24 Stunning Dark Red Hair Colors We're Tempted to Try

Although creative hair colors have seen more cultural acceptance over the past ten years or so, dark red hair feels like it's held widespread popularity much longer. While cotton candy-type blue and pink hues might (wrongfully) garner some judgmental looks, burgundy and auburn locks have long been so common that they might as well be naturally occurring. Most "natural only" offices will even let these shades slip by without a second thought—they're that embedded in the collective consciousness.

This is fortunate for us, because not only do we love dark reds, but you're sure to find at least one that works on every skin tone. This shade is super complementary and usually comes down to personal preference, colorist Angelica Triana says.

For more proof of that, we talked to the red hair expert herself, Chelsey Pickthorn.

"Dark red hair is different from copper and other red tones as it is on the deeper side of the spectrum," Pickthorn says, "Depending on what your natural color is, generally deeper reds show more in the light and have a reflection that reads red. Many times the undertones are red-orange or red-violet." 

A bevy of celebrities frequent the color as well, like Ariana Grande (known for the red hair she had during her Nickelodeon days), Demi Lovato, Rihanna, and (famously) Lana Del Rey. While these are all good starting points when it comes to inspiration, Pickthorn says it's important to go with what works for you, and tailors her work based on each individual's unique qualities, taking hair texture, base color, and natural undertones into consideration.

Before you schedule an appointment, know that as with any red color, deep red is, "the hardest to keep up and the hardest to get rid of."

This is due to the amount of pigment, and the special mixing that goes into creating 'your perfect red' Pickthron says. Triana echoes this, noting that every hair type needs different amounts of saturation, so make sure to discuss the finer details with your chosen stylist.

Now that you've got the top tips, we rounded up a few of our favorite shades on a few celebrities, in case you're thinking about a deep yet subtle hair change. Keep scrolling for all the dark red hair inspiration, including maintenance tips from the pro.