15 Popular Shades of Red Hair
Copper With its golden undertones and blends of brown, copper is a delightful shade of red full of warmth. This shade is a perfect blend of brown and red. It’s not too bold, but not too dull. The color is rich, warm, and has a natural depth that’ll make everyone turn their heads. Best for fair, medium, and olive skin. Celebrity sightings: Sophie Turner at the 2023 Oscars Emily Ratajkowski in July 2023 Meet the wikiHow Experts Maja Koziara is a color analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in helping her clients find their best colors and their confidence. April Ferri is a professional hair stylist with over 10 years of experience who specializes in hair coloring, as well as enhancing and transforming natural tones into vibrant shades for beautiful and low-maintenance hair. Gina Almona is a professional hair stylist with over 20 years of beauty training experience, including features of her work in People Magazine, Time Out New York, and Queens Scene. Jamie Bushman is a master hair stylist who owns Chicago’s The Circle Salon, where she specializes in cutting, styling, and coloring hair.
Cherry Red Bold, vibrant, and gorgeous—what’s not to love about this red shade? Cherry red is the brightest shade of red you can get. The color can be mixed to be a deeper shade to look more like a cherry cola, but it’ll still be fierce. Best for those looking for a bold, eye-catching look. Celebrity sightings: Dove Cameron in 2023 Megan Thee Stallion in 2025 Cherry red looks absolutely stunning with the ombre effect, where the hair starts darker at the roots and lightens toward the tips.
Mahogany Rich and fierce, mahogany is a shade of red with tons of personality! The purple undertones of this shade are deceptive: one second your hair is a deep red, and the next it’s a rich purple. The versatility is all in the mix, and as a combination of rich reds, browns, and violets, there’s nothing but depth within this shade. Best for those wanting a natural finish with a bold edge. Celebrity sightings: Zendaya in March 2022 Liza Soberano at Milan Fashion Week 2023
Ginger Ginger is a classic, natural shade of red that’s light and airy. This red shade leans more on the side of orange than red. While still bold, it’s more subtle than brick reds and other darker shades. Even so, the golden hues of ginger are just enough to add some spice to your life. Best for fair and medium complexions. Celebrity sightings: Isla Fisher Jessica Chastain
Dark Red Coming in shades of merlot, burgundy, and sangria, dark red is a versatile and decadent hair color. Dark red has the depth of mahogany, except without the purple undertones. Because of that, its depth is darker and leans more toward black or brown, depending on the shade. Best for medium to dark skin tones and neutral undertones. Celebrity sightings: Chappel Roan at the 2024 VMAs Scarlett Johansson in Iron Man 2
Auburn Looking for a hint of red that’s totally natural? If so, auburn may be the color for you! This shade of red is subtly elegant. The color is primarily brown with warm red and orange undertones. If you hit the light just right, the flames ignite, showing off the hidden layers of this gorgeous hair shade. Best for those wanting a natural, warm, and versatile look. Celebrity sightings: Julia Roberts Lindsay Lohan
Strawberry Blonde Strawberry blonde is a natural shade of red that’s sweet and delicate—it’s practically made for a princess! This shade is light and sunny with copper and blonde tones. What can we say? Strawberry blonde is the best of both worlds! That is, the red and blonde hair color worlds. Best for fair or light skin. Celebrity sightings: Amy Adams in Enchanted Blake Lively
Red Brown Rich and deep, red brown is auburn’s older and darker sister. This shade of red combines chestnut and rusty tones to create a natural color with immense depth. The color resembles a rich chocolate: dark brown but with a velvety undertone. Best for those with warm undertones. Celebrity sightings: Phoebe Dynevor at the 2022 Met Gala Bella Thorne at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival
Red Violet Leaning into its warmth, red violet is a shade of red that looks more purple than it does red. This red is a slightly lighter version of mahogany and is often referred to as magenta (thanks to its loud purple tones). The color has a reddish tone, but when in the right light, it screams purple or pink. Best for those wanting to add dark depth to their hair. Celebrity sightings: Dua Lipa at the 2024 Grammys Vivica A. Fox in 2017
Coral Bright and bold, this neon shade of red isn’t for the faint of heart! Coral is a unique red shade that’s more orange than it is red. The color reflects the vibrant tones of the ocean reefs. Depending on the mix, the color can be lighter or bolder based on your personal preference. Best for medium to tan skin tones. Celebrity sightings: Hayley Williams Rita Ora in 2018
Rose Gold With warm undertones and pink highlights, rose gold is a striking and elegant shade of red. Upon first glance, you may think rose gold is pink, but it’s actually a very soft and warm red. With this beautiful shade, your hair can look pink, orange, or strawberry blonde, depending on the light. Best for those with warm or olive undertones. Celebrity sightings: Taeyeon in summer 2016 Lady Gaga at the 2017 Grammys
Peach Light, bright, and fun—what’s not to love about this pastel red shade? Peach is a soft shade of red that leans closer to pink. Like its namesake, it’s full of brightness and life. Some tones lean more towards orange, while others are a softer pink. Either way, peach is an ideal color for anyone hoping to bring a little more joy into their life. Best for those with fair to medium skin tones. Celebrity sightings: Lil Kim in 2021 Iggy Azalea at the 2016 Paris Couture Fashion Week
Ruby Elegant and sophisticated, ruby is the perfect hair color for those looking for a little drama. This shade of red has undertones of violet and chestnut, and some stylists even prefer to lighten it with bolder streaks of red or pink. It’s ultimately a shade straight from the earth that’ll give your hair a gorgeous depth. Best for looking for a dramatic look. Celebrity sightings: Dua Lipa in 2024 Dove Cameron in 2023
Fire Engine Red Want to make people turn their heads? If so, fire engine red is the hair color for you! This shade of red is bold, bright, and beautiful. Think Ariel from the cartoon Little Mermaid—whimsical, brave, and romantic. Best for a vibrant and bold look. Celebrity sightings: Kylie Jenner in 2019 Rihanna in 2010
Pumpkin Spice Like its namesake, pumpkin spice is the perfect hair color for fall! This shade of red is a mix of chocolate brown, caramel blond, and copper. With chestnut and auburn hues, pumpkin spice is full of warm depth and ideal for those who want a natural ginger glow with a bit more kick. Best for those wanting to add color and depth to the hair. Celebrity sightings: Kristen Stewart at the 2021 Venice Film Festival Saweetie in 2021
How to Choose the Right Shade of Red Hair
Take your skin tone into account. The right hair color can make you glow! So, it’s important to know how certain colors can affect your complexion. Always opt for a color that flatters your natural beauty. How do you do that? Here’s a quick guide to which red hair colors look best on certain skin tones: If you have pale skin, opt for lighter, natural shades of red rather than vibrant, dark tones. Strawberry blonde and copper can bring out your natural rosiness. If you have medium-toned skin, go with a rich, warm red or one with a purple undertone. Auburn and red violet can help bring out the depth in your complexion. If you have olive skin, try a red with golden or blue undertones. Copper and dark red may help your skin look rich and warm. If you have dark skin, opt for bright and bold, deep shades of red. A bright red or coral will help you look electric. Need help determining your skin tone? Check out this ultimate guide!
Focus on complementing your undertone. Color analysis expert Maja Koziara says that understanding your skin’s undertones can help you determine which red will look best on you. Your skin’s undertone refers to the tint of your skin, or its overall temperature. There are three types of undertones: cool, warm, and neutral. Here’s which red shades will flatter you most based on your undertone: If you have a cool undertone, go with a burgundy, mahogany, strawberry blonde, or classic red shade. If you have a warm undertone, try strawberry blonde, mahogany, ginger, or auburn. If you have a neutral undertone, you can get away with practically any shade, thanks to your skin’s versatile temperature! Need help finding your undertone? Take this quiz! EXPERT TIP Karen Leight Karen Leight Professional Hair Stylist Karen Leight is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Owner of Karen Renee Hair, a private salon suite inside the Salon Republic Hollywood in Los Angeles, California. With over 12 years of experience, Karen is a licensed cosmetologist specializing in hair color, balayage technique, and women’s and men’s precision haircuts. Karen Leight Karen Leight Professional Hair Stylist Hair colors are customizable. Talk to your hairstylist about what you’re looking for, as they may be able to incorporate highlights or balayage pieces to add more dimension, color, or tone to your hair.
Pair your hair color with your eye color. Like your skin tone, your eyes can simply pop with the right hair color. Help your eyes and personality shine by choosing a red tone that’ll bring out your natural sparkle. Blue eyes pair well with natural red shades, such as strawberry blonde and copper. Green eyes will pop next to bold shades, like bright or deep reds. Brown eyes warm with reds with purple undertones, like red violet or dark burgundy. Hazel eyes are striking with golden tones, such as those found in copper and ginger.
How to Get & Maintain Red Hair
Talk to your hairstylist about dyeing your hair red. The best place to go for advice on how to dye your hair red is a professional, according to professional hairstylist April Ferri. Everyone’s hair is different, and your hair color, density, and porosity can affect how you get to your wanted shade of red. So, it’s always best to consult with a licensed hairstylist for personalized advice on what would be best for your hair. Keep in mind that if you have darker hair, you’ll likely have to bleach it to achieve a lighter or bolder red. Red hair dye is often added to brown or black hair to give it more depth, giving the hair a reddish glow in certain lights. Box-dyeing your hair red can be a more affordable option, but keep in mind that box dyeing can easily go wrong, so always read and follow the instructions carefully.
Maintain red hair with frequent touch-ups and sulfate-free products. Red hair is one of the most high-maintenance hair colors. We know—we’re shocked too! Unfortunately, red can fade quickly, and while it can fade into a pretty pink, that may not be the look you’re going for. Experts recommend following these tips to keep your red hair as vibrant as possible: Use a color conditioning mask with a red pigment or tint 1 to 2 times a week, recommends professional hair stylist Gina Almona. Wash and shampoo your hair as little as possible, per master hair stylist Jamie Bushman’s professional advice. Use products that are safe for color-treated hair. Wash your hair with cold water. Use heat tools as little as possible. Avoid products with sulfates, alcohol, or citrus ingredients. Stay out of the sun when possible, and use UV protective spray when you do.
What shade of red should you dye your hair?
Ultimately, you should dye your hair whichever red you like! At the end of the day, the color you dye your hair is completely up to you. Yes, there are certain shades that may help your natural features pop, but you don’t have to go by them—pick whichever color you like best! And the best thing about it? If you don’t like the color, you can always redye it. If you’re unsure what color to dye your hair, talk to your hairstylist for help. They may be able to mix a specific shade that would match all of your wants and needs. To help decide, take our “What Color Should I Dye My Hair?” quiz to find a hair color that flatters your face and matches your personality.
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