Which is the best hair red dye?

Red hair is a forever colour. It looks good and makes you feel fabulous whatever the season. Best of all, it suits everyone! If you want your hair to shine, your eyes to pop and your skin to glow, get involved with the best red hair dye today.

Red is a classic and features in our top hair colour ideas 2021. We told you all about this fiery shade and how to find the best shade for you in Best red hair shades to dye for right now.

Choosing the right hair dye is a tricky business.

There are so many different brands and formulas to choose from, each one claiming it’s better than all the others. How do you know which brand will be best for you?

We get it. It can be hard to choose between all these different products when they make such bold claims about their effectiveness in giving you that gorgeous fiery hue!

Stand by for the best hair dyes you need to get the ravishing look at home!

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Contents

  • 1 What is red hair?
  • 2 Should I dye my hair red?
  • 3 Can I dye my hair red at home?
  • 4 Which is the best red hair dye?
  • 5 Best red hair dyes at a glance.
  • 6 TOP PICK!
  • 7 Garnier Olia Intense Copper Hair Dye Permanent.
  • 8 Clairol Nice n Easy Mahogany.
  • 9 John Frieda Precision Foam Colour, Medium Burgundy
  • 10 Schwarzkopf Live Colour Permanent Ultra Violet.
  • 11 Garnier Olia Intense Copper Hair Dye Permanent.
  • 12 Revlon Colorsilk Bright Auburn.
  • 13 Garnier Nutrisse Vibrant Red Hair Dye Permanent.
  • 14 TOP PICK!
  • 15 Garnier Olia Intense Copper Hair Dye Permanent.
  • 16 Red hair dye FAQs
  • 17 What’s the most vibrant red hair dye?
  • 18 Is red hair high maintenance?
  • 19 What brand of red hair dye lasts longest?
  • 20 Why is my red hair dye washing out?
  • 21 How often should you touch up red hair?
  • 22 Parting words.

What is red hair?

Fiery, fierce, sexy and luxurious, red hair is more than a hair colour idea, it’s an attitude.

It’s bold and brassy, it says ‘Hey!’ gets you noticed, and makes you feel fabulous. 

Whether natural or from a bottle, red hues are sought after colours.

It’s shimmering tones can brighten up your skin and make your eyes sparkle. What we love most about it is that there’s a colour for everyone.

Check out the latest looks for ideas and inspiration.

Which is the best hair red dye?

Should I dye my hair red?

If you want your hair to shine, your eyes to pop and your skin to glow then this hue could be right for you.

All it takes to find the right shade for you is to know your skin tones. Use our checklist below to find out more!

If you have cool undertones:

  • Your skin tone is pink or pale.
  • You blush easily!
  • Jewel and pastel colours are so your thing.
  • The colour yellow washes you out and does not look good on you.
  • You have blue not green veins in your wrist.
  • Pearls and silver jewellery look awesome on you.

Try cool red colours like Cherry, Mahogany, Deep rose, Burgundy.

If you have warm undertones:

  • You have red or golden tones in your natural hair.
  • Your skin tone is golden, tan or olive.
  • You might have freckles.
  • You have green not blue veins in your wrist.
  • You suit bright or rich shades better.
  • Gold jewellery looks awesome on you.

Go for warm red colours such as Strawberry, Copper and Auburn.

Which is the best hair red dye?

Cool reds

  • Cherry
  • Mahogany
  • Deep rose
  • Burgundy
  • Ultra Violet

Warm reds

  • Strawberry
  • Copper
  • Auburn
  • Vibrant red
  • Bright red

Can I dye my hair red at home?

You can! What we love about red is that it’s totally doable at home. You don’t have to be a professional hairdresser to dye your hair red.

But you should definitely take the time to do some research about how, when, and what type of colour works best for you before doing it yourself.

It can be tricky! You don’t want to end up with unsightly orange hair!

To get it right, the colour your hair is now of course comes into play. 

The lighter your hair, the pinker your red will be compared to a brunette who will experience darker and richer shades of red.

Always do a strand test before you colour your whole head to check what the colour will look like on your hair, compared to the picture on the box.

Which is the best hair red dye?
Which is the best hair red dye?
Which is the best hair red dye?

Which is the best red hair dye?

The first thing you need to know is that there are two types: semi-permanent and permanent.

Semi-permanent dyes usually last around six weeks before fading, while permanent ones will stay in your hair for up to 12 shampoos and can be removed with professional help.

Permanent dyes should only be used if you plan on dying your locks red long term because they’re not easy or quick to remove.

If you’re ready to get reddy – check out the best of the red at-home hair dyes to brighten your life today!

Best red hair dyes at a glance.

Hair dye.Looks likeBest forBuy it now
Clairol Nice n Easy Mahogany. Cool rich red brown.

Check it out on Amazon >>

John Frieda Precision Foam Colour, Medium Burgundy Cool red with a hint of purple.

Check it out on Amazon >>

Schwarzkopf Live Colour Permanent Ultra Violet. Cool dark red.

Check it out on Amazon >>

Garnier Olia Intense Copper Hair Dye Permanent. Warm copper shimmer.

Check it out on Amazon >>

Revlon Colorsilk Bright Auburn. Warm bright auburn shades.

Check it out on Amazon >>

Garnier Nutrisse Vibrant Red Hair Dye Permanent. Warm pillarbox red.

Check it out on Amazon >>

TOP PICK!

Garnier Olia Intense Copper Hair Dye Permanent.

Best for: On-trend copper shimmer.

Wow. This is a gorgeously bright and vivid colour and for us, with light brown dyed hair, it came out just like the box! It’s on the side of orange-red and will no doubt become more orange as it washes out. But we love it so.

The natural glints and richness of the copper is stunning and it’s a warm, almost golden-orange that made our skin look glowing too! This is the fave for us.

Cool red hair colours.

Clairol Nice n Easy Mahogany.

They say:

  • Natural & healthy-looking colour and shine.
  • Ideal for first time colourers.
  • Contains aloe Vera and oils to leave your hair feeling soft.
  • It blends into your hair to leave no visible root line.

How to Get Perfect Red Hair Color at Home | Clairol Nice 'n Easy

Reviewers say:

“This was the first time I dyed my hair and I chose this colour to give me a boost! The dye is not damaging at all and my hair was left in very good condition and very soft. The colour looks great and I’ve got lots of compliments so far!”

“I found this wasn’t as deep as the permanent colour but that’s to be expected. It’s still a lovely luxurious colour. It smelt lovely too.”

“I always recommend this colour to anyone who mentions it including at my hairdressers yesterday a woman mentioned what a beautiful colour and condition my hair was!”

We say:

We tried this out on natural medium brown hair as it’s more of a brown-red shade. It’s a semi-permanent dye and you only need to leave it on for 15 mins to get a good all over colour.

It came out brighter than we expected and redder than the colour on the box! It made our hair feel super soft too. If you have dyed hair already, leave it on for 10 mins longer to really lock the colour. 

Best for: Cool rich red-brown.

John Frieda Precision Foam Colour, Medium Burgundy

They say:

  • This violet-red hybrid looks wonderful against cool skin tones.
  • Non-drip foam, natural looking colour.
  • With nourishing after colour conditioner.

Hair colouring with Precision Foam Colour shade 5RV, Medium Burgundy

Reviewers say:

“I’ve been searching for a hair dye that covers my dark brown hair without turning it black. Seems like I’ve found it at last! I have used this today and I’m very pleasantly surprised!”

“This has been my favourite hair dye forever. It’s a really stunning colour, easy and quick to apply. Cannot recommend this product enough.”

We say:

This we tried on dark brown hair as it’s a darker colour with rich purple and blue tones. 

The foam is a revelation, so easy to apply and sinks into our hair to really penetrate it with colour. (You can find out more about why we love John Frieda Foam Precision Dyes here). 

The colour had real depth with multi-dimensional glints and really soft from the sweet smelling conditioner. It does become lighter after a couple of washes and starts to appear a lighter red than purple. 

Best for: Cool red with a hint of purple.

Schwarzkopf Live Colour Permanent Ultra Violet.

They say:

  • Shimmering purple with red undertones. 
  • Colour + Lift formula gently lightens up to 3 levels.
  • Adds vibrant colour in one step – simple!

Schwarzkopf #createyourstyle: How To Create Yourself With Violet

Reviewers say:

“I’ve used loads of different hair dyes in the past that haven’t given me result I’m after BUT the Ultra Violet is the best. It gives my very dark brown hair the colour and shine I want. Will be using this colour from now on. Thank you!”

“AMAZING HAIR DYE. I have dyed my hair so many different colours because I get bored easily. I was a dark brown and put one box of this colour on my hair and it turned out amazing.”

“Used on dark brown hair and it turned out so well! It’s one of the best hair dyes for dark hair I’ve ever tried!”

We say:

This is another one for dark hair so we tried on dark brown/black dyed hair. It’s easy to apply and we left it on for slightly longer so that the colour would really sink into our already dyed locks.

The results were fab! It’s almost a blackberry shade (also on-trend) and a deep, deep red that’s almost blue-purple in tone. This was our fave of the cool tones for darker hair. Grab at least two boxes if your hair is long.

Best for: Cool, dark red.

Warm red hair colours.

Garnier Olia Intense Copper Hair Dye Permanent.

They say:

  • Maximum colour performance.
  • Visibly improves the quality of hair.
  • Pleasant and easy application with optimal scalp comfort.

How to Apply Garnier OLIA | Hair Color 101 | Garnier Hair Color

Reviewers say:

“I used this dye 2 weeks ago.. It’s a lovely soft colour and not as vibrant as it looks on the box, it’s just right. I love that there is no ammonia smell or fizzing sensation on my scalp!”

“It is a beautiful colour that left my hair very shiny and feeling soft and gorgeous. Easy to use and doesn’t take too long either. I’d recommend it.”

“I wasn’t expecting it to be too bright as I have dark blonde/mousey brown hair. But it was! My hair has a lot of shine and when the sun hits it it’s so bright. Really pleased.”

We say:

Wow. This is a gorgeously bright and vivid colour and for us, with light brown dyed hair, it came out just like the box! It’s on the side of orange-red and will no doubt become more orange as it washes out. But we love it so.

The natural glints and richness of the copper is stunning and it’s a warm, almost golden-orange that made our skin look glowing too! This is the fave of the warm hair dyes for us.

Best for: Warm copper shimmer.

Revlon Colorsilk Bright Auburn.

They say:

  • This specially blended, permanent hair color formula includes our Revlon 3D Color Gel Technology, which deposits rich, dimensional color that looks natural and lasts.
  • Leaves your hair in better condition than before you coloured it.

How To Use ColorSilk Beautiful Color | Revlon

Reviewers say:

“I’ve been dyeing my hair red for yonks. I’ve tried other brands but I find  Revlon is always my go-to. The colour keeps really well and is and on my hair it’s close to the colour on the box”. 

“It’s so nice and vibrant! It lasts long and is easy to apply. I have long medium brown hair that’s quite thick so I use two packs.”

“I recently had my hair lightened and then I coloured it myself bright Auburn at home and I’m really happy with the results. I was aiming for a light brown but I changed my mind at the last minute and decided to try something totally different. SO glad I did!”

We say:

This is another fantastic vibrant shade. It lifted our dark blonde hair to almost a pale strawberry blonde. Our hair felt super silky with this and the conditioner is wonderful although we could’ve done with it being bigger as we used it all in one go.

As the reviews say, you’ll need two boxes if you have long or particularly thick hair. This is also on the orange-red spectrum although it’s not as golden as copper shades. It’s really bright for a couple of days but it does dull down.

Best for: Warm bright auburn shades.

Garnier Nutrisse Vibrant Red Hair Dye Permanent.

They say:

  • Permanent nourishing hair colourant allows you to dye your hair in the comfort of your home
  • Intensely nourishes and protects against hair dryness for up to 8 weeks.
  • Nourished hair means better colour (we agree with this!).
  • Cruelty free long lasting color.

How To: Dye your hair at home with Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Color Intense, Vibrant colour hair dye

Reviewers say:

“I’m always looking for dye that won’t leave my hair dry and feeling frizzy. After using this my hair was soft and the colour was beautiful!”

“My natural colour is dark brown and I should’ve used hair lightener before applying this colour but I skipped it because I’m impatient and applied it anyway! It looks amazing! It has a really glossy shine. Very happy.” 

“By far the best red hair colour I’ve ever bought. I usually get Manic Panic Vampire red but it’s so messy to apply. This is easy to apply and leaves hair in lovely condition – I’ve had loads of compliments from friends and family!”

We say:

This is the most vibrant red of the bunch. It’s a full-on perfect pillarbox red if your hair is already lightened. We used it on blonde hair and the result was a bold, block colour of fire engine red.

This colour is also fab for combining with darker colours for the ombre or balayage look. We might just give that a go!

Best for: Warm pillarbox red.


TOP PICK!

Garnier Olia Intense Copper Hair Dye Permanent.

Best for: On-trend copper shimmer.

Wow. This is a gorgeously bright and vivid colour and for us, with light brown dyed hair, it came out just like the box! It’s on the side of orange-red and will no doubt become more orange as it washes out. But we love it so.

The natural glints and richness of the copper is stunning and it’s a warm, almost golden-orange that made our skin look glowing too! This is the fave for us.

What’s the most vibrant red hair dye?

If you’re looking for a vibrant hue that will really turn heads, we’ve got just the color for you.

Our top pick is Loreal Paris Feria in Shade R57, a deep crimson, cherry shade that’s sure to get you noticed.

If you’re looking for something a little less intense, give Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color Creme in Shade 46 a try. This scarlet hue is perfect for those who want to add a touch of color without going too over-the-top.

As always, don’t forget to do a strand test to make sure there are no nasty color surprises!

Is red hair high maintenance?

Red hair has a reputation for being difficult to maintain. If you don’t treat it right, your red will fade quickly and turn brassy or orangey.

When you’re trying to look good, the last thing you want is your colour fading away after just one wash! You need something that’s going to keep your shade strong and vibrant all day long.

Always use specially formulated shampoos for coloured hair and colour-safe conditioners to keep the colour from being stripped by regular shampoo.

You can also try shampoos that contain red pigment to keep your colour fresh.

Having regular trims and not washing your hair too often should all be part of your coloured hair care routine.

Along with using a good deep conditioner once a week to nourish and moisturise your hair.

You can also check out our top tips to stop red hair from fading.

What brand of red hair dye lasts longest?

If you’re looking for a hair dye brand that will last longer than your average bottle, you’ll want to check out Garnier Nutrisse Ultra Color.

This permanent hair color actually penetrates the hair shaft to deposit rich, vibrant color from root to tip.

Plus, it’s enriched with avocado, olive, and shea oils to condition and nourish your hair.

So not only will your color last longer, but your hair will be softer and shinier, too!

Why is my red hair dye washing out?

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering “why is my color washing out?”, you’re not alone.

The truth is, there are a few reasons why red hair dye might not seem to stick around for as long as you’d like.

First of all, red is a notoriously tricky color to dye – it can be difficult to get an even color distribution, and the hue can fade quickly.

In addition, if your hair is on the lighter side, the red color may not show up as vividly as you’d like.

Finally, if you have any underlying warmth in your natural hair color, that can also cause red dye to fade more quickly.

How often should you touch up red hair?

The answer, of course, depends on how often you wash your hair, how vibrant you like your color, and what shade of red you’re rocking.

If you have an orangey hue, you’ll probably want to touch up your color more often than someone with auburn locks.

And if you’re washing your hair every day, you might need to dye it more frequently than someone who only washes their hair once or twice a week.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to experiment and find out what works best for your hair, but every 4-6 weeks is a good place to start.

Parting words.

If you’re looking for a hair colour that will make your eyes pop, suit everyone and last forever then red is the answer!

Red looks good in any season. Whether you want to hide grey hairs or give yourself an instant confidence boost without changing anything about your style, get involved with red hair dye today. Good luck!

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Which red hair dye lasts longest?

If you want a longer-lasting red hair color, go for auburn or red-brown shades. You can also pick red-toned shades such as copper, rust, and strawberry blonde.

What is the best permanent dark red hair dye?

Best Red Hair Dyes For Dark Hair.
Best For Salon-Like Results: Vidal Sassoon Ultra Vibrant Color – 6RR Runway Red. ... .
Best Nourishing Formula: Creme of Nature Exotic Shine Color – Intensive Red 7.6. ... .
Best Long-Lasting Formula: Splat Midnight Ruby. ... .
Best Ammonia-Free Hair Color: Adore Semi-Permanent Hair Color – 64 Ruby Red..

What red hair dye shows up on dark hair?

“Clients with natural dark hair look better with dark shades of red— for example, burgundy, dark burgundy, wine red, dark cherry, or reddish brown colors such as auburn,” he states.