For a hair colour that is sizzling, bold and dynamic, look no further than dark red. There are so many shades available that can complement any skin tone, and are sure to warm up your face and leave your locks looking luscious.
From the dark browns with a subtle hint of maroon, to the vibrant reds with purple undertones, darker shades of red can be a real statement feature of your look. Because it is such a bold choice, it does require a bit more upkeep than other colours, and it can tend to fade after not too many washes, but if you pick the perfect shade for you, it can look fabulous the whole year round!
So many shades to choose from!
With dark red, you have the option of going as vibrant or as subtle as you like. If you’re not quite ready for the all-over vivacity of Rihanna (think of her 2010 look), then you can go for a very gentle, gradual red, maybe as a low-light or even an ombre shade. Start with a brown base – dark red tends to look better with deeper, chocolate browns – and maybe have your reds creeping through from the underside or the ends, and this will look bold, but not too bold. This is a great way to begin a transition into red hair, as you can see how your facial features are changed by the frame of red.
Selena Gomez Dark Red
Of course, ‘dark red’ can mean a darker version of almost any red shade, from bright red (think the busses in London!) to the deep violet reds that have become so popular in the past few years. Think of dark red shades like berries, from cherries to mulberries and anything in between. If you want to go for a real statement hairdo, a full head of bright berry hair will look incredible.
Suiting your skin tone
If your skin is especially light, a very dark red colour could look incredible. The contrast between pale skin and vibrant hair will look very striking, and if you opt for a shade that’s more red than purple, you could really warm up your facial features. The benefit of red hair with light skin is also that the colour in your cheeks will be very accentuated, especially if you’re prone to a bit of blushing every now and then!
If you have slightly darker skin, you can afford to be a little bit more adventurous with the shades. Purple tones will look incredible set against a foundation of red and bronzed skin, especially when styled with some gentle waves and curls. Of course, every face is different, so it’s always best to have a personal consultation with a hairdresser first, just to see how the colour you’re after might suit you.
Styling it up
Deep red hair will look great in almost any style, but if you’ve got a really rich and varied colour, you could maximise your gorgeous locks with a number of different dos. As we already said, curls will look really stunning, from the corkscrew curls that Rihanna rocked in 2010 to the big, barrel curls that we saw so beautifully modelled by Cheryl Cole in those hair adverts! On the other hand, long sleek straight locks can look very dramatic and stylish, especially if you style them cascading down over one shoulder. A block fringe may frame your face really nicely, or alternatively you could go for a sweeping fringe that gradually meets the rest of your hair – this could look lovely if you’ve got a lot of varied tones in your hair.
Famous faces
Sharon Osbourne Dark Red Hair Color
Because dark red is so versatile and varied, loads of celebs have given it a go over the years. Selena Gomez has rocked some lovely reddish-purples, and Ariana Grande has perfected the deep red. For some inspiration of a short red do, look no further than Sharon Osbourne – her spikey cut has seen so many variations of reds and purples, and each time she has matched up the different shades gorgeously. Scarlet Johansson and Emma Stone have rocked some lovely subtle brownish-reds, so if you’re looking for something quite low-key, use them as your guide.
Red is a seriously underrated colour, I think. It has the power to absolutely transform your face, creating warmth that spreads through your cheeks, and contrasting beautifully with every eye colour. If your brown needs a bit of a revamp, or if you’re after something radical, one of the many red shades could work wonders. If you’re starting with a very light colour, it may be wise to try transition shades first, maybe through the strawberry blondes on your way to darker berry shades, just to ensure that your hair stays healthy and soaks up the darker red as best it can. Take time to find your perfect shade, and a deep red could totally revitalise your look.