31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (2024)

31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (1)

Auburn is one of those magical hair colors that works on virtually everyone in virtually any season. The reddish-brown hue can be warm in the fall and cool in the summer. Not quite red or brown, it's the dreamiest combination of the two. And, with so many shades, tones, and tints to choose from, you're guaranteed to find your perfect match. Keep reading for 31 of our favorite takes on auburn hair, from copper and sun-kissed to ombré and merlot.

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Red-Gold Undertones

31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (2)

Like any hair color, there are virtually endless shades and levels of auburn. In this case, it has hints of red and gold. As you can see, it pairs perfectly with a brown base, adding some depth and warmth.

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Copper Auburn

31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (3)

This copper-meets-auburn moment is everything. The auburn helps tone down some of the bold brightness that can come with copper, while the copper helps rev up the reddish hue.

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Sun-Kissed Auburn

31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (4)

A sun-kissed tone is the perfect jumping-off point for those looking to move toward auburn gradually. With lighter ends and that classic auburn warmth spread throughout, you don't lose the original hair color—the auburn simply accentuates it.

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Dimensional Depth

31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (5)

Because there are so many auburn hues, you have plenty of room to play with highlights and lowlights to create a custom, one-of-a-kind shade. It's a no-brainer for adding depth to brown and blonde hues alike.

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Ombré Auburn

31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (6)

The ombré look transitions from dark to light, with the bulk of the color concentrated near the top of the head. Here the auburn creeps down the hair starting around the mid-lengths, creating ends significantly lighter than the roots.

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Medium Auburn

31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (7)

We love this medium shade, which hovers perfectly between a lighter tone and a true dark auburn. The subtle waves allow you to see all the rich reds and auburns woven throughout the hair.

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Merlot Auburn

31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (8)

Dua Lipa looks like a tall glass of wine with this deep merlot hair color. The rich, vibrant tone is complemented by her super-shiny strands and bouncy blowout.

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Strawberry Blonde Auburn

31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (9)

Khloe Kardashian's color falls somewhere between strawberry blonde and auburn, creating a unique tone that feels equal parts auburn, brown, and blonde. We love the added dimension thanks to some well-placed highlights.

Chocolate Dipped

31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (10)

You might not see the auburn at first glance, but stare at Sarah Hyland's luscious locks long enough and you'll notice a subtle tinge of red within the chocolate brown. The result is a richer, more dimensional color that feels truly bespoke.

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Auburn Highlights

31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (11)

Another great way to dip your toe into the auburn pool is with highlights. That way, you don't have to fully commit to the color and can test things out before diving into the deep end. The deep tones add a mesmerizing depth, especially to a dark brown shade like this one.

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Muted Rose Auburn

31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (12)

We love this rose-tinted auburn moment. It's a little pink, a little gray, a little brown, and a little auburn—somehow all at the same time.

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Face-Framing Auburn

31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (13)

For some added brightness around the face, keep face-framing pieces slightly lighter, creating an almost sun-kissed halo effect. From there, you can weave that lighter hue throughout the rest of the crown as you see fit.

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Woody Warmth

31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (14)

The neutral brown base makes this color a bit easier to maintain than punchier shades, while the reddish auburn weaved throughout the hair creates depth and dimension. It's the ultimate less-is-more approach to the color.

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Copper-Auburn Balayage

31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (15)

Chunky streaks of auburn blend into natural brown hair with dark auburn roots to create a gorgeous pop of color. The cascading curls make the color appear even more dimensional.

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Classic Auburn

31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (16)

You might be used to a blonde Sydney Sweeney, but this classic auburn hue certainly gives her usual look a run for its money. The warm, deeper tones highlight her angular facial structure and help her blue eyes pop.

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Red Hot

31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (17)

This deep, almost-cola-red style is anchored by subtle auburn hues throughout. It's particularly great for curlier, coiler styles like this one, where you can really appreciate the depth of color.

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Deep and Dark

31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (18)

A kiss of auburn helps Maude Apatow's dark brown hair feel a bit more lived-in and in motion. We especially love how the light hits her face-framing pieces just right.

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Shades of Auburn

31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (19)

Why stick with just one shade of auburn when you can try them all? This dimensional hairdo is seriously mesmerizing. You could stare at it for hours and still spot new shades and tones.

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Weaved-In Auburn

31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (20)

Brighten up dark brown hair by weaving in auburn highlights throughout. Ask your stylist to focus the color toward the ends and have it creep up to the roots for a more lived-in look that's easier to maintain.

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Two-Toned Auburn

31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (21)

Put a spin on classic auburn by adding some bright money pieces for a two-toned look. It creates visual interest without feeling too harsh since the tones are from the same color family.

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Blonde Auburn

31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (22)

Adele's blonde auburn hair is seriously stunning. The blonde brings a lightness to the deeper auburn tones, creating a dimensional style we can't get enough of.

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Deep Copper

31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (23)

A deep copper look is a decidedly rich take on the classic hue. Pair it with dark brown lowlights for subtle contrast to create an even deeper, fuller-looking style.

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Pumpkin Auburn

31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (24)

Sophia Bush's auburn color is next level, likely due to the gold and pumpkin strands woven throughout that give it an intense glow and shine. Her hair is downright lustrous. To get the look, prep your strands with a high-shine hair mask.

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Brown Auburn

31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (25)

There are very few shades of brown that don't look great paired with auburn highlights. The orangey tone adds dimension and depth.

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True Auburn

31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (26)

Julianne Moore's shade of auburn is about as classic as it gets. The look is neither too dark nor too bright.

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Burnt Sienna Brown

31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (27)

Dakota Johnson'ssignature color is brunette with the slightest tinge of auburn to add warmth, dimension, and sheen. She's literally glowing, and the little flecks of warmth in her hair help achieve that.

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Orange Meets Auburn

31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (28)

Jorja Smith's single-process auburn hair veers orange. It's a dramatic hue for those with lots of confidence (and the willingness to undergo lots of touch-ups, as roots will show through easily with this look).

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Cowgirl Copper

31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (29)

Shay Mitchell's "Cowgirl Copper" hair is definitely on the brighter side of the auburn spectrum and is also one of the warmer ways to wear the shade. This ruby hue does require some upkeep, though: Be prepared for frequent trips to the salon if you want to keep your roots intact.

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Preserved Color

31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (30)

Auburn is a serious commitment that necessitates proper care. Sticking to color-preserving products can double the longevity and vibrancy of hair color.

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Auburn Espresso

31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (31)

Deep, inky espresso with a splash of auburn creates a rich, warm mahogany. This color is downright perfection for fall.

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Multiple Tones

31 Auburn Hair Color Ideas, From Espresso to Merlot (32)

To avoid a harsh, unnatural color, add bright slashes of color through the body and ends of the hair to create the warmth and fire we associate with reds and auburn. Multiple tones can be applied via highlighting and low-lighting for a personalized color.