It’s all about warm tones this season.
As we recently discussed on the blog, autumn is arguably the best time to change your hair colour, and this year sees two major trends taking over: golden blonde and copper. “At this time of the year when we don't get as much sun – and vitamin D – choosing these kinds of colours gives the feeling of more warmth with your hair, and it’s fun to experiment with a new look as well,” says Marvyn Duche, creative director at Paul Edmonds London. Plus, there are lots of ways to embrace these rich, warm shades while complementing your personal style. Here, Marvyn and creative director Charlotte Lewis explain everything you need to know about these key colour trends.
WHAT KIND OF SHADES DO WE MEAN BY COPPER AND GOLDEN BLONDE?
Marvyn: “With golden blonde, there's a whole spectrum of different shades, from rich honey to something a bit softer and lighter, like wheat or beige blonde. It's the same with the copper, which goes from deep auburn or mahogany to pure, bright copper through to what some people might call strawberry blonde.”
Charlotte: “When it comes to talking to your hairdresser about these colours, it’s best to take as many pictures into the salon as you can, because reds and warm tones can easily be misinterpreted. One person’s idea of copper or auburn might be quite different to another’s. Jennifer Aniston is a celebrity who clients often reference when talking about golden blonde, because she often has those warm or beige tones. For copper, actress Isla Fisher is a great example.”
WHY ARE WARM TONES TRENDING FOR AUTUMN?
Marvyn: “Coppers and warm golden blondes are always popular colours when we're getting towards autumn/winter because they fit with the aesthetic of this time of year. Clients might ask to go for coppery reddish tones over the winter and then transition to something with a bit of a golden blonde feel closer to spring. I think clients also now have a more of an understanding of what warmth means for hair. In the past, when we used to talk about warm colour, they thought it meant either yellow or orange, but that’s not the case anymore.”
WHO DO THESE SHADES SUIT?
Charlotte: “The beauty of golden blonde and copper is that by tailoring these looks, everyone can find a shade that suits their skin tone and eye colour.”
Marvyn: “The other day I had a blonde client who had blue eyes and freckles. We gave her a coppery reddish colour and it really made her eyes and freckles pop. She said, ‘Finally, I have a colour that works with my freckles.’ She had quite pale skin, but I think golden blonde and copper can really suit people with olive skin as well.”
HOW CAN YOU PERSONALISE THESE SHADES?
Marvyn: “The nice thing with warmer shades is that even if you have paler skin they can suit you, you just have to make them a bit softer rather than very saturated or bright. With golden blonde and copper, the spectrum is so wide that we can really tailor them in so many ways.”
Charlotte: “Some people look much better with a blue-toned red while some people prefer a bright orangey copper. It depends on their colouring, their eye colour – those things are very much part of the colour consultation.”
WHAT COLOUR TECHNIQUES AND PLACEMENT WORK WITH COPPER AND GOLDEN BLONDE?
Charlotte: “When it comes to copper colour, this could be done with multi-tonal balayage, but generally speaking auburn or copper, it’s usually a tint or global application. Because this is quite a bold fashion colour, sometimes we might trial it with semi-permanent colour before going in with the permanent to see if the client likes it.”
Marvyn: “When we talk about golden blonde, this is usually done with highlights or balayage because those colours are on the lighter side. We might also add face-framing pieces to recreate what naturally happens to blonde hair when it’s exposed to the sun.”
HOW CAN YOU PREVENT COPPER AND GOLDEN BLONDE FROM FADING?
Marvyn: “Golden blondes and copper tones have a tendency to lose their vibrancy, especially if the base colour is blonde. With the first couple of applications,, it could take a little bit of time for the colour to settle in. Pigmented glosses are the best way to maintain the vibrancy in between colour appointments.”
Charlotte: “Davines Alchemic conditioners have pigment in them that can help to preserve the colour, in a similar way to the way we use violet and blue shampoos that we have to neutralise brassiness on blonde hair. You only need to use them once every week or so. Shu Uemura Color Lustre is the best colour-protecting shampoo for red and blonde shades.”
Marvyn: “For golden blondes, I recommend a moisturising range to make sure the cuticle is in really good condition, which prevents colour fade. My favourites are Shu Uemura Urban Moisture or Oribe Eternal Curls. Heat protection is really important for maintaining colour. Kérastase Ciment Thermique Blow Dry Primar is always a good one, as is Shu Uemura Tsuki Shape or the Color Lustre Sealer Spray. Shu Uemura Essence Absolue is the best serum for giving shine and the perfect finish.”
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What are the biggest hair colour trends for 2026?
A: Warm tones are a key colour trend for autumn/winter 2026, particularly golden blonde and copper. Golden blonde ranges from rich honey to softer, wheat and beige tones, while copper spans everything from subtle strawberry blonde to vibrant red.
Q: Who suits golden blonde hair?
A: Golden blonde can work for a wide range of skin tones and eye colours, from fair complexions to olive skin. The key is finding the right shade for your individual colouring. Creamier, softer blondes can be flattering on paler skin, while richer honey tones can complement those with warmer undertones. Your colourist can personalise your look with highlights, balayage and face-framing pieces.
Q: What copper hair colour would suit me?
A: It depends on your skin tone, eye colour and natural colouring. Copper comes in a wide spectrum, from soft strawberry blonde to bright, saturated copper and deeper auburn. Softer, less intense shades can complement paler skin, while coppery reds can beautifully enhance blue eyes and freckles. A thorough colour consultation will help you find your most flattering shade.
Q: What is the difference between copper and auburn hair?
A: Copper is typically brighter, with a distinct orange-red warmth, while auburn is deeper and richer, with more brown or mahogany undertones. Both can be tailored to your colouring, from subtle, natural-looking warmth to a bolder fashion statement.
Which hue to choose?
Now you know everything there is to know about rich, ravishing copper and gorgeous golden blonde, the two biggest hair colour trends of autumn/winter 2026.
As Maryn and Charlotte explained, these shades can be achieved using a variety of colour techniques, with the shades tailored to suit any skin tone, so really it’s down to personal preference as to whether you’re team copper or golden blonde this season.
Still can’t decide? Get a professional opinion with a colour consultation at Paul Edmonds London.
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