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Auburn hair is the trend taking red hair enthusiasts by storm. Radiating warmth, depth and elegance, auburn hair is fast becoming the shade of choice for those seeking a timeless yet trend-forward look. In this blog, Laura Elliott, head of education here at Neäl & Wølf answers your biggest questions about the colour, revealing its anti-aging powers, links to ginger hair and maintenance.
1. What colour is auburn hair?
Auburn hair is a type of red hair colour, which encompasses shades of brown. This is a deep tone similar to copper that often looks best with a healthy shine. The look creates a feel of richness and warmth, with a depth to the style that makes it appear redder in sunlight and brown in dimmer environments. There are a variety of shades of auburn from light to dark, so we would encourage sharing reference pieces with your stylist to ensure you have your dream colour.
Auburn sits between red and brown on the colour spectrum - richer than copper, deeper than strawberry blonde, and warmer than mahogany. In direct sunlight, it appears vibrant and fiery; in shadow, it's sultry and brunette-leaning.
2. What skin tone is best for auburn hair?
The versatility of auburn hair means that it looks good on everyone! The red balances out pink in cooler skin tones and brown brings out the best of warmer tones. We would recommend that the warmer your skin tone, the darker your auburn hair should be. Aside from skin tone, auburn hair is also a brilliant way to enhance your eyes, making them appear more vibrant. For a complete guide on skin tone and colour, read our blog: What Hair Colour Suits Me? A Guide to Choosing the Right Shade
3. What colours suit auburn hair?
Auburn hair works well with a vast range of colours. As with all red hair types, greens like olive, emerald and forest green are incredibly flattering as they create a contrast. Auburn hair also matches with purple colours like plum and burgundy, making it a popular autumnal shade.
4. How rare is auburn hair?
It is very rare to have naturally auburn hair. This is because the colour is part of the red hair family, with only 1-2% of people in the world having the red hair phenotype. For others not included in these numbers, hair colouring is the only option.
5. Does auburn hair fade?
Yes - all coloured hair fades over time! Naturally auburn hair fades to white or blonde with age, whereas coloured hair will eventually return to its natural shade. We would recommend giving your auburn hair a regular touch-up at the salon and maintaining it with TLC when at home - read on for some key tips!
6. Is auburn hair red or brown?
Auburn hair is classed as red hair, but it does have brown hues blended throughout the style, making it a hybrid of the two colours. Darker auburn shades may feature more brown tones, whereas light auburn hair appears more red.
7. Is auburn and ginger the same?
Put simply, no! Ginger hair and auburn hair have different undertones, shading and overall look.
Ginger hair can have auburn undertones, but it moves towards vibrant orange. It is bright and intense in colour, compared to auburn hair which has deeper, brown undertones. Ginger hair is often much lighter than auburn, which is much darker.
Overall, ginger hair is a bright, vivid orange-red colour. In comparison, auburn hair is a darker red-brown.
8. Does auburn hair make you look older or younger?
Auburn hair is well known for its anti-aging effect! The red tones add warmth to your complexion, which reflects light and reduces the appearance of fine lines. Multi-dimensional auburn shades can also make your hair appear healthier and youthful.
9. How do you get auburn hair?
There are a variety of ways that your salon can help you to achieve auburn hair. From pre-made and ready-to-go colour, to custom mixed shades, your salon can find the right solution for you.
1. Mixed custom shades
Auburn hair can be achieved by combining red colour with a hint of brown. This allows you to choose how much brown to add to the red, creating the ideal tone.
2. Demi toner
Neäl & Wølf salons can recommend our new GLAZE colour, 5CB. GLAZE is a True Demi Toner which leaves your hair with a super shiny finish, ideal for creating a luxurious auburn hair. Find out more: GLAZE Demi Toner
3. Permanent colours
Alternatively, select your favourite pre-created shade from our Colour Shade Chart and discuss with your colourist. Find out more: Colour Shade Chart
10. How do you maintain auburn hair?
Auburn hair often looks best with a touch of volume and shine. Along with visiting your salon for regular touch ups, there are a variety of ways you can care for your hair. Read on as we reveal the perfect routine.
Step 1: Hair washing and styling
Start by massaging a pairing like our AMPLIFY Volumising Shampoo & Conditioner through the hair, before rinsing. Next, towel-dry your tresses and spritz a product like our UPLIFT Voluming Hair Mist through the hair to create a long-lasting lift. Then, dry your hair with our new HERØ Ionic Hairdryer, a lightweight tool that speeds up styling time. Finish with a boost of the cool shot, which leaves your hair shiny and in place.
Step 2: Finishing touches
Complete the look by spraying a shine spray like our GLOW Super Shine Spray evenly across dry hair. This makes hair look incredibly healthy and captures the light, making it ideal for darker auburn shades.
11. Popular shades of auburn hair
Auburn hair isn’t just one colour - it’s a luxurious spectrum of red-brown tones, ranging from soft and subtle to rich and dramatic. Understanding the variety of auburn shades available can help you find the perfect match for your skin tone, eye colour, and personal style. Here are some of the most popular and flattering shades of auburn hair to explore:
Light auburn
A soft, golden red-brown that sits between strawberry blonde and copper. This shade adds a sun-kissed glow to fair skin tones and brings out golden flecks in the eyes.
Classic auburn
The true balance of red and brown - rich, warm, and effortlessly wearable. Classic auburn flatters a wide range of skin tones and offers the ideal middle ground between subtle and striking.
Dark auburn
A deep, chocolatey red with cool undertones. Ideal for medium to dark skin tones, this shade adds depth and dimension, especially when paired with shine-enhancing products.
Copper auburn
Bright and vivid, this fiery blend leans closer to copper-orange but still carries auburn’s brown base. Perfect for those who want a more daring, radiant finish.
Cherry Auburn
A dramatic auburn with cherry-red or plum undertones. This bold and expressive shade flatters cool-toned complexions and adds a touch of modern edge to a classic colour.
12. How to ask for auburn hair in the salon
Achieving your dream auburn shade starts with clear communication in the salon. While “auburn” is a familiar term, its wide range of tones means your stylist will need to understand exactly what you're envisioning - and how it fits with your natural colouring. Here’s how to confidently ask for auburn hair at your next appointment:
1. Come prepared with photos
Words like “warm,” “rich,” or “dark auburn” can mean different things to different people. Bring a few reference images of the auburn shade you love - ideally ones that reflect your natural hair texture and skin tone - to help your stylist visualise your desired result.
2. Discuss undertones
Let your stylist know whether you’re drawn to warmer, copper-infused shades or cooler, deeper auburns with chocolate or cherry undertones. This is especially important if you’re looking to flatter specific features like your eye colour or skin tone.
Our Neäl & Wølf stylists have comprehensive knowledge, allowing them to help you choose the shade that’s right for you. Book in at your local salon today : Neäl & Wølf Salon Finder
Whether you're considering a subtle copper-tinged change or a bold, rich transformation, auburn hair offers unparalleled elegance. The versatility, richness and warmth of auburn hair makes it a perfect choice. Need more hair inspiration? Read our blog: Hair Care Blog
