You want copper hair, but the shade charts leave you more confused than inspired. One brand calls it "Rich Copper Red" while another uses "7.46" or "Copper Gold." You see swatches that look orange in some lights and auburn in others. The numbering makes no sense, and you’re worried about ending up with the wrong colour altogether.
This guide breaks down copper hair colour charts so you can actually understand them. You’ll learn what those numbers mean, how depth levels work, and which copper tones exist across different ranges. We’ll walk you through Smart Beauty’s copper shades, explain how to match your natural hair level and skin tone to the right copper, and show you when you might need to pre-lighten. By the end, you’ll know exactly which copper to choose for your hair, whether you’re starting from blonde, brunette, or anywhere in between.
1. Smart Beauty copper shades at a glance
Smart Beauty’s copper range gives you clear box names paired with colour coding, so you can match your starting hair to the right shade. Each copper sits within the Brown & Copper family, but the tones range from soft peachy blondes through to rich auburn brunettes. The copper hair colour chart works by showing you depth levels alongside warm reflects, which means you’ll see how light or dark each shade will turn out and how much red or orange tone to expect.
Smart Beauty copper ranges and box names
Smart Beauty organises copper shades by descriptive names that actually tell you what you’re getting. You’ll find options like Copper Blonde, Copper Red, and Deep Copper Brown on the packaging. Each box includes a visual swatch that shows the colour on different starting hair levels, so you can predict your result before you mix. The range avoids confusing industry codes and instead uses names that match what you see in the mirror.
Depth level and tone for each Smart Beauty copper
Every Smart Beauty copper has a depth level that indicates how light or dark the finished colour will be. Lighter coppers sit around level 7 to 8, giving you a golden tangerine glow, while deeper coppers at level 5 to 6 lean into auburn territory. The tone number tells you how much copper warmth the formula packs. A higher copper tone means more vibrant orange and red reflects, while a softer tone gives you a subtle peachy hint.
Your natural depth level determines how much warmth the copper will show, so always check your starting point first.
Which Smart Beauty copper suits which base colour
Light blonde and bleached hair lifts the brightest, most vibrant copper results because there’s no underlying pigment blocking the tone. Dark blonde to light brown hair takes copper beautifully and gives you a rich, glowing finish without pre-lightening. If your hair sits at medium to dark brown, you’ll see copper reflects in direct light, but the overall result will lean more auburn. Darker bases often need a lift first to achieve true copper.
Plex vegan and PPD free benefits of Smart Beauty
Smart Beauty coppers include plex technology that strengthens hair bonds during the colouring process, so your hair stays soft and shiny instead of feeling fried. The formulas are vegan, cruelty-free, and PPD-free, which matters if you have a sensitive scalp or allergies to common hair dye ingredients. You also avoid ammonia and resorcinol, making these coppers kinder to both your hair and your skin. Each shade is made in the UK, so you know exactly what’s going into your colour.
How to use the Smart Beauty chart when shopping
Start by identifying your current hair depth level using the swatches on each box. Match your starting colour to the "before" examples shown, then check the "after" result to see if it’s the copper you want. Look for the tone description alongside the shade name to confirm whether you’re getting a soft peach copper or a bold tangerine. If you’re between two shades, pick the lighter option for easier maintenance and a more natural fade.
2. Hair colour levels for copper shades
Hair colour levels run from 1 (black) to 10 (lightest blonde), and they tell you how dark or light your copper will turn out. When you look at a copper hair colour chart, the level number appears first, followed by the tone. Understanding these levels helps you predict your result and avoid surprises when you’re shopping for copper hair dye.
What hair colour level numbers mean
The level number measures depth of colour on a scale of darkness to lightness. Level 1 is jet black, level 5 sits at medium brown, and level 10 reaches pale blonde. Copper shades typically fall between level 5 and level 8, covering everything from deep auburn copper to bright tangerine blonde. Your chosen level determines how much light reflects off your hair, which affects how vibrant the copper appears.
Level examples from very dark to light copper
A level 5 copper brown gives you a rich, dark auburn that leans more brunette than red in low light. Level 6 copper delivers a true medium copper glow that catches the light with warm orange reflects. Level 7 copper shifts into golden territory, showing off peachy and tangerine tones. Level 8 copper blonde creates a strawberry copper effect that stays lighter and brighter throughout.
How your natural level affects copper result
Your starting hair level acts as the base that the copper dye must work with. If your natural hair sits at level 4, a level 7 copper dye won’t lift you three full levels without bleach. The copper tone will deposit, but your hair will stay darker than the box suggests. Matching your natural level to the target level on the chart gives you accurate results.
Pick a copper shade within one to two levels of your natural depth for predictable, long-lasting colour.
Checking your current level at home
Hold a hair colour chart or box swatches next to your roots in natural daylight to identify your starting level. Pull your hair back and check the colour closest to your scalp, where no artificial colour has been applied. Most people sit between level 4 and level 7 naturally, which makes copper shades accessible without pre-lightening.
Picking a copper level for easy maintenance
Choose a copper that stays within one level of your natural depth to keep regrowth soft and gradual. Lighter coppers at level 7 or 8 require more upkeep if your natural hair sits at level 5, as the contrast becomes obvious. Darker coppers at level 5 or 6 blend more naturally with brown roots and fade into warm brunette tones instead of brassy orange.
3. Copper tone numbers and codes explained
The numbers on a copper hair colour chart split into two parts that work together: the depth level and the tone code. Professional hair colour systems use this standardised numbering to communicate exactly which shade you’re getting, while box dyes sometimes simplify the codes with descriptive names. Understanding both systems helps you translate between salon charts and home dye boxes when you’re choosing your copper.
The difference between depth and tone numbers
The first number tells you the depth level from 1 to 10, showing how dark or light the base colour sits. Everything after the decimal point indicates the tone or reflect, which describes the warmth, coolness, or colour direction. A shade labelled 7.4 means level 7 (medium blonde) with a .4 copper tone. The depth number determines how much light bounces off your hair, while the tone number controls the warmth and vibrancy of the copper.
Copper tone codes such as point three and point four
Copper tones usually carry .3 (gold) or .4 (copper) codes in professional systems. A .3 gives you softer, golden copper reflects that lean peachy, while .4 delivers true copper warmth with more orange intensity. Some brands double the tone number, like .44, to show extra copper saturation. These codes stay consistent across most salon brands, making it easier to compare shades.
Mixed reflects like copper gold and copper red
When you see two tone numbers, such as 7.43, the formula contains multiple reflects blended together. The first tone number holds the strongest influence, so 7.43 means level 7 with primary copper (.4) and secondary gold (.3). Mixed reflects like .46 combine copper and red for auburn depth, while .34 blends gold and copper for a softer result.
Double tone numbers stack warmth and intensity, giving you richer, more dimensional copper colour.
Comparing salon charts with box dye labels
Professional salon charts display numeric codes alongside visual swatches, letting colourists mix custom shades. Box dyes translate those codes into names like "Rich Copper Red" or "Copper Blonde", which match the tone numbers underneath. Check the box for both the name and the numeric code to understand exactly what you’re buying.
When to choose warm or soft copper reflects
Pick warm copper reflects with .4 or .46 codes when you want bold, attention-grabbing colour that stays vibrant. Soft copper reflects using .3 or .34 codes suit you if you prefer subtle warmth that blends naturally with your skin tone. Warm coppers need more maintenance to prevent fade, while soft coppers transition gracefully into peachy blonde or honey tones.
4. Key copper shade families on the chart
A copper hair colour chart breaks down into five main shade families that range from soft peachy blondes through to deep auburn brunettes. Each family sits at a different depth level and carries its own warmth intensity, so you can pick the copper that matches your style and maintenance preferences. These families help you navigate the full spectrum of copper tones available.
Light peach and strawberry copper blondes
Light copper blondes live at level 8 and above, giving you a soft, peachy glow with subtle orange reflects. Strawberry copper adds a hint of pink to the warmth, creating a rose gold effect that stays delicate. These shades work best on pre-lightened or naturally blonde hair because they need a pale base to show their pastel copper intensity. You’ll get a fresh, summery look that fades gracefully into honey blonde.
True medium copper and bright tangerine shades
True copper sits at level 7, delivering the classic orange warmth most people picture when they think copper. Bright tangerine shades push the vibrancy higher, giving you bold, eye-catching colour that glows under any light. These shades suit light blonde to dark blonde hair without pre-lightening, and they hold their intensity longer than lighter coppers. Expect a result that feels both natural and striking.
Rich copper red auburn and cherry tones
Auburn coppers blend red and copper reflects for a deeper, more dramatic finish at level 6. Cherry tones add wine-red depth that shifts between burgundy and copper depending on the light. These shades flatter medium brown hair and create multidimensional warmth that looks expensive. The red influence keeps the colour from turning brassy as it fades.
Deep dark copper brunette and cowboy copper
Dark copper brunettes sit at level 5, showing copper only when light hits the hair directly. Cowboy copper, inspired by the Western trend, delivers rich chocolate base with hidden auburn warmth. These shades work on brown to dark brown hair and give you low-maintenance colour that blends naturally with regrowth. You’ll see the copper intensify in sunlight while staying subtle indoors.
Deep copper shades fade into warm chocolate brown instead of orange, making them ideal for long-lasting colour.
Copper highlights balayage and ombre looks
Copper highlights let you add warmth without full-head commitment, focusing colour through the mid-lengths and ends. Balayage creates a hand-painted gradient that blends multiple copper tones for dimension. Ombre takes copper from darker roots to lighter ends, giving you a sun-kissed effect. These placement techniques work across all copper families and suit any starting hair colour.
5. Choosing your copper by skin tone and eye colour
Your skin tone and eye colour guide you towards the copper shades that flatter your natural colouring instead of clashing with it. A copper hair colour chart shows all the options, but matching the warmth and depth to your individual features makes the difference between a colour that looks natural and one that feels off. Getting this right means you’ll skip the trial and error phase.
Finding your skin undertone at home
Check the veins on your wrist in natural light to identify your undertone quickly and accurately. Blue or purple veins signal cool undertones, green veins mean warm undertones, and a mix indicates neutral. You can also test how gold versus silver jewellery looks against your skin, as warm undertones suit gold while cool undertones favour silver.
Best copper shades for fair and light skin
Fair skin with warm or neutral undertones suits lighter copper shades at level 7 to 8, including strawberry copper and peach blonde. These softer coppers add warmth without overwhelming your pale complexion. Avoid very dark copper brunettes, which create harsh contrast.
Copper shades that flatter medium and olive skin
Medium and olive skin tones carry natural warmth that pairs beautifully with rich copper reds and auburn shades at level 6 to 7. True copper and tangerine tones enhance your golden undertones and create dimension.
Match your copper to your natural warmth level for colour that looks like it belongs to you.
Copper tones for deep and dark skin tones
Deep skin tones glow with dark copper brunettes and cherry auburn shades at level 5 to 6. These deeper coppers add richness without lightening your hair too dramatically, and the red reflects complement melanin-rich skin beautifully.
Matching copper depth to eye colour and brows
Blue or green eyes pop against warm copper shades that create colour contrast, while brown eyes suit deeper auburn coppers. Keep your copper within two levels of your natural brow colour for balanced, harmonious results.
6. Copper shades for different starting hair colours
Your starting hair colour controls which copper shades you can achieve and how much pre-lightening or processing you’ll need. A copper hair colour chart shows the ideal end result, but getting there depends on whether your hair is virgin, previously coloured, or already lightened. Understanding how copper deposits onto different base colours helps you choose the right shade and process for successful results.
Copper results on virgin natural hair
Virgin hair gives you the most predictable copper results because no artificial pigment blocks the new colour. Light blonde hair at level 7 or above lifts bright, vibrant copper with no pre-lightening needed. Medium brown hair at level 5 or 6 takes copper beautifully but shows a deeper auburn result than the box suggests.
Going copper over existing artificial colour
Artificial colour creates a barrier that affects how copper deposits, especially if your hair has red or black pigment already. Copper over old red tones can turn muddy or overly intense, while copper over cool ash shades may fight the warmth and fade quickly.
When you need to pre-light or bleach
Dark brown to black hair needs bleaching to see true copper tones, as the natural pigment is too dense for copper to show through. You’ll need to lift to at least level 6 before applying copper, which means using bleach or a high-lift colour first.
Pre-lightening to the right level prevents your copper from turning dark auburn or barely visible.
Box dye versus salon for big copper changes
Box dyes work well when you’re staying within two levels of your natural colour, but dramatic changes need salon help. Professional colourists can lift and tone in one session using controlled techniques that box dyes can’t match.
Managing regrowth and colour fade over time
Copper fades into peachy or brassy tones depending on your base colour, so plan touch-ups every four to six weeks. Keep regrowth soft by choosing a copper that matches your natural depth level closely.
Bringing your copper chart together
Understanding a copper hair colour chart takes the guesswork out of choosing your shade. You now know how depth levels and tone numbers work together, what the different copper families offer, and which shades flatter your skin tone and starting hair colour. The numbering system makes sense now, whether you’re reading a professional salon chart or a box dye label.
Pick your copper based on your natural hair level and how much maintenance you want to manage. Check the tone codes to confirm you’re getting the warmth you expect, and don’t skip the skin tone matching step. Browse Smart Beauty’s copper collection to find your perfect shade with plex-enriched, vegan formulas that keep your hair healthy while delivering gorgeous colour.
