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25 Red Hair Color Ideas You Need To Try Right Now

These looks are actual 🔥.

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Here’s the thing about red hair: Even though it’s one of the prettiest hair colors out there (l mean, have you looked at your Insta feed lately?), it’s also a maaaajor commitment. “Red is the hardest color to maintain and also the hardest color to get rid of,” says Olivia Casanova, colorist at IGK Salon in New York, which means you’ll probably want to think twice before you scrap those dark-blonde highlights you’ve been getting all year. But if your heart is set on red—and, TBH, I don’t blame you—you’ll want to (A) make sure you have a color-safe, sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to keep your shade nice and vibrant at home, and (B) take plenty of inspo pics to your appointment, since there's no such that as a single red shade. That's why I rounded up the 25 prettiest red hair ideas (seen on the heads of Zendaya, Emma Roberts, Lucy Hale, and more) that'll flatter virtually every skin tone and hair texture, ahead.

1

Zendaya's Cinnamon Red Hair

71st Emmy Awards - Arrivals
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One of Olivia's favorite shades of red, Zendaya's cinnamon red hair color is "versatile enough for everyone to wear." When it comes to maintaining this hue, Olivia suggests seeing your colorist for "regular glosses to keep your color vibrant and rich."

2

Madelaine Petsch's Medium Red Hair

2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones - Arrivals
John Shearer//Getty Images

Madelaine Petsch—aka Cheryl Blossom on Riverdale—is excellent inspo for future redheads. Her rich, medium-toned hue (which, BTW, is 100 percent natural) is a smart way to test drive red hair before you commit to something too dark or too light.

3

Zoey Deutch's Dark Red Hair

77th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals
Daniele Venturelli//Getty Images

Not quite red but not quite brown, Zoey Deutch's hair color is perfect for natural brunettes looking to switch things up. Have your colorist use a shiny red gloss to bring out the natural red undertones in your hair. Or, better yet, DIY it with a tinted hair mask or at-home gloss.

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4

Kate Bosworth's Honey-Red Hair

Kate Spade - Front Row & Backstage - September 2018 - New York Fashion Week
Desiree Navarro//Getty Images

A bit warmer than your typical strawberry blonde, Kate Bosworth's honey-red hair is such a dreamy color for spring and summer. As with any blonde hue, keep in mind you'll need to see your colorist regularly to maintain this one (which, IMHO, is beyond worth it if your color looks this good).

5

FKA Twigs' Red Hair With Dark Roots

2019 MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals
Aaron J. Thornton//Getty Images

Not ready to commit to all-over red hair? Take a cue from FKA Twigs and try this two-toned shade. Dark, contrasting roots and vibrant, red ends will make for a super-cool (and easy-to-grow-out) look.

6

Sophie Turner's Burnt-Copper Red Hair

An Evening Honoring Louis Vuitton And Nicolas Ghesquiere
Taylor Hill//Getty Images

Sophie Turner bounces between red and blonde hair regularly, but this burnt, coppery-red shade is definitely one of her best. It's rich enough to really make a statement, but it doesn't wash out her fair skin. Consider this shade as a no-brainer for all skin tones.

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7

Lucy Hale's Rose-Gold Red Hair

Premiere Of Universal Pictures' "Truth Or Dare" - Arrivals
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Even though Lucy Hale has been sticking to her deep, chocolate-brown hue lately, she's definitely (and successfully!) tested out red hair a number of times. This rose-gold shade made for the prettiest blend of pink, red, brown, and blonde when she had it.

8

Julianne Moore's Auburn Red Hair

"Les Miserables" Red Carpet - The 72nd Annual Cannes Film Festival
John Phillips//Getty Images

It doesn't get much more classic than Julianne Moore's auburn red hair. The actress' signature hair color is the perfect middle-ground between brown and red, meaning it's a super wearable shade.

9

Jessica Chastain's Ginger Red Hair

Premiere Of Warner Bros. Pictures' "It Chapter Two" - Arrivals
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Looking for a true ginger shade? Screenshot this pic of Jessica Chastain and tell your stylist you want something rich, glossy, and vibrant.

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10

Julianne Hough's Rich Red Hair

2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones - Arrivals
John Shearer//Getty Images

There's no makeup look you can't pull off with fiery red hair—and, yes, that includes brick-red lipstick à la Julianne Hough. Don't forget to tint your eyebrows to really bring this red hair color to life.

11

Rihanna's "Little Mermaid" Red Hair

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Don’t @ me, but Rihanna is one of the few celebrities who can pull off a spectrum of red-hair looks, including bright, fire-engine red to subtle auburn. My theory: If you’re confident enough to wear it, you’ll look good no matter what.

12

Emma Roberts' Creamy Red Hair

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Equal parts peach and goal, this orangey-pink shade (as seen on Emma Roberts) is perfect for blondes who want to play in the ginger family. To maintain the ultra-light shade, try rinsing with Muvo’s Ultra Rose shampoo between salon visits.

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13

Lily Collin's Black-Cherry Red Hair

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Lily Collin’s multidimensional, black-cherry shade adds a little warmth to her complexion while bringing out her hazel eyes. To maintain a vibrant hue like hers, try using a hair glaze like Bumble and Bumble Bb. Color Gloss in Universal Red that will keep your shade looking super vivid.

14

Lana Del Ray's Warm Red Hair

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Despite red not being Lana Del Ray’s natural hair color (we may never know what it truly is, TBH), this cinnamon shade perfectly complements the warm undertones in her skin, as if she really were born with it.

15

Nicki Minaj's Candy-Apple Red Hair

Monse - Front Row - September 2018 - New York Fashion Week: The Shows
Dia Dipasupil//Getty Images

If you want to make a statement, try a bold, bright-red shade like Nicki Minaj’s, which looks almost as shiny as a polished apple. Annoyingly, red dye typically fades faster than other colors, so try extensions (aka a wig) for a fun, longer-lasting option.

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16

Karen Gillian's Copper Red Hair

Celebrities Visit SiriusXM - December 13, 2018
Cindy Ord//Getty Images

Even if you aren’t a natural redhead like Karen Gillian, you can still maintain the charade with a tinted conditioner (try Davines Alchemic Conditioner Red) that leaves your hair with a wash of red each time you use it. Not only will it intensify your color, but it’ll also add much-needed hydration.

17

Emma Stone's Warm-Ginger Red Hair

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Emma Stone’s medium-tone ginger is one of the more natural-looking shades on the spectrum. The key? Uh, having a team of professional colorists on hand, but also having a mix of cool brown tones scattered within the reds to neutralize brassiness.

18

Madeline Brewer's Smoky Red Hair

CFDA / Vogue Fashion Fund 15th Anniversary Event
John Lamparski//Getty Images

To get hair that looks rich—ahem, Madeline Brewer’s—and not brassy, look for shampoos or conditioners that neutralize orange tones (if that’s not your thing) and prevent fading. I love Matrix’s Brass Off system for both natural and color-treated hair.

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19

Keke Palmer's Burgundy-Red Hair

10th Annual Shorty Awards - Arrivals & Pre-Show
Noam Galai//Getty Images

Bold burgundies naturally look great against darker skin tones, since they add a bit of contrasting brightness to your skin. Want to try the trend without fully committing? Try faux locs like Keke Palmer’s as an alternative to a bleach-and-dye job.

20

Ellie Kemper's Brown-Red Hair

Celebrities Visit SiriusXM - May 30, 2018
Taylor Hill//Getty Images

Ellie Kemper’s brown-red shade automatically gives her fair skin a warm glow, as if she just took a quick nap on the beach (as we all oft do). Although Kemper says she used to use her red shade to “charm people and get free desserts,” you can use yours as a built-in bronzer. Or to get free desserts—I’m not judging.

Headshot of Ruby Buddemeyer
Ruby Buddemeyer

Ruby was the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covered beauty across print and digital. Her work has appeared on The Zoe Report, Fashionista, and StyleCaster. Follow her on Instagram

Headshot of Janell M. Hickman-Kirby

Janell M. Hickman-Kirby is a writer and editor based in New York.

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