The "Cowgirl Copper" Trend Is the Latest Red Hair Color to Try This Fall

Move over horse girls—cowgirls are taking over. It started slowly—first, with the proliferation of cowboy boots and fringe jackets. Then, it moved into the beauty world, most notably with Isamaya Ffrench’s makeup brand releasing a cowboy-inspired collection, Wild Star. Cowgirls are the grittier antidote to the prim-and-proper horse girls, and now, there’s even a hair color to make it look like you ride with stallions. Yes, cowgirl copper is here for fall—here’s everything you need to know about the shade, including how to get it yourself.

What Is Cowgirl Copper?

With the countless food-inspired trends that have circulated this past year, we’re relieved that the latest hair trend doesn’t have to do with a snack. Still, we had to know, what exactly the shade has to do with cowgirls. “I originally spoke about cowgirl copper at the very end of 2022 where I predicted this shade would get more and more popular as the year went on,” hairstylist and evo hair creative director, Tom Smith, reveals to Byrdie.

Smith says he was inspired by a similar soft shade of auburn copper on Kendall Jenner, plus the various celebs who joined in on the copper fun. “Perhaps most notably Emily Ratajkowski, who, thanks to her cowboy boots and Western-inspired fashion choices (alongside Chloe and Isabel Marant, who also kicked off the year with Western influences on their fashion collections), cowgirl copper became my nickname of choice thanks to this shade's similarity to the rich auburn leather often used in western influenced fashion.”

Smith notes that the shade sits between brunette, bronde, and true copper, making it “a safer version of copper hair that is not going to feel too orange-y.” Colorist and L’Oréal Professionnel Global Ambassador, Min Kim, echoes Smith and adds that since cowgirl copper contains more muted and natural hues, it’s a “whisper of copper versus screaming bright copper,” making it versatile for a wide range of skin tones. Along with Jenner and Ratajkowski, stars like Megan Thee Stallion, Megan Fox, and Riley Keough have also hopped onto the trend.

How to Get Cowgirl Copper Hair

Before diving into any new hair color trend, you should always determine if it'll work for you. Luckily, Smith, Kim and Melissa Dwyer, a Senior Colorist at Fekkai at The Mark, all agree that cowgirl copper is like the Sisterhood of the Traveling Hair Color—it works on everyone. “This trend is complementary to most skin tones including blondes and brunettes,” Dwyer notes. “On blondes, it makes the facial features pop, while on brunettes, it brings out natural warm tones.”

For blondes getting in on the trend, Kim notes that it may require some effort, depending on your current shade. If you have light blonde hair, she recommends transitioning to cowgirl copper by adding lowlights in shades of copper or auburn. If you have medium-to-dark blonde hair, Kim notes, “a professional colorist may recommend a full-color transformation with warm, coppery tones.” Either way, it’s best to consult a colorist to determine your best approach.

And if you’re a brunette, the pros note that you’re at an advantage since your base color is closer to the desired tones in cowgirl copper hair. Smith mentions, “If the brunette hair is natural, a permanent color can lift and tone the hair to the perfect shade in one go, while already colored hair requires a more multistep approach,” which can include a bit of lifting either all over or using a highlighting technique.

And if you’re not ready to go full yee-haw just yet, all colorists recommend trying the trend out via highlights. Smith says, “A great way of testing this trend out is with balayage highlights and a soft copper toner—the toner will gradually fade, leaving the sun-kissed balayage behind, which can then be re-topped up for a boost of color or left to softly fade away.”

How to Care for Cowgirl Copper Hair

While cowgirl copper sounds like it’s all fun and games, maintaining the color is as difficult as trying to tame a wild horse. “It’s important to be aware this hair trend is high maintenance,” says Dwyer. “Between the root grow out and color losing its vibrancy over time, someone with this coppery tone should be visiting the salon every 5-6 weeks.”

Of course, at-home care is key to ensuring your color lasts as long as possible. Firstly, the pros recommend avoiding over-washing your hair with hot water as well as prolonged UV exposure, as this can minimize vibrancy. Next, both Kim and Dwyer recommend using sulfate-free, color-safe shampoos like the Fekkai Technician Color Shampoo or the L’Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox Shampoo.

If, despite your best efforts, your color fades at a rate quicker than you like, you can always opt for color-boosting treatments like the Evo Copper Color Boosting Treatment, the Pureology Color Fanatic Top Coat +Tone in Copper, or the Christophe Robin Shade Variation Mask in Chic Copper.

As Smith notes, “We no longer need to be fearful of artificial orange tones (unless desired of course), and thanks to clever formulations, colorists are more equipped than ever to create a bespoke and beautifully customized copper shade to suit you.” So, if you’ve been on the fence about going full cowgirl copper, know that it’ll probably look great on you.