Red and black hair styles are when black hair is colored red, exposing some black hair. The most common ways to color black hair red are by highlights, ombres, and balayage. This color style is a new creative solution to transforming a simple black mane. Women all over-utilize this modern color match to accomplish a romantic, dramatic look with great depth and perspective. All you need are red-streak designs or a multi-color scarlet ombre to own a bold or soft look, depending on how you wear this blend. Also, don’t forget to consider a shade that will suit your complexion, and take note of the maintenance reds will require!
Before your next hair appointment, check out these trendy photos of red and black hair color ideas!
Dynamic red and black layers and texture
Instagram #1: Dynamic Red and Black Layered Waves. This striking hairstyle features shoulder-length layered waves with rich red highlights woven into deep black hair, creating a vibrant contrast. Ideal for medium to thick hair types, this cut enhances volume and movement, perfect for round or oval face shapes. Styling requires a curling wand for defined waves, while a heat protectant ensures hair health. The unique color blend adds personality and depth, making it a standout choice for anyone looking to refresh their look with a bold statement.
Long curls with bold highlights
#2: Bold Long Curly Hair with Red Highlights. This striking hairstyle features long, voluminous curls with vibrant red highlights that create a stunning contrast against darker locks. The curls add texture and movement, perfect for round or heart-shaped faces. With medium to high hair density, this look requires regular styling with curl-enhancing products to maintain bounce. The unique red highlights can frame the face beautifully, making it an eye-catching choice for those wanting to express their personality through their hair.
Face-framing drama
#3: Bold Red and Black Hair with Face-Framing Highlights. This striking hairstyle features medium-length hair with a layered cut that adds movement and texture. The bold red and black color combination offers a dramatic contrast, while face-framing highlights soften the look, enhancing the model’s features. Ideal for medium to thick hair types, this style works well with various face shapes, especially oval and heart shapes. Consider using a smoothing serum to maintain shine and reduce frizz, ensuring the colors pop beautifully.
Brown-red warmth and glamour
#4: Brown Red and Black Hair. This one’s a charming take on sweet, rosy red highlights against dark black hair. Notice how beautifully the red-brown hair highlights complement the black hue of the base to accentuate the waves, making them look soft yet glamorous!
Y2K-inspired bold stripes
#5: Y2k-Inspired Black and Red Skunk Stripes. This red and black highlight, inspired by the Y2K style, is a fun throwback to the early 2000s. This particular color combo is bold and fun. To maintain this color, wash your hair with cool water. Use professional products suitable for colored hair. Also, regular visits to your stylist are needed for color refresh.
Deep tones and glossy finish
#6: Black Cherry Cola Color. You must try this black cherry cola color if you’re partial to deep red tones. The contrast is stunning and looks cute on simple wavy hair.
Mid-length ombre and melt
#8: Jet Black and Red Ombre on Mid-Length Hair. If you already have naturally dark hair and want to incorporate fire into your look, this red and black hair melt is for you! This ombre hair color is easy to maintain when you keep the shade low and close to the ends.
Two-tone blocks and maintenance tips
#9: Two-Toned Red and Black Color Block. A two-toned red and black color block is the latest trend in dyeing your hair. If you decide on this look, avoid washing your hair in hot water. It will keep your color fresh and avoid color bleeding.
Half-and-half statements
#10: Half Black Half Cherry Red Long Hair. Half black, half cherry red long hair is a fun, edgy way to invest in your style. To have a half-and-half, your hair should be able to take red tones and lift for red tones. Ask your stylist if a half-and-half color is right for you.
#11: Red Balayage with Black Roots. If you are looking for a sultry dark look this season, you can always count on a black to red ombré for a showstopper. My best advice is to start this with a double process, lifting mids and ends with foilayage. And when nearly ready, apply a demi-permanent root color rinse and blow dry. Following this step, mix a custom red tone and allow to process for best longevity and tonality. The next appointments will be depositing color and no lifting. So, the cost and time will be much less than the first initial appointment.
Dip-dye and straight-line contrast
#12: Black Hair with Red Dip-Dye. This black hair with red dip dye looks divine! Ladies with neutral and warmer skin tones can rock this hair color. Remember that the red strands need a little emphasis, especially if the locks are straight. Styling the ends with waves and curls will do the trick.
Curly drama and luxury products
#13: Black with Red Streaks for Curly Hair. Black and red streaks for curly hair are the ultimate contrast combo. With a darker base ombre, you will enjoy the low maintenance of having a vibrant color on the ends. However, the initial color service will require some bleaching. Celeb Luxury’s Viral Colorwash offers high-quality red shampoos. You can use them to keep the vibrancy of your red and black curly hair every week. The more often you use it, the more vibrant it remains.
Edgy split dye
#14: Red and Black Split Dye for Long Hair. Amp up the usual red-to-black ombre hair with this red and black split dye instead to achieve an edgy-looking style! Black and red shades complement each other very well. A trend like this isn’t for women who hate returning to the salon. It requires root touch-ups to maintain its funky style.
Balanced halves for straight hair
#15: Half Red Half Black on Straight Hair. Lovin’ this unique half-red, half-black hair? If you do, you must also be into some unique, rocking fashion trends! No matter what chop it pairs with, this color will surely bring out an eye-catching appearance. Jazz it up with a braid and create an outstanding style. This half red half black is a fun color created by stylist Oksana of New Zealand. It’s perfect for women who can’t decide which shade they want more. Also, keep in mind you can change the parting to however you want for a different look each time!
Such red and black hairstyles will suit most women. “However, this isn’t for women with naturally light regrowth; as they grow out, it would be harsher. A good color-safe shampoo and treatment helps. Use heat protection from those heated tools to protect the color,” Oksana advises.
Rose gold and warm highlights
#16: Beautiful Rose Gold Highlights on Black Hair. Do you want to amp up your medium black hair with highlights? This gorgeous blend of a super dark base and hand-painted rose gold pieces makes the style pop with contrast and depth. This red-black hair is an easy style to recreate and maintain.
Subtle edges and red tones
#17: Dark Red Highlights on Black Hair Color. If you wanna keep your natural hair yet add edge to it, consider putting pieces of dark red hair dye all over. They might not be visible at first glance, but they surely are effective in accentuating your waves and adding a little brightness to your black hair with red highlights.
#18: Dark Black Hair with Bright Red Highlights. Painting your black hair with flaming red highlights can have a truly stunning impression with the contrast it gives. It’s an easy way to get a taste of the redhead life without doing too much maintenance to keep it.
Rich and subtle undertones
#19: Intense Black with Auburn Highlights. Sometimes, going subtle with a red and black ombre hairstyle is the best way to go! Beautiful streaks of a reddish brunette or dark brown hue will lift the hair fabulously for a livelier look.
Natural roots with copper ends
#20: Black to Copper Red Ombre Hair. With the darkest at the roots and finishing up with vibrant tones at the ends, this red and black ombre hair is perfect for the woman who wants red hair but in a natural way. What’s great about this copper red ombre on black hair is that it allows the natural roots to grow without any harsh lines.
Maroon-red depth
#21: Maroon-Red Highlights on Black Hair. This deep red color inked on soft, shiny jet-black hair works awesomely on a freshly chopped lob or any haircut or length. If you’re willing to give your black and red hair the upkeep it needs, you’ll rock this one out!
Balayage and shine
#22: Two-Tone Black and Red Hair in Balayage. Two-toned black and red hair has a vibrant shade, especially with a spritz of shine spray. This two-toned hair is a rich red wine balayage on a black base with dreamy loose waves, a hair gem made by stylist Kaeleigh Burke of New Jersey. “Ladies, if you want some red in your long hair, first and foremost, this black and red balayage is a high-maintenance color! You will want to come in every 6 weeks for a glaze to refresh the color! You’re also going to want to wash your hair with cool water to keep your cuticle sealed and help that red not to run out,” Burke emphasizes. Only wash your hair 1-2 times a week to preserve the color, and use sulfate-free and silicone-free products. Use a dark pillowcase or sleep with a towel on your pillow so the red hair color won’t bleed. Burke adds, “Ask your stylist to make you a custom conditioner to use at home between visits!”
High-maintenance reds and root considerations
#23: Black to Wild Cherry Ombre. This is a red-to-black ombre with some balayage tendencies in how it blended out up top. The big chops contrast red and black and flat iron curls. Ladies need to keep in mind that this will be fairly high maintenance. Black contrasts highly with any regrowth that’s not also black. So, get the roots retouched periodically and the red if it fades. Take your stylist’s recommendation on where the red starts. Some face shapes look best, starting more at the temples, some at the cheeks, and others at the chin. Understand that what will make you look good might look different on someone else. Listen to your stylist and discuss with them what will be the best placement and shade of your black and red dyed hair.
Bright red on ash black
#24: Bright Red Highlights on Ash Black Hair. This is a cool ash black base color and pops of vibrant bright red highlights. “There’s a lot of contrast between the colors in this style,” says style creator Ashlyn Warren from Texas. This red and black hair color can be worn on all types of hair. Warren states, “Generally, it works best on women who like loud and bright colors! Vibrant tones such as these black hair highlights last longer on women who don’t wash their hair daily. As with any red hair color, use color-safe products when washing and styling!”
Fall-ready plum tones
#25: Reddish Purple Plum Babylights on French Roast Black. This black and red balayage hair is so much fun. It’s full of dimensions with hints of red and violet, giving the perfect purple plum color ideal for the fall. Although red and black hair styles look amazing and will make you stand out in a crowd, there is usually a lot of maintenance. This red hair with black roots tends to fade more quickly than natural colors, so be prepared to visit the salon every 4-6 weeks to keep it looking fresh.
Seasonal depth for brunettes
#26: Ginger Highlights on Black Hair. This black with red highlights is paired with a stacked A-line bob. The color is chocolate brown with auburn highlights. “This is great for brunettes wanting to add some depth and dimension to their color, especially for the fall season,” states Brooke Abbate, a stylist from Tulsa, OK. Abbate suggests, “Find an excellent stylist who will consult with you and find out what styles and colors will bring out your best features.”
Natural base with balayage accents
#27: Brownish Red Highlights on Natural Black Hair. This red balayage on black locks base color is the natural hair color. Highlights were added with a balayage technique, so it looks natural, and the growing out stages are not severe. The color is flattering on many skin types, and because it’s a balayage, it will look good as it grows. This is also great for ladies wanting red hair with highlights. I suggest that women considering this color must realize that red is one of the hardest colors to keep fresh-looking hair. It fades the fastest, so if you are considering it, you have to be willing to go in and get it refreshed every 6 to 8 weeks. This re-toning service is about an hour long. Also, if you tend to have red undertones in your skin, going red may not be for you.
Short and burgundy for punch
#28: Burgundy Highlights on Short Dark Hair with Side Bangs. This dark hair with dark burgundy highlights has an edgy, dimensional vibe, designed by hair artist Brandi Marie of Denver. The color is paired with layered short hair with bangs for extra spice. “The best part about it is the density of the red highlights on black hair. For ladies wanting these highlights for black hair, you need to be willing to invest in the right home care products to keep it bright and vibrant. Red and violet tones are high-maintenance. They are prone to fading faster than other colors. Use a color-safe shampoo with a color-depositing conditioner. Also, wash every second day at most and use cool water. It does make a difference. Plus, it wasn’t bleached prior to the hair coloring. It wasn’t the pretty blonde hair, nor was it blended. The best part about this red balayage on black hair is the seamless lines created, especially regarding natural vs. fashion colors. If your hair isn’t already bleached, I advise that you must be lifted pretty light for the colors to hold on to. Also, maintenance is a priority.”
Copper warmth and care notes
#31: Copper Highlights on Black Hair. These are warm, dimensional copper highlights on black hair! The natural base was kept for low maintenance, so stylist Britny Bassett of Virginia created a balayage. “This red and black tone isn’t good for all skin tones, so that’s a factor that should be discussed during a consultation,” Bassett points out. Red and copper tones tend to fade faster, so usually, you will need to return for toner appointments to keep it fresh. You’ll need to invest in products that are safe for colored hair. Shoutout to bright hair color lovers: this is a trend you don't want to miss. Black and red hair is so bold and so contrasting, it might be one of the most statement-making combos of 2023. Sure, rainbow hair has a spectrum of tones and blue hair is brimming with vibrancy, but when it comes to two-tone hair, black and red is an unmatched duo for an eye-catching finish.
Before you start mixing up your client's black and red hues, make sure you know their hair background. What's their natural hair color? Has their hair been previously lifted? Have any other hair dyes been used that could change the outcome of their shades? Creating balanced, vibrant reds requires getting the full lowdown on your client's hair history, so carry out a consultation to get all the details from your client. Opt for high-shine black tones to provide a strong base for red tones. An abundance of melanin in hair lengths results in a naturally dark color, which gives you the perfect base for a red and black hair creation. However, if your client doesn't already have dark hair, you can mix up a deep shade for them from the Wella portfolio. Just make sure you use a color product that promotes shine, so their hue doesn't appear flat. Glossy is the goal. For this we recommend a permanent hair color like Koleston Perfect 2/0, demi-permanent Color Touch 2/0 or semi-permanent Color Fresh 2/0. Make those red tones pop with bold placements, chunky highlights, or painterly balayage to craft two-tone looks that turn heads. The Vibrant Reds edit of hues in the Koleston Perfect and Color Touch collections have you covered. Meanwhile, Color Fresh CREATE in Next Red offers an unstoppably bold scarlet that suits all skin tones. For clients who want a boost of warmth and an injection of shine, you could also use the Shinefinity Color Glaze in 05/43 Hot Chilli, 06/43 Copper Sunset or 07/59 Strawberry Wine shades. This crown of curly hair highlights ruby red tones with a few black tendrils peeking through. It’s a Magma by Blondor creation, featuring alternating strokes of /65 and /44 for added dimension. The clever color lifts and tones in one so you get a vibrant shade in a single process, but Mayssa kicks things up another notch by toning once more with Color Touch 66/45 + 77/45 for 15 minutes. Black roots and red tones make for the most impactful balayage, as seen in this purple burgundy hair look by Brittany. If your client has naturally dark locks, this is a great way to introduce low-commitment pops of color, as the regrowth will be soft and seamless. This is a gorgeous hair idea for clients who crave vibrant tones that boast eye-catching depth. The red is a Color Touch masterpiece, which was applied to an already-dark base for cascading ribbons. Recreate the look with 66/45 + 0/56 + a little bit of 5/66 through strands in chunky highlights. A red with rich undertones - like this sunset orange or even a copper blonde hair color - is perfectly suited to warm skin tones, as it works in perfect harmony to lend added radiance. To recreate the look, paint already-black or deep brown hair with BlondorPlex through the mid-lengths and ends, before toning with Koleston Perfect 7/34. Then, once the color has been thoroughly rinsed out, finish with ribbons of Color Fresh CREATE in Infinite Orange. Opens in a new tabWork with cherry tones for a red and black hair combo like no other. Case in point: this eye-catching mane, crafted with strokes of Koleston Perfect. Through the root section, you're seeing 30g 3/0 + 10g 5/1 + 1.9%. Then, on the lengths, this black hair melt turns radiant red with BlondorPlex + 6% and two toning formulas. This is one spicy red hair color. Swathed through a base of Koleston Perfect 55/46 + 44/65 + 6%, these chili highlights are packed in close together for maximum impact. Recreate the look by lightening chunky sections with BlondorPlex first, then toning with Color Touch 77/45 + 1.9%; a true red with a cool (but burning hot) undertone. Hair care tips to maintain red and black hair color include using color-safe shampoos, a color-depositing mask, and nourishing oils to maintain shine and vibrancy.
Color-treated hair deserves care products that enhance its mileage and up its shine. Before your client leaves the salon, make sure they have these maintenance tips at the ready: 1) Banishing brassy tones with shampoo for colored hair. 2) Using a color-depositing mask to keep reds radiant between appointments. 3) Top up nourishment and shine with lustrous hair oils.
