The temptation to embrace a new hair colour is one that often coincides with the start of the new season. As we shake off the winter layers and emerge from our knitwear into the sunshine, you may also find yourself keen to switch out the darker tones of your hair for something lighter or brighter.
For 2022, there’s been one shade in particular that’s been catching our attention: copper. Anya Taylor Joy in 2020’s Netflix hit The Queen’s Gambit may have first been a catalyst for the popularity of the red hair shade, with Gigi Hadid swapping her famous California blonde for fiery auburn last year and Zendaya experimenting with a warm mahogany shade. And this year, the scarlet fever in celebrity circles has intensified. Actress Sophie Turner stepped out in February with a new deep cherry shade, while model Kendall Jenner debuted a golden copper shade during fashion week this month, choosing to keep the shade after the shows rather than dying it back to her natural brunette.
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“Coming through the pandemic, people are wanting to try a different look,” says Zoe Irwin, John Frieda Salons creative director. “People are being more experimental again, and this includes hair and clothes to create a totally new vibe.”
The redhead club is extending beyond fashion week circles, with demand up in salons across the board, so much so that John Frieda has launched The Perfect Red colour service at its salons to help clients find their ideal personalised shade.
“Copper is one of the most flattering hair colours and can suit most skin tones,” says celebrity hair colourist Josh Wood. “I think people are turning away from brighter, unnatural colours somewhat. Copper is still expressive but can still look very natural.”
So what do you need to know before switching up your hair colour? Bazaar spoke a trio of industry hair experts to glean their advice for transforming your tresses and avoiding any red flags.