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Whether you’ve been blessed with naturally auburn-toned strands or have always wanted the vibrantly rich shades of hair idols like Amy Adams and Julianne Moore, these pro tips and product picks will help guide you to the right strawberry blonde, bright copper, or cherry cola tint for you.
First, if you’ve never colored your hair before, do note that "red is more of a commitment than other hair hues," says Tim Johnson, a haircolorist at The Yves Durif Salon at The Carlyle Hotel. Red hair dye molecules are large and don’t penetrate hair quite as well, so they tend to rinse out and fade quickly—which means you’ll need to dye it more often. A few maintenance steps will help: Wash your hair less frequently, Johnson suggests. When you do wash, rinse it with cool water, which may help close the hair’s outer cuticle layer and seal in hair dye. He also recommends an at-home gloss or glaze once a month. Apply it in the shower to clean, damp hair, letting it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing.
Next, if your current haircolor is in the red family and you’re looking to make it richer and shinier, change its tone, or cover gray hairs, then at-home hair dye is an easy and doable undertaking. If this will be a drastic color change or you have dark hair and want to try a lighter shade of red, the safest thing you can do is head to a pro colorist, at least for that first dye job—and then you can maintain it yourself after that. Either way, "I recommend doing a strand test [which means applying the dye to a small, hidden section of hair] first to test results before you apply it everywhere," Johnson says.
Now check out some of our favorite shades for redheads here:
1To Boost Dark Reds
L’Oréal Paris Le Color Gloss One Step Toning Gloss
1To Boost Dark Reds
L’Oréal Paris Le Color Gloss One Step Toning Gloss
Now 34% Off$10 at WalmartCredit: L’Oréal Paris
Johnson recommends this gloss in auburn to revive a fading magenta, cherry, or garnet tone. Apply it once a month—or if you find that you want even more of a color boost, you can use it again in one week.
2To Revitalize Strawberry Blonde Tones
Clairol Color Gloss Up
2To Revitalize Strawberry Blonde Tones
Clairol Color Gloss Up
Now 50% Off$6 at WalmartCredit: walmart.com
Applying this semi-permanent gloss is a great way to keep your rosewood or pink lemonade tints vibrant for an additional month.
3For a Bold Red That Lasts
Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Color
3For a Bold Red That Lasts
Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Color
$10 at Target$8 at Walmart$7 at harmonfacevalues.comCredit: Target.com
This permanent dye is made to stay bright for up to eight weeks and helps to keep strands healthy throughout the dye process with avocado, olive, and shea oils.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below4For the Shiniest Tone
L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference
4For the Shiniest Tone
L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference
$21 at WalmartCredit: walmart.com
This permanent color leaves the glossiest finish and offers a wide range of red tones.
5Best Red Dye for Textured Hair
Dark & Lovely Fade Resist Permanent Hair Color
5Best Red Dye for Textured Hair
Dark & Lovely Fade Resist Permanent Hair Color
$6 at Sally BeautyCredit: sallybeauty.com
Formulated for textured hair, this permanent dye provides an ultra-rich conditioning system to help keep strands soft.
6Best for Newbies
Madison Reed Sardinia Red Hair Kit
6Best for Newbies
Madison Reed Sardinia Red Hair Kit
Now 17% Off$25 at madison-reed.comCredit: madison-reed.com
If you can’t go to a salon but would still appreciate some pro advice, meet Madison Reed. The brand offers a free consultation to help guide you to the right haircolor for you.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below7Best Red Hair Dye for Dark Hair
L’Oréal Technique Excellence HiColor
7Best Red Hair Dye for Dark Hair
L’Oréal Technique Excellence HiColor
$11 at Sally BeautyCredit: sallybeauty.com
Typically, if you want to change the color of dark brown or black hair, you have to lighten it with bleach first and then apply a dye. But this permanent formula does both steps at once, giving a brass-free, burgundy red result.
8Best Red Dye for Gray Hair
Clairol Nice’n Easy
8Best Red Dye for Gray Hair
Clairol Nice’n Easy
$8 at WalmartCredit: walmart.com
This permanent haircolor formula covers even stubborn grays. It’s created to give a blend of three tones and highlights, adding depth and movement.
9Best Value
Revlon Colorsilk Beautiful Color
9Best Value
Revlon Colorsilk Beautiful Color
$4 at WalmartCredit: walmart.com
Infused with keratin (a protein to help strengthen hair), this is a bargain for multidimensional color that covers grays.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below10Most Pro-Like Results
Zotos Professional AGEbeautiful Hair Color Starter Kit
10Most Pro-Like Results
Zotos Professional AGEbeautiful Hair Color Starter Kit
Now 30% Off$10 at AmazonCredit: Zotos Professional
Add this starter kit to your cart, then shop from one of 18 different red shades, which are known to provide results that closely mirror the swatches shown. Plus, the permanent formula is gentle but long-lasting.
