20 Color and Cut Ideas for Copper Hair on Olive Skin
Thinking about copper hair on olive skin but not sure how bright you want to go? These ideas range from deep auburn waves to golden copper layers, with a few brunette, blonde and burgundy alternatives included for comparison.
You can keep the color subtle or go all out with red. Save the shades and cuts you love separately, then talk them through with your colorist.
Photos are useful inspiration, but lighting can change how both hair color and skin undertones appear.
Copper shades and layered cuts worth saving
deep auburn waves
We’re starting off strong with these gorgeous auburn waves. I love the deep reddish-brown color and those big curves through the ends.
Ask for a swept-over part if you want to follow this look. That little bit of height at the front is worth keeping.
copper brown with loose bends
How pretty is this copper-brown shade? The long waves have brighter reddish ribbons running through them, with darker color showing underneath.
Read also: 20 Copper Hair Ideas for Tan Skin, From Auburn Waves to Bright Ginger
Keep the front pieces swept away from your face if you want the same open shape.
dark roots and copper ribbons
Don’t want to go copper all over? No problem! This back view shows a dark brown base with copper-colored ribbons through the lengths.
I especially love how the lighter sections follow the big curls. Save this one for the color placement rather than a skin-tone comparison.
long glossy copper
I am obsessed with this rich copper shade. The top is smooth with a near-center part, while the long lengths fall into loose waves.
Try tucking one side behind your ear like this if you want to show off a pair of statement earrings.
bright copper face-framing layers
This may just be one of my favorite brighter shades here. I love the orange-copper color and the long front pieces curling away from the face.
Ask your stylist about face-framing layers if those sweeping sections are the part you want to recreate.
golden copper with relaxed waves
If you like a less sculpted style, this one is for you. The golden-copper lengths have loose bends rather than matching curls, with a swept-over front section.
Those oversized glasses look so cute with the long hair left down.
brown with a copper glow
Looking for something closer to brunette? This long brown style has reddish-gold sections through the waves without looking bright orange.
I love the slightly tousled finish. You don’t have to choose perfectly lined-up curls to show off the different shades.
short auburn bob
How cute is this bob? The auburn color is lovely, but those little flipped-out ends are my favorite part.
If you’re collecting mostly long-haired inspiration, save this as your shorter alternative. The near-center part and gentle bends keep the shape simple.
muted copper lengths
Don’t want a super bright red? This muted copper shade is a pretty one to bring to your consultation.
The long layers curve inward near the ends.
The hair is swept back from the face here, so you get a clear look at the softer color around the hairline.
golden copper and wispy bangs
I love this lighter golden-copper shade with the wispy, parted bangs. The rest of the hair falls just below the shoulders, with the ends turned inward.
Read also: 20 Layered Haircut With Wispy Bangs Ideas to Save
Ask for this as cut inspiration too if you want some shorter pieces without a full, heavy fringe.
reddish brown with long waves
This is another gorgeous option if you prefer the deeper end of the color range. The reddish-brown lengths have broad waves and shorter front pieces that sweep to the sides.
I’d keep the middle part to follow this look.
golden ribbons and sweeping layers
If you love lots of layers, then this one is for you. There’s a brown base, golden-copper streaks and a long front section sweeping across the forehead.
The lighter pieces around the face are my favorite detail. Ask your colorist about keeping those distinct from the darker hair underneath.
full auburn layers
I am obsessed with this big, layered shape. The deep auburn hair sweeps up at the front and falls into wide curves on both sides.
Bring this photo for the volume as much as the color. Those lifted front sections are a big part of the look.
copper brown and curtain fringe
How pretty are these bangs? The light, separated fringe opens at the center and blends into longer copper-brown layers.
There’s plenty of movement through the lengths too. If you want to follow this cut, point out both the fringe and the shorter pieces around the cheeks.
strawberry blonde waves
Want to compare copper with something lighter? This strawberry-blonde look has golden lengths, a more coppery top and pale pieces near the face.
I love the long, loose waves. Save this one if you’re drawn to peachy color rather than deep red.
auburn with rounded ends
If you are looking for a smooth, rounded style, this one is for you. The auburn hair has a center part and broad layers that curve around the shoulders.
The shorter front sections curl inward too. That’s the detail I’d keep when asking for a similar finish.
brunette with golden ends
Not quite ready to choose red? This is a brunette-and-gold alternative rather than an all-over copper look.
The brighter face-framing pieces connect with golden ends.
Those outward-sweeping layers are so pretty. You could use this cut as inspiration while choosing a more coppery shade separately.
burgundy waves and parted bangs
This one goes in a different direction with a deeper burgundy red. I love the long waves and the bangs sweeping away from the forehead.
Keep it as a comparison if you’re deciding between orange-toned copper and a more wine-colored red.
copper highlights on brown waves
This is one of my favorite highlighted looks on the list. The dark brown top gives way to brighter copper sections around the face and through the ends.
Read also: 20 Ideas for Low Maintenance Blonde Hair With Dark Roots
The below-shoulder length looks lovely with those loose waves. Ask about this placement if you want visible copper without an all-over red shade.
golden layers with flipped ends
Last but definitely not least, we have this softer brown-and-gold alternative. It’s less red than the copper looks above, with fine lighter streaks and lots of flipped-out layers.
I love the feathered shape. Save this for the cut if you’d rather pair those sweeping ends with a richer copper color.
