Red hair is more than just a color—it’s a statement. Whether you’re a natural redhead looking for a fresh update or someone eager to embrace the fiery vibrance of red hues, the right shade can transform your entire look. From rich auburn tones to playful strawberry blonde, red hair offers a stunning spectrum of shades that can be tailored to suit any skin tone, personality, or season. If you’re thinking about dyeing your hair red or enhancing your natural color, this list of 20 red hair color ideas will help you find the perfect shade. We’ll also recommend some must-have hair care products to keep your red hair looking bold, shiny, and healthy. Since red hair tends to fade faster than other colors, using the right shampoos, conditioners, and styling products is crucial for long-lasting vibrancy. Whether you want a subtle, natural-looking red or a bright, daring shade, you’ll find inspiration in this guide. Let’s dive into the best red hair colors to try this year!
1. Fiery Copper – A Bold and Bright Red
source@colormeamberr_
Copper red is the ultimate fiery shade that screams confidence and energy. This shade has a warm, orange-red undertone that works beautifully on natural redheads who want to enhance their hair’s brightness. It also looks incredible on brunettes who are ready for a bold transformation. The best part about copper red is that it reflects light beautifully, making your hair look glossy and full of life. However, since this color tends to fade quickly, using a color-depositing conditioner is key to maintaining its vibrancy. Look for a sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo that helps keep the color fresh without stripping away the moisture.
2. Deep Auburn – Rich and Elegant
source@latesthair
If you love the idea of red hair but want something a little more subdued and sophisticated, deep auburn is a perfect choice. This shade blends deep brown and red hues, creating a rich and elegant tone that works well for any season. Auburn red is great for those who want a natural-looking red shade with a bit of depth. It pairs beautifully with warm and neutral skin tones, making it a popular choice for those who don’t want their red hair to be too overpowering. To keep your auburn shade looking fresh and healthy, use a sulfate-free shampoo and a deep conditioning mask to lock in moisture.
3. Strawberry Blonde – Soft and Romantic
source@lilylikecom
Strawberry blonde is the perfect mix of golden blonde and soft red tones, creating a romantic and delicate hair color. This shade works well for those who want a more natural, sun-kissed look rather than a dramatic red. It’s a great option for blondes who want to add a touch of warmth to their hair without fully committing to red. Since lighter shades of red tend to fade quickly, using a purple shampoo can help keep any brassy tones at bay while maintaining the perfect strawberry blonde balance.
4. Burgundy Red – A Deep Wine-Inspired Shade
source@latesthair
For those who love bold, dramatic hair colors, burgundy red is an excellent choice. This shade has a deep, wine-like undertone that gives hair a luxurious and mysterious feel. It’s a great option for brunettes who want to experiment with red tones without going too bright. Burgundy red looks stunning on all skin tones and is especially flattering in the fall and winter months. To keep your burgundy locks looking fresh, use a hydrating hair mask and color-safe shampoo to prevent fading.
5. Ginger Spice – Warm and Classic
source@paulmitchellpro
Ginger spice is one of the most classic and timeless shades of red. It’s a warm, golden-red hue that closely resembles the natural color of many redheads. This shade is perfect for those who want a natural yet eye-catching red hair color. It complements fair to medium skin tones beautifully and gives a youthful, fresh appearance. Since warm-toned reds like this can lose their vibrancy over time, using a color-protecting shampoo and conditioner will help maintain its brightness.
6. Cinnamon Swirl – A Mix of Warm Browns and Reds
source@mastersofbalayage
Cinnamon swirl hair is a blend of warm cinnamon brown and red tones, creating a multi-dimensional effect. This shade is great for those who want a more subtle red with added depth and richness. The combination of brown and red gives the hair a warm and cozy feel, making it a great choice for fall. If you choose this shade, using a gloss treatment every few weeks will help enhance the shine and keep the color looking fresh.
7. Fire Engine Red – A Striking, Intense Red
source@mygirlmely
For those who love making a statement, fire engine red is a bold, vibrant choice that turns heads wherever you go. This bright, high-intensity red is not for the faint of heart, but it’s perfect for anyone who loves to stand out. Since this shade requires frequent touch-ups, using a semi-permanent red dye between salon visits will help maintain its brightness. Additionally, a UV-protectant spray will prevent the color from fading in the sun.
8. Sunset Red – A Blend of Orange, Red, and Gold
source@dannycolorz
Sunset red is a breathtaking combination of orange, red, and golden hues, resembling the colors of a stunning sunset. This shade is warm, vibrant, and perfect for those who love a unique and artistic hair color. Since sunset red is a mix of different shades, a color-protecting hair mask is essential to maintain the vibrancy of each hue.
9. Cherry Red – A Playful and Bright Color
source@emerald.theunisexsalon
Cherry red is a fun, juicy shade that adds a vibrant pop of color to your hair. This shade is perfect for those who want a red that leans towards a bright, playful pinkish-red hue. It looks best on fair to medium skin tones and works beautifully on both straight and curly hair. Using a color-enhancing shampoo will help keep the cherry red color looking fresh and radiant.
10. Mahogany Red – A Dark and Mysterious Hue
source@beebrow_studio
Mahogany red is a deep, sultry shade that combines rich red and brown tones. This sophisticated color is perfect for those who want a more natural-looking red with added depth. It’s a great choice for those who want a lower-maintenance red hair color, as it fades more gradually than brighter shades. Keeping the hair well-moisturized with a deep conditioner will help maintain the richness of mahogany red.
11. Peachy Red – A Soft, Pastel-Inspired Hue
A unique and modern twist on red hair, peachy red combines warm pastel tones with soft, subtle red hues. This color is light, fresh, and trendy, making it a great choice for spring and summer. It’s perfect for those who want to experiment with red shades without committing to a bold, vibrant color. Peachy red works beautifully on fair to medium skin tones, giving the hair a playful and youthful glow. Since pastel colors tend to fade quickly, using a temporary color-depositing hair gloss will help refresh the tone between salon visits. Additionally, a UV-protectant spray will help keep the color from dulling in the sun.
12. Rose Gold Red – A Chic, Metallic Touch
source@palitembe
Rose gold red is a stunning, metallic-inspired shade that blends red, pink, and gold hues into a dreamy, iridescent look. This shade has gained massive popularity due to its soft, luxurious feel and how well it complements various skin tones. Whether you have natural red hair or want to experiment with a pastel-inspired shade, rose gold red is an elegant choice. To keep the color looking luminous, use a color-enhancing mask and sulfate-free shampoo designed for dyed hair. A shine spray will also enhance the metallic effect, making your hair look salon-fresh every day.
13. Rusty Red – Earthy and Warm
source@sofi.styless
Rusty red is a beautiful, earthy shade that blends copper, brown, and deep red tones, creating a warm and natural look. This color works exceptionally well for those with warm or neutral skin tones and gives off a cozy, autumnal vibe. Rusty red is ideal for those who want a more muted red without losing the vibrancy of a traditional red shade. Since warm-toned reds can fade over time, using a color-depositing conditioner every few washes will help maintain its richness. A lightweight, nourishing hair oil will also keep the strands looking hydrated and vibrant.
14. Ruby Red – A Gemstone-Inspired Look
source@happyinthehead
If you want a red hair color that shines as brightly as a gemstone, ruby red is the perfect choice. This vivid, jewel-toned red is eye-catching, bold, and luxurious. It’s an ideal color for those who love making a statement with their hair. Ruby red works well with all skin tones but requires proper maintenance to keep it from fading too quickly. Investing in a high-quality red hair dye refresher and a hydrating hair serum will help keep the color fresh and glossy. Avoiding excessive heat styling will also help maintain the brilliance of this shade.
15. Chestnut Red – A Natural and Subtle Red
source@overtonecolor
Chestnut red is an elegant mix of deep brown and subtle red tones, creating a natural and sophisticated hair color. It’s perfect for those who want to dip their toes into red hues without going too bold. This shade is versatile and looks stunning on both fair and deep skin tones. Chestnut red gives hair dimension and warmth, making it a great option for brunettes who want a slight red tint. To keep the color from looking dull, use a color-enhancing gloss treatment and a hydrating conditioner. This will ensure that the red tones remain rich and radiant.
16. Cranberry Red – A Cool-Toned Red for a Unique Look
source@styled_by_siiri
Cranberry red is a deep, cool-toned red that leans toward the violet side of the spectrum. It’s a fantastic choice for those who love deep, rich reds but want something slightly different from traditional auburn or burgundy. Cranberry red looks particularly striking on cooler skin tones and gives hair a bold, statement-making finish. To prevent this shade from fading too quickly, opt for a shampoo that’s free of harsh chemicals and includes color-protecting ingredients. Using a silk pillowcase can also help reduce color transfer and keep your hair looking fresh for longer.
17. Ember Glow – A Fiery Mix of Orange and Red
source@myceliumsalonmd
Ember glow hair is a bold, fiery mix of deep red and bright orange hues, creating a look reminiscent of glowing embers in a fire. This hair color is dynamic and works well for those who love vibrant, warm tones. It’s particularly flattering on warm and neutral skin tones, enhancing the skin’s natural glow. Since bright reds and oranges fade quickly, it’s essential to use a color-safe, moisture-rich hair mask weekly. Avoiding excessive sun exposure and using a heat protectant spray before styling will also help maintain the hair’s vibrancy.
18. Marsala Red – A Rich, Wine-Inspired Hue
source@dellshairstyle
Marsala red is a sophisticated, deep red shade inspired by the rich tones of Marsala wine. It’s a mix of red, brown, and purple undertones, giving it an elegant and luxurious feel. This color works exceptionally well for those who want a darker red shade with a refined, polished appearance. Marsala red pairs beautifully with all skin tones and is an excellent choice for those who prefer deeper, moodier hues. To maintain its depth and richness, use a leave-in conditioner and a weekly gloss treatment to keep the hair looking silky and hydrated.
19. Cherry Cola – A Dark Red with Hints of Brown
source@softihair
Cherry cola hair is a sultry blend of deep red and brown shades, creating a rich and sophisticated look. This shade is perfect for brunettes who want to experiment with red without going too vibrant. Cherry cola hair has a beautiful depth that catches the light, making it look multidimensional and luscious. It’s relatively low-maintenance compared to brighter reds, but using a color-enhancing shampoo and deep conditioning treatment will help extend its longevity. A shine serum will also boost its glossy effect, making it look healthy and vibrant.
20. Mulled Wine Red – A Cozy, Winter-Ready Shade
source@hairbyhanwatt
Mulled wine red is a gorgeous blend of deep red, purple, and burgundy hues, creating a cozy and romantic hair color perfect for the colder months. This shade gives off an effortless, elegant vibe and works well with a variety of skin tones. The blend of warm and cool tones in mulled wine red makes it incredibly versatile and easy to style. Since darker reds tend to fade more subtly, using a sulfate-free shampoo and a color-boosting hair mask will keep the color fresh. Regular trims will also help maintain its healthy, rich appearance.
