Can brunettes have red hair?

Quick Answer

Yes, brunettes can have red hair. While brunettes typically have brown or black hair, they can dye their hair red or be born with natural red hair and still be considered brunettes. The term “brunette” refers to a person with darker hair, not specifically black or brown hair. So a person with naturally red or auburn hair would still be classified as a brunette if their hair is darker than stereotypical blond hair. Additionally, someone with dyed red hair would still be a brunette since their natural hair color is likely brown or black. The key is that brunettes have darker hair, so red hair that is not bright red or orange-red could be considered brunette red hair.

Can Natural Redheads Be Brunettes?

Yes, natural redheads can be considered brunettes if their red hair is dark enough. While red hair ranges from strawberry blonde to auburn to true red, darker red hair can still fall under the “brunette” classification. Here are some examples:

Dark auburn hair that looks more brown than red would be considered brunette hair. The dark tones classify it as brunette even though it has red tones.

Deep burgundy red hair that has more brown than orange undertones could be considered brunette.
Natural redheads with rich mahogany colored hair would also be considered brunettes.

The key determiner is the depth of color rather than the hue. Brunette refers to darker hair, so red hair that looks more brown than blond would be categorized as brunette hair, not red hair. Very bright cherry red hair would not be brunette. But reddish hair with darker brownish undertones would qualify.

Can People with Dyed Red Hair Be Brunettes?

People with dyed red hair can also be considered brunettes if their natural hair color is dark brown or black. Since brunette refers to the underlying natural hair color, a person with black hair who dyes their hair red would still technically be a brunette. The term is based on genetics rather than hair dye.

Some examples of dyed redheads who would still be brunettes:

A person with naturally dark brown hair who dyes it auburn red.

A person with black hair who dyes it bright crimson red.
A person with naturally jet black hair who dyes it ginger red.

In these cases, the people’s natural brunette hair color determines the “brunette” classification, even though their dyed hair is red. The red hair dye is temporary. So no matter what bright shade of red they color their hair, genetically they would still be considered brunettes.

How Dark Does Hair Need to Be to Qualify as Brunette?

There is no definitive line between brunette and red hair. However, generally hair needs to be darker than a golden blond to be considered true brunette hair. Here are some guidelines:

Light brown hair is securely in the brunette range.
Dark blonde hair with brown undertones can also qualify as brunette hair.

Medium to dark auburn colored hair is typically considered brunette.
Vivid orange-red hair is unlikely to be categorized as brunette.
Deep burgundy reddish hair could potentially still be considered brunette.

So while fair blond hair is clearly not brunette, there is some overlap between dark blonde and light brown hair that could go either way. The most important determiner is the depth and tone of color rather than the precise shade. Brunette covers a wide spectrum from black to brown to some shades of reddish hair. But generally, Medium to dark red hair with brownish tones would still fall under the “brunette” umbrella term.

What Causes Red Hair in Brunettes?

For natural brunette redheads, genetics cause the expression of reddish hair. Red hair is caused by mutations in the MC1R gene, which controls melanin pigment production. Everyone inherits one MC1R gene from each parent.

Here are some ways brunettes can naturally have red hair:

If one parent passes on a mutated MC1R red hair gene and the other passes on a normal brunette gene, the child can end up with darker auburn red hair that qualifies as brunette.
Someone who inherits two copies of the mutated MC1R gene tends to have brighter true red hair.
Ethnic background can also play a role, with darker skinned individuals showing darker red hair.

For dyed red hair in brunettes, the cause is simply hair dye! Modern hair dyes can safely deposit vivid red pigment onto naturally dark brown or black hair. This allows brunettes to display fiery red hair temporarily before the dye fades or grows out. So hair dye lets anyone add red hues on top of their natural brunette base.

Statistics on Brunettes with Red Hair

It’s difficult to find precise statistics on how many brunettes have natural or dyed red hair. However, here are some related statistics:

1-2% of the global population has natural red hair.

Up to 10% of the United States population naturally has red hair.
Red hair is most commonly found in northern and western European ancestry, especially Scottish and Irish.
There are approximately 13.3 million redheads total in the United States.

Only about 2% of Asians and Africans have natural red hair.

While redheads make up a relatively small percentage of the population, remember that many of those redheads may have dark enough hair to still be classified as brunettes. Globally there are far more brunettes with reddish hair than bright orange-red hair. The statistics also don’t capture how many millions of brunettes dye their hair red!

Famous Examples of Brunette Redheads

Here are some celebrity examples of brunettes with red hair:

Celebrity	Natural Hair Color	Red Hair Color
Christina Hendricks	Dark Blonde	Dyed Redhead
Emma Stone	Blonde	Dyed Redhead
Jessica Chastain	Dark Blonde	Dyed Redhead
Amy Adams	Blonde	Dyed Redhead
Madelaine Petsch	Blonde	Dyed Redhead

This demonstrates how many celebrities classified as blonde or dark blonde naturally can become redheaded brunettes with the right hair dye. Their stunning red hair appears natural but is the result of careful coloring.

Tips for Brunettes Dyeing Hair Red

For brunettes who want to dye their naturally dark hair red, here are some tips:

Pick a reddish shade that matches your skin tone. Avoid going too bright if you have fair, pinkish skin.

Ask your colorist to add warm undertones to complement your complexion.
Choose permanent dye for longer lasting color with minimal fading.
Use color-protecting shampoo and conditioner to extend the vividness.

Get a gloss treatment every 4-6 weeks to maintain shine and richness.
Use a clarifying shampoo once a week to remove product buildup.
Consider getting natural or balayage highlights to add lightness and dimension.

Protect hair from sun exposure which can fade dyed red hair.

With the right hair dye techniques and maintenance, brunettes can flaunt gorgeous red hair for months before needing to recolor the roots. Go gradually lighter if you have very dark hair to prevent brassiness. And consult with an experienced colorist to achieve a natural looking fiery mane!

Conclusion

In summary, brunettes whether natural or dyed can definitely have red hair. The term “brunette” broadly applies to people with brown, black, or darker red hair. So red hair that looks more rich auburn than vivid ginger can be classified as brunette hair. Even people with naturally blondish hair are still considered brunettes if they dye their hair auburn red. Modern hair dye makes it simple for true brunettes to become redheads temporarily. So don’t be afraid to add some red spice to your dark locks! With the right color and styling, brunettes can pull off red hair beautifully.