Are your clients craving a warm chocolatey color that seamlessly weaves in dimension and intertwines luxurious red and brown hues? If so, we are going to show you just how to achieve this stunning look on your clients. Similar to every other hair color, chocolate red hair can come out looking in many different ways. The final pigment depends largely on the client’s hair color, texture and length, as well as the techniques and products the stylist uses to color the hair. Typically, chocolate red hair will be a very warm hue and can incorporate more red hues or more brown tones - depending on the client’s preference.
For clients who want deep and dark red and chocolate tones, you can go with a medium brown chocolate red color. For clients who want fiery red hair with less maintenance and longer-lasting hues, try working medium or dark brown color into the red to make it last longer. The red ombre trend will be around forever because it’s truly a stunning look. For clients who want to maintain darker, brown roots, you can do a dark or medium brown shadow root while painting in more red toward the bottom of the hair. If your client wants to go with a bolder red color while still incorporating brown, you can prioritize red on top while coloring the under sections of the hair deep brown.
If your client isn’t totally sold on incorporating a fiery red color with their brunette locks, then you may want to try adding in auburn lights that will still warm the style up and give the client a chocolatey look. Playing with copper and brown tones is also a great way to achieve milk chocolate-looking hair while still incorporating warmer tones that aren’t red. This look is still very luxurious looking.
Red fades quickly, which is why it’s so important to educate your clients on how to take care of their hair to retain vibrancy and color after they leave the salon. Here are some tips you can equip them with. Your clients are going to love their new, gorgeous chocolatey red hair!
The Chocolate Cherry Hair Color Trend
Meet the shade that’s stealing the spotlight - chocolate cherry hair color. This dark reddish brown is as tempting as it appears, melting rich radiant brunettes into violet tinted crimsons. It’s giving us a cherry crush like never before. Get ready because this one's going big this season. That means now is the perfect time to start brushing up on the chocolate cherry trend. Clients are already asking for it and it’s easy to see why. The glossy dimension, the sultry depth - it’s the total package. It flatters a wide range of skin tones and adds a bold twist to classic brunette. Whether they want subtle hints or full-on cherry saturation, there’s a version for every vibe.
Below we’re revealing seven formulas to help you perfect your client's color from root to tip.
Chocolate Cherry Hair Color Trend: Variations and Customization
Chocolate cherry is one of the most versatile shades of red, allowing you to take it brighter, deeper, warmer, or cooler to complement your client's skin tone. For example, if they have warm undertones and want a flattering contrast, opt for reds with a touch of violet to create a cherry mahogany hair color. On the other hand, if their skin has cool undertones that would glow with added warmth, enhance the rich brown hues in their formula by blending in a hint of neutral red. Creating the perfect shade comes down to how you customize your client’s color service - not to mention the coloring technique you choose.
You could even go for a balayage technique, sweeping those lustrous ribbons through the mid-lengths and ends of a natural brunette base. That’s what Jada has done here, using our most pigmented, demi-permanent hair color, Color Touch, in 4/0 + 5/4 as a root shadow mixed with Color Touch Emulsion 1.9% (6 volume). Follow with 5/66 + 6/45 + 0/56 + Emulsion 1.9% (6 volume) on pre-lightened mid-lengths and ends, for a flawless finish. If you want to enhance the color, achieve brighter blonde highlights as a base first, before applying your Color Touch formulas.
Mahogany Glow
This gorgeous look was created using two industry favorites: Wella Professionals Blondor and Koleston Perfect - the perfect duo for stunning results. Mix Blondor Multi Blonde with Welloxon Perfect Developer 6% (20 volume) to pre-lighten the hair and enhance the intensity of your chocolate cherry color. Starting with a brunette base color on a level five and seven, this mane was transformed with Wella Professionals Color Touch. It's the perfect product when vibrancy and shine are your client's top priority. Apply 5/75 + 5/66 + 0/45 + 1.9% (6 volume) as an all-over color to create the look. #PROTIP: Looking to step up the color vibrancy? When hair looks this rich, you just know it's got to be Koleston Perfect. It's our go-to permanent product for vibrant color with reliable results from roots to ends. If you want to recreate the look, try applying a mahogany blend of 33/55 through the root section, followed by a combo of 44/44 + 66/55 on the mid-lengths and ends. There's an extra dose of burgundy red in this shade of chocolate cherry hair color - perfect for anyone with a warm skin tone who loves the fresh contrast of cool-toned locks. Try recreating the look with Koleston Perfect in the shades 44/65 + 66/46 + 55/66, applied from root to tip through dark hair to truly pack a statement. Bonus: Koleston Perfect features our unique Metal Purifier in each tube of color, which prevents any metals within the hair (usually copper) from causing damage during the coloring process. So, not only are you achieving your client's dream shade, but you're helping them maintain healthy hair too. Plus, it gives you up to 100% gray coverage.
Cherry Glaze
If there were a perfect formula, this might be it! Get inspired to create your next salon look with this gorgeous chocolate cherry color. Pre-lighten using Wella Professionals Blondor + Welloxon 6% (20 volume). Then gloss with Color Touch 66/45 and 4% Emulsion (13 volume) for added vibrancy and saturation. Finish the look with an after-care recommendation for your salon guest: Color Fresh Mask Red-the perfect at-home color-depositing conditioner to keep their color vibrant between visits.
How to Maintain Chocolate Cherry Hair
Reds are notoriously tricky to maintain, as they tend to fade faster than other shades. Make sure your client leaves the salon with all the tips they need to get more longevity out of their new look. Here's how they can keep their cherry chocolate hair looking rich and healthy from one appointment to the next:
- Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair: Use a color-safe formula to avoid rapid fading. Suggest INVIGO Brilliance Color Protection Shampoo or Ultimate Repair Shampoo for damaged hair.
- Deep Conditioner Duo: Nourish with Ultimate Repair Conditioner and Miracle Hair Rescue. Leave conditioner 30 seconds to three minutes, then mist with Miracle Hair Rescue to repair in 90 seconds. This trio delivers smoother hair, less breakage, and lasting shine.
- Shield from Heat, Sun and Chlorine: Use protective products like EIMI Thermal Image and EIMI Glam Mist. Rinse hair with clean water before swimming to minimize chlorine uptake.
Think of this as your “ruby chocolate” approach to chocolate cherry hair. It’s lighter, brighter, and more vibrant-making it a perfect hue for those ready to experiment with a bolder look. To attain this chocolate red hair color, try L’Oréal Paris Féria Multi-Faceted Shimmering Permanent Hair Color in Brilliant Bordeaux. Once you’ve achieved the chocolate red hair color of your dreams, you’ll want it to stick around for the long haul.
Chocolate cherry hair isn’t too high maintenance, provided you care for it properly. If you’re not sure what exactly that means, keep reading-we’re breaking down three of our best color-care hair tips below.
To recreate the look at home, you can use dye kits that match the shade range described, and balance warmth with brown tones to suit skin tones and maintenance preferences. The look varies from vibrant reddish-brown to a more muted warm brunette, with deeper, violet-tinted undertones that shimmer in sunlight. If you’re selecting a base shade for a client, consider starting with a warm brunette or medium brown foundation and layer in reds and purples for depth and dimension.
How To : Cherry Red Hair Colour || Balayage Technique || Iridescent Red Hair Colour || Easy Tutorial
Whether you’re aiming for a subtle hint or full-on cherry saturation, there’s a version for every vibe, and colorists can tailor the shade to suit the client’s undertones and lifestyle. The key is balancing red and brown hues, choosing the right technology and products, and guiding clients on maintenance to preserve vibrancy between appointments.
Practical Formulas Summary for Quick Reference
- Root shadow: 4/0 + 5/4 with Color Touch Emulsion 1.9% (6 volume) followed by mid-lengths/ends with 5/66 + 6/45 + 0/56 + Emulsion 1.9% (6 volume).
- All-over color variant: 5/75 + 5/66 + 0/45 + 1.9% (6 volume).
- Pre-lighten and gloss: Blondor Multi Blonde + Welloxon 6% (20 volume), gloss with Color Touch 66/45 and 4% Emulsion (13 volume).
- Final vibrancy boost: Koleston Perfect blends such as 33/55, 44/44, 66/55, and 55/66 across roots to ends.