There’s one hair colour that is dominating this season and we’re seeing it everywhere. The red hair colour trend has been gaining momentum for a while (remember when Gigi Hadid’s and Zendaya’s copper transformations started it all?), but it has now become the number one autumn hair colour trend. We’ve seen it on the fashion set, the runways and a number of celebrities have dipped their toe into the red hair trend. It started off as subtle tones, but as the look snowballs the pigments are also getting stronger.
We’ve not seen red hair have quite as big a comeback for quite some time, but right now, it feels refreshing again. Every time I speak with hair stylists, they say that for so long their clients have asked for cooler, ashier tones, but now demand is picking up again for those warmer-toned shades of red—the likes of which I recall very strongly in the noughties. “Our brunette clients are starting to gravitate towards richer tones for added warmth and we’re seeing the return of glossy, blended colours rather than strips of colour like money pieces,” says Paul Percival, Redken session artist and founder of Percy & Reed.
This deep plum-red hair colour is making a comeback. From deep mahogany red to bright flame orange to more subtle auburn and copper tones, there is a shade to suit every skin tone and personality. You can opt for a bold all-over red hair colour, or if you want to dip a toe into the hair trend, why not try some more subtle ribbons of copper balayage through your hair? Ahead, you’ll find the 20 best red hair colour trend looks we’ve found—they will convince you to make that hair colour appointment pronto.
I love how this vibrant copper hair colour blends seamlessly into burnt orange towards the ends.
A glossy cherry is the ultimate way to take your hair colour into autumn and winter, as Shay Mitchell demonstrates.
I love this bouncy ’90s-inspired blowout on Zendaya, but I love her copper hair colour here even more. This is an ideal look for brunettes who want to experiment with warmer colours.
Madonna recently stepped out with this vibrant red hair transformation, and I expect others will follow suit.
Feeling spicy? Chilli red makes a bold statement.
Full-bodied and vibrant, this red hair colour is the one if you want a deep hue.
If an all-over hair colour is too bold, why not try some subtle red tones through the lengths of your hair for a seasonal update?
Coming in hot off the Koché SS23 runway is this flaming, neon red hair colour. I’m obsessed.
Red doesn’t have to mean a block of colour, as this multi-dimensional red hair colour proves. Ask your hair colourist to apply different red tones throughout your lengths, which also gives the illusion of fuller and thicker hair.
Not just reserved for Halloween, this vampy red hue had Versace’s seal of approval at its SS23 show.
The ‘money piece’ (AKA, face-framing highlights) are a great way to tap into the trend without the full commitment, à la Bella Hadid.
Whether you usually opt for blonde balayage or want to try a new hair colour, why not experiment with copper balayage through the lengths on dark hair?
I’m really into this expensive-looking auburn hair colour, which is warmer than brunette and more subtle than bright cherry.
If you’re blonde or fair-haired and not already blessed with copper hair, then why not try strawberry blonde?
A vivid copper shade makes a real statement on a bob haircut.
Subtle spice hues like cinnamon are so flattering.
Pumpkin hues make a seasonal update from blonde hair.
Why not experiment with copper braids?
If you’re brunette, take your hair colour up a notch to a warmer chocolate hue.
Glossy? Check. Autumnal? Check and check.
The bolder the better, as proved at Botter’s SS23 show.
Red hair can be prone to fading quickly, so using a deviated shampoo that’s safe for coloured hair can help retain its vibrancy.
Much like shampoo, a dedicated conditioner will ensure your hair colour lasts as long as possible in-between salon visits.
Metals and minerals in shower water (and even more so in hard-water areas) can leech the colour out of your hair. This hair filter fits onto your shower to filter out colour-fading properties from your water, leaving your hair colour vibrant and shiny.
If you’re blonde, or have lighter blonde highlights through dark hair, this colour-depositing mask allows you to dabble with a semi-permanent copper hair colour. It can also be used to maintain red hair in-between colour appointments.
Red coloured hair can really fade in the sun, so you want to protect from UV rays if you’re headed on holiday. This leave-in cream fits the bill to protect your hair colour while moisturising and taming flyaways.
