The Best Red Hair Color For Every Skin Undertone

If you're thinking about dyeing your hair red, you're not the only one. Flame-colored locks have been trending since Dua Lipa debuted her Cherry-Cola locks in 2023 and fans have been rushing to the salon since. While red hair has been considered undesirable by some in the past, the color has become popular over the years, so much so that it's now one of the go-to hues when people want a change.

Before you make an appointment with your colorist, there are some things to consider. Like blond shades, red is not just a one-size-fits-all color when it comes to hair. You have to take into account your skin's undertone — whether it's cool, warm, or neutral. If you choose the wrong red, it can wash you out or make your face appear ruddy. To determine your skin's undertone, one of the best-known tests is looking at your veins. If they're on the green side, you're probably warm. If they look more blue or purple, you likely have a cool undertone. Neutral undertones tend to have veins that don't stand out or look as visible under your skin. If you're still unsure, you can always ask your colorist for advice on which red shade will look best on you. The only thing you need to decide is how drastic you want the color to be, and it can be anywhere from a soft strawberry blond to a fiery Rihanna red.

Those with warm undertones fall in the cream and golden spectrum of the color wheel and look best with reds that have a bit of orange to them, such as auburn and copper. "You always want to stay within the realm of shades that are toasty and indulgent," color expert Aura Friedman shared with PopSugar. Colors that lean toward magenta or purple will clash against your undertone if you're warm. "It's best to avoid anything too cool or blue-based when trying to decide," Friedman stated.

For fair-skinned folk with warm undertones, try a red-brick color if you want some drama. Not into a super fiery look? A subtle mahogany shade is a great way to incorporate some reds and browns. Olive skin tones can rock an auburn shade with hints of gold highlights, while deeper skin tones look great with a cinnamon hue. And, if you don't want to commit to a full head of red just yet, you can always ask your colorist to frame your face with some money pieces just to see how well the shade goes with your undertone.

If you've tried wearing red clothing or lipstick and felt like the color wasn't for you, it's probably because you picked the wrong shade. Cool undertones have more blue rather than yellow, so when choosing your hair color, go for a strawberry blond or a rosy copper if you have fair skin. Try not to go too bright red or it'll overpower your features. Medium skin tones can pull off a deeper color, such as a burgundy shade of the trendy fiery Cherry-Cola hair.

Folks with deep skin and cool undertones who want a drastic change are in luck, as they can rock a fire-engine true red. For more depth, go for a shade with some purple in it, such as a velvety merlot, which will enhance your skin color. The more drastic your red is, the more obvious it'll look when it fades so make sure you use a color-protecting shampoo and conditioner to keep your red hair looking fresh between colorings.

Neutral undertones have a combination of red and yellow, so generally, those who fall under this category can't go too far wrong no matter which red hair color they choose. "The great thing about red is the versatility and shade range — you may be able to pull off multiple shades of reds and coppers especially if you have a neutral skin tone," colorist Aaron Bradford shared with TZR. Color expert Kate Reid recommended, "Opt for richer red shades, violets or mahogany auburn, or even look to combining shades by adding in more natural red or flecks of warm toffee shades."

You can even play around with fantasy colors, such as metallic red or deep rose gold. Remember, if your natural hair is dark, your colorist will have to lift the color in order for the red to show. "If you have dark brunette hair, you can't just put a red color over it, expecting it to be red," salon owner Ronnie Dietrich told TZR. Therefore, expect to spend some time in the salon if you want to go several shades lighter. And, to preserve all the work you put into your gorgeous red hair, don't wash it every day. Instead, choose from one of Glam Beauty Awards' Best Dry Shampoo winners to keep your locks looking fresh.