Copper · Auburn
Copper vs Auburn.
Pick copper at level 6 for brightness with high upkeep; pick auburn at level 4 for depth with medium upkeep.
Both deposit without bleach and both cover gray fully, so the decision rests on how light you want to go and how often you will gloss.
Copper and auburn share warm and neutral undertones, full gray coverage, and a no-bleach application. They sit two levels apart, and that gap sets brightness, grow-out visibility, and the gloss schedule.
By the Hair Color editorsReviewed by the Hair Color editorial teamTested in the virtual studio
| Criterion | Copper | Auburn |
|---|---|---|
| Depth | Level 6, bright mid-red with hammered-copper reflect | Level 4, deep red-brown with velvet depth |
| Undertones | Warm and neutral; reads bright because level 6 reflects more light | Warm and neutral; reads quieter and deeper at level 4 |
| Bleach | Not required on most bases | Not required on most bases |
| Gray coverage | Full | Full |
| Upkeep | High: vivid copper lasts 3-4 weeks, cold water helps | Medium: deep red-brown holds 5-6 weeks |
| Fade | Cools and softens within 3-4 weeks without gloss refreshes | Holds tone 5-6 weeks, then softens toward brown |
| Pick it when | You want brightness and accept a gloss every 3-4 weeks | You want red warmth that stays inside brunette depth |
Preview both on your own photo at 70% and 100% intensity. Two levels of difference show up immediately on real skin.
Copper vs Auburn — FAQs.
Which is lighter, copper or auburn?
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Copper at level 6 is two levels lighter than auburn at level 4. On the same head of hair, copper reads as red; auburn reads as brunette with red depth.
Do copper or auburn need bleach?
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Neither needs bleach on most bases. Very dark or previously colored hair should still get a strand test, since old pigment can block deposit-only color.
Which lasts longer, copper or auburn?
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Auburn holds 5-6 weeks against copper's 3-4. Larger copper pigment molecules escape faster, so copper demands glosses on a shorter cycle.