The best red hair shades to dye for right now.

Fiery, fierce, sexy and luxurious, red hair is more than a hair colour idea, it’s an attitude. Red hair says ‘Hello!’ gets you noticed, and makes you feel fabulous. And what’s awesome about this versatile colour is that there are shades of red hair to suit everyone.

This colour is a classic and features in our top Hair colour ideas for 2022 but the truth is that the red hair trend is here forever. 

Choosing the right hue for you can be challenging. There are so many different shades, and some will look better on you than others.

If you’re looking for a new colour to try out, here is our list of gorgeous shades that could be perfect on you. You’ll find everything from bright cherry hues to deep rose tones in this collection.

We’ve put together a guide with six stunning shades of red hair colours that we’re loving right now. So if you love your fiery locks or want to give them an update, check out these fabulously fashionable looks below…

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What is red hair?

This awesome shade is one life’s rarest natural colours, making it unique and special – just like you!

The colour of your hair can tell you a lot about your personality. Redheads, for example, are typically outgoing and passionate people who enjoy life to the fullest.

They’re not afraid to speak their minds or take risks in order to pursue what they want most out of life – that’s why it’s no wonder that this fiery hair colour has become so popular!

Redheads have been around since ancient times but it wasn’t until celebrities like Christina Hendricks and Emma Stone came onto the scene with their fabulous locks did we start coveting this gorgeous look.

Hair dye is a great way to get involved with the ravishing red. Whether you want your hair to be bright and vibrant or just add some new highlights or streaks, it’s easy and fun.

Check out the latest looks for ideas and inspiration.

What shade of red hair is most common?

The most common shade is auburn.

This versatile colour comes in so many variations that there’s a hue and tone of auburn for everyone – from dark red auburn to light brown auburn and everything in between.

Auburn is a natural-looking colour that adds depth and dimension to any hair base. It’s also a great accompaniment to hair streaks, ombre, balayage and highlighted styles.

Mix it with arm blonde and caramel tones for the summer months and chocolate brown or black shades for winter. Auburn is a colour that’s on-trend all year round.

Which red hair colours are on trend right now?

Red is a forever colour. It looks good and makes you feel fabulous whatever the season. If you want your hair to shine, your eyes to pop and your skin to glow, ravishing red is the hue for you.

This year, red tones are super hot. Rich reds hair dyes are all the rage so think of deep colours that add multidimensional tones to your locks.

Will red hair shades suit me?

The greatest thing about this colour is that there’s a shade for everyone. So whatever your skin tone and eye colour happens to be, it’s all about finding the right tone and hue that works for you.

You’ll need to determine whether you suit a warmer, spicy palette, or whether you should look for reds that are cooler with bluer hues.

You can use our checklist to see find out which undertone you are.

If you have warm undertones:

• You have red or golden undertones in your hair.
• Your skin tone will be golden, tan or olive.
• You have green veins in your wrist.
• You suit bright or rich shades.
• You probably have freckles.
• Gold jewellery looks awesome on you.

If you have cool undertones:

• Your skin tone is pink or pale.
• You prefer wearing jewel and pastel colours.
• The colour yellow does not look good on you.
• You have blue veins in your wrist.
• Pearls and silver jewellery look awesome on you.

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Which red hair shade is right for me?

It’s not just your natural tones that make the difference when it comes to choosing the right colour for you. The colour your hair is now of course comes into play. 

The lighter your hair, the pinker your red will be compared to a brunette who will experience darker and richer shades of red.

Always do a strand test before you colour your whole head to check what the colour will look like on your hair, compared to the picture on the box.

Experiment with shades lighter or brighter than you normally would. That’s what having new hair colour ideas are all about. You can always try a temporary wash out hair dyes to give different hues a try.

Take our quiz!

You can also take our quick quiz to find out which undertones and colours will look the most fabulous on you. Just click on the image below!

Cool red hair shades.

Chocolate Cherry

You may have seen the newest hair trend on your favourite influencer’s Instagram feed. It is called chocolate cherry hair colour and it looks delicious.

If you’re looking for a fun new hair colour, but don’t want to go too crazy, chocolate cherry hair colour is perfect.

It’s a blend of dark brown and red tones giving your locks an interesting depth. This hue ranges from deep cherry red hair color to light reddish brown-auburn with some strands being more reddish than others.

The overall effect? A beautiful mix of rich colours that will have people wondering if you dyed your hair or just got some gorgeous red highlights.

Find out more at Chocolate cherry hair colour | How to get this tasty shade.

Mahogany

Mahogany hair is a rich, reddish-brown hue that can vary from warm, cool to neutral.

There are many types of mahogany hair colours including deep red mahogany, golden mahogany and chestnut brown mahogany among others!

The term “mahogany” is used to describe the rich, dark colours that are often associated with wood furniture made from this type of tree.

It’s also an earthy colour that will make you feel calm and grounded. This colour works well for all skin tones but if your complexion leans more towards fair or light it might not be the best choice for you because it may make your face look too pale or washed out.

You can find out more in Mahogany hair colour | How to get the red-brown look at home.

Deep rose

Deep rose is a vibrant and lively shade that takes your look from drab to fab. It’s a rich, cool hue that can be used on light or dark hair to create depth and dimension.

This colour has just enough cool metallic tones in it to compliment lighter skin tones and darker hair colours while still being vibrant enough for those with more pink undertones.

If you’re looking for something with an edgier feel, go with one of the many lighter variations of rose such as light blush or dusty rose. A lot of people will reach for these pinky-reds when they’re going for a more youthful appearance.

Read more about rose gold hair color in Rose gold hair | How to get the look at home.

Warm red hair shades.

Strawberry blonde

Blondes are always a popular hair colour, but strawberry blonde is fast becoming more and more popular.

This lighter version of your typical red-blond has a warmer tone to it that can be achieved by adding some red tones to an blonde base.

The most important thing to keep in mind when going strawberry blonde is to have a base level of red pigment in your hair before you start dyeing.

If you’ve got dark brown or black hair, it could take a few sessions with the hairdresser before fully lightening your roots and achieving a natural-looking shade of strawberry blonde.

You might want to consider starting off with lighter colours like copper or honey gold first if this sounds daunting!

You can learn more at Strawberry Blonde Hair | How to get the look at home.

Copper

The new copper hair colour trend is taking over the world and it’s not hard to see why.

The rich, vibrant tones of red and gold make for a striking new look that is perfect for every season. If you’re looking for something different this year but don’t want to go too extreme, copper might just be your best bet!

It’s a colour that’s not as red as auburn, and not as bright orange as ginger. Copper is an orange-red hue that washes over your locks with hints of yellow and brown. If you’re looking to take your hair color up a notch, this could be the answer for you!

Copper hair colour can make one pop in any crowd. It has hints of different shades within the red family which are mixed together to create this unique tone.

We tell you more about copper at Copper hair | How to get the beautiful bronze look.

Auburn

Auburn hair colour is a beautiful shade of red that falls somewhere between the pink and brown tones. It’s usually seen as more natural than other shades because it has hints of copper in its base colour. But don’t be fooled by this hue, there are many different variations to choose from.

Auburn can range anywhere from spicy, cinnamon-red to dark cherry-burgundy, depending on how much warmth or coolness you want your locks to have.

This stunning red shade is also fantastic as an accent colour. If you’re looking for a new style, why not try some auburn highlights?

Discover more ideas and inspiration at Auburn Hair | How to get the lush look at home.

Why does red hair dye fade quicker?

It’s true this colour hair dye is the hardest to keep looking luscious for longer. The brighter your dye, the faster it will fade.

It’s all to do with the size of the dye pigments – these are extra large molecules that slip and slide out of your hair with every wash.

And prepare to get your colour topped up every 6-8 weeks.

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How can I care for my red hair?

Your hair will need more love than almost any other colour and will fade fast if you don’t look after it.

Don’t wash your hair more than once a week if you can get away with it. 

When you do, make sure you wash only with a shampoo and conditioner specially formulated for coloured hair.

Regular trims and weekly deep conditioning treatments will help to keep your colour in check.

Parting words.

What are you waiting for? Pick your favourite shade and get let’s get rocking!

We hope you enjoy this list and find the perfect hue for you. Once you join the red hair family, you never look back.

Don’t forget to read our best red hair dye reviews if you’re thinking of taking the plunge at home.

Good luck!