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L'Oreal's guide to dying your hair red

Red hair colour – it’s fierce, vibrant and stands out in a crowd. From warm, orange-red hues to the boldest scarlet shade, there are so many ways to give your hair an edge.

Always toyed with the idea of going red but worried about maintaining those fiery hues? We’ve spent years honing our hair colour products, so vibrant, fiery and bright red hair is easier than ever to achieve.

Follow our guide on how to dye your hair red at home – from choosing your best shade, to the dyeing process and aftercare.

Which shade of red is right for me?

-For cool, rosier skin tones: Go for red-red or red-violet
-For warmer or olive skin tones: Choose red-red or orange-red. It’s best to stick to either two shades lighter or darker than your natural hair colour. This is more likely to give you a great colour match with your brows and skin tone.

How to dye hair bright red

Follow these steps to achieve beautiful, bright red hair with Colorista Bright Red Permanent Gel Hair Dye. If you don’t want to commit to a full head of colour, dip-dyeing and ombre techniques are a great way to get some subtle red tones. Make sure you are colour safe and that you do your allergy alert test 48h before colouring hair! You can do this by applying a small amount of the red hair dye and peroxide behind your ear.

Step 1

Red hair colour dyes better when you haven’t used shampoo for at least a day. Be sure to wear gloves, cover shoulders with a towel and wear an old t-shirt. Then begin by brushing out any knots and clip your hair up into two or three sections, leaving the bottom layer loose.

Step 2

Here’s a simple and great hack to make sure you don’t stain your skin: rub a thin layer of petroleum jelly around your hairline. Who wants pink blotches on their forehead? Not us!

Step 3

Remember to always follow the instructions on the packet. As a general guide (please refer to the Colorista Paint leaflet for more information) begin applying the mixture onto your roots and then apply the remaining product through lengths and ends. For even, all-over colour, it might be easier to get a friend to help you out. Repeat layer-by-layer, un-clipping hair as you go, making sure you’re coating every strand. Applying the dye can take between 10 and 20 minutes depending on the thickness of your hair.

Step 4

Once you’ve applied the red hair colour, secure your hair so it’s out of way. Remove any excess dye from the skin surrounding your hairline, then relax while you wait for the colour to develop. Go with the recommended time in the instruction leaflet, but check on it regularly to see how it’s progressing. We recommend waiting the full development time for the most vibrant, long-lasting colour. After all, good things come to those who wait!

Step 5

Time’s up! Wash your hair until the water runs clear and apply the nourishing post-colour mask included in the box. Leave the conditioner in for a while longer than usual to really lock that moisture into your hair.

Dry straight away to see your new vibrant red hair!

Dyeing dark hair red

Brunette is an easy shade to transition from, providing the red hair colour you choose is darker than your current shade. The red hues in permanent dye are powerful and transform brown hair easily. Dyeing black hair red (especially if it’s been dyed black) isn’t recommended unless you see a hair colour professional who can bleach it first. Don’t want to go for a permanent shade? You could always try our Colorista Washout in red.

Dyeing blonde hair red

Blonde bombshells, it’s worth noting that rich, merlot shades of red could end up turning pink, which probably isn’t quite the look you were going for. Use the Colorista bright red shade, and make sure you keep up the fade-defying maintenance tips afterwards to keep your locks vibrant.

Our Colorista Bright Red Permanent Gel Hair Dye isn’t recommended for very light blondes, but rose gold could be your colour. Discover different rose gold looks here.

How to stop red hair fading

Red hair colour does have a reputation for fading fast. This can be explained by some simple science: red molecules are slightly larger than those found in other hair dyes, and the larger surface area stands less chance of clinging to your hair.

But it’s not all doom and gloom – following a colour maintenance haircare routine and investing in a good quality home dye kit are essential for maintaining luscious red locks. Colorista Bright Red Permanent Gel Hair Dye is expertly formulated to lock in colour, and by using Elvive Colour Protect products in your daily routine, your hair will look radiant for longer and get the nourishment it needs to stay looking fresh.

Fancy trying a different bright shade? Get some inspiration for a bold new look here, or if you fancy something lighter, follow our guide to dyeing your hair silver.

Four signs your hair is unhealthy - and what to do about it

Worried about your hair health?

We reveal some of the most common signs your hair needs some TLC, and what to do about it…

Excessive hair shedding

It’s normal to lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day but excessive hair shedding could be a sign of a deeper issue. Losing hair can be a temporary thing, affected by stress, weight loss or pregnancy. If your hair is shedding a lot however it’s best to talk to your doctor to see if there is an underlying health issue.

Lots of split ends

If you notice more split ends than normal, it’s time to take a look at what’s happening with your hair health. While a trim is the best way to get rid of split ends, deep conditioning can also help restore your hair and reduce breakage.

Overly tangly hair

When hair is damaged or weak, it’s more likely to get tangled. But if you’re constantly trying to detangle hair you could be causing even more damage, especially when it’s wet and at its most vulnerable. Using a leave-in conditioner before you set about detangling can help.

Hair snapping

Hair snapping easily is another sign it’s unhealthy and this means it’s probably time to look at the styling appliances you’re using, as hot tools like hairdryers, straighteners and curlers are harsh on hair. Invest in a heat protectant spray, lower the heat level on styling tools and use a boar bristle brush for minimal damage.

Emily in Paris's Lily Collins' day to night French Girl make up look

Three ways to take care of dyed hair - and make your colour last longer

1. Wait 72 hours before shampooing
Hair dye works by opening the cuticle layer of your hair and penetrating the hair shaft. And it can take up to three days for the cuticle to close again.

If you wash during this time, you'll also be washing your money down the drain, literally! The longer you wait between colouring your hair and the first shampoo, the better.

2. Use products specially formulated for coloured hair
If you dye your hair, it’s important to use hair products that are made to be used on coloured hair.

Most products will say if they are for coloured hair, but as if not just aim for sulphate free.

3. Use deep conditioner
Healthy hair holds onto colour for longer. A deep conditioner is the perfect product to repair dry, damaged hair. Just make sure it is a deep conditioner specially formulated for coloured hair!

How do I take care of my blonde curly hair?

Being blonde and curly are two things that need just that little bit extra attention when it comes to hair care.

Here are our top tips for looking after your colour and curls.

Shampoo sparingly

Over-washing curly hair can strip it of the natural oils you need to keep it healthy, shiny and hydrated. Opt for colour enhancing purple shampoos. Click here to read about our pick of the best.

Condition like crazy

Coloured hair, as well as curl, need extra moisture, so invest in some quality deep conditioner and try and do a hair mask once a week.

Over avoid-styling

Heated styling tools like hairdryers, straighteners and curlers really play havoc with hair, so try to minimise how often you do this, and keep the heat setting low.