hair product (sometimes even daily), so you’ll need to invest in ones that help preserve the life of your color. We love the AVEDA Color Control Shampoo because the silicone-free formula gently cleanses our strands without stripping our color—and it actually reduces color fading. Elysa is a fan of the IGK HAIR More Life Shampoo & Conditioner Duo because the products extend the life of color for up to 15 washes.

3. Turn Down the Heat on Hot Tools

The higher the heat, the quicker your color will fade, which is why Ruiz says to “avoid using your heating tools at a very high heat.” We know that keeping things on a lower heat setting can prolong the hairstyling process for some, especially those with thicker hair textures, but if you want your color to last, this is the price you have to pay. Try to give yourself some extra time so you don’t feel rushed, and get familiar with air-drying your hair to also avoid heat as much as possible.

4. Wash Your Hair Less

Even with using color-safe hair products, Ruiz says to wash your hair maybe one to two times a week. Dry shampoo is about to be your BFF, if it isn’t already. The BRIOGEO HAIR CARE Scalp Revival™ Charcoal + Biotin Dry Shampoo is one of our faves because it absorbs excess oil without leaving our strands feeling cakey, which we credit to the sulfate-free formula.

5. Avoid Pools, Oceans, and Lakes

A maintenance tip that sounds easy to follow...until it’s summer. We know there’s nothing more thrilling than jumping into a cool body of water when the temperatures rise, but you’ll want to avoid that after your hair transformation. “I truly recommend avoiding any pools or beach water because they can be pretty harsh on your color, and you will see fading immediately,” Ruiz says.

Our Fave Cowboy Copper Hair Color Looks

1. Classic Cowboy Copper

A true cowboy copper shade, this hair color perfectly blends red, brunette, and copper tones to create this glossy hue.

2. Dark Cowboy Copper

Ideal for those with brown hair, this shade adds a subtle copper tinge to your natural brunette shade. It’s an easy way to test out the color before going any lighter.

3. Cowboy Copper Balayage

Add some dimension to the shade by asking for a balayage. This is likely a hair color you’d want an expert to recreate and not one you’d want to do at home, because balayage is not for the weak.

4. Cowboy Copper Extensions

Add some length to your new color (shorter hair types, we see you) by opting for extensions as well. Why not go with the full transformation?

5. Cowboy Copper Highlights

Another way to test the waters of the color before completely diving in, highlights are a fun way to add dimension to your natural hair color without the full commitment.

6. Faded Cowboy Copper

We love a lived-in, faded color look—and cowboy copper is one of those hues that looks great when softened. Try this shade if you’re starting with lighter hair and are scared of going darker.