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We agree red hair may be too out there for some of us. That said, there’s something so unmissable about this hair colour. This fiery favourite is the most coveted and rightly so. Want in on the why? It’s effortlessly edgy and gives your skin a natural-looking flush. Think of it as a high-impact colour that doesn’t beg for attention yet manages to look alluring. No matter what you call it, red hair—ranging from striking neon red shades like little mermaid red or candy apple red to natural hues like copper red or warm ginger red—was a standout beauty trend this season. And why wouldn’t it be? It gets your attention, is desirable and the girlies who want to go from their regular brown or black hair to a lighter more dramatic hair era but don't want to switch to blonde go significantly lighter brown. Even those who do want a slight change enjoy experimenting with shades between blonde and brunette. The beauty of red hair is its versatility, allowing for shifts in tone—from cherry-red to copper or copper-gold red giving you all the solutions for your hair colour change mood swings.
To push your hair inspiration up a notch, we’ve uncovered the best red hair colours for you to bookmark. Well, don’t be surprised if you end up staying married to this hair colour for much longer than you had anticipated.
RED HAIR COLORS
1. Magenta red hair colour
Think of magenta as a colour that is cut out for tresses of varied lengths across all ages. That explains why you’re seeing it everywhere. A warm tone at heart, it comfortably sits between red and blue to give a purplish-red shade. You know that feeling of instant regret when you try something a bit too dramatic? Well mark our words, this shade won’t make you feel you’ve gone ombreboard. Rich magenta hues for the win!
Nykaa recommends:
2. Burgundy red hair colour
For some of us who are still trying to decide our first hair colour, the real struggle can be choosing the right shade and the right intensity so it doesn’t seem too gimmicky. Call burgundy to the rescue. Want to know why? This versatile deep blend of brown and purple falls somewhere in between, perfect for the unsure as well as the bold. If you’ve been growing your mane for a while now, a burgundy twist will be a refreshing way to switch things up.
Nykaa recommends:
3. Cherry red hair colour
Meet Red Wine’s not-so-timid cousin, Cherry Red. A welcome break from the dark reds, this peppy number is called the cherry red. This magnificent shade meant for the oh-so-bold really brings out the colour of your eyes. Why go with this delicious cherry red? It will serve as a guaranteed head-turner while also giving you an excuse to try new makeup looks. Please excuse us while we go cherry-picking.
Nykaa recommends:
4. Copper red hair colour
Positively electrifying, anyone? A far cry from the otherwise bright reds, the copper red adds a realistic dimension to your locks while keeping things fresh in Tress Town. You won’t be able to tell if it’s more red than brown or more brown than red and that is what makes it so mystifying. Oh, wait and did we tell you it gives major boss woman vibes? Hence, work-friendly as well.
Nykaa recommends:
5. Dark red hair colour
From the boardroom to the bar, this one’s got your back. A classier take on red, the dark red shade leans on the less vibrant red hair colour spectrum. As you edge into warmer seasons, it’s a great excuse to indulge in darker dimensions that would dazzle in the golden streams of sunlight. None of the other shades that span the darker color spectrum can hold a candle to the dark red hue, because ANYONE can pull it off.
Nykaa recommends:
6. Cinnamon red hair colour
Olive skin tones, the search is over for you. Cinnamon red is one of those hair colours that make you want to shamelessly stare. Think beige meets brown halfway down the road. Spicy and comforting, It takes inspiration from its namesake spice. Besides, the mild caramel accents add a smooth finish to your locks. We’d say, if you’re torn between brown and red, you can have them both with this rather spicy red.
Nykaa recommends:
7. Mahogany red hair colour
If you’ve been playing around with the idea of a subtle colour, say hello to Mahogany. It spans across a broad spectrum that includes red, brown and purple with each adding its own distinctive element to make your hair look refreshingly sultry. What makes it an even better pick? This dimensional hue is great for someone not looking to foray into the super-edgy path. We think this fine shade is a keeper.
Nykaa recommends:
8. Purple red hair colour
Is it purple? Is it red? Darling, it’s both. If you’re sceptical about being a complete redhead, cuddle your tresses with some purple. We’re talking about a hair shade that will get the likes and comments to start rolling in on social media. And yes, with the right execution of the highlights, you don’t have to worry about skin tone as this shade can lighten up your face and add an enviable contrast.
Nykaa recommends:
9. Rose Gold red hair colour
Want to play around with the idea of becoming blonde and still look like a redhead? Think of this rose gold hair colour. With equal parts blonde and light red, this rose gold shade is a definite conversation starter. Being rich enough to make a statement, this shade is a perfect blend of pink, red and blonde. If chic, glossy and vibrant hair is on your mind then this hair colour is a must-have.
Nykaa recommends:
10. Merlot
Cannot leave your beautiful dark locks but still want a redhead shade? Well, this red wine-inspired shade is the perfect blend of brown, burgundy and cherry red, that helps you achieve the red hair of your dreams. It also comes with the benefit of being low-maintenance amongst all the other red colour shades.
Falling between the shades of auburn and burgundy, this shade is perfect for any skin tone. This shade is very similar to burgundy what makes it different is the undertones. While merlot has a purple undertone, burgundy is a deep, reddish-brown shade with blue undertones.
This shade gives you enough space to experiment with your hair colour styles. One can opt to go for
Nykaa recommends:Tips to take care of your red highlights
Taking care of your newly coloured red hair colour with highlights is essential if you want it to last longer. After all, you should make it worth the spend. Here are a few tips to get you started.
- Focus on applying colour-protecting and shine serums. The pro-shine formulation is especially necessary if you’ve chosen a subtle red hair shade.
Nykaa Recommends: Mamaearth Onion Hair Serum
- Sulfate is a stealthy culprit that fades your red hair colour faster. So, prefer sulfate-free formulated hair care shampoo and conditioners.
Nykaa Recommends: Schwarzkopf Professional Bonacure pH 4.5 Color Freeze Sulfate Free Micellar Shampoo
- It’s a known fact that frequent colouring may cause hair to become dry. This can be countered by ensuring your coloured hair gets its dose of moisture. So, for deep-conditioning purposes, incorporate a hair mask into your hair care routine.
Nykaa Recommends: Bare Anatomy Colour Protect Hair Mask
- Try using colour-balancing shampoos if you don’t want brassy hair replacing the cool red colour on your hair. While you’re at it, reduce the number of times you shampoo your hair. This is because red hair colour is quick to fade, especially with constant shampooing.
Nykaa Recommends: Wella Professionals INVIGO Color Brilliance Shampoo With Lime Caviar
FAQs on Red Hair Color
1. How do you select the perfect red hair colour with highlights that complement the skin tone? Should I go with red wine hair colour?
The general rule is that shades that are a blend of red and purple complement fair and olive skin tones. Red shades with brown undertones suit warm and peachy complexions. So, if your complexion leans on the cooler tones, red wine should ideally look good.
2. What is the ginger hair colour?
The ginger hair colour is predominantly red with faint undertones of brown or purple. This warm colour appears like a natural hue and as a result, generally suits almost all skin tones.
3. What are some popular hair dyes for red hair colours?
Here's a look at the popular red hair dye colours:
- Garnier Color Naturals Creme Ultra Hair Color - Plum Red
- Streax Hair Colour - Flame Red 0.6
- Paradyes Glossy Hair Tint - Cherry Coke
- L’Oreal Paris Casting Creme Gloss Hair Color- Cherry Burgundy
- Garnier Color Naturals Creme Hair Color - 6.60 Intense Red
- BBLUNT Salon Secret Cherry Red Hair Color
Red hair is definitely one of the prettiest hair colours and it is very easy to set your heart on red. Changing your hair colour to red can be a fun and thrilling way to change up and refresh your style. Red hair isn't just a bold and eye-catching shade and for all the right reasons, our favourite being the variety it offers. With numerous undertones and highlights to select from, you're sure to discover a red hairstyle that ticks all your boxes.
