Cowboy Copper Is the New Hair Color You Need to Try (2024)

Out on the frontier, we're used to seeing gorgeous red hair everyday. It is Ree Drummond's signature look, after all! But you may have noticed a particular red hue in the last few months on everyone from celebrities like Riley Keough on the hit series Daisy Jones & the Six to trendsetters on Instagram and TikTok. This new shade hit big for fall 2023 and continues to increase in popularity as the winter continues in 2024.

Ladies and gentlemen, we introduce you to... cowboy copper! 🤠

We know, isn't that the most Ree-approved name there could possibly be? And actually Ree herself recently "decided to take back to more of a red/copper place after being in a more orange/yellow place for the past year or so," as she explained on Instagram. And if The Pioneer Woman decrees copper as the best red hair color idea, we listen!

What is cowboy copper?

According to the hair care company Garnier, the cowboy copper hair color trend "gets its name from hues of caramel leather (think: Stetsons and chaps) that reveal the earthy undertones of red and brunette." In simpler terms, "it's a happy medium between these two tones with an accent on deep golden warmth." You may also see it referenced as cowgirl copper, too.

Is cowboy copper a hair color for me?

Another reason this shade is seemingly everywhere these days is because it looks good on practically everyone! Gregory Patterson, celebrity hairstylist and styling expert for Sally Beauty, calls cowboy copper a "universally flattering shade that looks beautiful on all hair types and textures as well as a variety of skin tones."

But of course, not every cowgirl is alike, so make sure to bring a lot of inspiration pics to your stylist and discuss it with them at length before proceeding. For brunettes, it's adding levels of copper and red tones to a warm shade of brown. For redheads, it's in reverse, adding a bit more brown to tone down the orange. As for blondes, the trick is tackle the natural yellow with a darker copper so the end result doesn't look brassy.

The good news for everyone is that cowboy copper, while it needs maintenance every five to six weeks, should fade nicely in between appointments. Be sure to use shampoo for color-treated hair so it will last as long as it can!

Can I get cowboy copper hair color at home?

If you're ready to saddle up to this trend and want to do it yourself, there are thankfully plenty of options. Patterson offers great DIY mixing suggestions based on your natural hair color on the Sally Beauty website, using Bondbar products. Or, if you'd rather just pick one and go, we're sharing some of the more popular red hair dyes to achieve the look with one box. Then giddy up, cowgirls! It's time to go copper.