How To Formulate Coppers Without Lightener

4-Step Vibrant Coppers Without Using Lightener

Anyone with TikTok, Instagram or celeb access knows that coppers have been having a MASSIVE moment. Blondes, brunettes and every client in between are making the switch to rich red hues. If you’re preparing for some major lifts and color corrections, don’t worry—L’Oréal Professionnel Ambassador Natalie Eiley (@nat_doeshair) is sharing her method to achieve high-impact, transformative coppers without an ounce of lightener. 

Swipe to see the before and after on Natalie’s client!

• Formula A (roots)

  L’Oréal Professionnel Majirel Permanent Crème Color 6.46/6CR + 7.4/7C + 30-volume developer

• Formula B (midlengths/ends)

  L’Oréal Professionnel Dia Light Ammonia-Free Demi-Permanent Gel-Crème Haircolor 7.43/7CG + 6.46/6CR + 6-volume activator

1. Prep the hair with a metal detox spray.

Why fight with your client’s hair if you don’t have to? Before starting her coloring service, Natalie likes to evenly spray L’Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox throughout the hair to neutralize any metals that cause hair color to shift. Just let the spray work its magic for four minutes, then you’re all clear to start applying color on a clean canvas!

2. Formulate to deposit color, not to lift.

Contrary to many cos school takeaways, you don’t have to bleach your client out to get vibrant coppers! Remember: Color is capable of lifting AND depositing, a tool that Natalie uses on natural and previously lightened clients to avoid unnecessary damage.

For example, Natalie’s client has about a quarter of an inch of Level 4 regrowth. Because of that, Natalie chose to combine copper and copper-red with 30-volume developer in order to lift her client to a Level 7 while keeping the color solid.

Tap the beaker to reveal Natalie’s copper formulas:

• Formula A (roots)

  L’Oréal Professionnel Majirel Permanent Crème Color 6.46/6CR + 7.4/7C + 30-volume developer

• Formula B (midlengths/ends)

  L’Oréal Professionnel Dia Light Ammonia-Free Demi-Permanent Gel-Crème Haircolor 7.43/7CG + 6.46/6CR + 6-volume activator

Pro tip: Since you’re applying two different formulas, color code your bowls! Natalie used a dark bowl for her darker root formula and a lighter bowl for her lighter lengths formula.

Click here to shop Natalie’s copper color essentials!

3. Apply Formula A to the roots, focusing on saturation.

The most important parts of the root application are:

1. Outlining the whole hairline to use as a guide.
2. Going through slice by slice to make sure the hair is fully saturated.
3. Making sure not to overlap the color too much to avoid banding and build-up. 

Natalie recommends starting in the front of the hairline to make sure the color there is most saturated.

Pro tip: If your client is wanting their hair to be more on the lighter side, place each slice between foils for an incubated lift.

4. Feather Formula B so it doesn’t bleed into the root formula.

Once the roots are done, begin applying Formula B to the midlengths and ends. When painting, Natalie recommends feathering the hair with your fingers right beneath the root application to prevent the formulas from mixing.

Once the hair is fully covered, allow both formulas to process for at least 30 minutes. Feel free to let it sit longer on stubborn hair or apply heat without incubation using a blow dryer. 

Pro tip: What’s one thing copper clients ALWAYS ask for? Longer-lasting, brighter shades. Natalie grants their hair wishes using L’Oréal Professionnel’s Dia Light demi-permanent gel-crème haircolor, which adds extra pigment and longevity with acidity. 

This content is sponsored.

Products Used

Hair Color

Majirel

L'Oréal Professionnel

Hair Color

DIA Shades from L’Oreal Professionnel

Conditioners

Metal Detox

L'Oréal Professionnel