Are you looking to change your look with a bold, daring color? A brand new shade of red for your hair is more than just a makeover, it is an attitude change. With endless options to choose from, you can pick shades like bright burgundy, deep chestnut, and bright orange. The change can be as dramatic as an all-over color or as subtle as some highlights. Here are 12 ideas for red shades to inspire you to get a new head-turning do to help you stand out and be unique.
As a colorist, it is a blast to see the incredible smiles and “wows” from the clients after my work is done and see their new look for the first time. I feel the same as them. Red hair is super fun and it feels like a total confidence booster. The difference it creates for your style is remarkable and I love seeing the looks on my clients’ faces.
A client of mine from a couple years ago, told me she wanted “just a little warmth.” I could tell she was nervous about how warm it might go. We started with a soft copper glaze, and three months later she was back in my chair asking for a ‘true crimson.’ That’s sort of how red works. It pulls you in slowly until you realize you were always meant to go that way. I love the full spectrum of these fifteen looks. From the reserved and subtle burgundies that only show their true colors in daylight, to the ones that shout across the room. There’s a red for every version of you, and I trust that you will recognize it when you see it.
#1: Long Red Layers with Those Pretty Face-Framing Pieces
My first impression is that your hair is fabulous! It shines and reflects light so beautifully. Not everyone has healthy hair like that. And the color you have on top of it is a lovely addition. The layers are very calm and not overly sheared or staged, and allow for movement when your hair moves. The face-framing pieces really carry the style. This is a great option for those who want a more simplistic day-to-day style, but still want their hair to have some life.
#2: Textured Red Waves That Just Move on Their Own
You’d think that level of red would make you feel warmth, wouldn’t you? The waves feel just right and give the impression that a large barrel or maybe some natural material was used. That’s all about relaxation and authenticity. The amount of movement here, assuming a person has enough hair to warrant it, is pretty easy. The color would also look especially nice on warm, golden, and light-reflcting skin.
#3: Sleek Red Layers with That Mirror-Like Shine
The finish is most important. The smoothness and shine of this look is almost liquid. With hair this red, it draws the eye even more. This color catches the light in a way that is different than how deeper or more muted colors reflect light. There are layers, but they are not the most important part. They are also there to assist the hair in falling nicely and to get rid of that one-length heaviness. I think this is the type of look that will have people asking what you are doing differently without being able to put their finger on it. You would get most of the way there with a good blow dry and some smoothing serum.
#4: Curly Red with Soft Bangs That Just Work
I love the owner’s natural red curls. Each curl has a different surface with a striking boldness of color. The bangs are soft and a bit messy, and that’s perfect. If the bangs were too blunt, they oppose the curls, and if they were too wispy, they would vanish. These bangs are in that sweet spot of framing the face without being a distraction. It’s playful and polished, which is harder to achieve than a lot of people think.
#5: Fiery Red with Waves and a Lot of Dimension
There are a couple of different shades of red. This means the color has a little bit more depth and isn’t completely flat and one-dimensional. The base warmth of the color red is underneath, while the top brightness is on the surface, which the layers of texture exhibit. Personally, I think reds that are like this look better when the hair has a little bit of roughness to it. Not damaged hair, of course, but definitely nothing too smooth. A dry texturizing spray for hair should do the trick to keep this looking loosely undone in a good way.
#6: Medium Red Layers with a Little Something Extra Around the Face
Online pictures may look less dramatic than in real life when it comes to these types of hairstyles. The soft layers combined with the gentle length, along with the face framing portions, create an effect that makes it seem like the hair just falls that way. The color, however, is very eye-catching. The richness of this red hair is almost glowing. This is a nice option if you want to feel different about your hair without it being a complete conversation starter.
#7: Long Glossy Red with Layers You Almost Don’t Notice
Great layers are the ones that are unseen. This is one of them. There is enough internal layering meaning the hair won’t sit flat or heavy. And that shine. If someone showed me this pic during the consultation, I wouldn’t talk about the cut first. I would talk about the condition. Shine like that is from a good amount of moisture and care. A color depositing conditioner would help keep a red like this from looking dull in between salon visits.
#8: Long Fiery Layers with Soft Strands Falling Forward
I love the face framing! Instead of heavy frame bangs or curtain bangs, these have a softer touch. The rest of the hair is long enough to keep the movement without losing length, and the cut and color working together is something I keep coming back to which, to be honest, is how it should always be.
#9: Bright Red with Curtain Bangs That Open Everything Up
The writer likes the style of curtain bangs, and even thinks the look of curtain bangs with red hair is nice. These bangs are parted down the middle and swept off to the sides, so they keep the face fully exposed. There is a little bit of wave throughout the length of these bangs, which adds just the right amount of casualness to be perfect for a color this daring. The best part is that the bangs are grown out to the point that they are new and blunt, but have softened and relaxed, and that is often the point when people get the most attached to their bangs.
#10: Two-Tone Red and Blonde, and It Actually Works
To be honest, I usually have a lot of questions when asked about mixing red and blonde colors as it can go sideways quickly. This is an example of it being done with intention. The tones are placed to blend, not compete, and the long layers keep everything flowing together. Rather than streaky, it reads as dimensional. If you want something a little less expected and you have a colorist you trust, this is worth a real convo. It’s not low maintenance but the outcome has so much personality.
#11: Long Burgundy with Wispy Pieces That Soften Everything
Colors in the Burgundy family tend to evoke a more positive feeling than colors in the red family. This is because they are a little calmer than their red cousins and usually do not make as pronounced of a statement. While they do sometimes come off as purple in low lighting conditions, many people find solace in knowing that this is not the case with some of the more purple shades of burgundy. The pieces at the front add to the overall balance so that everything isn’t too weighed down or too serious. This is a fantastic option for someone looking for a more subdued rich tone without the volume being a focal point.
#12: Straight Burgundy with Highlights That Catch You Off Guard
Some highlights may not be fully seen at first. Moving your hair, changing the light, and the way the highlights are blended give your hair more dimension than expected. The effect on thicker, straighter hair is almost architectural – clean and precise. The burgundy color is elegant and sleek, and wearing it like this means you can avoid styling your hair too much. If you intend to change your color without a cut, this is a way to transform your look without losing length or the overall shape of your hair.
#13: Sleek Burgundy with That Quiet Kind of Confidence
I commend the restraint shown here with the hair. It is straight and the color is rich with a clean finish. There are no layers or distracting styling gimmicks. The overall look is simple and nice. For this approach to work, the hair should be fine enough so that the color can be the focus of the story. I would recommend a silicone based serum to keep the ends from splitting and maintain that glassy look, because straight styles tend to expose split ends more.
#14: Long Red Layers That Move When You Do
I find your comment regarding not feeling overly styled interesting. I also find your comment regarding the layers creating movement interesting. Although, for a breeze or walking, it’s more the artificial movement you would create with a round brush every day. The red is bright, and the depth adds intention rather than looking impulsive. This is the combination for a cut that will remain easy and a color that will completely shift your energy.
#15: Big Red Waves with Real Volume
Have you ever thought about going ginger? Look at the volume and the color. The waves glisten in the sun and make the color look glamorous and not costume-y. That’s a line that is easy to cross with a big red hair. If you have medium to thick hair, all you need is a good volumizing mousse, a blow dry with a round brush, and let your waves cool before touching them. That’s what makes the difference.
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