How To DIY a Cherry Red Hair Color

Sometimes you crave a hair color that’s going to stand out in a crowd, cherry red hair certainly fits the bill. This vibrant crimson hue is reminiscent of a fresh summer cherry: juicy, decadent, and seriously hard to resist. The rich hue flatters a wide array of skin tones and undertones, making it surprisingly easy to pull off. And, best of all, you don’t have to pencil in a spendy appointment at the salon to get the look—with the right boxed dye and a bit of patience, you can easily achieve your perfect cherry red hair color at home. Ahead, we’ll explain how and offer tips on keeping your bold new hue looking its best between touch-ups.

What Colors Make Up Cherry Red Hair?

Cherry red hair is inspired by its namesake fruit at its peak ripeness. It’s a deep burgundy shade with undertones that range from bright fiery red to cool, almost purple tones. It’s different from bright red hair, which is a more vivid and intense shade that often leans a bit warmer (and brighter).

As with any hair color, there are variations you can try depending on your complexion and preferences. For example, cherry chocolate hair color features a blend of deep, chocolatey brown and rich burgundy hues, while cherry cola hair is a bit lighter with a slight golden undertone. There’s also black cherry hair color—a deep, near-black hue that showcases its reddish undertones under direct lighting. 

How To Get a Cherry Red Hair Color

Before you jump right into dyeing your hair, there’s an important decision to be made: Are you going to DIY your cherry red color or leave the job up to a pro? If you’re feeling uncertain about your dyeing chops, it’s not a bad idea to see a professional. However, coloring your hair at home is easier than you may think, and a high-quality box dye can save you tons of cash and time. Here’s how to DIY your color at home.

1. Choose your color

First, you’ll need to select the cherry red hair dye that best aligns with your desired end result. For a vivid, true cherry hue, we suggest reaching for the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Cherry Crush. The vibrant red hue boasts soft purplish undertones and is designed for use on medium brown to black hair (no bleaching required). We also love the L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color in Intense Dark Red. The deep auburn tone is especially flattering on those with warmer skin.

If you’d prefer something a touch subtler, consider the L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Chocolate Cherry, which leans a bit cooler and darker than either of the above options.

Editor’s Tip: If you want to test the waters before fully committing to cherry red hair, use L’Oréal Paris Colorista Hair Makeup Temporary 1-Day Hair Color Spray in Red to give yourself a temporary cherry red hair color that lasts until your next shampoo. When you're ready to remove it, just wash your hair, and you’ll be back to your starting hair color.

2. Bleach your hair if needed

Depending on the hair dye you’ve selected, you may need to bleach your strands prior to applying your cherry red hair color. The L’Oréal Paris Féria Hyper Platinum Advanced Lightening System Bleach is a great at-home kit to help you lighten your base up to eight levels at home. Be sure to follow the instructions on the box to achieve the best end result. (You can also consult the L’Oréal Paris Hair Color Concierge for help and guidance.) 

Those starting with light brown to light blonde hair may be able to forgo the bleach, even with non-lift hair dyes. Just keep in mind that the deeper your base color, the darker your end result will be. 

3. Wear clothes that can get stained 

DIY hair color can get messy, so wear dark clothes that you don’t mind potentially ruining (it can be very difficult to remove hair dye stains from clothes). Something that covers your shoulders and chest—like an old T-shirt—is generally best, as it’ll help protect your skin from dye drips and splatters.

4. Protect your skin

5. Apply your color

Once your hair is prepped, you can begin applying your color. Start by sectioning your hair, then follow the instructions on your chosen boxed dye kit to apply your color. Take your time—you don’t want to miss any spots or end up with a patchy end result. 

If you’re not comfortable with your sectioning and dye application skills but still want to DIY your cherry red hair color, consider picking up the L’Oréal Paris Colorsonic Hair Color Device. The innovative device makes dyeing hair at home super easy and allows you to get salon-like results every time. Simply choose a shade from the complementary color cartridge range (we suggest the Light Brown Intense Red or Medium Brown Intense Red), insert it into the device, and brush the device through your hair. It automatically mixes your professional-grade color, parts your hair, and evenly deposits color on your strands from root to tip for long-lasting results and a mess-free experience. 

How To Care For Cherry Red Hair

Like any hair color, cherry red hair requires proper upkeep to maintain its vibrancy. Here are a few things that you can do to help extend the life of your vibrant new hue.

1. Use color-safe shampoo and conditioner 

Whether you go for a chocolate cherry hair color or opt for a brighter crimson hue, it’s a good idea to update your haircare routine with products designed specifically for color-treated hair. 

We love the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Bond Repair system, which consists of a pre-shampoo treatment, shampoo, and conditioner. Together, the trio helps repair damaged hair bonds from the inside out to promote stronger, smoother, more resilient strands. Plus, all of the products in the line-up are sulfate-free and color-safe, meaning they won’t strip your new hair color. 

2. Take cooler showers

Whether you lather up every day or prefer shampooing less frequently, it’s a good idea to turn the temperature down in your shower. While a steamy shower feels great, frequent exposure to hot water can cause your cherry red hair color to fade faster than you’d like. Aim for lukewarm—it may not be quite as relaxing, but the cooler temp can help to preserve your vibrant color.

3. Limit heat styling

Like hot water, frequent exposure to the high temperatures of your trusty blow dryer or flat iron can contribute to premature color fading. To help keep your hue vibrant for longer, it’s a good idea to cut back on heat styling as much as possible. When you do use hot tools, prep your strands with a heat protectant like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Weightless Blow Dry Primer, Heat Protectant. The leave-in formula helps protect against temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and leaves the hair looking nourished, smooth, and shiny. 

4. Use an at-home glossing treatment 

To keep your cherry red hair glossy and shiny, incorporate a glossing treatment into your routine about once a week. The L’Oréal Paris Le Color Gloss One Step In-Shower Toning Gloss in Clear is an at-home treatment that deeply conditions, enhances your hair color, and boosts shine in as little as five minutes. Apply it in the shower from roots to ends, wait between five and 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly for silkier, shinier-looking strands.

5. Make time for touch-ups 

Root regrowth is inevitable when you color your hair, but it doesn’t have to mean donning a hat until you’ve carved out time for a touch-up. If you notice gray or grown-out roots and don’t have time for a total fix, conceal that regrowth with a root touch-up spray. The L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Cover Up in Vibrant Red is the perfect match for cherry red hair—just spritz the fast-drying formula directly onto your roots and blend through the mid-lengths of your hair to quickly camouflage your regrowth.

Common Hair Dye Mistakes (and How To Avoid Them)

Any time you dye your hair at home there’s room for error. Fortunately, most DIY disasters can be easily avoided. Here are a few common hair dye mistakes and tips for ensuring they don’t detract from your vibrant cherry red hair color.

• Uneven Color: Uneven application can lead to patchy or streaky results, especially along the roots or ends of the hair. This happens when hair isn’t properly sectioned or when color isn’t applied evenly. Always section your hair to ensure you capture every strand and take your time when applying your dye—a little extra effort now can help save you far more effort down the line.
• Color Fading: Color fading always happens to some degree, but following proper haircare practices—like using color-safe products and avoiding exposure to heat—can help prolong the life of your color. 
• Damage: Bleaching and dyeing your hair always results in some degree of damage. However, you can minimize the risk of damaging your strands by following the instructions on the box to a T and taking proper care of your strands before, during, and after the dyeing process. If you find that your hair feels drier than you’d like after coloring it, consider adding a deep conditioner, like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm Rinse-Out Mask, to your routine to help nourish your strands. 
• Dullness: If your hair’s looking dull and lackluster, a glossing treatment can help. These in-shower products are easy to apply and promise instant results. Using shine-enhancing leave-in treatments can also help give your strands a glossy, shiny-looking finish.

Next Up: How To Use L’Oréal Paris Colorsonic for Your Best Hair Color Ever