14 Different Shades Of Red Hair Color (+The Difference Between Them All)

So you want a new shade of burgundy hair color… or was it auburn? Maybe mahogany? There are so many different shades of red hair color… do you know the difference between them all?

There are so many ways to make the color red. Some tints have purple undertones, while others are more on the brown side. Some are natural-looking, and some are crazy colorful.

With all the different types of red hair colors that exist, it’s really quite easy to mix them up.

But as a professional hairstylist, I feel like it’s my duty to make sure that you know what the different shades of red hair dye are… so you can properly choose the best color for your needs.

Or maybe you already know all that but just want some red hair inspiration! This guide can help with that too!

So without further ado, here are the names of the 14 fiercest shades of red hair color… and how to tell the difference between them all!

💡TIP: Pin this article to your Hair Color board on Pinterest so you can always come back when you need some red hair color inspo! 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼

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Red Hair Color Chart

Let’s kick this post off with a fancy chart that depicts the different names of red hair color. You can even save it on Pinterest so you always have it on hand.

This gives you a general overview… but do keep reading to find out where the different shades come from and how to differentiate them all.

#1: Strawberry Blonde

The first shade we should talk about is also the lightest shade of red hair color. I’m talkin’ about strawberry blonde.

Technically, it’s considered to be blonde hair with red undertones… but it can also be considered to be a very light shade of red. Talk about versatility.

This color can be natural or even replicated in the salon.

To achieve this look, I’d suggest bleaching your hair to a light color and then using a red-based hair toner. But if you don’t want to go that far, you can also find permanent hair colors in this shade.

#2: Burgundy

Burgundy is a beautiful rich shade of reddish-purple that mimics the color of Burgundy wine.

And let’s just say that anything that resembles wine is A-OK to me! 👌🏼

#3: Maroon

Maroon is similar to burgundy but with more reddish-brown tones than purple.

It’s considered to be a light reddish-brown color but tends to have way more red pigment than brown.

#4: Copper

Copper hair is basically meant to look like the copper metal (surprise!) and is composed of red-orange tints.

But here’s the thing… this could look reminiscent of a bad dye job if done incorrectly. On the other hand, copper hair can be one of the richest, most beautiful shades of red hair color out there.

You just really need to make sure it looks more like Hayley Williams-esque hair than a bleach-job-gone-bad.

► TIP: Talk to your stylist about adding lowlights and dimension to give it a more finished look.

#5: Red-Orange

Red-orange hair can be pretty similar to copper hair but way more vibrant and with way more orange. Technically, it should be a shade of bright orange with just a hint of red hair color.

#6: Bright Cherry Red

Cherry red hair dye looks similar to maroon but with more purple undertones and less brown. It should be a dark, purplish shade of red… like the color of cherries.

#7: Natural Red

Did you know that only 2% of the world’s population has natural red hair?

Natural red color can vary from person to person but tends to usually look like the shade above. I will say that I’ve seen it range from dull brownish red to super vibrant dark red… and they’re all beautiful.

#8: Fire-Engine Red

This shade of red hair color should be very bright and vibrant; it should not look natural at all.

The downside is that it’s usually only possible with semi-permanent color lines, meaning it will wash out over time (although there are a few really good permanent lines out there).

Oh, and in case you were wondering about the name… it should be the same color as a fire truck.

#9: Deep Red

This is one of my personal favorite shades of red hair color.

Deep red is really just a dark, vibrant shade of reddish-brown. It’s usually more on the natural red side of the spectrum but should also be vibrant, bold, and rich.

#10: Mahogany

Mahogany is a rich, dark reddish-brown color with more red pigment than brown. It’s similar to deep red but lighter… and with more brown pigment.

Basically, it should look an awful lot like mahogany wood.

#11: Auburn

Auburn, like mahogany, is a mixture of red and brown hair color.

However, this color should be much lighter and much more natural-looking than mahogany. It should also be more brown than red… and maybe even a little on the orange side.

#12: Crimson Red

Wikipedia defines crimson red as “a strong red color, inclining to purple.” It’s quite similar to cherry red, but with more red than purple.

People often associate it with the color of blood (it can also be called blood red). It’s also worth noting that there’s some pretty heavy underlying symbolism tied to the color.

#13: Raspberry Red

This shade of red should is bright and cheerful, with pinkish undertones. Ultimately, it should look like the color of (you guessed it) fresh-picked raspberries.

#14: Titian

Last but not least… we arrive at titian.

This color is often confused with auburn, but it’s actually composed of a brownish-orange shade that looks “reddish,” whereas auburn actually has red in it. It should be very natural-looking yet bold and bright.

Like copper, dimensional highlights can be added to give titian hair a more finished look.

Bonus Section

For all you do-it-yourselfers, here are some bomb red hair colors you can try at home! Disclaimer: these range from semi-permanent to permanent… please make sure to read the description before purchasing.

Photo Credit: Amazon

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Photo Credit: Amazon

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Photo Credit: Amazon

Buy Now

Photo Credit: Amazon

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Photo Credit: Amazon

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FAQ

Final Thoughts

With all the different shades of red hair color that exist, it’s super easy to get lost. But after reading this post, you should have a foundational knowledge of the different types.

This guide is by no means the end-all-be-all. Hair color is a beautiful form of art; different colors can always be mixed together to create new shades or fun looks.

If you’re not comfortable doing your own hair, work with your hairstylist to formulate the perfect red hair color for you! You’re gonna rock it!

Until next time,

▶︎ YOUR TURN: Are there any other shades of red hair dye that I forgot? What’s your favorite color on this list? Drop your thoughts in the comments section below! 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼

RELATED:

• The Definitive Guide to DIY Hair Color
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• 17 Dye Jobs (That Will Make You Green With Envy)
• 21 of the Most Beautiful Hair Colors You’ll Ever See
• How To Use A Hair Toner For Brassiness (Step-By-Step Guide)

💡TIP: If you enjoyed this article, don’t forget to save it to your Hair Color board on Pinterest so you can always reference it when you need to! 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼