Red hair is a fiery forever color. It looks good and makes you feel fabulous whatever the season. Best of all, it suits everyone! If you want your hair to shine, your eyes to pop and your skin to glow, get involved with the best red hair dye today.
Red hair dye is a great way to add an extra pop of color and personality to your hair. There are many different shades of red, from deep burgundy to vibrant cherry and everything in between.
To help you find the perfect shade for your look, let’s take a look at some of the best red hair dyes to light up your life (and your head!) this year.
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Table of Contents
- 1 Is red an on-trend hair color?
- 2 How to Wear Red Hair Color
- 3 Can I dye my hair red at home?
- 4 Which is the best red hair dye?
- 5 Best red hair dyes at a glance.
- 6 TOP PICK!
- 7 Garnier Olia Intense Copper Hair Dye Permanent.
- 8 Clairol Nice n Easy Mahogany.
- 9 John Frieda Precision Foam Colour, Medium Burgundy
- 10 Schwarzkopf Live Color Permanent Ultra Violet.
- 11 Garnier Olia Intense Copper Hair Dye Permanent.
- 12 Revlon Colorsilk Bright Auburn.
- 13 Garnier Nutrisse Vibrant Red Hair Dye Permanent.
- 14 TOP PICK!
- 15 Garnier Olia Intense Copper Hair Dye Permanent.
- 16 How to choose the right box dye for you.
- 17 How to dye your hair at home.
- 18 Red hair dye FAQs
- 19 What is red hair color?
- 20 Should I dye my hair red?
- 21 What’s the most vibrant red hair dye?
- 22 Is red hair high maintenance?
- 23 What brand of red hair dye lasts longest?
- 24 Why is my red hair dye washing out?
- 25 How often should you touch up red hair?
- 26 Parting words.
Is red an on-trend hair color?
If you’re a hair color enthusiast, you know that trends come and go.
One day it’s all about balayage, the next everyone is obsessed with platinum blonde. So, what’s hot right now? What’s the must-have hair color of the moment? We’re happy to report that redheads are most definitely in!
Red hair is a bold and beautiful color that is sure to turn heads. Whether you opt for a vibrant shade, bright red highlights or a more subdued hue, red is definitely a statement-making color. And we all know that making a statement is always in style!
Another reason why red is so popular right now is because it looks good on just about everyone.
Whether you have fair skin or olive tones, there’s a red shade out there that will complement your complexion perfectly.
Plus, red is a color that can easily be tailored to your personal style. Prefer a classic look? A rich auburn shade would be perfect for you. Feeling daring? Go for a bright crimson hue! The possibilities are endless.
How to Wear Red Hair Color
Of course, with any trend, there are certain dos and don’ts to keep in mind. When it comes to rocking red hair color, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Do experiment with different shades until you find one that suits you best. Not all reds are created equal!
- Don’t forget about upkeep. Red hair color tends to fade quickly, so be sure to use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to help maintain your shade.
- Do use heat protectant before styling your hair to prevent damage.
- Don’t forget about your wardrobe! Since red is such a bold color, you’ll want to make sure the clothes you’re wearing complement your new hue. Stick to neutral colors like black, white, and gray for the best results.
Can I dye my hair red at home?
You can! What we love about red is that it’s totally doable at home. You don’t have to be a professional hairdresser to dye your hair red.
But you should definitely take the time to do some research about how, when, and what type of color works best for you before doing it yourself.
It can be tricky! You don’t want to end up with unsightly orange hair!
To get it right, the color your hair is now 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 color your whole head to check what the color will look like on your hair, compared to the picture on the box.
Which is the best red hair dye?
If you’re ready to get reddy – check out the best of the red at-home hair dyes to brighten your life today!
Best red hair dyes at a glance.
| Hair dye. | Looks like | Best for | Buy it now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clairol Nice n Easy Mahogany. |   | Cool rich red brown. | |
| John Frieda Precision Foam Colour, Medium Burgundy |   | Cool red with a hint of purple. | |
| Schwarzkopf Live Colour Permanent Ultra Violet. |   | Cool dark red. | |
| Garnier Olia Intense Copper Hair Dye Permanent. |   | Warm copper shimmer. | |
| Revlon Colorsilk Bright Auburn. |   | Warm bright auburn shades. | |
| Garnier Nutrisse Vibrant Red Hair Dye Permanent. |   | Warm pillarbox red. |
TOP PICK!
Garnier Olia Intense Copper Hair Dye Permanent.
Best for: On-trend copper shimmer.
Wow. This is a gorgeously bright and vivid red color and for us, with light brown dyed hair, it came out just like the box! It’s on the side of orange-red and will no doubt become more orange as it washes out. But we love it so.
The natural glints and richness of the copper is stunning and it’s a warm, almost golden-orange that made our skin look glowing too! This is the fave for us.
Cool red hair colors.
Clairol Nice n Easy Mahogany.
They say:
- Natural & healthy-looking color and shine.
- Ideal for first time colorers.
- Contains aloe Vera and oils to leave your hair feeling soft.
- It blends into your hair to leave no visible root line.
Reviewers say:
“This was the first time I dyed my hair and I chose this color to give me a boost! The dye is not damaging at all and my hair was left in very good condition and very soft. The color looks great and I’ve got lots of compliments so far!”
“I found this wasn’t as deep as the permanent color but that’s to be expected. It’s still a lovely luxurious color. It smelt lovely too.”
“I always recommend this color to anyone who mentions it including at my hairdresser’s salon yesterday a woman mentioned what a beautiful color and condition my hair was!”
We say:
We tried this out on natural medium brown hair as it’s more of a brown-red shade. It’s a semi-permanent dye and you only need to leave it on for 15 mins to get a good all over color.
It came out brighter than we expected and redder than the color on the box! It made our hair feel super soft too. If you have dyed hair already, leave it on for 10 mins longer to really lock the color.
Best for: Cool rich red-brown.
John Frieda Precision Foam Colour, Medium Burgundy
They say:
- This violet-red hybrid looks wonderful against cool skin tones.
- Non-drip foam, natural looking color.
- With nourishing after color conditioner.
- Ammonia-free and kind to your hair’s cuticles
Reviewers say:
“I’ve been searching for a hair dye that covers my dark brown hair without turning it black. Seems like I’ve found it at last! I have used this today and I’m very pleasantly surprised!”
“This has been my favourite hair dye forever. It’s a really stunning color, easy and quick to apply. Cannot recommend this product enough.”
We say:
This we tried on dark brown hair as it’s a darker color with rich purple and blue tones.
The bubbly foam is a revelation, so easy to apply and sinks into our hair to really penetrate it with color. (You can find out more about why we love John Frieda Foam Precision Dyes here).
The color had real depth with multi-dimensional glints and really soft from the sweet smelling conditioner. It does become lighter after a couple of washes and starts to appear a lighter red than purple.
Best for: Cool red with a hint of purple.
Schwarzkopf Live Color Permanent Ultra Violet.
They say:
- Shimmering purple with red undertones.
- Color + Lift formula gently lightens up to 3 levels.
- Adds vibrant color in one step – simple!
Reviewers say:
“I’ve used loads of different hair dyes in the past that haven’t given me result I’m after BUT the Ultra Violet is the best. It gives my very dark brown hair the color and shine I want. Will be using this color from now on. Thank you!”
“AMAZING HAIR DYE. I have dyed my hair so many different colors because I get bored easily. I was a dark brown and put one box of this color on my hair and it turned out amazing.”
“Used on dark brown hair and it turned out so well! It’s one of the best hair dyes for dark hair I’ve ever tried!”
We say:
This is another one for dark hair so we tried on dark brown/black dyed hair. It’s easy to apply and we left it on for slightly longer so that the color would really sink into our already dyed locks.
The results were fab! It’s almost a blackberry shade (also on-trend) and a deep, deep red that’s almost blue-purple in tone. This was our fave of the cool tones for darker hair. Grab at least two boxes if your hair is long.
Best for: Cool, dark red.
Warm red hair colors.
Garnier Olia Intense Copper Hair Dye Permanent.
They say:
- Maximum color performance.
- Visibly improves the quality of hair.
- Pleasant and easy application with optimal scalp comfort.
- Cruelty-free vegan ingredients and color cream
Reviewers say:
“I used this dye 2 weeks ago.. It’s a lovely soft color and not as vibrant as it looks on the box, it’s just right. I love that there is no ammonia smell or fizzing sensation on my scalp!”
“It is a beautiful color that left my hair very shiny and feeling soft and gorgeous. Easy to use and doesn’t take too long either. I’d recommend it.”
“I wasn’t expecting it to be too bright as I have dark blonde/mousey brown hair. But it was! My hair has a lot of shine and when the sun hits it it’s so bright. Really pleased.”
We say:
Wow. This is a gorgeously bright and vivid color and for us, with light brown dyed hair, it came out just like the box! It’s on the side of orange-red and will no doubt become more orange as it washes out. But we love it so.
The natural glints and richness of the copper is stunning and it’s a warm, almost golden-orange that made our skin look glowing too! This is the fave of the warm hair dyes for us.
Best for: Warm copper shimmer.
Revlon Colorsilk Bright Auburn.
They say:
- This specially blended, permanent hair color formula includes our Revlon 3D Color Gel Technology, which deposits rich, dimensional color that looks natural and lasts.
- Leaves your hair in better condition than before you colored it.
Reviewers say:
“I’ve been dyeing my hair red for yonks. I’ve tried other brands but I find Revlon is always my go-to. The color keeps really well and is and on my hair it’s close to the color on the box”.
“It’s so nice and vibrant! It lasts long and is easy to apply. I have long medium brown hair that’s quite thick so I use two packs.”
“I recently had my hair lightened and then I colored it myself bright Auburn at home and I’m really happy with the results. I was aiming for a light brown but I changed my mind at the last minute and decided to try something totally different. SO glad I did!”
We say:
This is another fantastic vibrant shade. It lifted our dark blonde hair to almost a pale strawberry blonde. Our hair felt super silky with this and the conditioner is wonderful although we could’ve done with it being bigger as we used it all in one go.
As the reviews say, you’ll need two boxes if you have long or particularly thick hair. This is also on the orange-red spectrum although it’s not as golden as copper shades. It’s really bright for a couple of days but it does dull down.
Best for: Warm bright auburn shades.
Garnier Nutrisse Vibrant Red Hair Dye Permanent.
They say:
- Permanent nourishing hair colorant allows you to dye your hair in the comfort of your home
- Intensely nourishes and protects against hair dryness for up to 8 weeks.
- Nourished hair means better color (we agree with this!).
- Cruelty free, free from parabens, free from sulfates.
- Long-lasting color.
Reviewers say:
“I’m always looking for dye that won’t leave my hair dry and feeling frizzy. After using this my hair was soft and the color was beautiful!”
“My natural color is dark brown and I should’ve used hair lightener before applying this color but I skipped it because I’m impatient and applied it anyway! It looks amazing! It has a really glossy shine. Very happy.”
“By far the best red hair color I’ve ever bought. I usually get Manic Panic Vampire red or Arctic Fox poison but they’re semi-permanent hair dye and so messy to apply. This is easy to apply and leaves hair in lovely condition – I’ve had loads of compliments from friends and family!”
We say:
This is the most vibrant red of the bunch. It’s a full-on perfect pillarbox red if your hair is already lightened. We used it on blonde hair and the result was a bold, block color of fire engine red.
This color is also fab for combining with darker colors for the ombre or balayage look. We might just give that a go!
Best for: Warm pillarbox red.
TOP PICK!
Garnier Olia Intense Copper Hair Dye Permanent.
Best for: On-trend copper shimmer.
Wow. This is a gorgeously bright and vivid color and for us, with light brown dyed hair, it came out just like the box! It’s on the side of orange-red and will no doubt become more orange as it washes out. But we love it so.
The natural glints and richness of the copper is stunning and it’s a warm, almost golden-orange that made our skin look glowing too! This is the fave for us.
How to choose the right box dye for you.
With so many brands, types, and colors available, it can be hard to know what kind of box dye will work best for you. Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered! Here are some tips on how to choose the right box dye for you.
Base color matters
Before you start shopping for your perfect box dye, take a look at your natural hair color.
This is known as your base color, and it will influence the tone of the color you choose.
If your natural hair color is dark brown or black, you may want to go for something lighter like medium brown or blonde.
If your natural color is light brown or blonde, then you’ll want to stick with similar shades in order to avoid any potentially awkward results!
Know your hair type
The condition of your hair should also be taken into consideration before choosing a box dye.
If your hair is thick and wavy, you should opt for something without ammonia or peroxide that won’t damage it too much since thick hair usually takes longer to process than finer strands.
For those with fine or thinning strands, direct dyes like semi-permanent dyes are usually the best choice since they don’t contain harsh chemicals which can cause further damage.
Semi-Permanent vs Permanent?
When it comes to choosing between semi-permanent and permanent dyes, there are pros and cons to each type.
Semi-permanent dyes typically last around four weeks but they don’t penetrate the hair shaft as deeply as permanent dyes which means they won’t lighten existing colors in your hair either.
Permanent dyes penetrate deeper into the hair shaft and last significantly longer than semi-permanent hair color but they can often result in more dramatic changes in color which may not always be desired by everyone.
Skin tone matters
Your skin tone should also be taken into consideration when selecting a box dye since certain colors may clash with certain tones better than others.
For example, if your skin has warm undertones then warmer shades like reds and coppers may compliment them better while cooler shades such as ash blondes are better suited for those with cool undertones in their skin.
A strand test is essential
No matter what color or type of dye you decide to use, always remember to do a strand test before applying it all over!
A strand test involves applying a small amount of the dye onto one section of hair so that you can see how it looks before committing to the entire process – this also helps prevent any unexpected results!
Remember to follow all instructions carefully and take safety precautions such as wearing gloves while applying any kind of hair product.
This will help ensure that the results are exactly what you were hoping for before taking the plunge into full coverage coloring!
How to dye your hair at home.
Red hair dye FAQs
What is red hair color?
Red is a classic hair color and features in our top hair color ideas this year.
Fiery, fierce, sexy and luxurious, red hair is more than a hair color idea, it’s an attitude.
It’s bold and brassy, it says ‘Hey!’ gets you noticed, and makes you feel fabulous.
Whether natural or from a bottle, red hues are sought after colous.
It’s shimmering tones can brighten up your skin and make your eyes sparkle. What we love most about it is that there’s a color for everyone.
Check out the latest looks over on our red hair Pinterest board for ideas and inspiration.
Should I dye my hair red?
If you want your hair to shine, your eyes to pop and your skin to glow then this hue could be right for you.
All it takes to find the right shade for you is to know your skin tones. Use our checklist below to find out more!
If you have cool undertones:
- Your skin tone is pink or pale.
- You blush easily!
- Jewel and pastel colors are so your thing.
- The color yellow washes you out and does not look good on you.
- You have blue not green veins in your wrist.
- Pearls and silver jewellery look awesome on you.
Try cool red colors like Cherry, Mahogany, Deep rose, Burgundy.
If you have warm undertones:
- You have red or golden tones in your natural hair.
- Your skin tone is golden, tan or olive.
- You might have freckles.
- You have green not blue veins in your wrist.
- You suit bright or rich shades better.
- Gold jewellery looks awesome on you.
Go for warm red colors such as Strawberry, Copper and Auburn.
Cool reds
- Cherry
- Mahogany
- Deep rose
- Burgundy
- Ultra Violet
Warm reds
- Strawberry
- Copper
- Auburn
- Vibrant red
- Bright red
What’s the most vibrant red hair dye?
If you’re looking for a vibrant hue that will really turn heads, we’ve got just the color for you.
Our top pick is Loreal Paris Feria in Shade R57, a deep crimson, cherry shade that’s sure to get you noticed.
It makes your skin glow, frames faces and make blue eyes and green eye color pop!
If you’re looking for something a little less intense, give Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color Creme in Shade 46 a try. This scarlet hue is perfect for those who want to add a touch of color without going too over-the-top.
As always, don’t forget to do a strand test to make sure there are no nasty color surprises!
Is red hair high maintenance?
Red hair has a reputation for being difficult to maintain. If you don’t treat it right, your red will fade quickly and turn brassy or orangey.
When you’re trying to look good, the last thing you want is your color fading away after just one wash! You need something that’s going to keep your shade strong and vibrant all day long.
Always use specially formulated shampoos for colored hair and color-safe conditioners to keep the color from being stripped by regular shampoo.
You can also try shampoos that contain red pigment to keep your color fresh.
Having regular trims and not washing your hair too often should all be part of your colored hair care routine.
Along with using a good deep conditioner once a week to nourish and moisturise your hair.
You can also check out our top tips to stop red hair from fading.
What brand of red hair dye lasts longest?
If you’re looking for a hair dye brand that will last longer than your average bottle, you’ll want to check out Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Color.
This permanent hair color actually penetrates the hair shaft to deposit rich, vibrant color from root to tip.
Plus, it’s enriched with avocado, olive, and shea oils to condition and nourish your hair.
So not only will your color last longer, but your hair will be softer and shinier, too!
Why is my red hair dye washing out?
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering “why is my color washing out?”, you’re not alone.
The truth is, there are a few reasons why red hair dye might not seem to stick around for as long as you’d like.
First of all, red is a notoriously tricky color to dye – it can be difficult to get an even color distribution, and the hue can fade quickly.
In addition, if your hair is on the lighter side, the red color may not show up as vividly as you’d like.
Finally, if you have any underlying warmth in your natural hair color, that can also cause red dye to fade more quickly.
How often should you touch up red hair?
The answer, of course, depends on how often you wash your hair, how vibrant you like your color, and what shade of red you’re rocking.
If you have an orangey hue, you’ll probably want to touch up your color more often than someone with auburn locks.
And if you’re washing your hair every day, you might need to dye it more frequently than someone who only washes their hair once or twice a week.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to experiment and find out what works best for your hair, but every 4-6 weeks is a good place to start.
Parting words.
If you’re looking for a hair color that will make your eyes pop, suit everyone and last forever then red is the answer!
Red looks good in any season. Whether you want to hide grey hairs or give yourself an instant confidence boost without changing anything about your style, get involved with red hair dye today. Good luck!
