Red hair comes in a myriad of forms, and there are so many possible red hair shades you can consider embracing. In this article, we’ll give you a thorough red hair color dictionary that defines all of the different red hair shades.
The Warm Red Hair Shades
Warm red hair shades have a lot of yellow and orange in them. When the red hair is more natural looking, it can definitely work for those with pale, cool skin, although the more extreme shades tend to work best against skin that is on the warmer side.
Bright Copper Red Hair
Copper hair is the classic red hair color that first comes to mind when one imagines a natural redhead, even though this shade rarely occurs this vividly naturally, and may require the help of a deft hair colorist. It’s a warm, bright shade of red with a lot of orange to it – think Merida from the film Brave. This red hair color is spunky and fun, and it works best for those with fare skin.
Ginger Red Hair
Ginger hair is actually much closer to what people have naturally, since it is a warm tone that sits somewhere between red, blonde, and brown. This red hair color contrasts nicely against cool skin, but it can also bring out unflattering red undertones if the skin is sensitive.
Crimson Copper Hair
This is a brighter shade of red hair that is also quite deep and a touch darker than a bright copper shade. It is decidedly warm toned, but in a neutral place that suits most skin tones. It also works beautifully to bring out blue eyes.
Ginger Auburn Hair
This light auburn shade is comprised of a very light golden tone with just a hint of copper, for light brownish red hair. It is a natural shade perfect for those who are just easing their way into red hair colors, especially if they’re starting out with blonde or light brown hair.
Medium Auburn Hair
Medium auburn is more of a light brown hair look with just hints of red and lots of gold, and is a great way for brunettes to slowly switch over to red hair colors. It’s a great color choice for most skin tones, and works especially well with green eyes.
Golden Ginger Hair
This shade is a bit more golden than ginger auburn hair, and is a great way for blondes to switch over to red. It is spicy and warm, and contrasts beautifully against tan skin.
Dark Auburn Hair
This one is the darkest of the warm brown-red shades. It infuses chocolate brown with hints of coppery red, for a gorgeous look that suits most skin tones. It is a great way for those with darker brown hair to infuse a warm touch, especially in time for autumn.
Electric Orange Hair
Warm red hair colors don’t have to look natural – they can also be in your face and bright, like a bright yellow-orange that is like ginger hair on crack. Electric orange hair is the kind of color best achieved by a professional, as it is loud and bright and definitely most appropriate for summer.
Strawberry Blonde Hair
Everyone is familiar with this light blonde shade that has just a hint of red in it, but without too much orange. Unlike light auburn, strawberry blonde hair color is much less muted and is in fact quite bright. It’s a great complement to fair, cool skin. It is sometimes also known as rose gold hair.
Fire Engine Red Hair
While most vivid red hair shades lean towards cool, this is a near neutral red that is nowhere close to being natural. Because it is a little on the warm side, it stands in contrast to other intense reds, but it seriously stands out.
The Cool Red Hair Shades
Cool red hair leans a little towards purple, rather than orange, and as a result it is a less natural take on red hair colors. The more brown there is in cool red hair, the more natural it will look, while the more it leans towards purple, the more it will stand out.
Mahogany Red Hair
This is a cool toned red hair color that is very rich and has a lot of brown to it, but it is not very dark. It is very much like the cool version of auburn hair, since it is a great way for brunettes to slowly switch over to cool red hair colors.
Cherry Brown Hair
This is a more red toned brown shade that is rich and fairly neutral, although it does lean somewhat towards cool. It is a good way of going traditionally red in a slow, measured way for anyone who is starting out with dark brown hair.
Russian Red Hair
Much like the famous MAC lipstick, this kind of red hair is as true a red as they come, with just a hint of blue undertone that puts in the realm of intense, anime character hair. It is a loud red hair color that stands out and will not be mistaken for natural, so you should definitely have a daring attitude to match it!
Rose Quartz Hair
This is the cool toned sibling of rose gold hair, as it has the same precious jewel effect, but it is much cooler. It is a soft, metallic platinum blonde tinted with pink, and it is gorgeous and soft.
Dark Cherry Red Hair
This is like a darker version of Russian red hair, as it is a dark, deep red that is cool toned. It is just as impressive as more vivid reds, but it is also more sophisticated.
Burgundy Hair
Perfect for autumn, burgundy hair is slightly similar to mahogany hair but it has a fair bit more purple to it. It is a rich brown tone with a red-blue tint that only makes it appear lusher and more delicious.
Black Cherry Hair
Black cherry hair is one step darker than dark cherry hair, but it has a touch of added coolness. It is a dark, sexy red hair color that is perfect for anyone with a retro goth flare.
Eggplant Red Hair
Eggplant hair is a mid-2000s classic, but it can still look chic and unique these days. This purple tinged hair also has a bit of red to it, and it tends to flatter cool and neutral skin tones perfectly. It is especially striking when it is balanced with lighter streaks of violet.
Magenta Hair
This red hair color is a vivid and bright shade that sits somewhere between red and purple, like a lighter and more intense eggplant. It is a striking color that blends well with other cool shades of red, but it actually also works with warm reds.
Photos via @brendabstyles, Instagram
