Copper hair is trending yet again with the hashtag #copperhair boasting a huge 1.2 billion views on TikTok.
Despite being in summer, the recurring autumnal trend is thought to be remerging earlier than usual due to the colder and wetter weather, prompting clients to go for warmer tones.
Laura Elliot, Head of Education at Salon Promotions, believes that the copper trend is here to stay and is reminding stylists of some key considerations for when their next client asks for a copper look to suit them.
Here, Laura offers her top tips on what to discuss with your client should they want to go copper.
Skin Undertone
The client may have seen a colour they love on Instagram or TikTok, but it may not be the correct undertone for them.
“Education is really important here, and booking in a consultation prior, along with a patch test will be vital to manage expectations and achieve the perfect bespoke copper look,” says Laura.
Laure suggests specific tones, depending on your client’s skin undertone:
Warm Undertones
These clients will suit golden to orange copper shades such as fiery copper, cinnamon copper, plum copper, or deep copper.
Cool Undertones
Look to match these clients with cooler coppers that have a slight hint of pink to them such as strawberry blonde, copper ombre, vivid copper, or bright copper.
Neutral Undertones
Clients with a neutral skin undertone will have the luxury of choosing whatever copper shade they like, as they tend to suit both warmer and cooler coppers, from burgundy copper to tomato copper.
Cost
Laura explains: “Copper is high maintenance and fades quickly compared to darker colours, such as rich brunettes or jet blacks. Coppers, especially in the summer months when exposed to UV rays will require toning every six to eight weeks depending on the intensity of the copper colour and the client’s previous hair colour.
“This can become pricey, and some clients may not appreciate the regularity of upkeep or may not end up being able to keep up with the costs, so it’s crucial to manage expectations here.”
Virgin Hair
Copper is a bold colour no matter the shade or intensity you go for, and so Laura suggests two preliminary avenues to discuss with your client.
“If the client has virgin hair or has never made a drastic change to their colour, perhaps suggest using semi-permanent colour at first as this will wash out within six weeks of application, should the client decide the bold colour is not for them,” Laura says. “Alternatively, educate your client on subtle ways of incorporating the viral colour trend, through copper ombre or highlights.”
Looking for some copper inspiration? Head here.
