34 Captivating Vibrant Red Hair Shades to Ignite Your Inspiration

Avery Hunt
Avery Hunt Hair Colorist

A vibrant red hair color is an ultra-warm and striking shade of red applied to the hair in the form of highlights, an ombre, a dip dye, or a full-on solid hue. Warning: this is not for the faint of heart!

Fiery tones of red hair are making a comeback this season, as famously seen on celebrity divas Christina Hendricks, Chloe Dykstra, and Jennifer Morrison. All the boundaries have been pushed regarding how extraordinarily vivid you can be with your locks, and everyone’s joining in the trend!

Tennessee hair artist Josh Boynton showcases his most dazzling ruby hair creations and other shades of red on his feed, and there is only one way to describe it – pure perfection. From mermaid waves to sleek, straight bobs to waist-length styles, vivid reds prove you can never be too bold with red!

But of course, with great results comes great responsibility. Use color-safe products, wash with cool water, and follow your trusted colorist’s guidance diligently. Do these, and you’ll surely capture attention for a long time!

Before your next hair appointment, explore these trendy examples of bright red hair colors!

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A Red Streaks on Strawberry Blonde Hair

#1 Crimson Highlights on Strawberry Blonde Locks

Crimson highlights on strawberry blonde locks introduce warmth and vibrancy to your hair. Deep burgundy shades at the roots and painted throughout highlight bright copper tones beautifully. Vibrant red hues are perfect for women who appreciate warmth and depth in their hair color.

A Bright Red Balayage with Subtle Orange Highlights

#2 Vivid Red Balayage with Delicate Orange Accents

If you’re aiming to infuse your hair with a striking color burst, consider a vivid red balayage paired with delicate orange accents. Wear your hair with confidence showcasing this breathtaking hue combination. It creates a daring and eye-catching look, perfect for making a hairstyle statement. The vivid red base adds depth and dimension, while the delicate orange accents offer a hint of warmth and radiance. This color combination suits various skin tones beautifully, especially those with warm undertones. Opting for balayage allows for a naturally flowing gradient, ensuring a flawless blend of the two colors.

A Bright Magenta

#3 Vibrant Magenta Hair Dye for Dark Hair

Pretty in pink has arrived! This striking red balayage for dark hair was done tastefully to protect the roots from the color, ensuring it is beautifully connected to the vibrancy.

This stunning magenta hair color and cut were crafted by Gill Kolkman, a talented member at Washington House Salon in Innisfil, Ontario, Canada!

Owner and stylist Cecile Washington had this to say about this look, “this look is fun, funky, and fresh! This magenta ombré can be worn straight or with a beautiful soft wave to highlight the gorgeous root extension.”

If you’re contemplating a bold, vivid color like magenta, be prepared for some maintenance. We suggest a refresh of tone every 4 weeks.

A Faded Rose Red

#4 Soft Rose Red

This soft rose red is ideal for women seeking a complete transformation. This hair shade will capture everyone’s attention. Use purple shampoo to maintain the vibrancy of the color for an extended period.

A Bright Ginger Pixie

#5 Vibrant Ginger Red Pixie

With all the seemingly negative aspects that come with having orange locks, this reddish hue just disproves them all. The copper with vibrant ginger red hair color is an extravagant statement for all who judge any ginger heads.

This short red hair was created by hairstylist and colorist Melanie Adaros of Miami, FL.

“Short hair is so trendy right now,” says Adaros. “Having a copper pixie is stunning, but it’s also high-maintenance and would require the woman to refresh with a semi-permanent gloss no less than every 4 weeks to stay looking radiant.”

A Red Velvet Hair Color

#6 Crimson Velvet Hair Color

Revitalize your tresses with this crimson velvet hair color! Created by Australia-based stylist Lucy Mann, it’s an excellent way to showcase personality and a unique sense of style.

“It was created using a combination of permanent lift and deposit colors applied to dry hair. The old highlights in the hair resulted in the variation in tones,” says Mann.

Reds are notorious for losing vibrancy fast. So, Mann suggests a colored conditioner such as NAK’s Rouge Colour Masque.

A Bright Red Hair Dye for women with long wavy hair

#7 Lively Crimson Hair Color

A striking crimson will make a bold impression if you’re looking to stand out! You’ll want to ensure the two red shades complement each other when achieving this style. It should be applied to dry hair and thoroughly saturated to absorb the color evenly, avoiding any patchy areas. Request a toning shampoo and conditioner to maintain this shade at its finest. Additionally, pair with beautiful curls to enhance the shine in bright light.

A Bright red before and after hair transformation

#8 Vibrant Red Hair Makeover: Before and After

Explore this vibrant red hair makeover showcased in before and after photos! This stunning change will inspire you to visit your stylist soon! A deep base paired with striking red hair color will definitely turn heads!

A Pomegranate Bright Red with Black Roots

#9 Pomegranate Vivid Red with Dark Roots

Bright pomegranate is as delightful a fruit as it is a hair color! Black hair’s sleek texture and shine enhance the coloring technique even further.

Choosing any shade of red is a significant commitment. With the right take-home products, your color will thrive. Red is challenging to remove and maintain simultaneously.

Maintaining healthy hair is crucial for vivid colors.

When selecting red as your hair color, skin tone plays a vital role. Striking red hair against warm-toned skin can create an unfavorable match.

A bright ruby red hair color idea

#10 Vibrant Ruby Red Hair Color Inspiration

Embrace the beauty of ruby red hair color! The rich hue shines brilliantly and complements long, flowing locks beautifully. This might be your moment to go red!

A Bright Hot Tamale Red Wavy Hair for medium-length hair

#11 Spicy Tamale Red Wavy Tresses

Opt for a spicy tamale red hair hue. If you’ve previously experimented with vivid shades in your hair, refreshing your look can be quite simple when you wish for a transformation. Consider revitalizing with a vibrant red if you find yourself in the pink-to-red spectrum. A global blonde touch-up may be necessary first. However, this red hair shade is straightforward to achieve if you’re seeking a middle-of-the-road tone.

A Bright Neon Red Pixie Cut with a Shaved Line and Textured Top

#12 Vivid Neon Red Pixie Hairstyle

Finding two stylists may be the key to a vivid neon red pixie hairstyle with shaved lines and a textured top. One a barber and one a colorist. I suggest you find someone who specializes in bold colors. They can create custom formulas for each client. Keep your vibrant hue looking fresh. Use shampoos and conditioners designed for color-treated hair every time you wash. Ask your stylist about products that have UV protection in them. It will help preserve the vibrancy of the color. I recommend using L’Oréal Professionnel’s Serie Expert Vitamino Color AOX Shampoo. It will protect against fading or dulling of the hair’s brightness over time.

A Bright Red Ginger Layered Shaggy Bob

#13 Bright Red Layered Shaggy Bob

Are you in search of a chic, eye-catching hairstyle to elevate your appearance? Consider trying the vibrant, layered shaggy bob in ginger. A striking red hair hue will ensure you catch everyone’s attention. Choppy layers introduce lively movement to the ends of your hair.

The perfect hair texture for this ginger hue and shaggy style would be thick or coarse. Both textures help maintain volume while keeping the length. To retain a bright color, using appropriate shampoos and conditioners is crucial. I suggest an acai-infused shampoo designed for color-treated reds. Consider using Redken Color Extend Magnetic Shampoo for optimal durability. Consult your colorist for recommendations on the best products to align with your lifestyle and desired outcomes!

A Bright Red to Dark Ombre

#14 Vibrant Red to Deep Ombre with Fringes

Appreciate how the vibrant red maroon colors turned into a glowing rose towards its ends. Even with such a vibrant red hairstyle with fringes, the colors were accentuated, along with the face make-up.

A Bright Red Highlights in Brown Hair

#15 Bright Red Highlights in Dark Brown Hair

A delightful blend of strawberry red, ginger, and reddish-brown tones on dark brown hair. These vivid red highlights create an attractive dimension, paired with a layered haircut.

“This was an existing balayage that I had done in a prior service,” says stylist and colorist Katelynn Kwasniak of Londonderry, NH.

She explains, “For this dyed hair, I used Pulp Riots Faction 8 boosters in their red (-66), orange (-44), and yellow (-22). I took one-inch randomized sectioning and applied color to saturate the middle and ends. Then, I feathered up to blend as you would in a traditional balayage.”

As for wearability, anyone can do red! Whether it is a fire engine red to a chocolate cherry, an all-over color, or just a couple of pops, anyone can wear it, so do it!

A Bright Long Red Hair

#16 Vibrant Long Red Tresses

Every time I encounter a stunning mane of red hair, I am reminded of the striking hibiscus flower. Fashion/vivid color is 100% a passion.

This hue is only suitable for certain individuals. The truth about this shade is that it requires considerable upkeep, so the first step you should take before scheduling an appointment for this service is to come in for a consultation with your stylist.

A Red Hair with Blonde Highlights

#17 Vibrant Red Hair with Golden Highlights

Vibrant red hair with golden highlights creates a stunning high-contrast effect that adds both depth and radiance. Consult with your stylist about opting for classic chunky golden highlights paired with a red base color. To prevent the red tones from affecting the golden highlights, be sure to wash your hair with shampoo. For these lively hair color ideas, use cooler water temperatures and reduce the frequency of hair washes.

A Purple and Red Shades

#18 Vibrant Purple and Red Hues

The combination of purple and red hues is stunning on their own, but when blended, they create an exceptional color palette. Color blocking offers a flexible approach by featuring one dominant color alongside a contrasting additional color that can easily be concealed if desired. While purple and red hues can be challenging to achieve, the outcome is beautiful and truly worth the effort and investment.

A Bright Copper Bob

#19 Luminous Copper Bob

Choose this vibrant copper hair hue and charming short haircut combination. Dark copper roots paired with lighter copper teasy highlights add depth to the hair and create an illusion of thickness. This lively bright red hairstyle is ideal for women coping with fine hair. Using sea salt or powder spray will enhance the hair’s volume.

Red copper shades also look fantastic on women with fair skin tones. The key consideration for skin tones is selecting the perfect shade of copper that complements a woman’s complexion and style. Copper tones enhance hair’s shine and health, as well.

A Curly Red Hair

#20 Fiery Curly Red Locks

Go for a night out and let your vibrant red curls shine! Those stunning bright red tresses look like natural red hair and are ready for the world to admire.

This is about as true copper red as you can achieve with permanent hair color, and the cut is a disconnected pixie! It was cut and colored by stylist Sami Skinner of Jacksonville, FL.

“We decided to disconnect because it allows the curls to meet more organically but gives the illusion that it is not shorter underneath,” she explains. “This is my favorite way to cut short hair to leave the shape very feminine with an edge!”

This color can be more upkeep than a more natural tone. For products, Skinner prefers Pureology hydrate shampoo and conditioner for home care, followed up with Redken’s One United leave-in.

A Long Loose Curls with Bright Red Copper Tone

#21 Elegant Long Curls with Warm Copper Highlights

Showcase your gorgeous locks with one of the most breathtaking shades of red hair color, styled into elegant long curls. With illuminating red and copper highlights, your hair will shimmer beautifully. These radiant warm shades complement fair skin tones and enhance your complexion. Flowing loose curls will prepare you for any special event.

A Shoulder Length Bright Auburn

#22 Vibrant Shoulder-Length Auburn Red

Auburn for all seasons, and especially autumn. The stunning crimson bright red hair is captivating, particularly with that wavy bob for a delightfully casual appearance. This vibrant red-dyed hair suits women with a tan skin tone. With this rich red hair color, you might consider enhancing your natural hair color.

A Light Golden Red Hair with Highlights

#23 Subtle Light Golden Red Hair with Highlights

For a playful and vibrant hair color, consider light golden red hair with highlights. Striking pops of bright red tones and golden peekaboos provide essential dimension to redheads. Enhance the look with beachy waves by curling your hair and straightening the ends for a casual style.

A Dark Bright Red Hair

#24 Vibrant Dark Red Hair

Vibrant dark red hair typically features deeper roots paired with a spicy money piece. These red hair concepts enhance dimension and elevate your overall look.

A Bright Strawberry Blonde

#25 Luminous Strawberry Blonde

Opt for luminous strawberry blonde, which appears breathtaking on long wavy tresses. While strawberry blonde can be naturally suited to lighter skin tones, it also complements deeper, golden skin tones beautifully. The blend of blonde and red intertwines flawlessly, allowing you to discuss with your colorist the exact shade of strawberry blonde you desire.

A bright cherry red hair color

#26 Vibrant Cherry Red

Jessica Rabbit would envy how alluring those big, glossy curls are and how striking this cherry red hair hue is! The longer locks, the more you can experiment with it!

Dark red hair is stylish, but wait until you experience the velvet hair color.

A Bright red to light brown

#27 Poppy Red to Light Chestnut

Red cherry caramel mixture with highlights? Delectable! Wearing them in long, wavy tresses? Superb! The color is quite ideal for ladies with brown eyes.

This formulation transitioned from an all-over poppy red to a deeper base, with the new growth evolving into a beautiful balayage blend. It was created by stylist and salon owner Megan Grimm of Broad Ripple, IN.

“This could definitely be a strawberries-and-cream formula. We didn’t go too heavy on our foilyage. We still wanted to see all of that awesome color play in contrast,” says Grimm.

Grimm encourages women to use Color Guard to shield them from fading before and after a shower. “They use color care shampoo and conditioner, and we discuss the significance of making our shampoo and style last longer by being proactive with the right products,” she notes.

A red-brown hair color will always necessitate some upkeep, and you will also want to consider if you might have a change of heart and want to alter your color down the road. Making any drastic color change can be stressful for your locks.

A Bright Orange-ish Red Wavy Hair

#28 Vibrant Orange-Red Wavy Locks

Looking to refresh your look for summer? Consider this vibrant orange-red wavy locks. Dyeing your hair can be an enjoyable and artistic way to showcase your personality. Choosing bold shades is a fantastic way to express to the world who you are. Striking reds and vivid oranges make any natural brunette or redhead shine! Request bright, copper tones when discussing with your stylist. Use a 1-and-a-half-inch wand to achieve soft, delicate waves for the ideal wave pattern.

A Medium Bright Red for Natural Brunettes

#29 Vibrant Medium Red for Natural Brunettes

A vibrant medium red for natural brunettes is perfect if you want an upgrade from your current look. You can still have natural-looking hair but keep it fun by adding red tones to your brunette. You’ll exude confidence!

A Bright red and blonde

#30 Side-Swept Red and Blonde Highlights

A feathered ombre featuring platinum blonde to red shades! Now that creates a vibrant flame red hair colour. Side-swept waves add a breezy effect that presents the look with even more movement and dynamics. Striking red velvet on blonde hair creates a contrast that will surely grab people’s attention.

A Short Bright Red Hair

#31 Vibrant Short Red Locks

Redheads assemble! The short inverted bob features a rounder back while presenting a sleeker, straighter front that enhances the overall appearance. This deep red hue is perfect for adding warmth and vibrancy to your complexion.

A bright red hairstyle

#32 Vibrant Red Hairstyle

Ask your stylist for a dark red base to balayage the lively red throughout the hair, leaving thin pieces of the darker base color through the ends for a little dimension. The cut is a long layered cut with an angled front and bangs.

Vibrant red hair dye is one of those colors that can fade very quickly without proper care. You should use professional color care shampoo, wash in cool water, and don’t wash daily.

The longer they can go in between shampoos, the better. If you frequent the beach, lake, or pool often, this may not be a color that would suit your lifestyle.

A Bright Blood Red Hair

#33 Vibrant Blood Red Hair

Vibrant blood red hair boasts a deep, striking, and high-maintenance shade. Illinois-based colorist, Kimberly Dick employed both balayage and highlighting techniques to create this look.

“I used balayage to lighten the mids and ends of the hair. I shampooed it out, then applied a demi-permanent color all over. So, the color picked up the highs and lows of the lightness and darkness of the hair,” Dick explains.

Ladies must get retouching and toning every 6-8 weeks to sustain their vivid hair color.

A bright red long hair with an orange money piece

#34 Vibrant Red Long Hair with a Fiery Orange Money Piece

Vibrant red long hair with a fiery orange money piece is striking, energetic, and an excellent way to enhance warm skin tones. Those with green eyes will notice that the fiery orange money piece will highlight and brighten their eye color while drawing attention to the eyes. Bright shades typically demand more upkeep, so when choosing a hair color, consider your preferred maintenance routine. A general guideline is that the more intense or radiant the color, the greater the maintenance it will require.