If you’re looking to make a big change for the new year, look no further than red hair. Red hair is one of the most vibrant and coveted hair colors out there and for a good reason—it looks good on everyone! Whether you’re hoping to channel your inner red-hot vixen or just want a few copper highlights, we’ve got you covered.
We teamed up with Suzie Bond, L’Oréal Professionnel artists and master colorist, to bring you the hottest red hair colors of 2019.
Red Hot Red
What is red hot red hair color?
This crimson hue is a head turner and is perfect for anyone looking for a dramatic hair transformation in the new year.
“This shade is exactly what it sounds like: not for the faint of heart,” Bond says. “If you are looking for an all over show-stopping hair color, you’ve found the right one.”
To achieve this fiery color, Bond says your colorist will apply a permanent shade beginning at your roots and throughout your mane all the way to your ends. If you have naturally dark locks and are hoping to achieve a vibrant red hue, Bond says your colorist will likely have to pre-lighten your mane with bleach. It’s important to note that bleach will always cause damage, but a professional can help minimize the look and feel of said damage.
If you’re looking to take advantage of the red hot red hair color trend but aren’t ready for the maintenance of all-over color, Bond suggests highlights. Even though you may not be ready to go red hot red all over, Bond suggests adding a slightly red hue to your natural color to pair perfectly with your highlights.
“Highlights look best with a slight shift of your natural color to a red tone as well,” she explains.
How do you maintain red hot red hair color?
Red is a notoriously hard hair color to maintain, and a hue this vibrant is no exception. However, Bond assures us with the proper products and hair care routine you can keep your color looking as fabulous as the day you walked out of the salon.
First, Bond suggests swapping out your regular shampoo and conditioner with a system formulated to protect color-treated hair. The stylist recommends, the L’Oréal Professionnel Vitamino Color A-OX Color Radiance Shampoo and Conditioner and the L’Oréal Professionnel Vitamino Soft Cleanser. However, Bond says it’s not just the products you use that matter, but how you use them.
“Be sure not to shampoo more than every other day, alternate your Vitamino shampoo with Soft Cleanser, and turn the temperature down on your hot tools,” she explains.
Now that you’ve got your at-home hair care covered, it’s time to head back to the salon. Bond says you should plan to head back to the salon every four weeks to touch up your new growth and brighten your locks.
Copper Penny
What is copper penny hair color?
Think of copper penny as red hair for beginners. It’s just red enough to officially call yourself a redhead, without the heavy lifting of maintaining a fiery crimson hue.
“This soft venture into copper and copper brown is great for all the things: gray coverage, highlights, a soft semi-permanent enhancement,” Bond says.
In addition to being an excellent hue for just about any color service, copper penny also looks great on every skin tone.
“Soft coppers can be worn by every skin-tone,” Bond says. “The level of lightness or depth is where each person needs customization to make you look like you were born with it!”
If you have naturally light brown, deep blonde, or coppery locks, your colorist should be able to whip up your dream copper penny color in one sitting. If you have a more dramatic natural hue, it may take a few appointments before you walk out of the salon with perfectly copper penny strands.
How do you maintain copper penny hair color?
Copper penny may seem like a subtle hue, but it’s still a member of the red family which means it requires quite a bit of upkeep. First, we recommend swapping out your shampoo and conditioner for a system formulated for color-treated strands. We suggest the L’Oréal Professionnel Vitamino Color A-OX Color Radiance Shampoo and Conditioner.
Next, get comfortable at your hair salon because you’ll be back—a lot. We suggest heading back to the salon for a touch up every four to six weeks.
Copper Fire
What is copper fire hair color?
If you love copper penny hair and want to take it to the next level, copper fire hair is perfect for you. This quintessential red hue is guaranteed to multiply your compliments in the new year. However, this color isn’t for the faint of heart. Bond says the only way to do this color justice is to go completely red.
“Since this is a fashion statement choice, an all over color service is required,” she explains.
How do you maintain copper fire hair color?
The maintenance for this vibrant hue is very similar to that of red hot red. First, Bond suggests swapping out your regular shampoo and conditioner with a system formulated to protect color-treated hair. The stylist recommends, the L’Oréal Professionnel Vitamino Color A-OX Color Radiance Shampoo and Conditioner
To keep your color looking salon-fresh, Bond suggests heading back to the hair salon every four weeks.
“This color is best at a four-week salon visit for a retouch on new growth and refresher for the ends.”
Merlot
What is merlot hair color?
Merlot hair color is perfect for anyone who wants to go red for the new year but can’t imagine parting with their dark locks. The red wine inspired shade is a beautiful blend of rich brown, burgundy, and juicy cherry red. It also has the added benefit of being one of the most low maintenance red hair colors available.
This hair color is all about customization. If you want to add a subtle red hue to your dark brown locks, ask your colorist for burgundy and cherry red highlights or ombre. If you want your merlot hue to resemble a fruity sangria more closely, ask your colorist for an all-over deep cherry red.
How do you maintain merlot hair color?
Merlot is a relatively low maintenance hair color. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t have to tweak your hair care routine. We recommend swapping out your shampoo and conditioner for a system formulated for color-treated strands. We suggest the L’Oréal Professionnel Vitamino Color A-OX Color Radiance Shampoo and Conditioner.
While more vibrant shades of red typically require you to head back to the salon for a touch up every four to six weeks, if your natural hair color is close to merlot you can likely stretch the time in between appointments up to 12 weeks.
If you’ve chosen a dark brown merlot and your color gets a little brassy in between appointments, pick up a color depositing conditioner cream. The L’Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Color Depositing Cream For Brunettes will reduce brassiness while you wait for your next appointment.
Apricot Blonde
What is apricot blonde hair color?
Apricot blonde is the exact opposite of merlot: It’s perfect for anyone looking to go red who can’t imagine parting with their blonde locks. If you’re a natural blonde who’s always thought about going red, this shade is just for you. To achieve this hue, your colorist will hand paint subtle shades of reddish apricot atop your blonde locks.
If you’re not a natural blonde, your colorist will have to pre-lighten your locks with bleach, before whipping up your dream color. Even though bleach will always cause damage, a professional can help minimize the look and feel of said damage.
How do you maintain apricot blonde hair color?
Red and blonde are both tricky colors to maintain, but with the right products you can keep your color in tip-top shape. First, we recommend swapping out your regular shampoo and conditioner for a system formulated for color treated hair. We suggest L’Oréal Professionnel’s Serie Expert Blondifier Illuminating Shampoo and Conditioner. The shampoo and conditioner system gently cleanses, conditions, and emphasizes multidimensional shine of blonde hair.
Unless you’re a natural blonde, chances are good your colorist had to use bleach to achieve your color. While there is no way to avoid the damage caused by bleach, the right mask can minimize the look and feel of damage. We recommend the L’Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert A-OX Vitamino Color Hair Mask.
Whether you’re a natural blonde or one of the bottled variety, you should plan to head to the salon every four to six week for a touch-up. Both blonde and red shades are notorious for fading relatively quickly and frequent trips to the salon are the only way to ensure your color always looks its best.
Interested in a customized red hair color for 2019? Use our salon locator to book an appointment at a salon near you or download the Style My Hair app.
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