With the dark months upon us, it's the perfect time to swap out the lighter, beachy tones of summer. And what better way to do that than by blending two of our favorite dark shades: red and brown? What's great about reddish-brown hair colors is that there is truly an endless number of different combinations. Deep, warm tones like berry and mahogany make for rich bases, mid-tones like chestnut and copper add dimension, and highlights in shades of gold and strawberry lighten things up. Combine any number of these for a look that feels wholly appropriate for the season.
22 reddish-brown hair color ideas for inspiration
Tawny Tones-Add texture to a monochromatic reddish brown shade with a choppy, layered cut. This tawny brown feels like the perfect transitional tone to bring you from the darker shades of winter into spring.
Copper Brown-Like browns and reds, there's a spectrum of copper, and this deep shade is perfect for natural brunettes.
Strawberry Brunette-We all know how gorgeous strawberry tones look layered on top of blonde strands, but this look is proof that brunettes shouldn't sleep on the pastel reddish shade-particularly because it's low maintenance. It's easy to keep looking fresh thanks to the way it blends red and brown (instead of using one to cover the other), which means it fades fairly seamlessly.
Kendall Jenner Red-Kendall Jenner's color transformation in 2022 was the first time fans had ever seen her rocking anything other than her signature espresso. She went for a reddish-brown tone that toes the line between bronze and copper, with a high-shine-almost metallic-finish to match.
Chocolate and Copper-Celebrity colorist Matt Rez used a combination formula of copper and chocolate tones to create this brownish-red shade on Joey King.
Chestnut-Warm browns and subtle reds come together to create this chestnut look. The grown-out roots add depth, enhancing the overall richness of the brunette tones.
Autumn Palette-Bring the best of fall foliage into a single multifaceted look. Speak to your colorist about which combinations and ratios of golden and reddish tones will work best with your natural base color.
Metallic Rust-Before Khloé Kardashian took the redheaded plunge with "strawberry shortcake" hair, she debuted a slightly bronzier take on the shade. The deep, burnished orange looks especially gorgeous paired with over-lined lips in the same shade.
Auburn-Sophie Turner's auburn hair was the perfect example of how dimensional the shade can be. Its brown undertones add depth and balance to the bright, fiery red tones that beautifully catch the light.
Amber Waves-Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images. Clueless fans will recognize the iconic Amber bob as the likely inspo behind Chrissy Teigen's reddish-brown hair. The look is very '90s-coded, which means it's extremely on-trend for today.
Cherry Cola Red-A-listers like Dua Lipa, Megan Thee Stallion, and Dove Cameron have experimented with edgy cherry cola hues. It’s no surprise that cherry cola-colored hair is trending. With the '90s influence still strong, it’s time for a revival of '90s color trends for hair.
Mahogany-For a deep reddish brown combination that looks completely natural, try this rich mahogany on for size. The warm tones evoke images of expensive, polished wood-it's the ultimate quiet luxury shade.
Piece-y Reds-These chunky highlights in shades of strawberry and copper make a beautiful complement to the berry lowlights beneath them. Together, they create a cohesive and stunning burnished red.
Raspberry Red-Opt to layer your brown hair with a red dye with blueish undertones to create this raspberry shade. It's got a jewel-toned feel that kicks natural red up a notch into true statement-making territory.
Fiery Streaks-Bella Hadid showed off another '90s/early-aughts trend with these piece-y red highlights. Not ready to make a full commitment? You can always test-drive the look with some clip-ins-further proof that everything from those decades is coming back into style.
Chocolate Cherry-This chocolate cherry shade is a perfectly balanced reddish-brown. It blends warm scarlet and deep chestnut in equal parts, making it ideal for anyone who can't decide which end of the spectrum to lean toward.
Cinnamon-This beautifully balayaged look combines mahogany roots and slightly lighter, red-tinted lengths. Together, they create a dimensional cinnamon shade.
Reddish-Brown Braids-No matter what style of braids you choose, you can't go wrong pairing natural brown hair with a sultry red. Protective styles are a great, low-commitment way to experiment with color.
Flaming Highlights-This spectacular red, orange, gold, and brown look mimics the appearance of flames. And just like a real fire, we can't look away from its captivating complexity.
Garnet-This garnet shade isn't quite brown or red-it falls almost perfectly in the middle between the two-making it a great option for anyone who wants the best of both worlds.
Warm Chestnut-Here's another gorgeous chestnut situation courtesy of Chloe Bailey. Surprisingly, this color is fairly low maintenance thanks to its immense warmth.
Natural Dark Red-Lola Tung's natural hair color is a gorgeous dark red that many people mistake for brunette. If you’re looking to mix things up as a brunette but don’t want to commit to a bleach job or an entirely new color, red-brown hair color could be the perfect fix. The shade is particularly popular among celebs right now, but trendiness aside, it’s a flattering choice for a wide range of hair types and skin tones. You’ll get the best of both worlds by embracing your depth, and adding a little heat.
Which red-brown shade is right for me? “Red-brown hair is vibrant and eye-catching, adding drama and sophistication,” says hairstylist and Ulta Beauty Pro team member Danielle Keasling. “It works well with fair to medium skin tones, enhancing warm undertones, and its versatility allows shades from subtle strawberry to deep auburn brunette.”
“This is a color you really have to speak and collaborate with your colorist on,” says Rita Hazan, Beyoncé's long-time celebrity colorist and founder of Rita Hazan Salon in NYC. Hazan advises opting for rich tones over ashy browns, which might wash you out when tinged with red. “For those with warmer undertones, deeper shades of reddish brown will look best, while those with cooler undertones look best with more vibrant cool shades,” she says.
How much maintenance is involved in red-brown hair? If it’s your first time adding red tones to your hair, do your homework before committing: You might have to invest a bit more effort in making it last than previous color treatments. “Maintenance matters, so investing in professional color-maintaining shampoos like Biolage Color Last is key to longevity and extended vibrancy,” says Keasling. “First-timers may start with red-leaning highlights before committing to a full color.”
“Reddish hues are infamous for washing out quicker than any shade, which is why I instruct my clients to do at-home glosses and deep conditioning in the shower between salon color sessions,” Hazan says. She recommends using Glaze Supergloss to boost vibrancy without disturbing your salon treatment in between appointments. “If you are not dosing your hair with color between visits, I tell clients to come into the salon at least every four to six weeks for a touchup,” she says.
Now for the fun part.
HOW TO FIND YOUR PERFECT RED LIP *works every time*
Practical guidance and considerations
- Work with a colorist to choose the right balance between red and brown based on your skin undertone and natural base.
- Consider fall and winter styling goals: warmth, depth, and longevity of color.
| Shade family | Key characteristics | Maintenance note |
|---|---|---|
| Mahogany | Deep reddish-brown, warm | Moderate upkeep, gloss between visits |
| Chestnut | Warm brown with red undertones | Low to moderate upkeep |
| Cherry Cola Red | Bright red-brown with cool undertones | Higher fade risk; regular glossing |
tags: #brown #hair #with #red #underlayer