25 Red Hair Color Ideas That Have Us Smitten

If you’re looking to switch up your hair color, there’s a good chance your social media feed is telling you to go red. Red is one of the hottest hair color trends at the moment, as evidenced by the many A-listers and influencers that are rocking a variation of the crimson hue. When it’s done right, it looks flattering on every skin tone, which is truly why it’s such a popular color.

As for determining what shade of red is right for you, that can be a bit difficult to decide on, given just how many choices there are. To help make the process a bit easier, we’re sharing our favorite shades of red hair color, ranging from red-brown hues to platinum strawberry blonde shades, with recommendations on the best shades for each skin tone. 

Below, check out 25 beautiful red hair color ideas, along with products you can use to get these looks at home and everything you’ll need to add to your routine to care for your new fiery hair color. 

25 Red Hair Color Ideas

Red hair color comes in many different variations, which means there is a complementary shade for every skin tone. Here are some of our favorite hues for your next hair makeover.

1. Light Auburn

Let a vibrant and rich auburn shade bring your hair color to life this season. This gingery hue is versatile and incredibly flattering on pale skin tones. If you head to the salon, ask your colorist to create face-framing highlights using warm pigments of red to help showcase your features. You can also get the look at home using the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Light Auburn. 

2. Red Mahogany

If you want to spruce up your strands without drawing too much attention, a brownish-red hue is a great way to do it. This deep shade of red will give off a natural-looking color for those with light to medium skin tones, while adding depth to your hair. To get the look, use the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Crème Permanent Triple Care Hair Color in Richesse Collection Dark Mahogany Red.

3. Raspberry Hair 

Inspired by one of our favorite fro-yo toppings,  raspberry hair color has notes of purple and red mixed throughout. It looks especially captivating on medium to dark skin, so if you have cool undertones, add more violet and if you have warm undertones, add more red. Grab the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Color in Fuchsia or Power Violet to get the look at home.

4. Burgundy Wine

If a rich, highly-pigmented hue seems up your alley, look no further than deep burgundy hair. This violet-red hybrid looks wonderful on all skin tones as it provides a pop of indulgent color. Get the look on your own with the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Color in Deep Burgundy. 

5. Brick Red

6. Red Velvet 

Red velvet hair color boasts a seamless blend of red, violet, burgundy and maroon tones that come together for the ultimate level of dimension. This dessert-inspired shade has become a hot commodity because you can customize it to suit different undertones, making it a universal shade that everyone can rock. If you have cool undertones, add more violet tones and if you have warm undertones, add more red and maroon tones. If you’re up for a DIY session, use the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Color in Deep Auburn/Red Velvet to get the look.

7. Black Cherry

Inspired by one of our favorite sodas, black cherry hair features cool, dark tones for a refreshing take on red hair that flatters just about every skin tone. The super-dark reddish-black hue blends two rich colors into one eye-catching shade of vampy red hair. Get the look using the L'Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Intense Dark Red.

8. Strawberry Blonde

If you want red hair, but you’re not quite ready to part ways with your light strands — meet strawberry blonde. Equal parts red and blonde, this hair color looks especially pretty in the summertime and on those with fair to medium skin. Do it yourself using the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Light Reddish Blonde. 

9. Bright Copper

Bright copper is a warm and rich tone that has a bit of a zing, like a penny. The color features a mix of blonde, golden copper hues and auburn highlights to create a beautiful, vibrant mane that stuns on all skin tones and undertones. The L’Oréal Paris Excellence Créme Permanent Triple Protection Hair Color in Medium Reddish Blonde is our top pick for recreating this pretty shade.

10. Chili Powder Red

If you love the bright color of this spice, give your hair color a chili red-inspired makeover. This shade features a stunning mix of warm and rich golden orange tones, making it an extra pretty hue for medium and olive skin tones. Get the look by using the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Lightest Auburn.

11. Scarlet

Jazz up your look with a scarlet red hair color; this hue features hints of orange tones that will give your strands a bright and alluring look without appearing brassy. Try it out yourself using the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Color in Medium Auburn/Cherry Crush. 

12. Warm Cinnamon

Mixing red, golden blonde and crimson tones to create this sweet cinnamon hue means it’s flattering for all skin types, especially those with warm undertones. Reach for the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Créme Permanent Triple Protection Hair Color in Light Auburn to try out the color at home.  

13. Rose Gold 

This metallic hue became popular years ago, and it continues to be a must-have rendition of red. The ultra-trendy shade is part red, pink and blonde and can be customized to your specific skin tone. If you have fair skin, go heavy on the blonde ribbons and if you have medium to dark skin, add more pink and red tones. Do it yourself using the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Color in Coral Pink. 

14. Peachy Red 

Similar to rose gold, this muted reddish-orange hair color offers a combination of hues that are flattering on all skin tones. We recommend booking an appointment at the salon to get the perfect mix of orange and red tones all across your mane. 

15. Medium Auburn 

If you love the look of deep, rich auburn tones, give a medium auburn hair color a try. Imagine a deep shade with tones of red and brown — that's this color and it looks stunning on all skin tones. To DIY the shade, reach for the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Medium Auburn Brown. 

16. Dark Auburn 

If you can’t nix the idea of going red but want to stick close to your brunette roots, dark auburn will do the trick. The golden red and warm brown combo blends flawlessly for a hair color that suits all skin tones and eye colors. Use the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Dark Auburn to get the look on your own.

17. Russet

Another reddish-brown shade we can’t get enough of, this red hair color is for those who prefer to have a more natural-looking red mane. The color can be accented with golden blonde highlights for added dimension, which looks especially good on those with medium skin and warm undertones. Try it out using the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Dark Mahogany Brown. 

18. Pink and Red Hair

A pink money piece with red base tones makes for an ultra-trendy, two-tone color. Vibrant, head-turning and eye-catching, this look is unique and it’s achievable at home, with the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Color in Intense Deep Auburn/Red Velvet and the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Color in Fuchsia.

19. Tawny Red 

Tawny red hair is a mix of brown, dark orange and red tones. It’s great for those with neutral undertones because the ribbons of warm color really illuminate the skin. Use the L’Oreal Paris Excellence Créme Permanent Triple Care Hair Color in Light Auburn to DIY the look.

20. Violet Red

21. Red Brown

22. Fruit Punch Red

Fruit punch red is like a firetruck red hue with an electric, vibrant quality. This color is meant to make a bold statement and that’s exactly what it does. While it may not be for everyone because it’s ultra-daring, the color is rich, gorgeous and striking. It’s especially flattering on those with medium to deep skin tones. Make an appointment with a professional colorist to get this zingy, ultra-bright red hue.

23. Platinum Strawberry Blonde

If you have fair skin with cool undertones but you want to give red strands a try, consider a platinum strawberry blonde hue. It has light ribbons of platinum blonde color with a mix of pink, red and orange tones. Book an appointment at the salon to get this hybrid color just right.

24. Crimson

25. Deep Copper

How to Take Care Of Your New Red Hue 

A new hair color means you’ll have to put in some maintenance to keep your hue looking fresh, especially when you have red colored hair because it can fade quickly. After figuring out which red hair color and style is right for you, make sure to switch out your everyday hair care products for ones specifically formulated for color-treated hair. 

Here are four tips for your hair routine once you make the switch to red.

1. Use a Sulfate-Free Shampoo and Conditioner

This is an essential tip for maintaining your hair color and more importantly, preventing fading color. When you wash your strands, always reach for a shampoo and conditioner that is formulated for color-treated hair, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Repair Pre-Shampoo Treatment, L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Repair Shampoo with Citric Acid and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Repair Conditioner with Citric Acid. 

The trio uses citric acid to penetrate and rebuild weak hair bonds as it helps to shield hair from future styling and color damage. Apply the pre-shampoo treatment and leave it on for five to 10 minutes before washing your hair with the shampoo and conditioner. 

2. Wash With Lukewarm Water

Not only can hot water dry out your hair, but it can cause your color to fade faster. As we mentioned, red is notorious for fading quickly so you want to do everything in your power to prevent that, which means washing your hair with lukewarm water. While it’s not the most relaxing, you’ll soon notice a difference in the way your hair feels and how long the color lasts. 

3. Maintain Your Color With a Glossing Treatment and Root Touch-Up

For a fresh-from-the-salon glossy finish, use the L’Oréal Paris Le Color Gloss One Step In-Shower Toning Gloss in Auburn or Copper once a week to prevent your color from appearing dull and lackluster. Formulated with coconut oil, this gloss deep conditions the hair and leaves it feeling soft and silky after just one 10-minute in-shower application.

Try a glossing system, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing Shampoo, pH Balanced and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing Conditioner, pH Balanced. This shampoo and conditioner are infused with argan oil, infusing hair with moisture and shine while it gently cleanses without stripping color. 

The system also includes an in-shower glossing treatment — the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing In Shower Acidic Glaze — which helps to keep colored hair looking shiny and vibrant. To use this trio, first shampoo hair and rinse, then, spray the in-shower glaze on wet hair and leave it on for one to three minutes, (don’t rinse) and finish with the conditioner. The result is shiny, silky and vibrant strands.

If you opt for a shade of red that has a big contrast from your natural color, like fruit punch red or crimson, the roots will be noticeable as your hair grows. Use the L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Cover Up in Vibrant Red to touch up your color in between hair dye sessions for a quick and easy fix. Just spritz it on your roots and comb it through the length of your hair for a seamless blend of color.

4. Air-Dry Hair and Avoid Heat Styling Tools

One of the best things you can do for your hair and hair color is to keep heat styling at a minimum. This doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your style, instead, try a heatless style like bubble braids. Those with curly or wavy hair can use a curl-enhancing leave-in conditioner like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Non-Stop Dream Curls Leave-in Conditioner to bring out their natural curl pattern. 

It’s okay to use hot tools in moderation, but always remember to prime your strands with a heat protectant like L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Weightless Blow Dry Primer, Heat Protectant. Not only does it help to smooth your hair, but it protects against up to 450 degrees of heat and helps your style last longer. 

Next: 15 Hair Colors for Curly Hair That’ll Always Be On Trend

Photographer: Chaunte Vaughn, Associate Creative Director: Melissa San Vicente-Landestoy, Art Director: Hannah Packer, Associate Creative Producer: Becca Solovay, Associate Content Director: Shalwah Evans, Makeup Artist: Jonet Williamson, Hair Stylist: Akihisa Yamaguchi, Wardrobe Stylist: Alexis Badiyi, Digital Tech: Erik Dalzen, Photo Assistant: Sam Kang, Model: Alexandra Van Zant