Fall is here, and it is the best time to try warm, red colors for your hair this year.
This is the season for change. Everything around us is going through a physical change, including the sun’s position, the trees, the grass, the weather, people’s attitude, their daily routines, and more.
So why not your hair too?
From the subtle burgundy to the vibrant copper tones, there is a red hair color that will fit your vibe this year. So let’s explore those colors and see which formulation is best for you.
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Why Is Red A Popular Hair Color For The Fall?
Matches the Fall Vibes
Red hair color is popular in the fall for many reasons. For most, it matches the fall vibes of the leaf colors on the trees. You will see red, copper, light brown, and green hues of color when the tree leaves change during this season. But there is a reason why the leaves change.
When fall starts, the leaves are getting less direct sunlight, which causes the chlorophyll in the leaves to break down. Chlorophyll is a natural compound found in leaves that gives them energy from the sun and their healthy green pigment.
Since the sun is lower to the equator during the fall season, the trees aren’t exposed to direct sunlight as they would in the spring to summer seasons. This causes the leaves to turn into those beautiful shades of reds, oranges, and yellows.
These colors inspire the fall color trends that are used in many things: including our hair color, nail color, flannel jackets, shoes, hats and accessories, home decor, landscape, indoor and outdoor interiors, and more.
Lower UV Rays In the Fall Won’t Fade Your Hair Color
Speaking of the sun, red hair color is a great choice to have during the autumn season because less direct sunlight (UV rays) won’t fade your color as fast in other seasons.
The Ultraviolet Radiation (UV rays) are the highest during the spring and summer seasons and are the lowest during the fall and winter seasons. High UV rays will break down the chemical bonds in your hair color and cause it to fade faster.
That’s why vibrant hair colors last longer during the fall and winter seasons than in the spring and summer. But with proper color haircare, you can keep the vibrancy of any hair color all year long.
6 Most Popular Red Hues To Look For?
1. Burgundy Hair Color
Burgundy is a dark red, wine hair color. It is perfect if you want a darker red hue that is subtle, yet trendy. Most go for burgundy when they want a simple hair color change.
Depending on the color formulation, burgundy can look more red or purple. Color formulation can range from levels 1-5. Level 1 will be the darkest while level 5 will be the lightest.
Most will have red and violet tones: RV or VR. Know that the first letter will be the dominant pigment when it comes to color formulations. So with RV, there will be more shades of red than violet. As with VR, there will be more shades of violet than red.
It all depends on the look you are going for. But both will give you a pretty burgundy color for the fall to match your flannel jackets and UGG boots.
Clara on Instagram looks awesome in this burgundy hair color. 😍
2. Red Hair Color
Red hair color can range with different levels and hue combinations. It can be as subtle or drastic as you want it to be. Most choose to go red for a drastic change.
They want the attention-grabbing hair color that will boost their confidence, add to their sexy, and match their fall outfits. Think of the rapper Sexxy Red.
You can find a red hair color that ranges from levels 5 – 10. Level 2 will be the darkest, while level 10 will be the lightest and most vibrant. There’s R, RR, and RRR. The difference between the three is the intensity levels of the red hues.
The more Rs in the formula, the more intense the red is going to be. Or think of it as how vibrant you want your hair color to be. This collage of black women in bright, vibrant red hair is literally my fav. The richness in the color makes curly hair pop on another lever.
3. Wine Red Hair Color
Wine red hair color is a mix of reds, purples, and dark chocolate browns that’s close to resembling burgundy. The difference between wine red and burgundy is the color formulation.
This color will have a variation of reds and browns and some hints of violet. It’s visibly richer than burgundy which can sometimes look one-dimensional.
Whereas wine red can look multi-dimensional with the mixed color formulation. The result will look richer, due to the warm browns mixed in the color.
The levels can range from 1 – 6. 1 will be the absolute darkest, while 6 will be the lightest. You can find color formulations like W, WR, RW, BRW, RBW, RVW, and more. W is wine, R is red, B is brown, and V is violet (purple).
If you are a professional hair colorist, you can manually create your own wine red with a basic R, V, and W if you have the individual colors on hand.
Hairstylist Joya did the thing with this wine color formulation. I love how the light highlights the highs and lows of this color.
4. Auburn Hair Color
Auburn hair color is a reddish brown color that is a mix of red and brown tones. Depending on the color formulation, it can be more red than brown, or more brown than red. Depending on your skin tone, you should go for a formulation that will best compliment your complexion.
Most chose this color to give them an out-of-the-box red that’s different from the others. Those who are looking for a red tone that’s not basic or give cookie-cutter vibes, choose auburn as their hair color.
This color can range in levels 2 – 7. Level 2 will be the darkest while level 7 will be the lightest. When it comes to auburn, the color formulation can be tricky.
You will see IR, RN, and RG. I is iridescent, which is a pearl color that’s highly reflective with a metallic finish. N is a neutral color that has zero predominant warm or cool tones.
This gives a true brown color. While G is gold, which has a lot of warm yellow tones. When you mix these colors with a red tone, it can create a variation of reds that will give a reddish-brown auburn look.
5. Copper Hair Color
Copper hair color will remind you of a penny. It’s a reddish-orange color that is very vibrant. Most are more orange than red, but as we said before, it all depends on the color formulation.
Those choose this color when they want a vibrant, drastic, and daring change. They are not afraid to be different and have lots of confidence to sport it.
This color is definitely a show-stopper and attention-grabber. So if you are modest and shy, this color can either help bring you out of your shell or cause unwanted attention. You can find this color in levels 3 – 8. For a vibrant copper, choose a level 6 – 8. Anything lower than level 5 will be subtle.
The color formulations can range from C, CC, RC, CR, CG, and CM. While C and CC will give you the truest form of copper, RC will have more red tones than orange copper. CG will give you more orange and yellow tones, while CM will give you orange and warm mahogany tones.
Look at how this color compliments Katarina on Instagram so well.
6. Ginger Hair Color
Ginger is a hair color that has orange-reddish tones and resembles copper but has more orange to brown tones than red. Some have neutral tones that create a light brown and orange tone.
Most will say that ginger is the sweet spot between having blonde and red hair at the same time and I agree. This popular hair color has been trending for a while and I don’t think it’s going away any time soon.
Those who choose ginger want something completely different from the average red hue. Some color formulations give it that strawberry blonde look, but note that the two are not the same.
Strawberry blonde has an ash, cool tone while ginger has a neutral to warm tone. Most ginger colors range from levels 5 – 10, depending on how subtle or drastic you want your color to be. The formulations are NG, GC, and RG.
I must note that everyone has their own view of what ginger is. So you may find already-made ginger color formulations that are actually copper formulations. So you might see RC, CG, and CM marketed as ginger colors as well.
Since they are so similar in tones, ginger, and copper can be mistaken for each other. Which is fine, but know that ginger and copper are not the same. But are in the same hue family.
I love how this ginger hair color and haircut suits Amari on Instagram’s facial features. You can really see the orange hues in this picture.
How To Keep Red Hair Vibrant Between Salon Visits?
Use red color-protecting shampoo
To maintain your beautiful red hair color, use a color-protecting red shampoo every time you shampoo your hair. This specially made shampoo has red pigment in it to deposit red hues on your hair to keep it vibrant and fresh.
It helps your hair stay red longer by closing the cuticles after shampooing and before conditioning. This keeps your hair from fading and stripped away from outside elements like the sun and hot water.
Keracolor Clenditioner
Punky Colour 3-in-1 Color Depositing Hair Cleanser & Conditioner
Quantum Colors Color Replenishing Shampoo
Rinse with warm to cool water
Always remember to wash your hair with lukewarm water instead of hot water. Hot water will open the hair cuticles and rinse away the red color deposits on your hair.
You will see red-colored water in the sink or the tub running down the drain when using hot water. That’s your hair color literally going down the drain.
This results in dullness and breakage of the hair due to the cuticles being open and exposed. Using lukewarm to cool water to shampoo your red hair won’t open the hair cuticles as much as hot water will. This will help preserve the red deposit on your hair and keep it looking vibrant and shiny.
Use a Hair Mask
Just like a red depositing shampoo, using a red depositing hair mask will replenish any red hues that were lost during the shampoo phase and close the hair cuticles. Most color-depositing hair masks will condition the hair, give it moisture, and shine, and most importantly, keep your hair as lively as ever.
Make sure to use a color deposit that matches the red hue of your hair. Now that more red depositing shampoos and conditioners exist, you have the option of buying burgundy, red, auburn, and copper.
Use a moisturizing leave-in conditioner
After using a color-protecting shampoo and conditioner, finish off by using a moisturizing leave-in conditioner to keep the hair hydrated and protected. Coloring your hair can put a strain on your hair, which causes more dryness and breakage.
Help keep your hair and your color protected by using a leave-in repair, and protect your hair strands, seal your cuticles, and give your red hair the shine it deserves.
I hope this helps my love.
– Much love, Ash ❤️
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