When looking for a brown hair dye that has red undertones, there are a few key things to consider. The right brown shade with a hint of red can warm up your hair color and accentuate light skin tones beautifully. But finding the perfect nuanced brunette shade can be tricky. In this article, we’ll discuss how to choose a brown hair dye with natural looking red tones and review some of the best options available.
What to Look for in a Brown Hair Dye with Red Undertones
Here are some tips on finding a brown hair color with red tones that will suit your complexion and style:
– Aim for a rich chocolate brown base with subtle red hues mixed in. Going too light or bright red can look unnatural.
– Look for shades described as chestnut, auburn, mahogany, cinnamon or copper. These all indicate brown hair color with red undertones.
– Cooler skin tones look best with brown hair that has more muted red/purple undertones while warm skin tones suit browns with vivid orangey red added.
– Permanent brown hair dyes will provide longer lasting color while semi-permanent options give more subtle results.
– Brunette shades with red undertones can disguise grey hairs well. Opt for permanent color for best coverage.
– Ammonia-free hair dye causes less damage but may not cover greys as effectively. Do a strand test first.
– Red tones can fade faster than neutral brown shades, so conditioning treatments help maintain richness.
Best Brown Hair Dyes with Red Undertones
Here are some top-rated brown hair coloring products that deliver beautiful red tinted brunette shades:
L’Oreal Paris Superior Preference Fade-Defying Shine Permanent Hair Color
| Shade Name | Level | Undertone |
| Light Auburn Brown | 5 | Red |
| Medium Auburn Brown | 4 | Red |
This permanent hair dye provides long lasting color results and natural looking red tones in light to medium brunette shades. The fade resistant formula keeps the red tint vibrant.
Clairol Natural Instincts Semi-Permanent Hair Color
| Shade Name | Level | Undertone |
| Spiced Cider | 5 | Red |
| Cinnamon Stick | 4 | Red |
This ammonia-free demi-permanent hair dye provides subtle but luminous red tones in light to medium brunette shades. Great for a trial color or boosting fading red tones.
Revlon Colorsilk Permanent Hair Color
| Shade Name | Level | Undertone |
| Medium Auburn | 4 | Red |
| Light Auburn | 5 | Red |
This salon-quality permanent hair dye infuses brown hair with rich red and copper tones for a noticeable yet natural effect. Provides 100% gray coverage too.
Madison Reed Radiant Cream Hair Color
| Shade Name | Level | Undertone |
| Roman Red | 5 | Red |
| Toscana Red | 4 | Red |
This ammonia-free permanent hair color features an anti-fade polymer that keeps red tones vibrant. Delivers multi-dimensional chestnut, auburn and mahogany shades.
John Frieda Precision Foam Colour Permanent Hair Dye
| Shade Name | Level | Undertone |
| Deep Cherry Brown | 4 | Red |
| Light Auburn | 5 | Red |
This foam hair color provides easy at-home application. Chestnut brown and light auburn shades add noticeable red tones to all hair types.
How to Get the Best Results
Follow these tips when using a brown hair dye with red tones for optimal results:
– Strand test first to confirm desired shade before full application.
– Follow instructions precisely and leave on for full processing time.
– Use hydrating hair masks before and after coloring for healthy hair.
– Wash with sulfate-free shampoo and cool water to lock in color.
– Touch up roots regularly as red tones fade faster than neutral shades.
– Use a glossing treatment to boost red color intensity between permanent applications.
– Adjust your color choice for more subtle results if red tones seem too bold.
Maintaining Brown Hair with Red Tones
Hair with red undertones requires some maintenance to keep the color looking rich and vibrant:
– Use a color-protecting shampoo and conditioner. Sulfate-free formulas help extend color.
– Rinse with cool water instead of hot to prevent the cuticle from opening and color fading out.
– Limit washing to 2-3 times per week if possible to maintain intensity of red pigment.
– Use leave-in treatments with UV filters to prevent fading from sun exposure.
– Get a glossing service done mid-way between permanent color applications.
– Use semi-permanent brown-red shade for root touch ups in between salon visits.
– Get a trim regularly to remove dry ends and keep hair healthy for better color retention.
Dyeing Tips for Maximum Red Tone Intensity
To get the most vivid red tones in your brown hair color, consider these pro tips:
– Lighten hair first to a medium brown if your natural shade is dark. Red shows up better on lighter bases.
– Use 10 volume developer with permanent color for deeper penetration and brighter results.
– Process the dye for 5-10 minutes longer than the instructions state.
– Double the color on mid-lengths and ends to boost red vibrancy in those areas.
– Follow up permanent color with a red-hued semi-permanent gloss treatment.
– Add a few copper colored highlights around the face for extra dimension.
– Use an anti-fade shampoo and cold water rinses to lock in the red tones.
Conclusion
The right brown hair dye with red undertones can warm up your overall color beautifully while still looking natural. Aim for shades with a rich chocolate or chestnut base and look for red, auburn, mahogany and copper tones mixed in. Permanent dyes provide longer lasting results. Maintain your hair’s health and vibrancy with hydrating treatments. Touch up roots regularly to keep red tones fresh. With the right home care, you can rock gorgeous brown hair with a hint of red for months on end.
