How to Determine Which Shade of Red Hair Color is Best for You

How to Determine Which Shade of Red Hair Color is Best for You

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Some of you have known me a long time. And I mean a - Really. Long. Time. College. High School(s). Jr. High School(s). Middle School(s). Elementary School(s) and *gasp* before that even. (My family moved around a lot as a child, many, multiple schools.) Sometimes I feel like I left a trail of friends all over. Thankfully Facebook has allowed me to get back in touch with a lot of my friends from my many different lives. But I digress...

Then again, some of you are visiting me for the very first time. Hello and Welcome! I am Melissa, and if you are interested, you can find out a little more about me here.

Either way, I am glad to have you here! 

The point of all of this?  I have a secret to tell you. For some, it isn't so much a secret, it will mean memories. :)

My hair has been so many colors, 'Rainbow Bright' could be an accurate nickname. I used to color my hair. And I mean a lot. Pick a color, I probably dyed my hair it at least once. Red. Jet Black. Blonde. Purple. Burgundy. And many, many shades in between. Highlights, Lowlights, you name it, my hair hath seen it.  

Fast forward about a dozen or so years, and these days, my hair is natural. Dark with a skunk-like white streak through my right side. But let me tell you, the urge is there to color it again. I am not sure if that ever goes away. Just a little red maybe? I loved being a red-head!

So if you are in the mood to add some red tones, Fall is a perfect time to try some red hues! If you’ve ever fantasized about being a redhead, here are some basic tips to help you find your perfect shade.

First, decide if your skin has warm or cool undertones. Hold a piece of white paper up to your face:

• If your skin coloring appears to be pink, you’re cool.
• If it appears yellow or olive, you’re warm.

You can also look to the color of your eyes:

• If you have brown eyes, warmer colors will compliment you more. Choose golden and coppery red shades.
• If your eyes are light, like blue or green, choose a cooler red with mahogany or deep chestnut undertones.

Fair skin: A light strawberry blonde is beautiful.  Avoid mahogany tones that pale your already fair skin.

Medium skin: You can handle a deeper red, because there is more tone in your skin.  A medium coppery light brown or auburn shade would be gorgeous. Avoid wine shades that bring out yellow in the skin.

Dark skin: Go with a dark auburn to a mahogany red or a rich, chestnut brown. Avoid intense shades of red, as they can bring out subtle green undertones in dark skin.

A few things to consider when going red:

• Watch out when coloring over existing color. It could effect the tone and depth of the red you desire. Do a strand test before coloring all over.
• Add a gloss between colorings to keep your red vibrant. You can choose a clear gloss or a tinted one that will wake up and extend your color.
• Red color tends to fade more quickly, so it’s essential that you use a shampoo and conditioner formulated for color treated hair, such as Madison Reed's Madison Reed nourishing, color enhancing shampoo and conditioner set, to protect and extend your color.

Right now get 50% off your first purchase at Madison-Reed.com with the code FALLHAIRCOLOR.

(All posts may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.)