It’s a new year, which means it’s the perfect time to try a new hair color. There are lots of fun hair trends to try in 2019. Those who aren’t quite ready to join the My Little Pony club of rainbow hair — or those who could do with a break — can try a rich red hair color.
The unmistakable fiery shade is gaining popularity on the runways and among celebrities. Kate Bosworth dyed her hair ginger, and Emma Stone is back to red after a bout as her natural blonde. Lola Kirke is now on team #redhair, and Anne Hathaway showed off a chic auburn look while filming The Last Thing He Wanted in Puerto Rico. The color is also ramping up in pop culture, with Amber Heard’s character, Mera, in Aquaman, Nicole Kidman as Celeste in Big Little Lies and Sophie Turner aka Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones. We cannot forget about the gorgeous natural gingers who are a constant source of hairspiration. Looking at you, Julianne Moore, Jessica Chastain, Madeline Brewer and, uh, Prince Harry.
Given that fewer than two percent of the world’s population is naturally ginger, most of us need to schedule a color appointment to achieve our red hair color ideas. Before booking it, there are some things to consider for the ultimate flattering look.
How to Choose a Flattering Red Hair Color
There are countless shades of red hair, so there’s something for all. With so many options, it’s important you and your colorist are dreaming of the same shade. Joico’s Brand Ambassador Larisa Love says to scour Pinterest and celebrity photos, then bring plenty of examples of your ideal look to the salon. And keep in mind that there are cool and warm reds. You should work with a hair colorist to find one that suits your complexion and eyes.
Shin An from Shin Salon in Santa Monica, CA says a general rule is that violet reds (e.g., burgundy and merlot) work well on olive and darker skin tones while orange-based reds (e.g., copper blond to deep copper) complement those with light, fair or pinkish skin.
An breaks down the best red colors for all skin types in further detail:
- Light Auburn: Think: Julia Roberts’ signature red hair color. It works for almost all skin tones and eye colors.
- Ginger Cinnamon: For example, Jessica Chastain or Malin Ackerman in Couples Retreat. It’s best for strawberry blondes and cooler and fair skin tones with pink and yellow undertones.
- Golden Copper: It’s suited to light-medium skin with gold or yellow undertones, like Blake Lively.
- Auburn: It’s a classic shade that looks great on fair to medium neutral skin tones. Auburn hair with soft warm toffee highlights is ideal for those who are naturally brunette and want to be convincing redheads.
- Metallic Red: Like Sophie Turner in Game of Thrones. A pink-based red is pretty with medium neutral skin tones.
- Orange Red: The metallic shade is perfect for warming up natural blondes. It works on fair skin with pink and yellow undertones (e.g., Isla Fisher, Emma Stone, Julianne Moore, Nicole Kidman), plus those with olive tones.
- Fire-Engine Red: The bright, more artificial scarlet shades look best on medium to deeper skin tones with yellow undertones. Be aware it can overpower fair skin. It’s also more high maintenance.
- Blue Red: It’s best for pink and yellow undertones and Asian complexions, according to An.
- Cherry-Coke Red: Suits darker, tan and olive undertones, e.g., Ariana Grande.
- Berry, Burgundy and Wine: Complements darker skin tones with golden undertones such as Rihanna and Blac Chyna.
No matter the shade, it’s essential to choose an experienced colorist to create the look. “Reds are very tricky because no redhead has one shade of red. It’s a mixture of red, copper, blond and brown,” says An. “To make a natural-looking redhead you have to formulate a balanced tone quality that has multifaceted tone and reflection.”
Preventing Color Fading
Unfortunately, the flaming shade is prone to fading. To keep color looking its best Antonio Prieto Salon Colorist Reni Karnoto says new gingers need a color-safe shampoo and conditioner. There are products specifically designed for red hair as well as masks with red tones to maintain vibrancy. We like the Joico Color Infuse Red Shampoo ($16.99) and the John Frieda Radiant Red Boosting Shampoo ($11.99). Pro tip: Bust out dry shampoo because minimizing washing will prolong color. Love suggests washing strands about twice per week in lukewarm to cold water.
Karnoto says faux redheads can get hair glossing treatments between color appointments to maintain the fire. Those who want to try an at-home approach can experiment with color-boosting formulas like the Joico Color Intensity Color Butter ($19.99) or the Bumble and bumble Bb.Color Gloss in Universal Red ($34).
Start seeing red with these 19 gorgeous ginger hair colors.
[ Next: The 5 Essential Items That Will Give Colored Hair New Life ]
19 Red Hair Color Ideas That Are Fire
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Golden Copper
Seeing a striking color like this makes people wonder why copper doesn't get as much love as other metallics. It's a beautiful natural shade and much more low maintenance than silver hair.
Image: Imaxtree
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Ginger Hair With Crimson Lowlights
Why stop at one shade of red? Whether naturally ginger or freshly dyed, add a punky finish to a subtle base with candy apple red lowlights. Don't be afraid to try proper chunky streaks.
Image: Imaxtree
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Metallic Red
Is it subtle? Not exactly. But a prismatic burgundy hair color does slay. Embrace a bold shade — and some eye diamantés.
Image: Imaxtree
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Cinnamon
Scared of red hair being too intense? Bring a photo of Kate Bosworth's cinnamon-toned auburn hair to the salon. It's an easy-to-pull-off shade that still has some smolder.
Image: @katebosworth
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Soft Ginger
Emma Stone has convinced many people that she's naturally ginger thanks to her flattering color. The natural blond's latest red has barely there babylights for a looks-like-it-grows-that-way finish.
Image: @mararoszak
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Soft Orange-Red
Model Anja Rubik received a makeover for the Saint Laurent Spring 2019 runway inspired by David Bowie in The Man Who Fell to Earth. Draw inspiration from the tribute to the icon.
Image: @anja_rubik
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Mahogany
No one said that red hair always has to be bright. Take a trip to the dark side with a deep mahogany color. Bonus: It'll make locks appear very healthy.
Image: Imaxtree
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Garnet Red
Whether dyeing hair or adding extensions, don't be scared to go loud and proud with a garnet shade. It wakes up the face. See Keke Palmer's look.
Image: @keke
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Hot Red-Orange
Model EZ's hair was one of the standouts of the Alexander Wang Fall 2018 show. Consider a dramatic makeover like her. Zany glasses optional.
Image: Imaxtree
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Subdued Cinnamon
Hello, gorgeous. This flattering hair color mixes blond, brown and red, but the resulting warm tint makes it fall into the red hair brigade.
Image: Imaxtree
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Tawny Auburn
Don't forget about the darker spectrum of ginger hair. This rich auburn hair color does wonders for eyes and complexions. And it makes hair sing of health.
Image: Imaxtree
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Fiery Red
Already born with a gorgeous head of red hair? Take a cue from Madeline Brewer, who recently turned up the intensity of her auburn looks to a roaring red shade. Ask hair colorists about a vibrant glaze.
Image: @madbrew
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Soft Gingerbread
Paler ginger hair colors are brilliant for those who want a bit of blond in their look. For an edgy finish, cut back on the touch-up appointments and rock visible roots.
Image: Imaxtree
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Brick Red
Lola Kirke turned up the heat by replacing her honey blond tresses with warm red waves.
Image: @lolakirke
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Ruby Red
Fans of rainbow hair will love a vivid Kool-Aid red dye job. It's not trying to convince people it's a natural color and makes no apologies for its glowing finish.
Image: Imaxtree
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Fiery Copper
Brighten strawberry blond hair with a tinge of orange. It has just the right amount of drama as well as a Renaissance vibe.
Image: Imaxtree
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Scarlet
It's rich, rich red. This is a classic red that people often think of, and you can't fault it. Try neon green eyeliner to play off the flaming mane.
Image: Imaxtree
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Flaming Orange-Red
Fire-engine red isn't the only way to make a statement as evidenced by Rita Ora's vibrant mane. It might be the gateway to blorange hair.
Image: @ritaora
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Flaming Red
Don't let a fear of color fading stop you from dyeing locks a luscious, saturated red. Maintain it with glossing treatments and by keeping shampooing to a minimum.
Image: Imaxtree
