The first time I spotted cherry red hair in the wild, I nearly walked into a lamppost. It’s that kind of color.
Vibrant, glossy, and packed with personality, cherry red sits right between classic red and bold fashion shades, making it one of the most wearable ways to turn heads.
Whether you want a rich dark cherry hue or a brighter candy-inspired finish, these cherry red hair color ideas are full of inspiration.
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10 Trend Cherry Red Hair Color Ideas
There are also so many variations with the color itself. Here are a few of our faves.
#1 Burgundy cherry red
This is a deep red color with purple-red tones that creates a dramatic look. Burgundy red hair is a statement color and can be easily worn with dark natural coloring.
Try it out as a base color and blend with lighter reds, streaks or highlights to temper the look.
#2 Black cherry red
Black cherry hair is elegant almost-plum shade that gives you all sorts of fantastic hues throughout the different layers highlighted through this deep wine rich tone.
Its not too bright but it’s definitely not dull either!
The pinky purple undertones give it a classy, mature finish that’s absolutely fabulous to wear.
Try black cherry out as a base color and then blend with lighter shades to create highlights, ombre or balayage effects!
#3 Bright cherry red
Bright red hair dye is a look that stands out. This is a beautiful rich red that’s perfect for lighter hair. It’s really rich and romantic.
It can be quite striking depending on your natural hair color, so it’s perfect for dying all over your locks with this shade or mixing with black and red.
Use a permanent hair dye for the best coverage.
#4 Dark cherry red
This mix is blusher than others, with less blue tones making it slightly more pink in tone.
The result is a gorgeous shade that’s bright but not too bold or dark.
Use this as a base color and add lighter tints of red for an ombre or balayage look.
#5 Chocolate cherry balayage
One of the most popular version of this shade right now is chocolate cherry.
This rich mix of mils and dark chocolate browns with deep cherry reds or sending our insta feeds wild.
It’s an easy go-to color for brunettes who want to add a bit of extra sass to their look.
Check out our guide to getting Chocolate cherry hair color if this look is calling you.
#6 Cherry cola hair color
Cherry coke hair color is a super popular trend right now that combines deep red shades with brown undertones.
This creates a natural and warm look that is perfect for those who want to ease into the world of cherry red hair color.
Cherry cola hair looks great on those with warm skin tones and can be styled in loose waves or straightened for a sleek look.
#7 Cherry Red Ombre
Cherry red ombre is a fun way to add some dimension to your hair color.
Starting with a base of dark brown or black hair, have your stylist gradually blend a vibrant cherry red color into the tips of your hair.
This look is perfect for those who want to dip their toes into the world of bold hair colors without fully committing to an all-over cherry red.
#8 Black Cherry Balayage Highlights
This stunning black cherry balayage combines dark, smoky undertones of black cherry hair color with subtle pops of bright cherry red.
It’s perfect for brunettes who want to switch things up without going too drastic.
The key to nailing this look is to focus the color on the mid-lengths and ends of your hair, with a softer gradient towards the roots.
This blending will help create a subtle yet stunning effect that looks effortless yet chic.
#9 Cherry Blonde Balayage
For those who want to lighten things up a bit, cherry blonde balayage is a stunning option.
This involves adding cherry red tones to the ends of blonde hair to create a soft and subtle gradient effect that’s almost cinnamon in tone.
The result is a sun-kissed, beachy look with a pop of color. This look works particularly well for those with lighter skin tones, and can easily transition from summer to fall.
#10 Cherry Red Highlights
If you’re not ready to fully commit to an all-over cherry red hair color, highlights are a great way to add cherry red tones to your hair.
For a more subtle look, go for cherry red highlights in a darker red hue, or stay on-trend with bright cherry red highlights mixed with darker shades of red for a more dimensional look.
Cherry red highlights also pair well with dark hair like brown or black hair, adding a pop of color and dimension to your locks.
Check out more of the latest looks on our Pinterest board for ideas and inspiration.
Cherry red hair color FAQs
What colors go with cherry red hair?
Purple is definitely one of the best complementary colors to cherry red as the two are naturally opposite from each other on the color wheel!
Chocolate browns and brunette colors also work amazingly as lowlights or blended with balayage.
But any other bold colors such as aqua, gold, copper and even teal green will work beautifully this hair color too.
Is cherry red a natural hair color?
Cherry red can be considered a natural color but in most cases the result is not as vibrant and deep as when this color is dyed with a professional hair dye.
Auburn is a natural hair color that’s close in tone and many brunettes opt for red hair dye that has a tint of cherry to enhance their own natural hair color.
Strawberry blonde hair color is another fruity natural shade that’s a lighter mix of red and pink shades on blonde hair.
Natural red hair is fabulous as a base for experimenting with red shades of all depths and tones. Red hair really rocks.
Is cherry warm or cool?
Cherry red is a warm hair color as it has red undertones so it will suit those who have a warm skin tone best.
That’s not to say you can’t cool it down too.
For a cool hair color, opt for a shade which has blue in the mix such as maroon or a burgundy red.
You can blend this into a your base color with highlights, ombre or a balayage effect.
If you’re not sure whether you have warm or cool tones, just use our handy checklist below!
If you have cool undertones:
- Your skin tone is pink or pale.
- You blush easily!
- Jewel and pastel colors are so your thing.
- The color yellow washes you out and does not look good on you.
- You have blue not green veins in your wrist.
- Pearls and silver jewellery look awesome on you.
If you have warm undertones:
- You have red or golden tones in your natural hair.
- Your skin tone is golden, tan or olive.
- You might have freckles.
- You have green not blue veins in your wrist.
- You suit bright or rich shades better.
- Gold jewellery looks awesome on you.
Who suits cherry red hair?
If you’re not sure what colors will suit you, you can take our quick quiz! Just click on the image below to find out which hair colors suit you!
Which Hair Color Suits You?
Or try on some virtual hair colors with the Best hair color app you need to try this year.
Is dark cherry red or purple?
The truth is, it’s a mix of both!
This deep beautiful shade is a dark red with purple undertones so it will be a great compliment to those who have a warm or neutral skin tone.
If you have a cool skin tone try going for burgundy instead which has more blue tones in the mix.
This offers an awesome contrast and really adds dimension to your look if you’re looking for that special edgy vibe!
How do you get red cherry hair?
There are several different hair coloring techniques that can be used to achieve cherry red hair.
You can opt for a permanent hair dye which is applied all over the hair. This type of red will last around 8 weeks.
It’s not the most gentle on the hair so it’s important to take good care of your locks in order to reduce damage and split ends.
Or you could try using semi-permanent reds such as Manic Panic, Arctic Fox (and other brands) or Special Effects.
These dyes won’t last as long but they’re slightly kinder on the scalp and strands, making them an excellent choice for those with finer locks who want a gorgeous shade without too much commitment!
If you’re not afraid of experimenting, you can also try temporary dye colors to see how they look on your own locks without causing any damage.
These are great for giving your hair a boost every now and again, adding an awesome flair to your look!
The best way of achieving this color though is through permanent dyeing or semi-permanent dyeing with cherry hair dye or similar shades close to it in terms of intensity and finish.
Here are our top recommend ones to help you nail the juicy look!
Always check the color your hair is now with the chart on the side of your chosen box dye. And ALWAYS do a strand test before you start!
Best cherry red hair dyes at a glance.
Watch and learn: How to dye your hair cherry red.
How long does cherry red hair dye last?
The permanent dyes tend to last around 8 weeks, whereas semi-permanent dyes will fade away after about 20 washes.
This is actually a color that fades quite well and tends to stick around. Darker shades such as burgundy or maroon normally fade into reds.
Depending on the type of hair dye you use, red is a hard color to remove!
The biggest problem you’ll have when using permanent dyes is root regrowth. So if you’re looking for this shiny new look, be prepared to dye your hair more often.
How to care for cherry hair.
The good news is that cherry red is an easy color to care for.
You don’t want to wash it too often, but a gentle color-safe shampoo and a moisturising conditioner every now and again will keep your locks in great shape.
If you’re going for a permanent dye, make sure you use a sulphate-free shampoo and keep the product away from your scalp or at least rinse it really well with cool water. This helps reduce irritation.
This style should look shiny and glossy so use products like nourishing oil or serum that that’s good for dyed hair and promotes shine!
Parting words.
So that’s how to get the juicy look. Whatever your skin tone, style or personality, it’s all about finding the ride shade for you.
Whether you want bold or light, we’ve got it covered with our helpful guide.
Get ready for compliments from everyone who sees your new look! Good luck!
Found your perfect cherry red shade? We’d love to see it! Tag us on Instagram @colouredhaircare or Facebook and share your hair dye success stories. Looking for more hair care tips? Check out How to Look After Colored Hair: 11 Expert Secrets For Long-Lasting Color.
Our Research & Review Process
To ensure our recommendations are as comprehensive and reliable as possible, we’ve undertaken an extensive research effort.
We cite scientific evidence and journals, collect real user reviews and gather impartial perspectives from hair stylists, users, and experts in the field.
Additionally, we conduct hands-on testing by using products and applying hair dyes not only on our own locks but also on real human hair extensions and hair pieces of different hair type, textures and lengths.
This rigorous approach allows us to provide you with insights into which products genuinely live up to their promises.
As always – please consult with a professional hair colorist or stylist for advice on how to color your own hair at home. It’s different for everyone!
