Hair » 19 Red Hair Shades: Red Hair Color Dictionary

19 Red Hair Shades: Red Hair Color Dictionary

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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.

Red Hair Shades & Color Ideas: Bright Copper Red Hair

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.

Red Hair Shades & Color Ideas: Ginger Red Hair Color

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.

Red Hair Shades & Color Ideas: Crimson Copper Hair Color

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.

Red Hair Shades & Color Ideas: Ginger Auburn Hair Color

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.

Red Hair Shades & Color Ideas: Medium Auburn Hair Color

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.

Red Hair Shades & Color Ideas: Golden Ginger Hair Color

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.

Red Hair Shades & Color Ideas: Dark Auburn Hair Color

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.

Red Hair Shades & Color Ideas: Electric Orange Hair Color

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.

Red Hair Shades & Color Ideas: Strawberry Blonde Hair Color

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.

Red Hair Shades & Color Ideas: Fire Engine Red Hair Color

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.

Red Hair Shades & Color Ideas: Mahogany Red Hair Color

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.

Red Hair Shades & Color Ideas: Cherry Brown Hair Color

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!

Red Hair Shades & Color Ideas: Russian Red Hair Color

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.

Red Hair Shades & Color Ideas: Rose Quartz Hair Color

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.

Red Hair Shades & Color Ideas: Dark Cherry Red Hair Color

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.

Red Hair Shades & Color Ideas: Burgundy Hair Color

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.

Red Hair Shades & Color Ideas: Black Cherry Hair Color

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.

Red Hair Shades & Color Ideas: Eggplant Red Hair Color

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.

Red Hair Shades & Color Ideas: Magenta Hair Color

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