Auburn

Auburn is the wearable red — a warm reddish-brown that blends the richness of brunette with the glow of copper. It flatters more skin tones than a true red and feels autumnal year-round.

It's a brilliant entry point if you've been curious about red. Here's how the auburn is mixed and how to keep the warmth from dulling over washes.

How to get the look

1. 1

   Do a strand test and prep your hairline with barrier cream.

2. 2

   Mix dye with the right developer and apply with a tint brush, root to tip.

3. 3

   Process for the recommended time, then rinse until the water runs clear.

4. 4

   Tone if needed and finish with a color-safe mask.

What you'll need

Hand-picked products — tap to shop on Amazon or Google Shopping.

• Hair dyeLOreal Excellence Auburn hair dye
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• Developer 20 volLOreal Oreor 20 volume developer
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• Tint brush & bowlFramar tint brush and bowl set
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• Glovesnitrile hair dye gloves
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• Sectioning clipsDiane sectioning hair clips
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• Barrier creamFramar pink barrier cream
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• Purple shampooFanola No Yellow purple shampoo
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Your step-by-step product routine

Use them in this order for the best, longest-lasting result.

1. 1

   Test first. 48 hours before, do a strand test and a skin patch test — non-negotiable, especially over previous colour.

2. 2

   Protect. Apply a barrier cream (Framar) around the hairline and ears, and always wear gloves.

3. 3

   Mix. Mix the dye (L'Oréal Excellence) with the correct developer (20 vol) to the ratio on the box.

4. 4

   Apply. Section with clips and paint with the tint brush, root to tip, fully saturating each piece.

5. 5

   Process. Time it exactly — over-processing damages hair and skews tone. Then rinse until the water runs completely clear.

6. 6

   Tone & seal. Tone or use a purple shampoo (Fanola No Yellow) if needed, then lock in shine with a colour-safe mask.

Pro tips

• Wash less and rinse cool to make your colour last twice as long.
• A gloss every 6–8 weeks revives shine far cheaper than a re-colour.
• Go lighter gradually — your hair's health is worth the extra appointment.
• Sulfate-free shampoo keeps fresh tone vivid for longer.

How to make it last

Treat freshly-coloured hair gently for the first 72 hours and build a colour-safe routine.

• Sulfate-free shampoo keeps tone vivid 2× longer
• Cool rinses — hot water bleeds colour out
• UV spray or a hat on bright days
• Weekly bonding or colour mask

Common mistakes to avoid

• Box-bleaching previously-coloured hair — a recipe for breakage.
• Guessing the developer or timing instead of following instructions.
• Skipping the strand and patch test.

FAQ