Enhance Your Locks With These Striking Red Hair Color Ideas
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Think blondes have more fun? Think again—and consider these gorgeous red hair color ideas instead. Switching to scarlet strands may seem like a bold choice, but there are shades of red hair out there for everyone, whether you like an understated copper shade or a vibrant, attention-grabbing crimson. Natural redhead Ree Drummond knows firsthand how much fun you can have with red hair. "Ree is always up for a seasonal change," her hairstylist Amber Southern says. Amber often lightens Ree's hair in the summer (red hair with highlights is gorgeous!) and switches to darker, more sultry shades for the fall and winter. Just recently, Ree went with a trendy "cowboy copper" shade! And yes, it's just as perfect for her as you would imagine.
Before you reach for the drugstore hair dye (specifically red hair dye) or schedule a visit to your stylist, keep a few things in mind: First off, don't be afraid to make your hair a little brighter than you might think! Red hair can fade fast, Amber says, so she'll usually make Ree's color more vibrant than the intended shade—this ensures it has room to settle. Once you find your perfect color, try to wash your hair only a few times a week or use a shampoo for red hair so the color lasts as long as possible. You can protect your locks even more with products formulated specifically for dyed hair—Ree uses Aveda Color Conserve Shampoo and Conditioner. So, get inspired by our beautiful red hair color ideas below. They make for perfect spring hair colors and summer hair colors!
Cowboy Copper
A subtle change to her usual red color, Ree has recently hopped on the "cowboy copper"trend. Fitting, right? She says, "[I] decided to take back to more of a red/copper place after being in a more orange/yellow place for the past year or so."
Violet-Red
We're loving Dua Lipa's modern take on dark red! The deep burgundy (nearly purple) color is cool-toned with lots of dimension. And while it's not a natural shade, it's not too bold either.
Red-Toned
If you aren't ready to take the full plunge, consider adding a red tint to your hair just like Halle Bailey did with her locs for the live-action remake of The Little Mermaid. Subtle and stunning!
Dark Strawberry Blonde
A shade or two darker than strawberry blonde, Scarlett Johansson's
red-meets-gold hue puts an alluring twist on the light red color. It's a great way to warm up your complexion!
Deep Rust
This dark rusty shade seen on Marcia Cross is the perfect balance of reds and browns, making it a vivid yet neutral choice that complements any complexion.
Bright Poppy
Riley Keough's role as Daisy Jones in Daisy Jones & The Six called for an iconic red moment that's giving us all the hair inspo. Her flaming locks mix bright red with deeper rusty lowlights and touches of gold that really embody the rockstar agenda.
Cool-to-Warm Crimson
Red hair can be hard to maintain—which is why a subtle ombré like Chloe Dykstra's is perfect for transitioning to the color. The daring crimson tones are cooler on top then warmer towards the bottom which will look just as great as they grow out.
Cinnamon Copper
How pretty is this ultra-pigmented hairstyle on Chrissy Teigen? Shades of red ranging from tawny auburn highlights to coppery chestnut lowlights are weaved through her strands for the ultimate reddish-brunette coloration.
Deep Maroon
Though she's a natural brunette, Sharon Osbourne can truly pull off anything—especially this bold red shade that's come to be known as her signature style. You can get a similar hairdo with rich wine-colored dye atop dark hair.
Peachy Ginger
A few steps up from strawberry blonde, Lindsay Lohan's natural red hair is enhanced with a range of orangey-peach shades. They start on the russet side at her crown, then really lighten up towards the bottom of her long locks. It definitely compliments her fair skin!
Garnet Tint
Calling all brunettes! Dip your toes into the world of red by copying Sarah Hyland's look. She has a subtle merlot tint on her brown tresses, which flare when the sun hits just right.
Ginger Spice
Sex and the City alum Cynthia Nixon has rocked nearly every shade of red over the years. Her recent light auburn hue is played up with blonde highlights and rusty tones for added dimension. It's only made better when paired with that piecey pixie.
Ruby Burgundy
Much like actress Ashleigh Murray, a deep ruby shade will add the perfect amount of vibrancy and radiance to your curls (or any other hair texture)! A naturally dark shade is a great base for this one before you go brighter.
Blood Orange
Here's a way to really liven up your look! Insert: Katherine McNamara's fiery orange-red hue. It's similar to the universally flattering copper color, but brighter and warmer—enough so to make a fun statement.
Cherry Coke Red
Trend alert! This fun and fresh shade seen on Keke Palmer has gone viral on TikTok and is reminiscent of, well, a refreshing glass of Cherry Coke. It's done by taking a dark shade and adding deep red and violet tones.
Rich and Red
Could this be the perfect red shade? We're just about convinced. Fiery, yet subtle, it's made even better here with the addition of Julianne Hough's extra vivid lipstick.
Brown-Red
Brunettes, try switching things up with just a hint of red. Ellie Kemper's darker shade is elegant, effortless, and just a little bit daring.
Copper Red
Brunettes, there's no need to go overboard if you want a simple change: Try using a tinted conditioner to intensify the existing reds in your hair for a look inspired by Karen Gillian's natural red locks.
Warm Strawberry Blonde
Kate Bosworth's dreamy color is an excellent option for any blonde hoping to add a little fire to their look. (Also, how gorgeous is that updo? We're getting more than just color inspiration here!)
Dark Roots
If you're afraid of commitment, mimic FKA Twigs and opt for deep, dark roots that result in a two-toned shade. Yes, it's edgy, but it'll grow out more quickly, too.
Glossy Red
A Zoey Deutch-inspired brown-red shade is an excellent compromise, and it's not hard to get, either: A simple red gloss will add highlights to your hair without feeling overbearing or too intense.
Black Cherry
There's something so cool about Lily Collins' punk-inspired look here. Even if you only rock it for a few weeks, your hair will soon be the stuff of legend.
Rose-Gold
Lucy Hale's rose-gold hue here is beyond beautiful. Tell your colorist you'd like to blend blondes, pinks, and browns—you'll be treated to the loveliest and most feminine result.
Dramatic Red
Drama for the win! Madeline Brewer's rich-looking, non-faded hue is the result of carefully maintained hair—and it's safe to say that maintenance was worth it.
Not Too Bright
Keep things decidedly medium by copying Madelaine Petsch's gorgeous color. Vibrant but not at all in-your-face, it's a fabulous choice for anyone who's on the fence about jumping straight into a brighter hue.
Light Copper
"Ree's hair color has been an evolution, to say the least!" Amber says. In addition to touching up Ree's roots, Amber uses a hair gloss with copper tones to keep Ree's hair super shiny and vibrant. She stays away from browns to prevent a "muddy" look.
Warm Copper
If you want to fool people into thinking you're a natural redhead, Amber recommends shades with gold and copper bases. It's working for Emma Stone—believe it or not, she was born blonde!
Strawberry (Almost!) Blonde
Nicole Kidman might have the quintessential shade of strawberry blonde. This blonde color, with the lightest red tint, works great with fair skin and light eyes.
Chestnut Highlights
Rihanna made the warm red tones in her hair pop even more with a deep burgundy lip.
Light Cinnamon
If you look good as a blonde, you'll likely look good as a redhead, Amber says. Blake Lively is proof!
Auburn Highlights
If your hair is really dark, go for auburn highlights like Salma Hayek. This shade works particularly well with warm skin tones like Salma's.
Glossy Garnet
Debra Messing has dyed her hair so many times, she says she's not quite sure what her natural color is! This darker shade really brings out her green eyes.
Strawberry Red
Jessica Chastain's lighter red hue is perfect for pale skin tones. She clearly knows what works for her—Jessica says she rarely dyes her hair.
Copper-Auburn Blend
This multi-dimensional hue, which has lots of highlights and lowlights, is a more modern take on Julia Roberts's signature red color.
Dusty Red
There's a reason red shades flatter natural blonde Amy Adams so well—they make blue eyes pop, says Amber.
Classic Auburn
Susan Sarandon's signature shade is almost brown. The rich color brings out her warm brown eyes.
Light Auburn
Like Ree, natural redhead Isla Fisher has tried out tons of shades on the spectrum. This light reddish-brown might be the best—it looks great with her brown eyes and creamy skin tone.
Deep Copper
Perhaps one of the most iconic redheads out there, Julianne Moore knows what works for her. “My grandmother always said my red hair was my calling card," she told People. "And I never realized how much I identified with it until I had to dye it blond years ago for a role."
Copper Highlights
Amber suggests coppery highlights for brunettes. Elizabeth Olsen brought out the warm tones in her hair with a pink eyeshadow.
Ruby Red
Zendaya's natural dark hair color is perfect for this deep red shade—her roots blend in seamlessly, making this a low-maintenance look.
Bright Copper
This shade works best on those with neutral skin tones so it doesn't compete with your complexion. Emma Roberts played up the super-vibrant hue with a red lip.
Bright Crimson
As iconic as her red hair is, Christina Hendricks is actually a natural blonde.
Raspberry
For a funkier, less natural look, Amber says you can try colors with a violet or red base. This rich shade works well with Katy Perry's bronzed skin.
Hints of Blonde
Blonde highlights lighten up Bryce Dallas Howard's trademark red hair. Ree used to highlight her auburn locks with Sun In back in the '80s...it's safe to say Bryce took a more professional route!
Orangey Red
Rumer Willis might be a natural brunette, but this fiery hue totally suits her creamy skin and brown eyes.
Burgundy Red
Tyra Banks pulls off this wine color effortlessly—and matches her lipstick, to boot! This shade is great for darker skin tones since it won't wash you out.
Auburn Ombré
Drew Barrymore has sported tons of ombré hairstyles over the years. This rich red-brown complements the actress's hazel eyes.
Peachy Orange
Rachel McAdams shows off a flaming hot hairstyle. If you're naturally brunette like Rachel, you'll want to ask a stylist to lighten your base shade first to pull off this color.
Deep Auburn
Lana Del Rey's hair falls on the darker end of the auburn spectrum. This dreamy shade is perfect for fall and winter.
Golden Copper
When it comes to her signature flowing red locks, singer Florence Welch has called herself a lifer. It's no wonder—her porcelain skin and green eyes pair perfectly with her copper fringe.
Scarlet Siren
For the 2019 Golden Globes, actress Megan Mullally styled her typically long dark red hair into a chic updo. If you choose a more intense shade like Megan, be prepared to touch up roots often!
Rose Gold
A pretty twist on strawberry blonde, this shade has pink undertones. Plus it makes Brittany Snow's baby blues pop!
Rich Auburn
The secret to Kate Walsh's vibrant auburn hue? Three shampoos, apparently!
Peachy Waves
Are we the only ones getting mermaid vibes from actress Sophie Turner's apricot hairstyle?
Fire Engine Red
This traffic-stopping shade isn't for everyone, but it sure is fun on Bella Thorne!
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