There’s one hair color that is dominating this season—I’m seeing it everywhere. The red hair trend has been gaining momentum for a while (remember when Gigi Hadid and Zendaya’s copper transformations started it all?), but it has now become the number-one hair-color trend. I’ve seen it on the fashion set and the runways, and a number of celebrities have dipped their toes in the trend. It started off as subtle tones, but as the look continues to snowball, the pigments are getting stronger.
Right now, red hair’s comeback feels quite refreshing. Every time I speak with hair stylists, they say that for a long time, their clients asked for cooler, ashier tones, but now, demand is picking up again for those warmer-toned shades of red—the likes of which were very popular in the noughties. “Our brunette clients are starting to gravitate towards richer tones for added warmth, and we’re seeing the return of glossy, blended colors rather than strips of color like money pieces,” says Paul Percival, Redken session artist, founder of Percy & Reed and all-round hair expert.
Between deep mahogany red, bright-flame orange, and subtler auburn and copper tones, there’s a shade to suit every skin tone and personality. You can opt for a bold, all-over red hair color, or if you want to test-drive the hair trend, why not try some subtler ribbons of copper balayage through your hair?
“The first step to finding the right color is understanding what undertone you have,” says Cliphair stylist Lynn Chambers. “Your undertone is not the same as your skin tone or color, and it won’t change with age or the sun. It can make a huge difference when it comes to what hair color will suit you, particularly when it comes to red.” So how can you work out your undertone? “If the veins in your arm look greenish in natural light, you have warm undertones. If they’re purple or blue, you have cool undertones, and if you can’t tell (or they’re a mix of both), you’re probably neutral,” says Chambers.
If you have cool undertones, lighter or pink-toned reds will work best. “The color will bring out the pinkness in your cheeks to create a natural blush, and as cool undertones often have flecks of blue or grey in their eyes, it will bring out the brightness there, too,” says Chambers. “A light auburn or a strawberry blonde will look great on fair skin, or a luxurious plum or cherry red is perfect for darker skin tones,” she says.
If you have a warm complexion, then opt for copper or golden-toned red. “Coppery colors will bring out the warmth in your skin and brighten your complexion. Multi-dimensional highlights or a soft balayage with hints of creamy blonde will be perfect all year round,” says Chambers. “Try a mahogany or deep cinnamon with darker roots, or a natural-looking ginger red.”
Neutral undertones, however, are the most versatile. “Neutral undertones have the most options when it comes to red hair because they’ll suit pretty much anything from a blue- or purple-toned red to the brightest neon orange,” says Chambers. “As with all shades, you want as much dimension as possible to avoid the color looking flat, so go for something that will bring out a little warmth and brightness.”
Ahead, you’ll find the 21 best red-hair looks I’ve found to suit every skin undertone, and they’ll convince you to make that hair appointment pronto.
I love how this vibrant, copper color blends seamlessly into burnt orange towards the ends.
A glossy cherry is the ultimate way to take your hair color into autumn and winter, as Shay Mitchell demonstrates.
I love this bouncy, ’90s-inspired blowout on Zendaya, but I love her copper hair color even more. This is an ideal look for brunettes who want to experiment with warmer colors.
Madonna recently stepped out with this vibrant red hair transformation, and I expect others will follow suit.
Feeling spicy? Chili red makes a bold statement.
Full-bodied and vibrant, this hair colour is the one if you want a deep hue.
If an all-over hair color is too bold, why not try some subtle red tones through the lengths of your hair for a seasonal update?
Coming in hot off the Koché S/S 23 runway is this flaming, neon-red hair color. I’m obsessed.
Red doesn’t have to mean a block of color as this multi-dimensional red hair proves. Ask your hair colorist to apply different red tones throughout your lengths, which will also give the illusion of fuller and thicker hair.
Not just reserved for Halloween, this vampy red hue had Versace’s seal of approval at its S/S 23 show.
The “money piece” (aka face-framing highlights) is a great way to tap into the trend without the full commitment (à la Bella Hadid).
Whether you usually opt for blonde balayage or want to try a new hair color, why not experiment with copper balayage through the lengths on dark hair?
I’m really into this expensive-looking auburn hair color, which is warmer than brunette and subtler than bright cherry.
If you’re blonde or fair-haired and not already blessed with copper hair, then why not try strawberry blonde?
A vivid copper shade makes a real statement on a bob haircut.
Subtle spice hues like cinnamon are so flattering.
Pumpkin hues give blonde hair a seasonal update.
Why not experiment with copper braids?
If you’re brunette, take your hair color up a notch to a warmer chocolate hue.
Glossy? Check. Autumnal? Check.
The bolder the better—as proved at Botter’s S/S 23 show.
Red hair can be prone to fading quickly, so using a deviated shampoo that’s safe for colored hair can help retain its vibrancy.
Much like shampoo, a dedicated conditioner will ensure your hair color lasts as long as possible in between salon visits.
Metals and minerals in shower water (and even more so in hard-water areas) can leech the color out of your hair. This hair filter fits onto your shower to filter out color-fading properties from your water, leaving your hair color vibrant and shiny.
If you’re blonde or have lighter blonde highlights through dark hair, this color-depositing mask allows you to dabble with a semi-permanent copper shade. It can also be used to maintain red hair in between color appointments.
Red-colored hair can really fade in the sun, so you want to protect from UV rays if you’re headed on holiday. This leave-in cream protects your hair color while moisturizing and taming flyaways.
