Deciding to dye your hair a bold, vibrant red shade is a big commitment. While red hair is beautiful, it’s not for everyone. There are a few key factors to consider when determining if red hair will be flattering on you.
Your Natural Hair Color
The most important factor is your natural hair color. Red hair dye works best on light to medium blonde hair. The lighter your base, the more vibrancy the red color will have. Brunettes can also go red but will need to pre-lighten their hair first to achieve a rich, intense shade of red.
If you have dark brown or black hair, achieving a bright red shade is challenging. The hair needs to be lifted multiple levels to a light blonde first before applying red dye. This can cause damage from the harsh chemicals. An alternative is choosing a darker red hue like burgundy or copper.
Skin Tone
Your skin tone plays a role in determining how suitable red hair will be for you. Red tends to suit people with fair or porcelain skin best. Olive, medium, or darker complexions provide contrast against red hair, which can overly wash some people out.
However, there are some exceptions. People with darker skin can wear red hair beautifully. The key is choosing the right shade of red. Cherry red may not be the best, but strawberry blonde or deeper red hues like violet-red can work well.
Best Red Hair Shades for Different Skin Tones
| Skin Tone | Best Red Shades |
|---|---|
| Fair | Bright cherry red, platinum red, copper |
| Medium/olive | Strawberry blonde, auburn, burgundy |
| Dark | Deep red, violet-red, burgundy |
Eye Color
The color of your eyes can help determine how harmonious red hair will look. Red hair often looks most striking with blue, green, hazel, or gray eyes. The contrast of cool-toned eye colors against the warmth of red hair is extremely attractive.
People with brown or black eyes need to take extra care when choosing a red shade. Warm shades like strawberry blonde, auburn, and coppery reds tend to be most flattering.
Most Flattering Red Hair Shades by Eye Color
| Eye Color | Most Flattering Reds |
|---|---|
| Blue | Cherry red, bright copper |
| Green | Auburn, strawberry blonde |
| Brown | Golden copper, violet-red, burgundy |
| Hazel | Cherry red, strawberry blonde |
| Black | Burgundy, deep red |
Skin Undertone
Determining your skin’s undertones is another way to gauge if red hair will suit you. People with cool pink or red undertones in their skin wear red hair beautifully. The tones enhance each other. Yellow, peachy undertones can clash with some shades of red hair and cause a washed out appearance.
Look at the veins on your wrist in natural daylight to determine your undertones. Bluish purple veins indicate cool undertones. Greenish veins mean warm yellow/peach undertones. Neutral undertones show both.
Best Red Shades by Skin Undertones
| Undertone | Best Reds |
|---|---|
| Cool (pink, red) | Cherry red, bright copper |
| Warm (yellow, peach) | Strawberry, auburn, burgundy |
| Neutral | Red-violets, reddish browns |
Face Shape
The shape of your face should factor into your red hair decision. Heart, oval, and round face shapes tend to be universally flattering with red hair. Square or oblong faces may want to avoid highly saturated bright reds, which can overpower angular features.
Short bob cuts and pixie styles in red also look best on rounder face shapes. Longer hair helps soften the strong jawlines of square face shapes.
Most Flattering Red Haircuts by Face Shape
| Face Shape | Most Flattering Red Haircuts |
|---|---|
| Round | Short pixie cuts, curly bobs, blunt cuts |
| Oval | Shoulder-length cuts with face framing strands |
| Square | Long layers, soft waves, side-swept bangs |
| Heart | Medium-long layers, side-swept bangs |
| Oblong | Shoulder-length cuts with waves, side-swept bangs |
Your Confidence Level
Perhaps most important is feeling confident enough to rock red hair. Red is an edgy, bold choice that commands attention. If you feel even slightly self-conscious about standing out, red may not be the best fit.
The vibrant color requires commitment to upkeep. As your natural roots grow in, they’ll need colored every 4-6 weeks. Fading and color maintenance happens faster than with natural shades.
But for those with the right coloring who feel bold and daring, red hair can be striking and empowering. Think critically about your features and see if you have that inner confidence to go red.
Consider Going Gradually Red
If you’re on the fence, consider going red gradually. Many salons offer highlighting or balayage services to slowly integrate red into your hair.
Start with small, subtle hints of red framing your face. You can gauge your comfort level with the color before committing to a full red dye job.
There are also semi-permanent red hair dyes. These wash out within 4-8 weeks and can give you a trial run before permanent color.
Consult a Professional Stylist
To determine if red is right for you, consult with a professional hair stylist. They can assess your complexion, face shape, and natural hair to make an informed recommendation.
A stylist can suggest shades that will best complement your skin tone. They also know techniques like placement of highlights to frame your face most flatteringly.
With a professional consultation, you can feel confident in how red hair will look before taking the plunge.
Conclusion
Deciding if you can pull off red hair depends on multiple factors. Your natural color, skin tone, eye color, and face shape all play a role. Confidence levels and committing to upkeep are key as well. Consider gradually lightening your hair first or doing subtle red highlights before going for an all-over vibrant dye job. With some thoughtful consideration and professional help, red hair can be stunning.
