15 Cherry Cola Hair Ideas for a Smooth, Velvety Hair Change

@shaymitchell / Instagram

When you think of trending hair colors, shades of red definitely hold near the top of that list. Lush, velvety color is in, from auburn, to cowgirl copper, to black cherry, and beyond. And one of our favorite hues in the rich color category is cherry cola, which combines vibrant red with hints of deep brown and purple for a bold look.

Seen on the likes of Zendaya, Dua Lipa, and Megan Thee Stallion, this shade evokes the dark, syrupy nature of Cherry Coke, making it a sweet choice for those who want to add a dose of warmth and dimension to their hair. It’s giving Lana del Rey vinyl, heart-shaped sunglasses-chic, so naturally, social media is super thirsty over it—and we are, too.

Find 15 cherry cola hair ideas with expert tips on achieving and maintaining the color ahead.

Meet the Experts

Shvonne Perkins is a professional hair colorist and manager of training and education at Madison Reed.
Justin Anderson is a celebrity colorist and co-founder of DpHue.
Kim Kimble is a celebrity hairstylist and creator of Kim Kimble Hair Collection by HairUWear.

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Classic Cherry Cola

@dualipa / Instagram

According to Shvonne Perkins, professional hair colorist and manager of training and education at Madison Reed, “A cherry-cola look has mahogany tones that sit between red and violet. It is a more sangria, violet-infused brunette that is less muted, less ash. It tends to look like a deeper violet brunette indoors, and more red shines through in natural sunlight—making it dimensional and look a little different in various photos." Here, Dua Lipa shows us that classic interpretation.

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Short and Sweet

@justinemarjan / Instagram

Like Becky G, score a trend-twofer by pairing the popular shade with an equally popular lob or bob cut.

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Very Cherry

@theestallion / Instagram

This shade is for the bombshells out there. If you’re looking to make a statement with your hair like Megan Thee Stallion, ask for the bright red undertones in your cherry cola shade to be as vibrant and vivid as possible.

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Curly Cola

@sza / Instagram

Here’s your reminder (courtesy of SZA) that the cherry cola trend looks good on every single hair texture. We can’t get enough of her red ringlets and curly bangs.

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Eggplant Undertones

@dovecameron/Instagram

What do we love most about the cherry cola trend? Its versatility. “Depending on your hair’s starting point and your overall desired look, you could go about cherry cola hair in a few different ways: Making the ‘cherry’ brighter and more vibrant or doing an all-over blend of dark, deep reds and violets, for a sultrier look. Your colorists can adjust the tones to be cooler or warm to create a suitable cherry cola hue for any skin tone,” adds Justin Anderson, professional colorist and co-founder of DpHue. Here, Dove Cameron displays the latter of options.

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Old Hollywood Waves

@sophiet / Instagram

With a vintage-leaning shade like Cherry Coke, retro hairstyles feel even more glamorous. Sophie Turner exemplifies this theory with brushed-through, Old Hollywood waves.

07 of 15

Cherry Cola Locs

@joyjah / Instagram

Cherry cola color gives locs even more dimension and texture than they already have, as warm reds and browns combine. We love the extra bold, brighter pops of red that appear at the ends of Joyjah Estrada’s.

08 of 15

Cola to Cherry Ombré

@lala / Instagram

La La Anthony really captured the best of both worlds with her bouncy blowout. This red ombré-colored ‘do features the classic cherry cola hue at the roots and mid-lengths, transitioning into a bright, firetruck red at the tips.

09 of 15

Copper-Cola Pixie

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A closer-to-the-scalp crop than the other inspo on this list, Amandla Stenberg’s natural texture pixie looks even more stunning in a coppery-cola hue.

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Strawberry Twist

@shaymitchell/Instagram

Leaning on the strawberry side of the red spectrum, Shay Mitchell’s look stands apart from the crowd thanks to her color’s radiance. “Regular use of sulfate-free shampoos and color-depositing conditioners will help maintain the rich hue and shine, while gloss treatments can keep the color looking fresh and dimensional,” Kim Kimble, celebrity hairstylist and creator of Kim Kimble Hair Collection by HairUWear, tells Byrdie.

11 of 15

A Hint of Ginger

Getty Images / Matt Winkelmeyer

For a little dimension, ask for illuminating ginger highlights to be added to face-framing pieces, as seen here on Zendaya. It's an instant glow-booster.

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Cherry Cola Highlights

@jennaortega / Instagram,

Not sure you’re ready to take the plunge with all-over dye? Dip your toe into the cherry cola trend with auburn highlights instead.

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Reverse Cherry Cola Fade

@stormreid/Instagram

Storm Reid’s reverse ombré features a striking transition, with her roots starting in a light ginger-blonde shade that deepens into dark cola red. This unique look blends that fiery feel of red with the luxurious richness of syrupy brunette.

14 of 15

Cola Braids

@fentybeauty

Unlike the iconic fire-engine-red shade Rihanna rocked circa the 2010s, here, she opts for deep red box braids with a face-framing middle part. Such a chic and modern update.

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Coke Light