@fkatwigs / Instagram
No matter what the current hair color trends are, ruby red hues are always a favorite of colorists and celebrities. While bright, fire-engine hues may first come to mind, the color red presents as a wide range from moody purple shades and vivacious ginger colors to auburn highlights and burgundy balayage. In other words, you’ve got a ton of options.
Whether your skin undertones are warm or cool, there’s a shade of red out there for you that’s guaranteed to stay fresh from season to season. To help you choose the right red and achieve the deep hued aesthetic of your dreams, we sought the advice of expert colorists Chelsey Pickthorn and Angelica Triana.
Keep scrolling for all the dark red hair inspiration, including maintenance tips from the pro.
Meet the Expert
- Chelsey Pickthorn is a stylist and colorist with offices in New York and California.
- Angelica Triana is a hairstylist who specializes in natural color, vivid colors, color corrections, and creative cuts.
Dark Red Hair
Choosing a Shade: The shade should be tailored to you and is not usually recommended for people with naturally light hair. Dark reds or burgundy are more of a free for all, Triana says, but talk to your stylist about creating a color that’s complementary to your specific tones.
Maintenance Level: Depending on what the natural base is, this can be a high-maintenance color. Six to 10 weeks between touch-ups is usually recommended.
Similar Shades: Copper, pumpkin spice, red ombré
Price: Usually, $200 is the base point, though it can vary depending on where you’re starting from as well as the result you’re going for. Work with your stylist to figure out what plan makes sense for your budget and ideal look.
01 of 15
Rich Chestnut Red
@sophiet / Instagram
We adore Sophie Turner's rich, fire-roasted chestnut shade. "Dark red hair is different from copper and other red tones as it is on the deeper side of the spectrum," Pickthorn says, "Depending on what your natural color is, generally deeper reds show more in the light and have a reflection that reads red. Many times the undertones are red-orange or red-violet."
02 of 15
Brown to Red Ombré
@hallebailey / Instagram
Halle Bailey's deep red hue is concentrated on the ends of her hair, for a dip-dyed, ombré effect. Before you schedule an appointment, know that as with any red color, deep red is, "the hardest to keep up and the hardest to get rid of," Pickthorn says. This is due to the amount of pigment, and the special mixing that goes into creating 'your perfect red' Pickthron says.
03 of 15
Deep Copper
Samir Hussein / Contributor
Jourdan Dunn's warm, deep copper spirals are proof that reds don't need to be bold to make an impact. Ask for this shade if you're looking to ease into a fiery tone rather than take the full plunge.
04 of 15
Shadow Red
@dovecameron / Instagram
As a hair color chameleon, Dove Cameron transitions looks often. The base of her hair in this photo leans more black rather than brunette, adding extra depth and dimension with dark shadows. So chic and moody.
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Bold Cherry
@theestallion / Instagram
Take a cue from the one of the boldest style icons out there, Meghan Thee Stallion, with an electric cherry tone. Red hair colors with violet undertones like this one are especially complementary against darker skin tones, but everyone can pull off the look with the right blending of pigments.
06 of 15
Deep Red Dip Dye
@olaplex / Instagram
Dip-dyeing your curls at the tips makes for a stylish and bold color choice. Plus, it’s incredibly practical if you ever decide you’re ready for a change. Just get a trim and say farewell to those colorful ends.
07 of 15
Cherry Mocha
Steve Granitz / Contributor
This deep dark cherry shades is a total throwback to the trending hair colors of the ’90s. Now dubbed as “cherry cola” or “cherry mocha” hair by TikTok, Kelly Rowland’s signature hair color circa 2001 has made a major resurgence
08 of 15
Golden Auburn
J. Shearer / Contributor
Tyra Banks has tried a multitude of hair colors and styles over the years, but we're partial to this golden auburn shade. In this throwback pic, Tyra's curls strike the perfect balance between red, brown, and golden tones. Her matching dyed eyebrows are the cherry on top of this look.
09 of 15
Aubergine
@lala / Instagram
Everyone knows that the primary colors blue and red, when mixed together, create purple. Here, on Lala Anthony, we're seeing color theory in action. This almost-purple, aubergine hue makes her cool-toned eye color pop.
10 of 15
Red Stripes
@fkatwigs / Instagram
Always an avant-garde beauty enthusiast, FKA Twigs stuns with gradient red and jet-black striped hair. Triana notes that every hair type needs different amounts of saturation, so make sure to discuss the finer details with your chosen stylist before committing to a look like this one.
11 of 15
Auburn Highlights
@jennaortega / Instagram,
Jenna Ortega’s brunette-lightening, auburn highlights add extra dimension to her carefree tousled long bob. Ask your colorist for a dye job like this if you’re looking meld your natural color with red.
12 of 15
True Red Velvet
Getty Images / Matt Winkelmeyer
Warm, luscious, and just as delicious looking as a slice of red velvet cake, Zendaya’s take on red is a true feast for the eyes. Curl your hair into Hollywood waves by using hot rollers or pin curls to achieve the ultimate starlet look.
13 of 15
Bright Burgundy Braids
@keke
Braids are always a good idea—but Keke Palmer proves that deep, rich burgundy braids are even better. Leave the feed-in braids long and flowing as seen here, or pull them up and back for an effortless protective hairstyle.
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Cinnamon Brown
Getty Images
Pickthorn likes to encourage people to enhance what they are given, noting, that if someone wants to go red, she helps them find a color that would look most natural on their skin undertones. Though actress Kaitlyn Dever's look borders on brunette at first glance, her hair actually features some incredible red undertones.
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Pomegranate Red
Getty Images
Rihanna's hair transformations are consistently making it onto our hair mood boards, with this raspberry red look from 2010 topping the chart. A similar shade to pomegranate juice, this ever-so-slightly subdued take on bright cherry red is absolutely gorgeous.
FAQ
- How do you care for dyed red hair?
Forgo shampoo and conditioner for two days after your dye session and be gentle with you hair. Try using cold water when you do wash your hair (heat will open the hair shaft and could cause you to lose some dye in the shower).
- What color cancels out red hair dye?
Green is opposite red on the color wheel, and serves as a way to neutralize red tones in the hair. The blue-green shade in ash toning shampoos will work to tone down red that's just a little too rich.
- What color eyebrows go best with red hair?
A lot of those on our list above match their brows to their hair, but a contrast is fun, too. Rock your natural brows as a red head, or try using a brow tint or pencil to tone darker or lighter brows to a more fiery hue.
