If you’re game for making a bold statement with your tresses this autumn, opting for a ginger hair color is an easy way. This fiery hue can be tweaked to complement any complexion—not to mention it blends in seamlessly with fall foliage and all those cozy sweaters.
Whether you’re looking to amplify your naturally reddish locks or completely transform your dark brown or platinum tresses, going ginger might just be your next color crusade.
For a hot take on this fall beauty trend, we’re describing the spectrum of ginger hair colors, helping you learn how to maintain the hue, and even showcasing some of our favorite shades.
What color hair is ginger?
Nope—you’re not the only one asking, “What is ginger hair color?” Putting your finger on this gorgeous, somewhat elusive hue is a little tricky. Slightly softer than the setting sun's red-orange color, ginger hair is an eye-catching tone that can stand on its own or be paired with subtle blonde highlights for a more dimensional style. You could even try it with darker roots for a more brooding twist.
Inherently, vibrant ginger locks require a certain amount of lift to achieve the best base for the color. If you have naturally dark hair, this means bleaching your strands before coloring them with ginger hair color dye. Bleach will always cause damage, but your stylist will work with you to ensure your hair looks and feels healthy before you leave the salon. Your hair pro also has access to high-quality lighteners that further preserve hair’s integrity during your service, like Redken’s Flash Lift Power 9 Bonder Inside, which offers up to nine levels of lift in just one application.
Good hair day by @limesalonbridgest
Is ginger hair red or orange?
We’d argue that ginger hair isn’t red or orange but rather a spectrum encompassing both shades. Ultimately, the specific ginger hair color you go with should suit your preferences and complement your complexion. For example, orange-y golden ginger hair colors work well on fair, cool skin, while a darker blend that leans more auburn is flattering on dark skin tones.
Is ginger a rare hair color?
The term “rare” is somewhat subjective, but in the scheme of all hair colors we’d say it’s definitely less common compared to brunettes, blondes, and rich black. Natural ginger hair color is even rarer—only one to two percent of people worldwide are born with this hair color.
Total Results Keep Me Vivid Shampoo + Conditioner Duo
A sulfate-free, duo that gently cleanses and conditions so hair color remains vivid
Color Last Deep Treatment Pack Multi Use Hair Mask
A deep treatment hair mask for colored, dull, or damaged hair.
Acidic Bonding Concentrate Intensive Treatment
An intensive acidic rinse-off treatment that helps reinforce weak hair bonds and repair damaged hair.
Color Fanatic Top Coat + Tone Red
A high-gloss red topcoat that restores shine and revives candy-apple and ruby-red tones in just 5 minutes.
Color Fanatic Top Coat + Tone Copper
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How do you maintain ginger hair colors?
Once you and your stylist get the right shade, you will want to amp up your hair care routine to avoid premature fading between salon appointments. The Matrix Total Results Keep Me Vivid Shampoo + Conditioner Duo are multi-protecting, sulfate-free formulas for color-treated hair that can help preserve your unique tone. Adding a moisturizing hair mask like Biolage Professional Color Last Deep Treatment Pack Multi Use Hair Mask and a bond-repairing treatment like Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Intensive Treatment to your routine can help keep your locks nourished and supple for weeks after your appointment.
Since red dye molecules are notorious for fading more quickly than other hair colors, we recommend keeping a pigment-restoring topcoat on hand. Pureology’s Color Fanatic Top Coat + Tone Red and Top Coat + Tone Copper are great options to refresh and restore your vibrant ginger color while adding brilliant shine.
If you are confused about identifying the best products for your new hair care routine, you can always ask your colorist for personalized advice. From touching up your roots every few weeks to arming you with a step-by-step care process, keeping the experts close is the best way to ensure the most flawless ginger hue.
The Prettiest Ginger Hair Colors to Try
Not sure which ginger hair color to go for? Let these 26 hues inspire your next salon visit!
Good hair day by @joshwoodcolour
Bright Auburn
Auburn can bring a darker feel to ginger, but it can also add an even more vibrant twist to natural ginger! Although this bright auburn may scream autumn leaves at you, it makes for a versatile statement color all year round.
Good hair day by @curl_iq
Strawberry Ginger
Looking for a more subtle way to wear ginger hair? Whether you choose soft highlights or transform blonde hair into a rosy dream, strawberry ginger offers an equally warm-toned alternative to bright auburn or sandy red.
Good hair day by @hairby_daisymckane
Electric Ginger
If orange tones are everything you want, this orange-tinted ginger promises an electric look without the color shock of neon orange.
Good hair day by @ledrewcostello
Golden Copper
Light brunettes don’t have to give up their tone for a gorgeous ginger shade! Channel your brown hair with a copper-toned ginger that complements medium to light skin.
Good hair day by @elshawndus
Deep Ginger
Splurge on a sultry twist to a traditional color with a mixture of dark and light tones. Deep ginger hair tiptoes to the redder side of the red-orange color, providing another option for ladies with darker skin tones to slay a standout look.
Good hair day by @creativeheadz_se
Metallic Ginger
Add a little shine to your new look with a metallic ginger hue! Warm tones balance out the platinum nature of metallic colors, bringing you an orangey ginger shade that doesn’t have to be limited to fair and cool-toned skin. Play up the metallic sheen with a dash of hair oil, like Shu Uemura Art of Hair’s Essence Absolue Nourishing Protective Hair Oil.
Good hair day by @salongk_leirvik
Golden Brown
For ladies who aren’t quite ready to completely give up their dark brown tones, this golden-brown and ginger mix offers a similar reddish effect on the darker end of the color spectrum. This shade can complement medium to dark skin and seamlessly blend into a brunette balayage.
Good hair day by @studioplayhelsinki
Fiery Ginger
This ginger hair color leans deep into the orange side of the spectrum, and we’re here for it. It’s definitely a bold hue, and we especially love it for fair, cool-toned complexions.
Red Ginger
Now for the other end of the spectrum with this red ginger hair color! Brilliant shades of red tones make this hue the perfect option for fall. We love it for darker complexions.
Good hair day by @ohlucyy
Cinnamon and Ginger Spice
Why opt for only one spice when you could play with two? The more flavor, the better! This combination of cinnamon and ginger makes for the perfect fall ‘do.
Good hair day by @leohairartist
Ultra-Dark Ginger
Craving a moody hue for fall? This dark ginger hair color might just be what the colorist ordered!
Good hair day by @alextreyhair
Copper Balayage
Talk about a copper dream! This gingery balayage blends shimmery copper with deep auburn and orange.
Good hair day by @voodouliverpool and @meganniccollshair
Two-Toned Ginger
If you can’t choose between pink and orange for your ginger hair color, go ahead and choose both. The pastel colors perfectly complement each other and are not just limited to springtime.
Good hair day by @taylerdoeshair_
Dark to Light Ginger
We love the dimension of a darker ginger root that gets lighter as it stretches to the ends. Not only is it gorgeous, but it’s also less upkeep for those who have naturally dark hair.
Good hair day by @gabby_does_hair_
Red Velvet Ginger
Bring on the red dye! This rich red velvet hue will have heads turning this autumn. For more dimension, have your colorist incorporate subtle ribbons of slightly lighter and darker red throughout.
Good hair day by @kate_edwardsandco
Light Ginger
Calling anyone with light blonde to medium brown hair! This light ginger hair color allows you to keep that pale aesthetic while still having fun with a warmer tone for fall.
Good hair day by @simone.di.fazio
Muted Ginger Streaks
For those who want to keep things more natural looking, try on this subtle combination of muted ginger and auburn streaks. The lighter face-framing pieces add dimension and brighten up your skin.
Good hair day by @tousledbeauty
Auburn with Golden Money Piece
Raise your hand if you’re craving some serious contrast. A base of dimensional deep gingery auburn paired with golden money pieces will help you scratch the itch.
Good hair day by @angela_doeshair
Ginger Highlights
Not quite ready to commit to all-over ginger? Have your colorist weave in subtle ribbons of this reddish hue into your existing hair color. This trick works brilliantly for all bases, from deep black to light blonde.
Good hair day by @beautybybrittanymcentire
Multidimensional Copper
Here’s another way to keep your ginger hair more subtle. Ask your colorist to incorporate a mix of copper, blonde, and brunette for a truly multidimensional shade that's as brilliant as it is beautiful.
Good hair day by @adina_pignatare
Ginger with Beachy Texture
Apply a few spritzes of texturizing spray like Redken’s Dry Texture Finishing Spray (formerly known as Triple Dry 15 Dry Texture Finishing Spray) to your mane to show off the dimension in your ginger shade.
Good hair day by @mbrkl324
Cayenne Ginger
Talk about red hot! If you’re itching to give this shade a whirl, be sure to ask your colorist about Redken Shades EQ Hair Gloss in 08C Cayenne + 05C Chili.
Good hair day by @zoewarren22
Dark Ginger Beer
Ginger beer hair color is a perfect blend of vibrant ginger and deep brown, creating a color that is both warm and vibrant.
Good hair day by @slim_color
Gingerbread
Similar to the spicy treat, the base of a gingerbread hair hue is a deep, warm brown expertly mixed with spiced cinnamon and auburn hues. The result is a rich brunette hue with a warm ginger glow.
Good hair day by @live_love_dohair
Root Smudge Ginger
Ask your stylist about root smudging to ensure a seamless grow-out from ginger hair color. This technique helps eliminate any lines or streaks to give your strands the most natural-looking and long-lasting color possible.
Good hair day by @christina.carbonsalon
Ginger and Rose Gold
A dreamy fusion of ginger and rose gold offers a more natural take on this fantasy hair trend.
Interested in trying ginger hair color? Hair.com has all the salon-quality products you need to maintain the trending hue.
Total Results Keep Me Vivid Shampoo + Conditioner Duo
A sulfate-free, duo that gently cleanses and conditions so hair color remains vivid
Color Last Deep Treatment Pack Multi Use Hair Mask
A deep treatment hair mask for colored, dull, or damaged hair.
Acidic Bonding Concentrate Intensive Treatment
An intensive acidic rinse-off treatment that helps reinforce weak hair bonds and repair damaged hair.
Color Fanatic Top Coat + Tone Red
A high-gloss red topcoat that restores shine and revives candy-apple and ruby-red tones in just 5 minutes.
Color Fanatic Top Coat + Tone Copper
A high-gloss red topcoat that restores shine and revives copper and copper red tones in just 5 minutes.
Essence Absolue Nourishing Protective Hair Oil
A moisturizing hair oil that adds shine and softness.
Dry Texture Finishing Spray
Texturizing spray for all hair types that adds soft texture and lightweight volume for effortless style.
