Ginger hair makes comeback – however hairdressers are all calling it one thing else
Strawberry blond hair is the new must-have hairdo among celebrities including Billie Piper and Celia Imrie – but top stylists have been giving it a more palatable name for public consumption
Ginger Ed Sheeran’s hair back in fashion(Image: GETTY)
Ginger hair is the must-have fashion accessory of 2026 – but hairdressers are calling the style ‘copper’. Celebs who have experimented with the colour in recent months include Emma Stone, Billie Piper, Raye, Iris Law, and Celia Imrie.
Others who have given ginger a go in the past include Sienna Miller, Cara Delevingne, and Kendall Jenner.
Natural carrot-tops – or copper-tops – include Isla Fisher, Nicola Roberts, Lily Cole – as well as Prince Harry, Julianne Moore, Rupert Grint, Damian Lewis, and Ed Sheeran.
Google searches for ‘copper-coloured hair’ have shot up 5,000% over the past month.
Nicole Kahlani, a colourist at Hershesons – which have stylists at Selfridges as well as in posh Belgravia and Fitzrovia – said: “I love copper.
“It’s a shade that grabs attention and stands out without being conformist – it transforms the ordinary into something extraordinary.”
She added: “While copper is incredibly versatile and complements many skin tones, pulling it off ultimately comes down to confidence.”
Top stylist Domenico Casella – the senior colourist at posh Neville Hair and Beauty in London’s Belgravia – said that ginger hair, which he also calls ‘copper’, was a ‘great colour’.
He said: “There is a whole world of copper – blonde coppers to brown coppers – and there is a shade for most skin tones.”
John Clark, a colourist at the Nicola Clarke salon, said: “The beauty of copper lies in its adaptability. There is a shade for everyone.
“Even if you’re starting with very dark brunette or very light blonde hair, there’s an iteration of copper that will work, whether that’s peachy and pink-tinted, or a deep auburn or garnet.”
Fashion analyst and personal shopper Gina Rogers said she had seen a spike in clients turning up with ginger hair.
She said: “Since November, many of my clients have gone red, or ginger, or copper, depending on what you call it.
“They often ask me to tailor new outfits to suit their hair, so I advise dark colours to show off the red and to stay away from yellow or orange, which just washes out the look.”
Around 5 per cent of the UK population of 67m have ginger hair, meaning 3.3m folk don’t need to do anything to their barnet to keep up with fashion.
Earlier this month – January 12 – was International Kiss A Ginger Day.
A spokesman said: “Kiss a Ginger Day brings sweet kisses to redheads who may have once been teased for their hair colour.
“Many redheads feel like outcasts for having red hair. This celebration empowers redheads to feel confident, look amazing, and rock their beauty.”
