Over the last few years, copper has proved to be the most requested hair color for fall and it’s not losing its momentum this season. Instead, the copper family is expanding and adding a bolder shade to the roster. Let me introduce you to ‘Cajun Spice,’ a bright copper hair color that has the internet ablaze with excitement (pun intended). As a trend seeker, I was curious and asked the top hairstylists in the biz to tell me more about this fiery hue and how to achieve the buzzy color for fall. Here’s everything you need to know—plus, how to maintain the vibrant shade all season long.
Coming In Hot: Cajun Spice Will Be *the* Hair Color of Fall
The hottest shade of the season
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Published Sep 13, 2024
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Meet the Experts
- Stephanie Brown is a master colorist at IGK Salon in New York City. She has 20 years of experience in industry, specializing in low-maintenance colors, balayage services and more. Her most notable clients include Kate McKinnon, Hannah Berner and Shantel VanSanten.
- Ian Michael Black is a hair colorist and the global artistic director for Aveda. He has two decades of experience and is recognized for his cutting-edge color techniques. He uses his platform to educate aspiring stylists and showcase major hair transformations using Aveda’s products.
- Gregory Patterson is a celebrity hairstylist and a DIY Color & Styling expert for Sally Beauty. He’s based in New York City and has previously worked as a lead stylist for Project Runway. His previous clients include Britney Spears, Anne Hathaway and Julianne Moore.
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What Is Cajun Spice?
‘Cajun Spice’ is a bright copper hair color with golden undertones that’s reminiscent of the popular seasoning. As Patterson explains, “It’s an intense copper-gold color that offers full saturation [throughout the hair]. It has a redder tone to ground it and brings in the depth making it super rich. Simply put, it’s copper’s more demure, confident big sister.”
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Why Is Cajun Spice So Popular Right Now?
Believe it or not, the inspiration behind the shade comes from hair dye companies. Adore sells a semi-permanent hair color called ‘Cajun Spice,’ which currently has 30,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. The reddish-orange hue promises a rich and long-lasting color right at home. As one Redditor shared, “I think Adore [has] some of the best coppers on the market.”
But product aside, any variation of red continues to be a popular choice for fall. Last year, I predicted ‘Cowboy Copper’ was going to be the color of 2023, and now, we’re getting a new (and much brighter) shade for 2024. “Over the last few years, I’ve seen a resurgence of people embracing warmth in their hair colors. As this trend continues, I see people wanting to make a statement,” says Black. “Also, copper colors are generally easy to create on any natural color and it adds warmth that’s very flattering for any skin tone. As we move into fall, I see people wanting to add a touch of brightness to their strands.”
How to Achieve Cajun Spice Hair Color
Luckily, there are plenty of hair dyes to achieve this distinct color (see: Adore above). But if you prefer to get your hair at the salon, Black says the first step is talking with your hair colorist and finding the right shade for you. It’s also important to note a stylist will have a different process for blondes vs. brunette hair—but I’ll get to that in a bit.
Who Should Try Cajun Spice Hair Color?
According to Brown, those with blonde locks have a better chance at achieving the color. She recommends doing a few glosses along with lowlights of two different coppers for subtle dimension. But that doesn’t mean brunettes can get in on the fun. A stylist will need to soften or lighten dark hair to reach the desired color. Brown also notes that depending on how dark your locks are, you’ll need to do an all-over color as well as lowlights for dimension.
When it comes to specific hair types and textures, everyone can dabble in this buzzy color. Though Black has just one salon tip for those with wavy or curly hair. “If you have waves or curls, the same process will apply, especially if you’re taking your starting color into consideration,” he explains. “However, I always suggest having a soft shadow root consisting of the same tone, but a few shades darker. This technique will soften the look at the top of the hair and draw the eye more to the waves/curls and face.”
How Do You Maintain the Cajun Spice Hair Color?
Unfortunately, red hair tends to fade quickly. However, the experts have a few tips on how to maintain your new hue. They recommend using a color-treated shampoo and conditioner to preserve the color. Other tips include using cool water for rinsing, limiting usage of heat tools, adding a conditioning treatment once a week and not shampooing daily.
So, are you ready to spice up your locks?
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