How to Find Your Perfect Red Hair Color

Let's face it: There's just something special about red hair. After all, red hair communicates passion and fire, with a little streak of wild. It makes sense that so many of our favorite celebrities gravitate towards this absolutely stunning hair color choice. But which red hair color is right for you? You have a lot of options, ranging from light (such as a strawberry blonde hair color) to dark (such as a black cherry hair color). If you've thought about going red but don't know where to start, you're in luck. Below, we’re sharing how to pick the best red hair color for your skin tone and dye your hair red for a beautiful end result. 

1. Get Inspired by Looking at Red Hair Color Photos

Scour the web looking for red hair color shades that most inspire you. Once you've got your bank of images, look for a common theme. Are you attracted to statement looks—red hair colors that are fiery and bold? Or are you drawn to the born-with-it shade of a girl next door? There's an exciting wealth of red hair colors out there, but finding the right one for you means doing a little beauty homework. Take your time before selecting a shade and look at plenty of pics beforehand.

2. Assess Your Skin Tone Before Dyeing Your Hair Red

To determine which red hair colors you can and can't pull off, a good rule of thumb is to choose a red with the same undertones as your skin. For instance, girls with pink undertones (generally fair-skinned gals) can go lighter—think coppery reds—but the level of blue color in, say, chestnut brown hair could make them look too pale. Ladies with medium, olive skin tones can carry more pigmented hues, like an auburn hair color or burgundy hair, both of which are reddish-brown. And if you have a darker skin tone, you'll look show-stopping with fiery cherry-red strands.

3. Answer Three Easy Questions to Determine if Red Hair Is Right for You

Before picking up a box of red hair dye, ask yourself the following three questions to see how much work you’ll have to invest in the process.

Has your hair been color-treated previously? Because it's always easier to make your hair richer and darker than lighter—especially if you already have color in your hair.

What's your natural hair color? This is extra-important for at-home hair color application. It's easy to know just how far you can push your strands when you have a realistic starting point. And knowing your natural hair color makes those pictures on the side of each box the ultimate color guide.

Do you have lots of gray strands, just a few, or none at all? If you've only got a couple of stray grays or haven't spotted a single one, you should certainly consider testing out a rich, bold red. If your goal is to cover or hide your grays, you'll want to stick to a box that boasts full coverage. Gray hairs absorb the most color and will make the tone of any dye even more intense or loud.

4. Pick One of Our Best Red Hair Dyes

Once you’re done figuring out which red hair color you want to dye your hair, it’s time to get to work. If you want to use red hair dye at home, try L’Oréal Paris Féria, which comes in a variety of beautiful red shades. Féria at-home hair color kits come with an aromatic shimmer serum, deep conditioning color gel, and power shimmer conditioner. The conditioner seals and smooths for intense shimmer and multidimensional color vibrancy. Plus, our Power Reds collection (featuring shades like Medium Auburn and Deep Auburn), come with a Power Booster, which you mix into your hair color for an extra shot of pure dyes, for gorgeous, rich color. Say goodbye to dull and flat hair color and hello to a vibrant, shimmery hue! 

Well, what are you waiting for? Get out there and choose a red hair color! To learn how to switch up your current hair color in favor of red, here’s How to Go from Brown Hair to Red Hair.