Brown hair with a tinge of red, sometimes called auburn hair, is a hair color that combines brown and red shades. It typically appears as brown hair with subtle red highlights mixed throughout. The amount of red can vary from just a hint to being more prominently visible, creating an overall reddish-brown color. While regular brown hair has a cooler, darker tone, the touch of red adds warmth. This results in a rich, dimensional hair color that flatters many different skin tones.
What Causes Red Tinges in Brown Hair?
All natural hair colors are determined by two types of melanin pigments: eumelanin and pheomelanin. Brown hair gets its color from the production of a large amount of eumelanin. Red hair is the result of mostly pheomelanin. When both eumelanin and pheomelanin are present in significant but unequal amounts, it produces an in-between hair color – brown hair with a tinge of red. Even in brown hair, there is still some pheomelanin that can show through, creating that subtle red tint.
Genetics of Reddish Brown Hair
Genes play the biggest role in determining someone’s hair color. The specific genes involved are MITF, TYR, TYRP1, SLC24A4, SLC24A5, OCA2, KITLG and MC1R. The MC1R gene in particular has a strong influence over how much pheomelanin is produced. Certain variations of this gene result in more pheomelanin production, leading to red hair. However, other genes also affect the final hair color, so variations in MC1R alone don’t always cause red hair. The interaction of all the genes produces the range of natural hair colors.
How Common is Reddish Brown Hair?
| Hair Color | Percentage of Population |
|---|---|
| Black | 15% |
| Dark Brown | 18% |
| Light Brown | 30% |
| Red | 4% |
| Blonde | 12% |
Brown hair with traces of red is not extremely rare, but is less common than plain medium to dark brown hair. Approximately 2-5% of the population has natural reddish brown hair. It is found among individuals originating from Europe, especially Northern and Central Europe. Those with Celtic heritage tend to have a higher rate of exhibiting some reddishness in their brown hair.
Is Reddish Brown Hair Considered Red Hair?
Reddish brown hair lies between true red hair and brown hair on the spectrum. It is not considered fully red hair, which only makes up about 2% of the population. For hair to qualify as red it must have a clearly visible strong coppery red color. Reddish brown is more subtle, showing up as tinges of red highlights mixed in with darker brown. The term “strawberry blonde” is sometimes used to refer to lighter reddish brown shades.
Differences Between Auburn, Reddish Brown and Burgundy Hair
There are a few similar hair color terms worth comparing:
– Auburn hair – Refers to lighter reddish brown shades, with more visible red tints. Still subtler than red hair.
– Reddish brown hair – An overall brown base with sparse red highlights evenly distributed throughout. More subtle red tones.
– Burgundy hair – Much darker than auburn with a higher concentration of red, but still has a brown base.
So in summary:
– Auburn is lighter and more red
– Reddish brown is darker with sparse red highlights
– Burgundy is the darkest of the three with a more saturated red tone
How to Get Reddish Brown Hair
There are a couple ways to achieve brown hair with a hint of red, whether to enhance your natural color or change it completely:
Natural Hair Color Enhancement
If you already have a reddish tint to your brown hair, you can use hair products to maximize the red tones. Look for glossing treatments and shampoos designed specifically for reddish brown hair. These contain pigments to boost the red and make it stand out more. Avoid harsh shampoos and hot water as these can strip red tones.
Hair Dye and Highlights
Hair dye is the most effective way to go from your current hair color to reddish brown. Seek help from a professional colorist. They can analyze your skin tone and natural hair color to select the right shade of reddish brown. Adding just a few red highlights around the face can also give brown hair extra dimension. Keep up the color with root touch-ups.
Cautions
Achieving natural looking red tinted brown hair requires precision. Too light of a shade may end up looking orange. Too much red can appear clownish if skin tone is not taken into account. Work with experienced colorists to find the right balance. Test a small strand first.
Reddish Brown Hair Color Maintenance
Red tones fade faster than darker shades. Here are some tips to keep red tints looking vibrant between color appointments:
– Use a sulfate-free shampoo and cool water when washing
– Apply a hydrating hair mask weekly
– Use leave-in conditioner and heat protectant
– Let hair air dry when possible
– Avoid chlorine and salt water exposure
– Get a gloss treatment every 4-6 weeks
With proper maintenance, brown hair with a hint of red can look glossy and colorful for weeks.
Matching Makeup and Clothing to Reddish Brown Hair
Playing up the red tones in your hair with complementary makeup and clothing helps create a stylish head-to-toe look:
Makeup Tips
– Berry tones on lips and cheeks
– Bronzy browns on eyes and nails
– Black eyeliner and mascara
Clothing Color Suggestions
– Rich reds and purples
– Forest and olive greens
– Blues and emeralds
– Neutrals like brown, tan, cream
Avoid direct matching and opt for analogous colors in makeup and clothing instead. Tie the whole look together with accessories in metallic rose gold, copper and terracotta.
Celebrities with Reddish Brown Hair
Many celebrities have rocked the reddish brown look:
– Emma Stone
– Jessica Chastain
– Madelaine Petsch
– Julianne Moore
– Sandra Bullock
– Nicole Kidman
– Amy Adams
– Rashida Jones
– Sarah Michelle Gellar
Seeing reddish brown hair on popular TV and movie stars demonstrates how wearable and versatile the color can be.
Conclusion
Brown hair with a hint of red provides a soft, warm look that flatters most skin tones. The touch of red mixed within the brown base adds dimension for a vibrant, natural hair color. Achieving the ideal reddish brown tone and keeping the red pigment looking fresh requires proper techniques and maintenance. When paired with complementary makeup and wardrobe colors, reddish brown hair creates a beautiful and stylish total look.
