Baby Copper Hair Color Emerges as Spring's Biggest Trend

Celebrities like Addison Rae and Emma Stone are already rocking the softer, more subtle take on copper hair.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 4:00pm

Beauty editor Beth Gillette recently underwent a hair transformation to a lighter, brighter red shade that her colorist Rachel Bodt dubbed "baby copper." This softer, more subtle take on copper hair is quickly becoming the biggest hair color trend for spring, with its strawberry and orange undertones and more depth than a standard strawberry blonde.

Why it matters

As a fresh take on the popular copper hair trend, baby copper offers a gentler, more versatile option that can be customized to suit different skin tones and hair types. The trend is being embraced by celebrities and everyday consumers alike, signaling its broad appeal.

The details

To achieve the baby copper look, Gillette's colorist Rachel Bodt, who works with stars like Beyoncé and Ariana Grande, used a lightening hair dye rather than bleach to minimize damage. Bodt recommends using color-depositing shampoos, co-washes, and bond-building treatments to maintain the vibrant tone and keep hair healthy. She also advises lowering heat settings on styling tools to prevent color from fading too quickly.

  • Gillette dyed her hair red in September 2025.
  • Gillette underwent her full hair transformation to baby copper in early 2026.

The players

Beth Gillette

The beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with more than seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing hair stories.

Rachel Bodt

A celebrity hairstylist and owner of Homecoming Salon in New York City, who has worked with stars like Beyoncé, Ariana Grande, and Lorde.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I love that it's such a gentle color and that it's somewhere between strawberry blonde and copper.”

— Rachel Bodt, Celebrity Hairstylist

“Reds can be slightly more maintenance, so your at-home hair care is super important, along with follow-up glosses in the salon.”

— Rachel Bodt, Celebrity Hairstylist

The takeaway

The rise of the baby copper hair trend demonstrates how consumers are gravitating towards softer, more customizable color options that offer a fresh take on classic shades. This trend's versatility and low-maintenance appeal make it an appealing choice for a wide range of hair types and personal styles.