The 15 Best Orange Hair Dyes

Orange hair looks intriguing and hard to pull off, but its bright gleam and summery color make it look stunning on many women.

Nailing it is tricky, though. Just Google it right now—most people would rather take orange out of their hair, not put it in.

But when you do it right, orange hair looks gorgeous and insanely chic. It lights up the scene with warmth while still being glossy and flattering. 

The best part is that you will likely not have anyone in the room with the same color since it’s rare and tricky to master. It’s even more challenging when you have to pair it with clothes and makeup.

Are you up for the orange hair challenge? If so, check out what you need to know before getting beautiful orange locks and what hair dyes can help you achieve them.

Aim for a multi-dimensional copper, not a flat, brassy orange

Brassy orange hair is usually something people fix, not aim for. This is because when orange is overly warm and stark, it can be unflattering, like when it peeks through bleached hair and ruins a platinum blonde bob.

But sometimes, it’s tempting to go for orange, especially if you want a super unique and daring look.

It’s a fantastic option for the wintertime when everything looks dull and gray, and you want to liven up your look with something warmer.

However, don’t make the mistake of gunning for a Crayola orange unless you’re coloring your hair for a cosplay event or costume party. It’s very stark and can be unflattering in your day-to-day.

If you want a more natural orange tone, play around for variations of the classic orange color, like burnt orange or terracotta or the ever-popular copper.

These orange shades give your hair more dimension and depth, so your orange locks don’t look flat and brassy.

Look into copper hair if you want a more sophisticated orange. It’s a combination of gold, orange, and red tones, creating a bright yet sultry shade of natural orange. 

What you should know before going orange?

Before you plan out your orange hair coloring session, you need to know that bright orange is not for everyone. 

Assess your skin tone and think of what other colors you can incorporate into your dye of choice to make orange more flattering on you.

Go for a coppery brown if you have tan skin and a warm, burnt hue if you have a cool undertone.

Another thing to keep in mind is that orange hair dye will only show up nicely on a light base shade. So if you have black or brown hair, you have to bleach your hair first.

Blondes have it easier because of their naturally light hue—the orange and red color molecules will latch onto the strands much easier.

Also, be aware that you have to regularly tone your hair after you bleach and dye it orange.

Although you’ve opted for a warm tone, it’s important to maintain your color’s natural vibrancy and make sure you don’t look like a carrot top with an insanely yellow-orange mane.

When your hair is on the yellow side and starts taking away from that beautiful copper, tone it down with purple shampoo.

One last thing to remember about coloring your hair orange is that many copper dyes rely on red color molecules. They have the same quirks as a red dye, including how fast it fades.

Red dye is known to wash out faster than other colors, so you need to be extra careful maintaining your orange shade.

Wash with shampoo less and always wear heat protectant to extend the lifespan of your fabulous copper tresses.

The 15 Best Orange Hair Dye

1. Manic Panic Semi-Permanent Hair Dye in Psychedelic Sunset

The formula is free of harmful chemicals that can be drying to the hair, such as ammonia, parabens, phthalates, and others. It’s also vegan, so it’s suited for those following a green and eco-friendly lifestyle.

2. Splat Original Semi-Permanent Hair Dye in Orange Fireballs

This dye is made with nourishing ingredients that condition your hair and make it soft to the touch. It also has quinoa extracts that strengthen your strands, helping them lock in more of your orange color.

3. Arctic Fox Semi-Permanent Hair Color in Sunset Orange

It’s formulated without ammonia, so you know your hair is being cared for properly. It also has a sweet and light scent, unlike other dyes that smell of strong chemicals.

4. L’Oreal Paris Feria Permanent Color in Intense Copper

The formula is specifically made to condition your hair as well, which helps elevate your locks with shine and softness

5. Punky Semi-Permanent Conditioning Hair Color in Flame

It also prevents breakage and frizz, keeping your hair smooth and sleek. It’s a great way to color your hair without having to stress it out or damage it.

6. IROIRO Premium Natural Semi-Permanent Hair Color in Orange

This cruelty-free and vegan hair dye is friendly to the hair since it doesn’t contain toxic and petroleum-based chemicals.

It also doesn’t have synthetic preservatives that can end up irritating your scalp or drying out your tresses.

7. Adore Semi-Permanent Hair Color in Sunrise Orange

It contains natural ingredients that condition the hair and add shine, making your locks look glossy and luminous as it sways in the wind.

8. Keracolor Color + Clenditioner in Copper

This is a terrific way to test out copper hair on you and see if you like it before committing to a permanent hair dye. 

9. Crazy Color Semi-Permanent Hair Color Cream in Orange

The formula is amazing at softening your hair and leaving it silky and smooth to the touch. Your hair will slip right through your fingers after using this color cream. It also leaves your mane with a luscious shine.

10. Revlon Colorsilk Beautiful Color in Bright Auburn

It’s made with keratin and silk amino acids that smoothen the hair while fortifying it too, improving its overall elasticity and health. They also add a gorgeous gloss to your locks, making them shiny.

11. Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color Creme in Light Natural Copper

It’s infused with olive oil, avocado oil, and shea butter to feed your hair with deep moisture. They help soften your locks to make them more touchable. They also amp up the shine in your hair.

12. Tints of Nature Bold Colours Semi-Permanent Hair Color in Orange

This hair color is free of all the nasty chemicals that damage your hair. It doesn’t have ammonia, sulfates, silicones, parabens, and other potentially irritating ingredients.

13. Garnier Olia Permanent Color in Intense Fire Ruby

The velvety cream formula makes it easy to apply to the hair. You won’t have to worry about dripping and ruining your shirt when coloring your hair with this.

14. Clairol Texture and Tones Permanent Hair Color in Flaming Desire

It’s rich in moisturizing ingredients such as jojoba oil and other botanical extracts to add shine and hydration to the hair. It’s wonderful for women of color who have dry hair types that need extra love and care.

15. Herbatint Permanent Haircolor Gel in Orange

It’s dermatologist-approved for use on sensitive skin, so you don’t have to worry about irritating your scalp when you warm up your color with this gel.

Conclusion

Orange hair can be challenging to accomplish. But when you do it well, you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous, classic-colored hair that is super eye-catching and attractive.

Pick out any of these hair dyes to start your journey to ever-intriguing orange or copper hair. Just make sure to get a shade that will be flattering on your skin tone, and you’ll be well on your way to salon-beautiful orange tresses.