Whether you covet the ginger beauty of a fair skinned Irish maiden to the bold crimson locks of a big screen villainess, red heads are a sorority of a select few that command attention and admiration.
Red hair color is a polarizing subject to which you will find strong opinion on both sides of the line. Whether you love it, or it is not for you, red heads have a vibe and appeal all their own.
Adding red into your hair color palette offers a variety of options regardless of the level (lightness or darkness) of hair you currently have. You can choose the deep burgundy shades, auburns, and chestnuts that flatter the darker levels, to the kiss of copper or strawberry found in blondes and virtually any level in between.
Which red shade is right for me?
The cooler, crimson and wine shades will best work on those with a darker hair color level desire. These allow the brown undertones to balance out the coolness and keep the cool reds from appearing too pink or magenta. As you scale upward in lightness, opt for more of the coppers and copper-golds as either your tone or true color selection.
Although reds work with most skin tones as they add richness and a healthy glow–the paler skin tones are more forgiving. If you have a lot of gold or yellow in your skin–watch adding too much of a gold or yellow based red as it will enhance the yellow in your skin and may make you appear like you are not feeling well (but hey, that is what makeup is for right?) If you have a more olive complexion, it will be easier for you to pull off the darker and cooler shades.
When reds start to fade…
Okay, let’s address the elephant in the room–reds fade. They can fade faster if you put them over porous hair, lightened hair, use hot tools and blow dryers, or use poor hair products. Reds, like blondes, are a commitment all their own and also need to have a game plan up front.
Like brunettes, many red formulas offer semi/demi permanent options that will allow you the ability to tone and richen up your hair in between retouches. These also cost money, so factor them into your color budget.
Hint: Often you can find color enhancing shampoos that have a subtle toning pigment in the formula you can use as your red color fades.
Which hair styles suit red hair?
When considering your style, your options remain pretty open with red shades. From the long and demure to the short and funky, reds work in tandem with your style as opposed to dominating it. Red hair color will simply take your look to the next level.
To add spice to your already spicy color, add a few highlights or balayage to give more distinction and illusion of movement to your color. It is also fun to pick a red base shade and add a few red/blonde highlights and deeper red lowlights. If you look close enough, you will see that most natural redheads are a combination of many shades of red and gold.
Go for and join the red hair revolution!
While only a small fraction of the United States population consists of redheads (2% give or take), this does not diminish the bold statement that this look can make.
Take it from Hollywood and stars like Lucille Ball, Cynthia Nixon, Isla Fisher, and Julia Roberts (none of which were born redheads FYI), going red can make an impact on how you look and feel. Who knows, maybe by becoming a redhead you may begin a path to your own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!
I have been using Excellence to go 6R
This has been discontinued what color
should I use to get the same results.
Hey Judith,
Great color! I know Amazon still stock Excellence 6R, so it might be worth stocking up on the last few kits! If not, a nice alternative to get similar results is Clariol Nice n’ Easy foam in Light Auburn.
Good luck, let me know how you get on
Susie
the hair color in the pix is the hair color I want. i just need to be brave enough to remove my darker color and continue with the red
I know how you feel, bravery has stood in the way of me going for several great colors over the years. If you manage the pluck up the courage, let me know how it goes. 🙂 S x
I’ve got really dark brown hair and I want to dye my hair like a black cherry colour but my mum won’t let me! Any tips?xx
Hey Pheobe. I love the sound of black cherry, but if there is one bit of advice I can give, it’s Mum knows best! If she doesn’t want you putting chemical dyes on your hair, why not look at some of the natural colors you can use:
http://haircolorcode.com/natural-hair-dye
Or, you could see if she will let you try a fun temporary color, like these kool-aid shades that will wash straight out.
http://haircolorcode.com/kool-aid-hair-dye
Susie x
I LOVE red hair! However, I am a natural blond, and I’ve seen myself in red hair. I look terrible! It’s not for everyone, but no one catches the attention of others as much as a redhead. My niece is a redhead (natural, copper-colored). My first lover was a redhead (this is not something that I’d disclose to my husband).
Hey Pam,
It’s such a shame when you love a color but it just doesn’t work on you, my downfall is when I’ve gone for black hair 🙁
And your secret is safe with me 😉 ha
S x
I wanna dye my hair a crazy color but since my school does allow unnatural hair so I thought red would be crazy yet natural however my parents are very strict how can I convice then to let me dye my hair
I have tan skin not to dark not to light would red hair look good on me
Do u guys know a web site that will make it look like you dyed your hair
Hi Emily
I remember those days when you had restrictions on hair color in school and you don’t want to get on the wrong side of your parents… but you can find an alternative way around it 🙂 compromise!
You could go for a mahogany brown which will give you a red tint on brown hair. That way it gives you a change but without being too drastic. Be honest with your parents on how you feel and they might be willing to go along with this.
Good luck Emily, let us know what you color you go for.
Susie x
Hi Jen,
When it comes to red hair you really should check out the shades of red that look better on different skin tones.
Check out our article; http://haircolorcode.com/matching-hair-color-to-skin-tone.
Hope this gives you the information you need!
Susie x
Hi Cindy,
Try this website; http://www.ivillage.com/virtual-makeover#… You can create a virtual make over with hair and make up!
Susie x
I have been using Garnier in Light Auburn Blonde for YEARS and I still love it but am looking for options for some change (jewel tones underneath maybe??). I have fair skin, freckles and dark blue eyes. Ideas?
Hey Denise,
You should consider yourself lucky with your skin tone and eye color as they tend to go well with a lot!
Warm reds, dark espresso browns or champagne highlights for blondes look great on a fair complexion. Blue eyes also look enchanting with blonde or brown :-). We have actually looked into this and summarised for you on our page – http://haircolorcode.com/matching-hair-color-to-skin-tone.
Have a look and I hope you find some great ideas!
Susie x
I have finally given up on hairdresser being able to get the color I want, andam going back to coloring it myself. I’ve read alot about Schwarzkopf Igora (forte?) color, but I think it is a professional color? Am I able to purchase it, and how can I get a color palette (the one you have posted is a broken link)? If not, is there a similar line offered by Schwarzkopf that I can buy myself?
Hey Suzie J,
The Schwarzkopf Igora is definitely a professional color and you can buy online. Where are you in the world and I can help direct you a good site?
Sorry about the broken link I will get that fixed asap.
Susie x
Hey,
I normally use L’oreal Feria #R68, but I am looking for a more intense color. I would like the red to be more vibrant. Would you have any suggestions.
Thanks.
Hi! I want the EXACT color of the orange red picture shown. Where can I purchase i & my hair is VERY dark..I dyed it black about a year ago & my natural color is dark brown..
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